Available in size up to 48F

For many plus size ladies out there, have you opted for a sexy bra instead of the buying the usual type of bra that you always purchase? Most fashion experts, including myself contend that wearing a sexy bra will definitely make you feel sexy. So why not for a few moments think sexy bra instead of practical bra.

Because you wear a bra daily it can get well, boring. Sometimes this important foundation piece will show you life through the lens of a 1950s movie without a touch of color to brighten up the day. But if you thought there’s no way you can perk up your bra and your twins, think again.

Look for a sexy bra that will cheer you up, boost your confidence, and eventually make a life that is full of life!

However, the big question is: what makes a sexy bra? Is it the material, the design, the color, or the person who is wearing it?

Some of you might prefer to answer with the latter choice in mind. But nevertheless, sexy bra is still a bra and needs a few more positive characteristics to give you the support and comfort that you need.  Additionally, for fuller and plus sizes sometimes a sexy bra is not practical but that is a subject for another day.  So, when choosing a sexy bra, it is still important to consider the pointers below so that you’ll not only feel sexy but confident and comfortable as well.

Wearing a sexy bra will definitely make you feel sexy

• When you want to show some flesh aka cleavage a sexy bra will do the job for you, consider the color and size of your tops and your sexy bra as well. In other words wide beige bra straps under a spaghetti-strap top is a no-no.
• Do not wear plastic strap bras with halter-tops. Tis not a pretty sight even if you are wearing a sexy bra.
• A single hook looks very neat, but it is not practical for fuller busts. A fastening with two or three hooks is much comfortable and supportive even during some hot steamy nights.
• All straps should have adjustable levels for the hooks to accommodate fluctuation of weight or washing changes.
• Always wear the proper size bra.  Why spend all that effort to find a sexy bra to give you that lift to show off your eye-popping cleavage if you can’t breathe because it’s to tight.
• Have a wardrobe of sexy bras. Think of the occasion that will call for it and get it. Have fun with it!

A sexy bra is never one that is too big or too small

• If your bra rides up in the back and is higher than the front, the band is too long.
• A nice, comfy sexy bra should never leave red marks on the skin after it’s taken off because it means that your bra is just too small.
• A colorful, laced sexy bra is a definite turn-on. But remember not to wear it under a white or light-colored shirt.
• Do use a matching halter bra and pull it down with a low-back adapter.

There you have it! Just follow these simple rules on the dos and don’ts of wearing sexy bra and you’ll never have an embarrassing moment. Indeed, a sexy bra partnered with a confident wearer equals a one hot night no matter the time of the year and after all is that not what chemistry is all about?

A sexy bra is as a sexy bra does

Reccommended Sexy Bra Shopping Sites:

Full Beauty.com
BareNecessities.com (see Bare Necessities Interview)
Big Girl Bras

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

Did you know that the online lingerie site BareNecessites.com. has been online for 15 years?  How about did you know that full figured aka plus size bras make up a large section of the sales made through the website?  Have you been one of the customers that purchased one of the FIVE million bras they have sold over the years?

If you are a be confused don’t feel bad that’s what I am here to help you out with.  To let you know about the Bare Necessities and what they are doing. Hopefully by the time you are done reading my interview with Bare Necessites Chief Marketing Officer Jay Dunn you will become a fan or become more of a fan of the brand.

5 million bras would stretch from New Jersey to Utah!

Full Figure Plus:  With so many brands(81 National & International Designer Brands) how do you choose which ones to market?

Jay Dunn: Bare Necessities(BN) is known as a bra company that through expert buyers we carry the best of the best in terms of brands.  It would be impossible to use every brand in our marketing but we are confident the brands we do use speak to plus women considering the plus section was built specifically with them in mind.

FFP: Selling 5 million bras is a lot.  How did that happen when BN is not necessarily a household name?

JD: BN is very good at SEO(Search Engine Optimization) which means that the website is easy to find.  It is a great ecommerce portal which contributed to the staggering amount of sales.  That solid foundation will serve as the launchpad into branding the company and moving beyond just being efficient at selling product.

FFP: What will be the main marketing strategies for BN?

JD: Building brand awareness from traditional and new marketing methods.  With the plus size niche making up a large section of sales now is time to create a company brand that goes beyond what can be found via a Google search.  As I stated earlier the company is proficient in SEO but that does not bring about brand awareness.  Building a brand comes from a combination of PR and social media.  In other words, taking a retail mentality and applying it to the online world. Basically, building customer loyalty by building customer relationships.

