Ask the Mouse your lingerie questions...

[CutieMouse]

*Snort* I love and adore you.

Sorry for the hijack, everybody.

Puhlease

It's impossible to hijack the thread, because the entirety of the thread is me babbling, and other people putting up with the babbles.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I tend to keep my Walmart line of view at waist level or below...

That really doesn't sound wise either...particularly in summer

Well, living in Texas, where most people swelter out the summer months half naked, I can say with certainty that below the waist is a baaaad idea.

Okay... second thought: eye level and up!

 

[Endless_Night]

Okay... second thought: eye level and up!

We're severely limiting your options aren't we?

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Hijacking is actually exceedingly fun and leads to discussion! YAY!!

I third the notion that nude underwear (anything, really, but most people don't buy nude pants for the obvious reasons) is ugly and ridiculous. It's good to know that there are other neutral colours (even if they are colours I don't like). I don't wear a lot of light colours anyway, though >_> I think the only nude-ish colour bra i own is more of a pinky-beige colour (than the stereotypical "nude" colour), and it's only for wearing as a strapless bra. Less so it can't show through, and more so that if my outfit slips to bra line a bit, it's less obvious.

 

[seela]

I remember reading the red = nude thing on CM's blog years ago, didn't believe it, tried it and have since bought a lot more red underwear. The best shade for me seems to be either pale pink or something fuchsia-ish.

I've never liked nude bras, because I'm so white that if I wear a nude bra under a white t-shirt it looks like I've been tanning my boobs. Hardly an effect I want to achieve.

 

[CutieMouse]

I remember reading the red = nude thing on CM's blog years ago, didn't believe it, tried it and have since bought a lot more red underwear. The best shade for me seems to be either pale pink or something fuchsia-ish.

I've never liked nude bras, because I'm so white that if I wear a nude bra under a white t-shirt it looks like I've been tanning my boobs. Hardly an effect I want to achieve.

There are officially eleventy-million shades of nude, so the trick is finding the right nude for your skin tone. I gave up memorizing what shade of nude is what collection's nude, years ago. There's just too many colors within that bland bland shade.

For example, lighter nudes may be called cappuccino, rose, cafe, cafe au lait, creme, taupe, etc.

 

[seela]

There are officially eleventy-million shades of nude, so the trick is finding the right nude for your skin tone. I gave up memorizing what shade of nude is what collection's nude, years ago. There's just too many colors within that bland bland shade.

For example, lighter nudes may be called cappuccino, rose, cafe, cafe au lait, creme, taupe, etc.

Yeah, I figure a very pale pink or blush is my nude. I've only once found an actual nude bra that somewhat matched my skin tone. On the other hand I've given up trying to find one after I learned the trick with reds. So thank you!

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

A Mood Bra would be so very useful. How bout it, science??

 

[Endless_Night]

I remember reading the red = nude thing on CM's blog years ago, didn't believe it, tried it and have since bought a lot more red underwear. The best shade for me seems to be either pale pink or something fuchsia-ish.

I've never liked nude bras, because I'm so white that if I wear a nude bra under a white t-shirt it looks like I've been tanning my boobs. Hardly an effect I want to achieve.

LOL! Well at least its not just me. I'm one of those ultra-fair dark-ash blondes and I've yet to see a "nude" bra that wasn't at least 10 shades too dark. But then, the official name of my skin tone is Casperesque.

Hmmm. Interesting on red = nude.

There are officially eleventy-million shades of nude, so the trick is finding the right nude for your skin tone. I gave up memorizing what shade of nude is what collection's nude, years ago. There's just too many colors within that bland bland shade.

For example, lighter nudes may be called cappuccino, rose, cafe, cafe au lait, creme, taupe, etc.

This completely blows my mind!

 

[Endless_Night]

A Mood Bra would be so very useful. How bout it, science??

That sounds like an early warning system for men.

Let you know what kind of mood we're in as you approach? I don't think so. It would take all the fun out of things.

 

[IrisAlthea]

LOL! Well at least its not just me. I'm one of those ultra-fair dark-ash blondes and I've yet to see a "nude" bra that wasn't at least 10 shades too dark. But then, the official name of my skin tone is Casperesque.

Hmmm. Interesting on red = nude.

This is me too in the winter. Red works well for me as does black, ivory and dark taupe.
Good thing about red is that it's so easy to find on sale after Christmas. =D

I find that bargain hunting tends to make the bra drawer look like a rainbow anyway. Seems those new fashion colours don't always sell that well.

 

[All_4_Love]

I love this thread. Thank you, CutieMouse. A red bra under a white shirt!? Who knew?

*runs out to buy red bra* It's the little things.

 

[MeekMe]

Actually, if you want, red is a neutral. It will still show through on lighter weight fabrics, but red goes under everything without showing through - even white.

Funny you mention this, ^_^ I found this out the other day. I was going to wear a white shirt and I almost didn't because I don't have something very light in color. I said fuck it and put my red bra on thinking I didn't care who could see it through the shirt. Turns out, it didn't show through.

 

[bhndblueyes88]

LOL! Well at least its not just me. I'm one of those ultra-fair dark-ash blondes and I've yet to see a "nude" bra that wasn't at least 10 shades too dark. But then, the official name of my skin tone is Casperesque.

Wait there's formal names for skin tones? 0_o

 

[LWulf]

But then, the official name of my skin tone is Casperesque

Years ago, when I lived in South Florida where everybody is coppertone tanned, I made the mistake of following my doctor's diagnosis and instructions and took a nitro pill once. Well I didn't follow his instructions completely and went back to work instead of chilling out. My blood pressure baselined and suddenly I was looking up at a bunch of ambulance people looking down at me with concern written all over their faces.

