Full Figured Lingerie

I am a third generation dressmaker / seamstress and the first in my family to earn a degree in fashion design. Between all the fittings I have watched my mother conduct, and all the fashion shows I have hosted, I have seen scores of women in their underwear -thin and full figured. Until this day I am still amazed at how little thought a woman will give to choosing the right bra. I have seen women dressed to the nines in what they felt was their very best, wearing a flimsy ill fitting bra or one that was totally inappropriate for the outfit; we`ve all seen them, you know:

Flopsy and Mopsy- When the bra has no support whatsoever and "the girls" are like bunny ears that jump and jiggle with any movement.

The Chokers- When she`s wearing them so high you feel she might pass out any moment.

The Uni-Boob-. When the bust line has no definition at all it is just one big blob of flesh.

The Quadruplets-The bra is w-aaay too small and her breast are spilling over the top so it looks as if she has four.

The Stair Steps- One up, and one down.

And that`s is just to name a few. Your choice of a bra can make or break your look, especially when you are naturally well endowed.

Take pride in your girls there are women out here who have had to pay good money for theirs. (Which reminds me to remind you to please do your monthly self checks and go for regular mammograms.)

Remember the right bra not only lifts and separates; it will "improve your posture, proportions and make you look pounds thinner."

The Right Bra Can Make Your Presentation A Work Of Art!

Ok, Ok, I know I`m obsessing but you`ll thank me later.

The Right Fit

From what I have seen, I doubt that all women know that you can actually try on a bra before you purchase. In better department stores there is usually someone who works in lingerie trained to fit you . If you would like to try measuring yourself put on your very best bra, get a tape measure and measure around your body across your back at the level under your bra line. This measurement determines your width. 38, 40, 42, 44 etc. Round it off to the next whole number. Then lift the tape measure up being sure to keep it straight, and measure across the fullest part of your bust.

This measurement determines your cup size.

If the difference between the measurements is only a 1/2 inch you are an AA cup.

2 inches a B cup

3 inches a C cup

4 inches a D cup

and I have heard of cup sizes all the way to -M. And still after that there are custom bras. No matter what you think you know even then, still try on the bra. The fit changes from one manufacturer to the next. Try it on, then put on your shirt, dress or whatever to see if it works under your clothes. You would be surprised, sometimes it looks perfect of itself but not so good under an outfit. keep in mind that plus sized bras can be a challenge. The measuring technique described will get you in the ball park, but in the long run you'll find the best bras through trial and error. Now at least you know what makes for a good fit.

Remember all of your breast should be inside the cups no spillage on top or at the sides. The center of the bra which looks like a small triangle should lay flat against your chest.. If you have a fleshy back, look for bras with a wider band. Leave the skinny bands for the skinny girls. Be sure you can adjust the straps and that they don't dig into your shoulders. Bust level is just about the middle of your upper arm. If you have heavy breast don`t be afraid to try under wire bras they support and shape full figured women beautifully they are not as inclined to poke as they did years ago. When they do start to poke , it is usually time to retire the bra.

when you find one that really works get at least two of that same style. I have to admit that I can sometimes get really attached to a particular bra, especially when I am not able to replace it; it will get a little- well- ah- worn. The truth is we just have to be strong and give them a proper burial (can you hear taps?). The experts say that bras should be replaced every 6-9 months. Personally I think it will be longer depending on how often you wear it, the quality of the bra and how you care for it. This is a good reason for having an entire wardrobe of well fitting bras, with two or three of your favorite style.

. BTW: too busy to hand wash? There are special mesh lingerie bags you can buy for washing bras. If you put them in the machine as is, the straps will often get wound and tangled with other garments or in parts of the washing machine, which is how they can too quickly lose shape, or tear. Be sure to wash in cold water and line dry

They are making the most beautiful, sensual feminine and sexy undergarments these days and for big Beautiful Women too thank goodness! The colors textures, fabric, and trim are irresistible. Gone are the days of the plain white bra and panty; but please remember first and foremost that when you shop for undergarments you are shopping for your foundation. Keep them, simple, smooth, neat and functional. Buy your serious underwear with clean lines and save the lacy bras, push up bras, demi bras, and bustier's for your audience. Men Love them and they will make you feel very pretty. But that's another kind of presentation altogether. We`re working now on what the rest of the world will see.