The plus size section of the website was build specifically with the curvy woman in mind

FFP: What prompted the choice of Ashely Graham for the advertising of the new BN?

JD: We created a firestorm of media coverage last year with the Red Bra campaign. Now we are cranking up BareNecessites.com. The New Shoot Took Place In October. Additionally, the use of Ashley is directly related to building a relationship between the plus community and the BN brand.  Furthermore, using such a known person to stamp the brand makes no apologies as far as the companies intentions of representing curvy women.

FFP: How is the size chart incorporated into the marketing or branding of BN?

JD:  There are 81 plus size categories that are a combination of US – Europe – European Union styles.  Basically, a lot of people behind the scenes work really hard to make the size selection by the customer as easy as possible.  Another area of concern is to ensure our customers know the difference between underwear and intimate apparel, which I feel as a brand BN is doing a good job.

FFP: What about ongoing and upcoming plans for BN?

JD: The The 5 Millionth Bra Campaign Run Dates of the campaign- October 20-November 29th is going on right now. Enter now to win one of five $1000 bra & lingerie wardrobes at BareNecessities.com! Ends 11.29.11.  We are excited to announce a full lingerie store is on the horizon and there are plans to expand into other areas while still catering to the plus size woman who is the most under served individual in the world!

Did you know the brand Hanky Panky came in plus size – Neither did plus model Ashely Graham!

BareNecessites Quick Facts:

• 81 National & International Designer Brands
• Over 1,000 Styles
• Bras in over 200 sizes: band sizes ranging from 28 to 56, and cup sizes ranging AA to N. Brands Include: Bali, Barely There, Calvin Klein, Chantelle, Cosabella, DKNY, Donna Karan, Elomi, Fantasie, Felina, Glamorize, Hanky Panky, La Perla,  Playtex, Ralph Lauren, Le Mystere, Nike, Panache, Sassybax, Simone Perele, Spanx, Wacoal, Wolford, and Yummie Tummie, among many others.
• The Bra Experts: Sold Over 5 Million Bras! No Wire, Underwire, Padded, Minimizers, Push-Up, Full Busted, Full Coverage, Demi Cup, RacerBack, Strapless, Seamless, Sports Bras, T-Shirt Bras, and many more.
• Categories for Curvy Women: Bras, Panties, Camis, Swimwear, Shapewear, Sleepwear, Hosiery, Apparel, Accessories, and Loungewear.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

A recent conversation with my wife about her bras brought us to a conversation about when it is time to replace your foundation garments.  Most of you know instinctively when it is time to replace a bra but  did you know that a bra could be worn out but not really show any outward sides of wear?  Think of your favorite bra.  How often do you wear it?  How often do you wash it?

Signs it is time to replace a bra:

1. The straps are frayed
2. To get the same fit you have to cinch in to the first set of eyelets
3. The material is becoming translucent
4. The underwire/boning snaps
5. The band no longer stretches
6. Missing parts aka eyelets, strap adjusters
7. You are spilling out of your bra
8. Wearing your bra becomes uncomfortable
9. You gain 10 or more pounds
10. You lose 10 or more pounds

This past year my wife who is a big fan of the Lane Bryant Balconette Bra in chocolate was quite upset to learn that LB is no longer making that bra in that color.  Even though I have been telling her she needs to explore other brands she is being a bit stubborn with switching and the inspiration for this post. Maybe she will read my upcoming posts about Bare Necessities which carries over 80 brands of bras and make a choice of a few types of bras she can have in her arsenal. Speaking of this company, right now there is a contest going on now in which you can Enter now to win one of five $1000 bra & lingerie wardrobes at BareNecessities.com! Ends 11.29.11.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

OneStopPlus Group, the largest online retailer of women’s and men’s plus-size apparel and a division of Redcats USA, announced today the launch of fullbeauty.com, a revolutionary website for plus size bras and lingerie representing the most comprehensive range of brands, styles, sizes and colors available anywhere in the world.

Most of you know that Full Figure Plus is a strong supporter of any website that focuses on plus size intimate apparel.  When it comes to fullbeauty.com I liked from the onset when I read, ”the most beautiful bras for curvy women.  Because it’s what you don’t see that matters most.”

Fullbeauty.com features 600+ items from thirty proprietary and national
brands including: bras, panties, hosiery, shapewear, slips, camisoles,
robes and sleepwear.  Fullbeauty.com also offers groundbreaking technology
and sophisticated design innovations that will help women finally see bras
as their wardrobe foundation. Fashionable and affordable, prices range from $9.99 to $129.99 – a style and price point for every woman looking for the perfect lingerie for all occasions.