Point is, they said "you don't look too good, you look all pale."
"Yeah, but do I look blue? No? Then I'm normal!"

When I was a youngster, I used to get endlessly teased by the white kids and called "Casper" all the time.

(I can relate)

 

[Endless_Night]

Wait there's formal names for skin tones? 0_o

Oops! No. Absolutely not. It was a joke.

"Casper the Ghost," is (or maybe was) a cartoon. A friendly, child ghost who was bed-sheet white.

 

[seela]

Casperesque

I'm so stealing that word.

 

[Endless_Night]

I'm so stealing that word.

My sister and I used to joke that we could go from Casperesque to Lobsteresque in 10 minutes of summer sun.

 

[Curious_in_Cali]

A Mood Bra would be so very useful. How bout it, science??

I guess you didn't know that Science answered this already.

 

[GrrlFriday]

I just discovered I didn't see this. Mea culpa.

A 36DD isn't full busted enough to cause that kind of strain... I suspect you aren't in the right size.

Most of the time, if the bust is properly lifted into position, the fullest part hits the darts perfectly, and 90% of the "button gap" is eliminated. Is there any way you can hit a Nordstrom and get a fitting? I've found most of the girls there are at least a little more trained in lingerie fitting than elsewhere. If you send me a PM, I might be able to give you a starting point for what to shop for (I'll need a little information).

But regardless of all that stuff - DO NOT BUY A MINIMIZER.

[minimizer rant]

A minimizer bra is designed to smash the breast tissue against the chest wall - which "trains" the breast tissue to spread (east / west), making you look heavier (wider) than you actually are. It also causes fatty tissue atrophy, which creates softer, droopier, saggier breasts.

Minimizers also tend to push the breast tissue lower on the ribs (part of the smooshing everything down effect), which means the bust still isn't going to properly hit the shirt's darts, and you'll still experience a button gap.

If it turns out you do need clothing tailored for a fuller bust, I highly recommend http://www.carissarose.com/. I've seen her clothing on clients, and it's beautifully tailored to eliminate gaps and such.

How did I miss this for so long? Thank you for the recommendation, Cutie Mouse! Nordstrom's isn't local to me, but I'll definitely go in for a proper fitting somewhere soon. The last time I got fitted (at La Senza - home of the chicken fillet bras...) I was between sizes - I even had the girl check for me - and slunk away discouraged. I think my size has stabilised since then, so I just need to try again.

 

[CutieMouse]

How did I miss this for so long? Thank you for the recommendation, Cutie Mouse! Nordstrom's isn't local to me, but I'll definitely go in for a proper fitting somewhere soon. The last time I got fitted (at La Senza - home of the chicken fillet bras...) I was between sizes - I even had the girl check for me - and slunk away discouraged. I think my size has stabilised since then, so I just need to try again.

I don't mean this to sound like I'm picking on you; I'm picking on the sales girl who helped you.

There really isn't any such thing as "between sizes". There are wrong sizes, and styles that don't work for one reason or another, but if a bra doesn't work, it's the bra's fault - not your size [body]. You may have needed a smaller (or larger) band, or a different style of cup. Maybe lace would fit better than foam, or a sweetheart would fit better than a demi. I live in a world where I expect the sales people to know stuff like that, and fix it so people don't slunk away discouraged... but apparently my world is kinda small. And lonely. Or something.

 

[GrrlFriday]

Thanks for the tip on soft cups/lace cups, Cutie Mouse - that currently seems to rule out 95% of the shops' merchandise.

One fitting girl (in a boutique that was a weird combination of 'lingerie to be seen' and sex toys) tried to tell me that the foam cups gave support. I thought that would only apply if they had chicken fillets down the bottom of the cup, not the foam domes that bras have become these days - what are your thoughts?

 

[bhndblueyes88]

Oops! No. Absolutely not. It was a joke.

"Casper the Ghost," is (or maybe was) a cartoon. A friendly, child ghost who was bed-sheet white.

Yah...I must have been really tired when I read it. When I read that same word today, I got it without a second thought. *facedesk*

CM, you talk a lot about going to a good boutique/local shop. How you do gauge how good of quality the fitters/store is without trial/error purchases? Obviously some of that will be involved, but that's a fairly expensive process to rely solely upon...

 

[CutieMouse]

Thanks for the tip on soft cups/lace cups, Cutie Mouse - that currently seems to rule out 95% of the shops' merchandise.

One fitting girl (in a boutique that was a weird combination of 'lingerie to be seen' and sex toys) tried to tell me that the foam cups gave support. I thought that would only apply if they had chicken fillets down the bottom of the cup, not the foam domes that bras have become these days - what are your thoughts?

Support comes from the band. Not the shoulder straps, not the cups. The foam of the cups is for shape and smoothness.

 

[CutieMouse]

Yah...I must have been really tired when I read it. When I read that same word today, I got it without a second thought. *facedesk*

CM, you talk a lot about going to a good boutique/local shop. How you do gauge how good of quality the fitters/store is without trial/error purchases? Obviously some of that will be involved, but that's a fairly expensive process to rely solely upon...

Word of mouth. Yelp comments. Walking the department (or boutique) to see how you're treated. Call and ask how many sizes they carry, or what their fitting process is like. Ask lots of questions, and if the answer sounds "off", don't buy. But ultimately (and horrifically), it's trial and error. Because even really good shops, can have one or two people on staff who don't know what they're doing. At all.