me: "do you have any good recommendations for lingerie? i need a good t-shirt bra."
she: "UGH, no. i haven't bought any new lingerie in a while, i really need to shop for some but have been putting it off."
me: "so could we start an entire support group for women in search of the perfectly comfortable yet not hideous bras? is that how frustrating and time-consuming lingerie shopping is?"
she: "pretty much, yeah."
there seems to be two main reasons why this is such a hassle: the wrong size and bad quality. first, wearing the correct size makes almost all the difference. get fitted/measured at at least one excellent boutique where the shopgirls really know what they're talking about. second, a really well-made piece of lingerie will be made out of superior, comfortable materials, and will be designed to fit really well. it's also usually not going to come cheap.
a week or so afterwards, i went down to a few boutiques to check out the offerings. a few purchases later, this is my shortlist of the best practical (and still pretty) lingerie for the wardrobe minimalist:
a week or so afterwards, i went down to a few boutiques to check out the offerings. a few purchases later, this is my shortlist of the best practical (and still pretty) lingerie for the wardrobe minimalist:
this is kind of the holy grail as far as lingerie goes. there are so many options out there, but i really think Chantelle makes the best of the bunch. fits true to size, really comfortable (and this is coming from someone who hates underwire...), pretty but not overly frilly, and fits exceptionally well. not to mention - the coverage is exactly enough without any extra unnecessary padding.
2. the wireless
a perfect easy breezy option for days when you really don't want to wear a bra, especially for summertime. it's also just fun to have a pretty lacy option in a pop of color peeking out of a tank or tee. i was skeptical of how supportive this could be, given that a lot of other lacy pretty wirefree 'bralettes' are so delicate and offer zero support. but Cosabella definitely lives up to the hype here – and the lace is totally comfy and itch-free. (i did end up snipping off the label/tag on the back band, however.)
also known as The Strapless Bra That Every Woman Hates Shopping For. as in, you have a wedding to attend this weekend and you suddenly realize you need to find one to wear with that dress that you picked out. in my book, these two are the best. Chantelle's lightly molded-cup strapless/convertible version is perfect for outfits that need the requisite coverage. Wacoal's seamless lace unlined version (with underwire, convertible straps, and subtle boning) is perfect for everything else. the hallmarks of a great strapless bra: really comfortable, stays put, lets you forget about it and just have fun at the party.
so there you have it. hope this is helpful, and let me know which ones you love!
I recently stopped wearing padded bras and can't get over how much more comfortable life has become. I love the Phillip Lim Initials line, but also adore the Honeydew line, too.
ReplyDeletei hear ya. though, i'd say there's a fine but significant difference between lightly lined vs padded. i've always avoided the latter, but a superbly fitting lined bra is such an essential foundation piece IMO. and a great brand and quality construction makes a HUGE difference in fit and comfort.
DeleteUgh. Underwear is on my list for payday. Sadly I have huge boobs and there's a limited price range/selection available. There are brands that I love and I know what I like in a bra, but the thought of bra shopping is still stressful.
ReplyDeletei know what you mean - though i think if you check out the boutique brands like Chantelle and the like, there are many more options. there are also some great online boutiques that specialize in a wide range of sizes.
DeletePersonally, I really don't like the extra padding that t-shirt bras offer. I'm fairly busty, so even the ones that are "lightly lined" add too much bulk. That being said, nothing else provides as much coverage underneath thin tops. I guess the lining is a necessary evil. :)
ReplyDeleteI've recently developed a strong brand loyalty to the lacy bras by Elle Macpherson Intimates. They're amazingly supportive, unlined, comfortable, not overly frilly, and relatively affordable.
yeah i'm with you - i'd almost sworn off tshirt bras until i discovered Chantelle. the one i posted doesn't add extra bulk either, just a fantastic fit overall.
DeleteI'm going to have to look into those bras! They sound really promising.
DeleteI don't need a lot of support. So I gave up underwire a while ago. Nowadays, bra shopping feels more like an exploratory project much of the time since most of the bras I see have underwires. For everyday bras, Eberjay Pima Goddess Softcup bras are comfortable, though they really stretch out. Araks makes lovely soft cup bras. I think my favourite bra would be by Eres, though. I got that for a special occasion and it cost a fortune.
ReplyDeletei really like Eberjey's designs, but yeah they stretch out waaay too much for anyone who's not an A cup. alas!
DeleteThanks for covering this topic. If underwired bras bug you, I suspect you are not wearing the correct band and cup size. Try the bra size calculator at A Sophisticated Pair (http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/therightfit.htm) or at Venusian Glow (http://www.venusianglow.com/2008/04/how-to-measure-your-bra-size-correctly.html). I would also check out Venusian Glow's FAQs page (http://www.venusianglow.com/p/bra-matrix.html) about misinformation perpetuated by an industry that doesn't want to make or stock the true range of sizes needed to accommodate most women. Adding 4" to your underbust measurement is a prime example of this misinformation.
ReplyDeleteI discovered as a short, slender woman with a medium bust that not one bra store in the San Francisco Bay Area carries my true size. That includes the Nordstroms and lingerie shops on the peninsula and in San Francisco. (Once I found a 30 band bra at the Walnut Creek Nordstrom. It was a sports bra, so the band was tight for a 30, which made it work for me. I drove an hour to buy it, both to support a bricks and mortar store and to get it in time for a trip.)
