Bras and Your Body

We just talked about body shape.
So why is this important to us, in the bra world?
I'll tell you.
Body shape has EVERYTHING to do with bras.
If you're tube shaped, usually you'll have strap problems, because you have skinny or narrow shoulders. Tube shapes often need a u back, or ballet back, bra to keep their straps on.

Hourglass shapes are often full  busted, meaning their band size and chest size may not make much sense. This is often where you see a small band, but a large chest. Bras for this size are hard to find and design, because you can't rely on the same structural integrity a normally proportioned bra has. (Size examples: 32 C, 32/34 D)

Apple shapes usually have incorrect measurements when they try to get fitted, because they slim as you progress down their body. So if an apple measures a 38 B, they might actually be a 36 B or C.

Pear shapes usually have the same problems are tube shapes, and need bras with special straps to keep them on.

This has been your peek into why your body type is important to know!
Stay tuned for later updates!

Booblogger out!
(OYO)

Body Shape

Generally, most parts of our bodies are proportional. But sometimes, we have one part of our body that's way different from the rest. The four standard types:
Tube
Hourglass
Apple
Pear

Tube:
Tube is where the body is mostly straight, Generally thin, this body type is slim hipped with small framed shoulders.
This doesn't mean girls like this don't have breasts or a bum, but they usually don't extend width wise in those areas.

Hourglass:
This is a body type which is, well, like an hourglass.
Slim waisted, but usually with defined hips and and a chest that is bigger than the waist.

Apple:
This is sometimes referred to as full busted. This body type has a small lower body and usually a full bust or large chest.

Pear:
Pear shaped girls have wide hips, and usually a small bust.

These are really easy to remember. Basically they look exactly like what they're called. Things have names for a reason.
BE INFORMED!
Later we'll discuss why these shapes are important.

Booblogger out!
(OYO)

The iLoo

On April 30, 2003 Microsoft (UK division) announced that they would be releasing what they called an iLoo at music festivals in the summer of 03.
For our friends who don't know British slang, that's iPotty.
This fancy dancy potty would include:
~Wireless keyboard
~A height adjustable flat plasma screen
~A six channel surround sound speaker system under the sink
~Broadband internet access
~Toilet paper with url suggestions printed on it
~A toilet equipped with vacuum suction
You know, for any discrepencies in your aim.
But let's think about this.
Music festivals+beer+drunk people+toilets+technology=?
I'm guessing something awful.
Like, isn't someone going to throw up on the speaker system? Or pee on the keyboard?
God only knows what would go on in there, and no one else wants to know.
God doesn't want to know.
Microsoft said they would have a security guard and cleaner standing watch over the precious potty, to ensure cleanliness and sanity.
I don't think anyone from Microsoft has actually been to a music festival, or they would have understood how awful this idea is.
When the media went into a frenzy with questions, and emotions ran high, Microsoft announced the product was a hoax.
Which is funny because:
A. It was after April 1st
B. Miscrosoft had never had a hoax product before (Unlike many other companies)
C. This was two weeks after the products debute


THAN
The next day, they announced that it wasn't a hoax.
Microsoft was being a teensy bit confusing. They finally admitted the product has been under serious development, and the team had worked really hard.


But I guess headquarters shut it down.
And I mean, it's kind of hard to disagree with that decision.

Booblogger out!

(oYo)

Shapewear

Shapewear.
What exactly is shapewear?
Shapewear is a garment, which is worn under normal clothes, that enhances your body.
To make this very clear, shapewear does not change the shape of your body, it only enhances what you already have.

Shapewear usually comes in three kinds of holds

Light:
Has a weave that allows for a little bit more natural enhancing
Is the most comfortable of shapewear options.
Smooth, and shapes
Thin and usually seamless

Medium:
Has a weave that is between comfort and enhancement
Smooths and shapes
Also lifts and tones

Firm:
Tightest weave of all shapewear
Least comfortable
Compresses or molds
Occasionally involves strong seams and boning

Most shapewear is not an everyday buy. It's generally for a special occasion, but it's becoming more and more common for a light shapewear to be worn everyday.
This sort of thing ages way back. Think corsets and garters. Women have always wanted to look their best, and shapewear can help you do that.
New developments in shapewear are the new fabrics, which are lightweight, stretchy microfibers
This means the fabric will be very smooth, and any fabric worn over it will lay perfectly.
The other development is laser cut edges, making the fit and lay of shapewear more perfect than ever before.

