Guilty….Yes, I, JoJami, just found out that I was guilty of wearing the wrong size bra!
Do you have an assortment of pretty bras in your drawer?
Recently, I was invited to attend a bra fitting session with Nordstrom fit specialist Dora Lazarus. It was certainly an eye-popping experience and I guess I’m not alone…statics show that 8 out of 10 women are wearing the wrong bra size. That means YOU could be one of those women!! (I found out I was wearing one size too large around and one size too small in the cup!)
You may also find your breasts are starting to sag. The right bra can make all the difference in making you look more youthful.
Lazarus can help. She is a fit expert. What started as a temporary job for her turned into career she has enjoyed for over 19 years! Obviously I was in good hands and here are some of the tips she explained to me:
- Most women wear their bras too loose around
- The center gore should lay flat on your chest
- When you wear a blouse you should have a bra that has a seam in it because those types of bras give you the most support.
- Life expectancy of a bra is around 6 months. (depending on how many you own and how often you wash them)
- An average woman will wear 4-5 different bra sizes in her life!
- It can be fun having all types of styles and colors in your bra wardrobe, including ones with fancy bra straps!
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We love tips on how to play up our best parts and camouflage our not so favorite parts … so here is another one….
We were recently guest bloggers on the site Yummy Mummy, where we found some fun fashion advice from writer Lillian Canini. Lillian has very practical and comical suggestions for dressing when your life revolves around your children. She urges us to laugh loudly and wear a plaid bra! Oh, and don’t forget the shapewear for that post-baby body!
The Yummy Mummy Club is the online destination for modern mothers looking for guilt free adult stimulation. The Yummy Mummy Club speaks to the woman in every mom.
How do celebs over 40, like the gals from Desperate Housewives, manage to look so figure perfect on the red carpet? Diet, exercise? Yes, to some degree, but no woman is that flawless! Their real secret is something as simple as great shapewear.
The original tummy toner was the girdle. Unattractive and uncomfortable, it vanished from the scene around the 1970’s. Support pantyhose came next, but didn’t do much to solve our problems with flab. Now there’s a high-tech version that is taking the lingerie industry by storm. It’s called shapewear.
Shapewear simply holds you in and smooths you out wherever you need it, eliminating visible lines and bulges and making your clothes hang beautifully on you.
Here are a few of the problems shapewear solves:
Bra Bulges
Shapewear gets rid of those pesky bra lines that make you bulge over the sides and make your back look lumpy.
Old Lady Arms
Can’t stand the flabby bit hanging off your arm? Shapewear makes you look toned and terrific.
Panty Lines
Hate thongs and want to wear fuller panties, but worried your panty lines will show? Try shapewear to boost your bottom and conceal ugly elastic showing through.
If you haven’t tried Shapewear yet, you are in for a treat! It’s lightweight, super comfortable and works under anything from a wrap dresses to pants, an evening gown or even fitness clothes. It’s the hottest thing on the market, and you may be surprised to discover that there are dozens of different brands, styles and price points out there!
So, here are a few that we have actually TESTED on our bodies and what we thought:
Slimpressions
Would you like more shape on your top half, but worried that shapewear might actually flatten out your bust? Slimpressions is one of the only lines that we have seen so far that has a solution to this problem.
Their peek-a-boo top tones and smoothes out any lumps and bumps on your back, sides and tummy without squashing you like a pancake because you can still wear your own bra. Plus, your arms look great also with no jiggle under form-fitting sleeves.
All Slimpressions products work on women size 4 to 22. We found them very comfortable with just the right amount of support, tight but not too tight.
Also, the fabric is very comfortable and of high quality!
We find wrap dresses are often too low to feel comfortable in, so recently we wore a Slimpressions full front top with scoop neck underneath a wrap. It worked perfectly to cover up cleavage a little at the neckline.
Cass and Co.
If you want top of the line in luxury Shapewear then Cass and Co. is well worth your money. This shapewear is so fine it can be worn underneath your clothes or simply by itself, as clothing.
