Ask the Mouse your lingerie questions...

[Aphro]

What do you do if you are small-framed, and the straps on most bras are too wide set and keep slipping off the shoulders? I'm almost ready to put double sided tape on the damn things to stop them from sliding down my arms!

 

[CutieMouse]

Just had to revive the thread to say I now have some spectacular, awesome, luscious, and perfectly divine lingerie.

Thank you, CutieMouse!!!

If you hadn't started this thread I'd probably have never gotten around to upgrading.

Yaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!



Told ya you'd find some good stuff!

 

[CutieMouse]

What do you do if you are small-framed, and the straps on most bras are too wide set and keep slipping off the shoulders? I'm almost ready to put double sided tape on the damn things to stop them from sliding down my arms!

What size band are you wearing, how full busted are you, and what style of bra do you wear?

Because if you're really petite, and are wearing anything larger than a 32 (or sometimes, even if you're wearing a 32), odds are the band is too big, which means the "frame" of the bra is wider than your shoulders can support.

Another challenge can be the cup size. Because sometimes a fuller cup
(G+) means a wider "frame", no matter how small the band size. The straps set farther out, just because of the geometry of supporting X width of the underwire.

If you're wearing a balcony or demi style bra, then the shoulder straps are going to sit about 1/4" - 1/2" farther out on the shoulder, to begin with... so a sweetheart neckline, 3 part cup, or plunge style would bring the shoulder straps in just a bit. Those styles also tend to have a "ballet back" (U shape), which also helps bring the shoulder straps in. Another option is a bra with convertible straps.

Chantelle makes a few styles that have multi-way straps, that are fabulous for women with petite shoulders. Vous & Moi (style 2126) has convertible shoulder straps that can be moved in about 1" at the back. (click the arrow on the image to see the back view, and you should be able to see a ribbon detail showing where the straps can be repositioned) Not quite a T-back, but it positions the shoulder straps inside the shoulder blades.

 

[Endless_Night]

Yaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!



Told ya you'd find some good stuff!

Yes, you did!

A nightgown arrived yesterday. It's folds rippled over my hands, soft as butter. I slipped into it and looked sexy as hell!

I'm ordering another. In red.

 

[midwestyankee]

Paging CutieMouse.

 

[Endless_Night]

So, I don't know if you are checking in on this thread anymore, buuuuuut.....

I was reading on lingerie today and came across a couple of things that said NEVER fold your bras with one cup nestled up inside the other.

Is this true? I kind of hope not, as it's how I store mine. If it is true, how should they be stored?

 

[CutieMouse]

So, I don't know if you are checking in on this thread anymore, buuuuuut.....

I was reading on lingerie today and came across a couple of things that said NEVER fold your bras with one cup nestled up inside the other.

Is this true? I kind of hope not, as it's how I store mine. If it is true, how should they be stored?

If you wear foam contour cup bras and fold the cups inside one another, the cup that gets folded "in", will end up wrinkled and dented - especially if it is a memory foam. Spacer foam USA more flexible, stretchy, breathable material so it's less likely to wrinkle and dent, but it's really best to get out of the habit just because it can be hard for most people to know which foams will damage easily, and which won't.

The best thing to do is lay them flat, nested together. If you're traveling, tuck socks or underwear in the inside of the cups to prevent damage from getting squished in a suitcase.

 

[Endless_Night]

It's like magic!!! Ask a lingerie question and she appears!

Mine are lace, rather than contour cups. No padding, no foam. Are those still better to "nest"?

If you wear foam contour cup bras and fold the cups inside one another, the cup that gets folded "in", will end up wrinkled and dented - especially if it is a memory foam. Spacer foam USA more flexible, stretchy, breathable material so it's less likely to wrinkle and dent, but it's really best to get out of the habit just because it can be hard for most people to know which foams will damage easily, and which won't.

The best thing to do is lay them flat, nested together. If you're traveling, tuck socks or underwear in the inside of the cups to prevent damage from getting squished in a suitcase.

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

It's like magic!!! Ask a lingerie question and she appears!

Mine are lace, rather than contour cups. No padding, no foam. Are those still better to "nest"?

And here I thought you were finally going to ask your bare boobs corset question

 

[Endless_Night]

And here I thought you were finally going to ask your bare boobs corset question

Shaddup!

Well....since you mention it.

I have this underbust corset, bought for an event and never used. It's nice, as corsets go. I say that never having owned one before rolleyes, but I'm not really sure what to do with it. Can you wear a bra over it? If so, what kind?

Or is it just means to wear with your, umm, breasts poking out....

 

[CutieMouse]

Shaddup!

Well....since you mention it.

I have this underbust corset, bought for an event and never used. It's nice, as corsets go. I say that never having owned one before rolleyes, but I'm not really sure what to do with it. Can you wear a bra over it? If so, what kind?

Or is it just means to wear with your, umm, breasts poking out....

Ooops; thought I caught this the other day.

Either is acceptable. Personally, I think underbust corsets look best with a coordinating or matching bra & pantie (or thong) but I also recognize I'm a little more matchy-match than 95% of the female population.

 

[wicked woman]

Shaddup!

Well....since you mention it.

I have this underbust corset, bought for an event and never used. It's nice, as corsets go. I say that never having owned one before rolleyes, but I'm not really sure what to do with it. Can you wear a bra over it? If so, what kind?

Or is it just means to wear with your, umm, breasts poking out....

I'm not CutieMouse, but I've seen them worn over a white collared, long sleeved shirt.

 

[CutieMouse]

I'm not CutieMouse, but I've seen them worn over a white collared, long sleeved shirt.