Fullbeauty.com features 600+ items from thirty proprietary and national brands

Driven by a dedicated team of expert technical designers and design visionaries who create a synergy between the latest designs, colors and functionalities, fullbeauty.com has challenged ‘industry wisdom’ by creating the reversible bra, the side wire bra, and the posture-support bra, among others.  According to Michele Crawbuck, Vice President and Brand Manager, “Design in the bra industry has never been more exciting, and we offers true innovation in design and function and a no-compromise shopping experience.  Plus, we offer our own proprietary brands – Comfort Choice®, Amoureuse® and Dreams and Co® – all of which adds up to the largest selection of plus-size bras in the world.”

Fullbeauty.com was built to revolutionize bra shopping online

This new lingerie website is a natural extension of the company’s plus-size women’s apparel business and is validated by its expertise in plus-size fit, quality, innovation and service.  FullBeauty.com is the ultimate solution for the 62 percent of U.S. women who are plus-size, and the 80 percent who are wearing the wrong size bra, as it provides an incredible selection of lingerie that has been especially designed for curvy women. Built to revolutionize the bra shopping experience for women, one visit to fullbeauty.com and women will find the product expertise, selection and unbelievable range of sizes (from 36B to 50N) they haven’t been able to find anywhere else.  In addition to proprietary brands, fullbeauty.com will feature national brands including: Chantelle, Elomi, Fantasie, Freya, Lunaire, Le Mystere, Avenue Body and many more.

“Fullbeauty.com was created to provide plus size women with the ultimate lingerie shopping experience,”

Pay close attention to the size chart before making an order.  To get a better understanding of how to measure yourself and know your bra size refer to the post I did yesterday, Plus Size Lingerie: Important Facts About Your Bra.

The plus size woman is underserved in this category and there is a very real need to fill for the curvaceous customer who wants flattering, sexy fashion. Fullbeauty.com is about inspiration and glamour, offering reliable fits that flatter curves to give every woman confidence in how she looks and feels.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

When was the last time you had yourself measured for a bra? 

A bra remains next to your skin everyday for most of the day. If you are not wearing the correct size, imagine the discomfort you’ll experience throughout the day? It is important to note that your bra size does not remain the same for any length of time because change is a law of nature and your breasts are no exception. The only difference is that change is more noticeable at some times and less at others. The change becomes most evident in cases of weight loss, weight gain or during pregnancy.

Even though a bra remains the most intimate item of a woman’s wardrobe, especially plus size women, research has shown that 75% of women do not get their bra size right. This results in problems such as sagging breasts, pain in the shoulders, or tightness in the chest. Therefore, it is important to get the size correct in order to avoid problems and feel elegant, feminine and confident.

It is not very difficult to determine your bra size and is something I have been talking about for years. First off, take a measuring tape and measure around the chest, directly under the breasts. If you get an even size number, then add four inches or else add five inches to get your chest size. For example if you measure 30 inches, then you need to add another four inches, which will make your size equal to 34 inches. If you measure an odd number such as 29, then you need to add 5 inches and your size will work out to 34 inches. Most bras come in standard sizes, but you will find that bras marked the same size but manufactured by different companies will give different results. You will have to try out several sizes from several brands to find the ideal fitting bra for you. The correct bra will provide maximum comfort and support.

Final Cup Size Determination

The difference between your band size and cup measurement will determine the cup size for your bra.

• Up to one inch difference is cup size B
• Up to two inches is cup size C
• Up to three inches is cup size D
• Up to four inches is cup size DD
• Up to five inches is cup size E
• Up to six inches is cup size F
• Up to eight inches is cup size G

Do you even know your correct BRA size?

This question is very important to you getting the right bra, as well as saving you money and undue stress. To help you avoid some common pitfalls, I have listed a few more important questions that you really need to ask yourself, before buying a bra:

• Do your bra straps dig into your shoulders or rib cage?
• Does your bra ride up your back?
• Is the front of the band too tight to get a finger under?
• Do your bra cups feel slightly empty or too full?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the likelihood is that you are not wearing the right size. You should not assume that the size you were two or three years ago is the same size you are today. Your body has changed over time, so it is safe to assume your bra size has too. I repeat, if you have lost or gained weight, chances are that you will need to change your bra wardrobe.