Types of Shapewear-Targeted Area

Brief-Stomach and Bottom
Shaped like a panty
Comes in all ranges of control
Everyday or special occasion

Waist Slimmer-Waist
Shapes and defines waist

High Waisted Brief-Waist, Stomach and Bottom
Smooths, shapes and compresses
Defines waist
Perfect under dresses

Thigh Slimmer-Stomach Thighs and Bottom
High Waisted Thigh Slimmer-Waist, Thighs, Stomach and Bottom
Shaping Camisole-Midriff, Back and Waist
Torsette-Midriff, Back and Waist
Singlet-Midriff and Waist
Body Briefer-Total Body Management

Those pretty much explain themselves.
So go forth my students into the world of shapewear! More on body shapes in my next post!

Booblogger out!
(OYO)

Sleep, Sport and Leisure Bras

I like to sleep.
And I like to be leisurely.
And I sort of like sports.
But sometimes my boobs don't.
Some women find sleeping or playing sports without a bra uncomfortable. But it's very important to not have an underwire bra involved in these activities.
Why? Underwire is meant for support when you're vertical and not overly active.
When you jump up and down, or make your breasts bounce, underwire can cut into your breasts and cause discomfort. When you're sleeping, your breasts distribute differently than they do when you're standing up.
A bra without underwire provides different support when you're sleeping.
These bras are all basically the same thing.
They are usually strong strapped, non underwire, unmolded cup bras.
They should cover the breast entirely, provided room for the breasts to move and feel comfortable.
These bras are not meant to be worn for very long. They are for short periods when an underwire bra would not work for your purposes.

Sometimes, if you have bigger breasts, these bras will have a racer back.

Racerback: An alternate kind of strap that connects to the back, goes straight up the middle of the back and goes into separate straps over the shoulder. They provide very strong support for your bouncing boobies.

So support your breasts the right way! When you're not following normal day activities, or a bra with underwire is uncomfortable, you should wear a sleep/sport/leisure bra.
Treat your breasts right!!!
DO IT.

Booblogger out!
(OYO)

Bra Care

My guess is that at least 80% of women don't care if their bras correctly. (Also, 8 out of 10 women wear the wrong size bra. Check out sizing to figure out if you're one of those 8 women)

Bras are not meant to be worn for more than about 180 days, and never for more than one day at a time. You should have at least seven different bras, to cycle through so you don't wear a bra out faster than necessary.

To find out if you're a bra abuser, go through this check list and see if you've done these things.

~I've worn a bra for more than one day in a row
~I wash my bra in the waching machine
~I dry my bra in the drier
~I don't clasp my bra when I wash it or put it away
~My bra gets tossed in a drawer after it's clean

If you answered yes to ANY of these, you're a bra abuser.
Just saying.

Here's what you should do:
~After you have worn your bra, you should wash it.
~Never wear the bar more than one day in a row.
~When you wash your bra, use your hands. You have them for a reason.
~You should use a soap that is mild, but will remove oils from the fabric.
~Than you should hang your bra to air dry, after making sure the hooks are still hooked and the cups look right.
~When the bra is fully dry, either lay it flat in a drawer, stacking it on other bras like fallen dominos, or fold it in half, tuck one cup into the other, and set it in the drawer.


IF you MUST wash your bra in the washing machine, you must:
~Buy a intimate apparel bag.
~Put the bra in the bag, with the hooks all closed.
~Wash on the delicate cycle, with a cold rinse.
~Hang your bra
~Follow instructions for putting it away from the handwash instructions.


NEVER EVER FOR ANY REASON DRY YOUR BRA IN THE DRIER.
NEVER EVER EVER.
Do it, and I will come find you. That is a crime worthy of... some sort of nasty punishment.
Probably involving lemon juice and paper cuts and fire ants.

Your bra is meant to be used for only about 180 days, and following these instructions will make sure you don't shorten your bras life span.
Be nice to your bras, so they can be nice to you!
Let me know if you have other bra care questions or tips!

Booblogger out!
(OYO)

Very Extremely Extra Large Breasts

Anything above a DD is a Very Extremely Extra Large Breast. (VEELB for our purposes)
While these cupsizes can be one hundred percent natural, sometimes they're not. One great joy of my job is showing someone who recently went from a 36 C to a 36 DDD via surgery that all their bra options are now quite unattractive.
I'm not very pro boob job, in case you're wondering, but I respect the decision.
Breasts this size tend to come with a bigger band size, and very restricted bra type.
We're talking bras with four to five hook eye closures, strong padded straps, and very limited underwire.
"But you said underwire is GOOD for support!"
YES. FOR SOME SIZES.
These are sizes that need a new kind of support, often seen as an "M" style wireless unmolded bra.
They're generally for women who have aged a bit, and put on some weight all over, and in their cups.
They need the strong M shape to keep everything under control, and comfortable.

Recommended bras:
Underwire, strong strap, non molded cup bra with a minimizer
M frame bra with strong padded strap and no wire or molded cup.

These bras need a lot more personalization, so if you have any questions on these, let me know, so I can add more stuff in.

Booblogger out!
(OYO)