High Functioning Bras

For wearing knits or clingy fabric invest in several soft cup or T- shirt type bras they are smooth and seamless and appear barely there under your knits. Some have molded cups which shape the bust beautifully. If prominent nipples are a concern there are some that have a special layer of fabric for camouflage. Now its true the larger your bra size the more difficult it might be to find a certain kind of bra and the more it will cost when you do find one; but remember your girls deserve the quality, and it will be so worth it. It`s not like shopping for groceries you wont have to buy a new bra every week with a little TLC they will last for a while.

When you are wearing woven fabrics or more structured garments with darts and fitting seams, a denim dress for example; you can wear a more structured bra or one that also has seams. This type of bra seems to add emphasis or help to define the shape of a garment. A softer seamless bra can sometimes look mushy ;and because the woven fabric is thicker and less clingy the seams of the more structured bra will not show through.

If you`re Plus Sized and busty and you often wear suits or tailored clothes you should look for a good minimizer bra. They can reduce your bust line by a whole cup size. They flatten your breast a little by spreading them out into your armpits. You should also adjust the straps a little lower so that if your suit has lapels for instance, they will lay neatly and flat on your chest.

. Get 30% Off our Most Popular Bras at Cheapundies.com .

The Right Panty

Far less complicated is underwear. I love the way my legs look in bikinis and hi-cut panties they look at least 6 inches longer in my opinion; but my favorite hi-cuts also create the most awful panty lines in anything I'm wearing except a full skirt. They look terrible in jeans or a fitted skirt and I wont go near them in dress pants. I hate panty lines but the thought of wearing a thong, (a perpetual wedgy) terrifies me. I actually found one my size in a Big Beautiful Woman lingerie catalog bought it and tried it on. Ewwww! Not a pretty sight believe me. Then there were the boy cut shorts that I thought might work, but they too landed in a very dark place. Ok so what`s a plus Size girl to do? Panties! Briefs! That`s what. They cover everything, gut, butt etc. I found some amazing stretch cotton panties (remember for absorbency). They look and feel wonderful! I have also found a long leg style panty to help alleviate chafing.

5 Panties for $29 at LaneBryant.com!

It`s the stretch and close comfortable fit that in my mind makes them not-Granny Panties- and I love not having any panty lines or a wedgy. I buy black, brown, nude tones and any others that will come close to the colors of my bras. I do like to be coordinated. Every now and then I will find a good comfortable looking pair of Cotton briefs at Lane Bryant that will match my bra and I get excited. But if all else fails I am going for fit, comfort and cleanliness first. The matching thing is secondary. I love my good ol` Panties. My hat`s off to all of you full figured ladies who can manage anything else.

And Remember Big Beautiful ladies there`s nothing at all wrong with having lots and lots of good panties.

Yeah, Yeah Slips Too

Although slips can be a pain and seem really old fashioned these days, sometimes they just work, especially under more structured garments. It depends on the fabric but, sometimes having a layer between you and the dress or skirt is a good idea. Better clothes will often have a lining and you wont need a slip, but slips are like the primer under paint, it makes the paint go on smoother and helps to minimize any imperfections on the wall surface in this case our rolls and folds. You should have on standby a dark and light half slip and a dark and light full slip. Keep it simple not to frilly so the details wont show through what you`re wearing. And Please do try a spandex version for clingy fabrics.

Shape Wear, aka "Roll Control"

Which brings us to shape wear. I have a friend who's moderately plus sized and several years older than I. She religiously wears a *long line bra (circa 1963). She loves the curvy hour glass look. She hints every now and then that I should look for one too. You know- to deal with my waistline challenge. It`s never gonna happen. I`d love to have the curves but just the thought of wearing a suit of armor for any longer than it takes to snap a cell phone photo makes me ill

I did however buy a spandex camisole, which smoothes out my back nicely and makes me look so much neater especially in knits. I also found a spandex slip by "just My Size" which has some kind of heavy duty elastic at the hem so it doesn`t ride up. And more recently I`ve discovered Spanx. I don`t get hour glass curves, but I do get a lot more control. It`s tight-ish but doesn`t feel nearly as confining as the old time stuff.

My Spanx have a high waist and long panty legs that smoothes out my torso, the cellulite on my thighs and it also keeps me from chafing. Having that extra layer under dress pants also seems to minimize -the creep. You know the classic big girl look when both inseams are trying to work their way to your crotch. When not wearing the second layer, I believe the moisture between your legs makes the pants stick to your skin which largely contributes to their riding up.