You should be fitted for your bra by a lingerie specialist at least once a year.

A well fitted bra is essential for both comfort and posture and is especially important during teen years. As I stated earlier, a bad fitting bra can be the reason for back problems and muscle tension, which can lead to life long problems with posture and back pain. For this reason, you should be fitted by a lingerie specialist at least once a year or, preferably, after every noticeable growth or reduction. This advice is even more important for teenagers who are just beginning to wear bras.

Although the correct size for your bra is of utmost importance, there are a few other things other things you should know. As you try on different types of bras you should make sure the area in between the two cups comes into contact with your chest. Don’t allow the straps to support your breasts unaided. This can become very uncomfortable after long periods, as well as the bra wearing out quickly, and pressure on the straps can lead to back problems.

‘The Perfect Bra’

Your bra should hold your entire breast in each cup with no bulging or spillage, as well as not having excess space in the front part of the cups. The bra should rest evenly against the ribcage, with sufficient room to slip two fingers in at the back. Your breasts should be supported totally, and stay in place even if the straps are slipped off the shoulders.

I know long time readers may be bored at this point because points such as this have been covered in so many ways.  Because breast cancer awareness month is coming up next month I feel this information on your bra is very important.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women

To ensure your bra fits properly you should be fitted

Most of you know writing about bra and bra related issues is how Full Figure Plus got started. A few days ago the post 11 Brands of bras for Fuller Figures lead to a comment introducing me to Leading Lady one of the oldest bra manufacturers in the country.  If you are looking for a bra in one of the below categories you need to bookmark this website.

• wirefree
• underwire
• leisure
• sport
• sleepwear

About Leading Lady

Since 1939, Leading Lady has taken pride in being a premier supplier of high-quality, good-value products to the intimate apparel niche markets. Leading Lady continuously works to improve our products, while adhering to a set of core values and business practices.

Our styles are fitted and our patterns are graded for every size in our extensive range. The Leading Lady design team regularly does fittings on actual women of all sizes and shapes. With the help of consumer surveys and live focus groups, Leading Lady has been able to obtain valuable feedback and incorporate suggestions and ideas into our best-selling designs.

To ensure that our sizes fit you as perfectly as they should, you should be fitted to determine that you are wearing the exact size for you.

The average bra size has gone from a 34B to a 36C

Taking my wifes bra measurements which I keep on hand at all times I plugged them into the Find Your Fit tool on the website. Band Size: 42″ Cup size 50″ it suggested that her perfect fit would be size 42H bra which is what she is wearing right now. The only thing I would add to this page is a link for you to go shopping once you find your bra size.

The good

At Leading Lady you will find a bra in plenty of colors and styles meaning you have options beyond just white, black, and nude. Additionally, the prices are great. No bra is priced over $40. Right now there is free shipping on orders over $75 and 30-50% of some styles.  Looking for a bra whether it is a regular bra or a nursing bra you can find it pretty easily even with the fact the products are not linked to the Find Your Fit tool.  The nursing bra section also includes a Nursing cami to go with your nursing bra plus breastfeeding tips to help moms out.

Other good things on the website is wealth of information about the company and its point of view on bra fit, nursing, breastfeeding and blogs for nursing and full figure bras.  From an information standpoint Leading Lady is one of the best websites I have ever encountered.  Considering there are so many ladies walking around wearing the wrong size bra this website and company offer plenty of information for consumers to make an informed choice on what type of bra to purchase.

In 2500 B.C. Minoan women wore bra like garments that lifted their bare breasts out of their clothing

The Not So Good

Though Leading lady has lots of sizes not all the colors come in all sizes. In the area of nursing bras there are only eight styles which only come in sizes 34B – 44DD which will mean ladies with larger breasts will be out of luck. When it comes to the full figure bras the options become very limited once you past size 42C.  There are a only a few bra choices for each size.  The wide variety of sizes does not compliment the selection of bras available in each size. While not a deal breaker it can add to the frustration level of ladies with larger breasts.

The sleep bra collection comes in S-XL instead of following the same cup model as the regular bra collection on the rest of the site. While I can see the logic in this but with no indication of what size a small can fit or equally what size does a XL bra fit this can for some be a deal breaker.

Leading Lady is not a website dedicated to plus sizes but has enough bra options that even ladies with larger breasts can find a bra or a simple chemise like the one above to lounge in.  If you are looking for a good bra at a good price you need to give this merchant a try.

Full Figure Plus - Plus Size Fashion For Today's Active Women