Ooh, that's another way to do it that had completely escaped my brain!

 

[Endless_Night]

Ooops; thought I caught this the other day.

Either is acceptable. Personally, I think underbust corsets look best with a coordinating or matching bra & pantie (or thong) but I also recognize I'm a little more matchy-match than 95% of the female population.

I went back and viewed the site where I bought it, and they had it displayed with a bra that looked good. I'm not sure why the one I tried didn't. Too lacy, perhaps? Maybe I just need something a little more...substantial.

This is the one I have.

I'm not CutieMouse, but I've seen them worn over a white collared, long sleeved shirt.

This is genius. Pure genius!

 

[Endless_Night]

And...while I have your attention. A couple more questions?

I have some beautiful Natori pieces and I'm wondering about care:

- Silk Robe - The care directions say you can hand wash, but it also says it's best to dry clean. Is it really safe to was? Or would that just be asking for trouble?

- Nylon Nightgown - The care directions say you can dry on low, but again....

Thank you.

 

[CutieMouse]

And...while I have your attention. A couple more questions?

I have some beautiful Natori pieces and I'm wondering about care:

- Silk Robe - The care directions say you can hand wash, but it also says it's best to dry clean. Is it really safe to was? Or would that just be asking for trouble?

- Nylon Nightgown - The care directions say you can dry on low, but again....

Thank you.

The Natori silk would probably be worth dry cleaning.

The nylon? Personally, I'd line/hang dry.

 

[Collar_N_Cuffs]

The Natori silk would probably be worth dry cleaning.

The nylon? Personally, I'd line/hang dry.

Is it ok to hand wash good silk though?
I'm very, very anti having dry cleaning chemicals against my skin...
I have a few pieces I hand wash, but they are nothing expensive. They seem to be fine but I'm not really risking anything either.

 

[Endless_Night]

Is it ok to hand wash good silk though?
I'm very, very anti having dry cleaning chemicals against my skin...
I have a few pieces I hand wash, but they are nothing expensive. They seem to be fine but I'm not really risking anything either.

I've wondered about this as well. What about some of the at home, green dry cleaning methods? None actually come to mind at the moment, but I know they are out there.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[CutieMouse]

Is it ok to hand wash good silk though?
I'm very, very anti having dry cleaning chemicals against my skin...
I have a few pieces I hand wash, but they are nothing expensive. They seem to be fine but I'm not really risking anything either.

It is okay to hand wash silk, and it's what I normally do myself, however...

I've wondered about this as well. What about some of the at home, green dry cleaning methods? None actually come to mind at the moment, but I know they are out there.

The reason I suggested dry cleaning the Natori silk, is twofold.

A) Bleed. The only time I really hesitate to hand wash silk lingerie is if there's a pattern, because I have had patterns bleed on me before.

B) I've also experienced some higher end silks (Olivia von Halle - the tags recommend dry cleaning) turn "crunchy" when hand washed. It was really strange and I've only seen it happen a few times, but the fabric was never the same after being washed instead of dry cleaned.

I am so not cutie mouse, and her advice stands over mine.....but people have been using silk for longer than dry cleaning, Things than have changed are dyes and manufacturing methods and our expectation of hygiene / odour.

I have no really expensive silk either, but I wash what I do have by hand.....even if it says dry clean only. .

For the record I also machine or hand wash my cashmere ( I read an artical in a waiting room where the designer James macDonald said he did and so I did)...it was ok and am quite game to try washing other things. The only disasters I have had is when g 'helpfully' puts a wash on which includes some thing than should be cold washed....I have quite a few dresses that shrunk that way, and a really cute tiny felt jumper.

The only thing I've put in the machine gamely that suffered had been an acrylic knit...it was big and slouchy, then it got massive and slouchy.

I have inexpensive silk bras and I hand wash them as they come off usually, its quick and simple that way.

I wash almost all of my lingerie, cashmere, and merino wool in the machine - delicate cycle, cold water, appropriate detergent, hang dry.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[CutieMouse]

Phew, I am not considered such a barbarian by you then. . I handwash my bras because of the wires, having had a friends at university shared house lost one in a machine its an annoying and expensive machine repair. I know this is silly, because I use a pillowslip for washing in delicates any way, but its just an old habit. For me I think its more convenient to handwash as I go.

Ohhhhh nonono.

The problem there wasn't necessarily washing it in the machine. The problem was tossing an underwire bra in a machine without putting it in a pillowcase or lingerie bag.

Underwires and bra hooks - lingerie bag + washing machines = damage. Usually it's the bra; occasionally it's the machine.

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]

 

[CutieMouse]

[very first world vent unrelated to anything]

The company I currently work for, offered all employees X pieces of lingerie as a Christmas present. Which is lovely, really. Very generous, smart use of leftover product from previous seasons, yadayadayada.

I got the excel spreadsheet of available options last week.

Anything I would be willing to add to my collection (even for free) - isn't available in my size.

Anything I might be almost willing to compromise on and add to my collection (even for free) because it is available in my size - is a style/cut that looks like shit on me. (I am not a crazy size. 32D/Medium/large bottoms. Size 8/10 American clothes. This damn list is making me feel abnormal, dammit.)

Which means I have the "option" of picking up several thousand dollars worth of lingerie [retail], at no cost... but there's nothing worth selecting because I refuse to own mismatched sets, or random panties (that don't fit my body type), or something that's just going to sit in a lingerie drawer.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

[/very first world vent unrelated to anything]

 

[La damnee elle la licorne]