Style Rules
Undergarments
for a good foundation
by Mukui Mbindyo
Hello Glam Girls!
Welcome to another edition of Style Rules, the column where we talk about everything you need to know to develop great style. To recap, we've been through a few of the foundational rules of great style: we have learned to take measurements accurately so that we can choose clothes that fit and suit our body types; and we have learned how to choose colors that match our undertones, and how to put those colors together to look stylish and coordinated.
Today we are continuing our education in the foundation of style with our next style rule:
Style Rule # 5
Have a solid foundation!
Although this nugget of wisdom can, and should, be applied to every aspect of life, today we are talking specifically about undergarments. If you've ever wondered how your favorite celebrities always look so firm and tight when they dress up, their secret is probably what they are wearing underneath. Yes, it would be great if our stomachs were all flat, and our busts and hips stayed where they should but since that is not reality for most of us, thank goodness undergarments exist!
Here are a few tips for choosing the most essential
undergarments: bras, underwear, and shapewear. As you can imagine these are all
huge topics in themselves, so we are going to tackle each of them one by one.
How to choose the right bra
There's nothing that will make a great outfit more than the right bra. A good fitting bra helps you to look poised, and the right style of bra pulls your outfit together from the inside. Plus you will be more comfortable and relaxed with the right bra on.
Get your bra size
measured by a professional often; we recommend once a year because your weight,
and thus your bra size tends to fluctuate. Once you know your correct bra size, the next
step is to figure out the correct style of bra for different situations.
Basic bra types to consider
Push-up bras are great under a low-cut dresses. They create the most optimum cleavage line by lifting and pushing the bust together.
Demi bras are perfect when you are wearing a dress with straps that's going to show a little bit of cleavage. This bra creates great mounding cleavage on the upper breast.
T-shirt bras are great for full coverage especially if you don't need a lot of support. You can wear this bra under form fitting dresses with high necklines as it will look invisible.
Strapless bras are the choice for strapless dresses or for dresses where other styles will not work. You want to make sure your strapless bra is well structured so it is able to support you well. Get a strapless bra with a wide band that has boning under the arms, and underwire and silicone grip strips in the front.
Full coverage bras are best for those with larger busts. These are great for dresses that don't have a lot of cleavage as well. These bras have wide shoulder and under wire straps, and full cover of the whole breast.
Plunge bras are best for plunging necklines as they have a low center panel.
Next week we will continue with part two of having a good foundation when we look at how to choose the right underwear.
See you then!
P.S. If you have a style question, be sure to leave a comment for us on our Facebook Page, and we will answer it.