Lift & Seperate

I've decided to supplement my shopping habits this holiday season by working in the Nordstrom Beachwood lingerie department. I love a discount and I have a supreme love of lingerie after working for Elle Macpherson Intimates in New York. If you haven't had a fitting lately, here are some tips I'm picking up:

1. Measure the width underneath your bust. Add 2 - 3 based on the category you fall under. Say you are 29" around, add 3 to get a band size of 32, if you are 30" you can add 2 and wear a 32 band as well. If you are 31", 34... until you fit into a category of band 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, etc.
2. You have to get your band right first. All of your support comes from the band and if it's too loose you will depend on the straps. If you think it's too tight, it will stretch a bit.
3. Cup runneth over? If you are going down in the band you might have to go up in your cup size. Try on several styles as the size can vary based on molding, contouring, etc.
4. The cup fits well when, it lays flat against the breast tissue (look out for quadra-boob it's too tight!) You don't want any puckering, you should fill it comfortably. The wire should be able to lay flat where it meets in the middle so that you are adequately separated.
5. Measure C cup or above? Skip the molded cups (t-shirt bras) and try a 3 piece cup. These offer you a more rounded shape and a "side sling" to project you forward. (See Fayreform below for example)
6. Once you get your new fancies make sure to handwash or put on a delicate cycle and NEVER put in the dryer!!

Ones to try on for size:

1. Full Cup: Fayreform Vitality, goes up to a G cup, other styles go to a J, note 3 piece cup.

2. Push Up: Elle Macpherson Intimates, Dentelle, You don't know until you try it on...the new "wonder bra"

3. T-Shirt - if you must, but I prefer pretty. Natori makes a great smooth bra and has lace straps so it's not so boring:

4. Nursing - Elle designed Maternelle when she had her children:

Good luck ladies!