I did find plenty of lingerie salespeople who wanted to persuade me to buy bras that weren't my true size. I buy most of my bras online now. Once you figure out your real bra size, with the understanding that just like clothing manufacturers, bra manufacturers vary somewhat in their sizing, you may want to check out sophisticatedpair.com, figleaves.com, herroom.com, barenecessities.com, brastop.com, and bravissimo.com. Asos has a limited selection of bras, but they have free shipping and returns, so you can get an idea of fit that way.
You appear to be a slender woman with a narrow ribcage. Those are GREAT features, but they make it hard to find properly fitting bras. Best of luck!
thanks for the links!
Deleteyeah, a few years ago i went to get fitted and finally found my proper size.
however, i am not a fan of most underwire bras because i think the reality is MANY of them are just uncomfortable compared to wirefree versions. Chantelle is one of the very few brands i've tried that hasn't disappointed. i do like some of the online shops you mention for their selection of really quality boutique brands. thank goodness for online shopping in this realm!
I basically wear chantelle and a Natori surprisingly. I'm a 34G, anyone know what cheaper bras might fit. Has anyone tried Parisa?
DeleteHow about a bra for 34G that fits like my chantelle but isn't 65.00 any word on Parisa "skin body veil full fit racer back bra? It's on zulily for 14.99. I think the last time I paid that was in a training bra.
Deleteoy, i just can't get behind VS anymore after wearing them for years in college. i much prefer smaller but still established boutique brands like Chantelle and Simone Perele that make sophisticated options with much higher quality standards...
ReplyDeleteAfter a recent weight gain (boob gain? let's forget I went there lol...) I found myself in the lingerie section of nordstroms. Your recommendation of chantelle, wacoal, and the like are spot on! Finding the right size was amazing and I have fallen in love with the beautiful lace and lightly lined bras.
ReplyDeleteMy one tip: if there is a nearby nordstrom rack, I would definitely turn there for lingerie. They carry all the same brands but at the price of VS bras. I've even bought several luxe bras (think super lacy, super expensive chantelle, simone perele, wacoal luxe) for less than the price of a basic t-shirt bra. It's the best of both worlds (in my mind) and has made lingerie a treat for me!
that's a great tip - i also think once you've been properly fitted and have one or two go-to brands, shopping for great lingerie on sale is MUCH easier.
Deleteby the way, i love your tumblr!
So glad to see the Chantelle Paris bra pictured. I have this classic in different colors. It's as if one is wearing nothing at all, but it still amazingly provides all the necessary support. It's also very pretty and feminine--lingerie essentials for me.
ReplyDeleteyes! it was a revelation when i found it. and sets the bar much, much higher now for any future lingerie purchases :)
DeleteHi there, I am so delighted to read about lingerie , thanks for sharing your thoughts about proper fit, right bra for each uses and I agree with everything. Few months ago found myself inside the fitting room of one of the store in Manhattan and so pleased that the sales persons were knowledgeable too assist their customers, first thing I asked was tshirt bra and she handed me Chantelle nude bra which to my delight was very comfortable to wear. Now, need to get myself additional black.
ReplyDeleteglad this is helpful~ and sounds like you found a great shop assistant!
DeleteI HATE underwires too. As a 36A/34C I don't need one either. So for the t-shirt bra/lined to go to wkr I wear Wacoal - this model. http://www.herroom.com/wacoal-856167-awareness-contour-soft-cup-bra.shtml. Works great. For weekens, that Cosabella looks great. Are you sure it isn't itchy?
ReplyDeletenope, the Cosabella is definitely not itchy. the lace material is designed to feel smooth, and it does!
DeleteMy favourite are Calvin Klein. I think they are perfect for my body type. Other than that, I also like Elle McPherson and Princesses Tam Tam.
ReplyDeleteI find buying bras an absolute MISSION. I prefer molded, but not padded cups, straps that aren't super wide, medium coverage and they have to be soft and comfy. I just bought two of these: http://www.bendon.co.nz/collections/?view=bendonbody and highly recommend them.
ReplyDeleteChantelle is my go-to brand. I wore Victoria's Secret for years, thinking they were just fine; but after trying Chantelle, I realized that I'd been settling for mediocre support. I find that the foam cups keep their shape longer in my Chantelle t-shirt bras, and the straps don't fall off my shoulders.
ReplyDeleteAs a young teen, my mother always steered me away from underwires, because she found them uncomfortable for herself. In my 20s, I finally tried one on, and it was like a revelation-- the level of comfort was so much better with the wire. I wouldn't dream of wearing a bra without an underwire, even for lounging. I've never felt any kind of poking or anything. So I think this is one of those things where you just have to try it to see if you like it. (For me, wireless bras seem to cause a lot of chafing, and never enough support.)
I love posts on lingerie. I feel like I've found what works for me. I love Cosabella, Stella McCartney, Eres and Wacoal, Elle McPherson- they work well for my body type. I don't like T Shirt bras or underwire very much at all. I had a few pieces made while I was in Paris not too long ago- such a luxury to pick out all the fabrics.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree- Cosabella bras aren't itchy at all.
you should try True&Co! not just saying that because I work there, I actually mean it ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is my new favorite strapless bra! It's really comfortable, stays in place, it's supportive, and it helps minimize my large chest so that I don't look so top-heavy in strapless dresses! I love love love it and love to buy wonderbra bras
ReplyDeleteSorry my experience with Chantelle was different. After a few handwashes the elastic of one bra yellowed slightly and that and the other bra became white at the edges of the part where the hooks are! And except for a handful, all of their designs are boring for me and it seems that all their good designs are the unlined demi bras, while the others are mostly solid colours or prints. Really, I can buy better than this at cheaper or expensive rates. It's no longer a designer brand for me.
ReplyDelete