The high-tech fabric is extremely comfortable and has been scientifically developed for maximum support in specific targeted areas (such as tummy and back). It also has cooling ventilation under the arms!
We have found that after multiple washings it has not lost its shape or color.
Made for women size 2-16, it comes in many colors and styles such as camisoles, full dress, biker shorts, etc.
The top we show here is one of their most popular styles, since it features a wider strap (for better comfort and support), full back for maximum coverage and a nice plunging “v” so you can wear it under most tops!
I (JoJami) wore it recently on a trip to Aspen, on the plane, on the slopes and out to dinner and I didn’t need to wear a bra. I was really comfortable the entire time!
Colors include: brown, violet, cream, and white, black, nude.
Sassybax
Sassybax is another great line that is high quality, comfortable and figure enhancing.
The long leg panty lifts, rounds and separates the derrier. (Watch out J.Lo!) They also sell padded shapewear bras for those of us who would like a little extra size and shape, without having to resort to breast implants.
They also have a wonderful backless bra that Laura Dern just wore to the Golden Globes underneath her black chiffon designer gown.
One final note: Sassybax comes in plus sizes!
Spanx
a href=”http://www.spanx.com/”>Spanx was not the first company to create comfortable shapewear, but it sure was the first to put it on the map! It has most recognizable name in the business, and have the largest selection of styles to choose from.
From their famous Higher Power (high waisted mid-thigh shaper), to their Bra-lellujah (all hosiery comfort bra), to their Tight-End Tights (reversible, high waisted body shaping tights with tummy control), Spanx has had women around the world singing its praises.
We find Spanx great for those with a little extra pudge to control. However, if you need some major sucking in, this may not be the brand for you. Deborah loves the Slim Cognito Mid-Thigh Shaper and Sleek Capri Smoother, especially under white capris.
So, there you have it – Try some shapewear! You’ll fall in love with the way it makes your midlife body look and feel.
One more quick note… to put on shapewear, it’s always best to STEP INTO it! Don’t try to put the tops on over your head. Shapewear is pretty tight and can be tricky to get on and off unless you do it this way.
Hey gals…. we want to talk down and dirty to you today…with a reality check.
Deborah and I were out discussing how sometimes we become “clueless” when it comes to realizing that our bodies are changing,
ESPECIALLY those of us who are still slim and in pretty darn good shape! Because we age so slowly… sometimes little things sneak up on us, that we don’t even realize!!!!
So the figure challenge question of the day is…Do you have batwings?
You know…those little hunks of skin that bulge over your bra straps near the underarms.
Next time you are in a dressing room and trying on a 
new sexy, dress, make sure to take a hard look at how your arms look. You might be surprised to see that things are hanging out where they shouldn’t be!
NOT TO WORRY….just pick another style and you can still be sexy but at least you will be sexy and smart about it!
Still Sexy, No Batwings!
We love Barbra and she is an “Age-mazing woman” (amazing for her age), but nothing makes a woman look more matronly than a saggy bustline.
She needs a good bra. One of our favourites is the Victoria’s Secret- Very Sexy Secret Embrace wave bra. It’s totally seamless so it looks fantastic under whatever you wear. It’s ultra comfortable and comes in lots of pretty colors and patterns.
If you like wearing plunging necklines (and we know Barbra does) you also may want to try pushing your breasts in as well as up.
The Wonderbra Hot Push-In bra is the sexiest new shape in the lingerie department. This bra provides killer cleavage, as well as uplift.
If you are less endowed, a push-in gives the appearance of a larger, rounder cup size, and puts the emphasis where it counts! You’ll have a noticeably perkier décolletage and cleavage you never knew you possessed.
If your cups “runneth over,” this type of bra boosts height and provides support and shape in all the right places.
You know the drill, though! Before you even THINK about buying a new bra, get fitted by a professional! The push-in can do marvelous things, but only if it is comfortable and the correct size for your body!
1. A Sexy Bra
Granted, after 40 your breasts are typically heading south, but that doesn’t mean you should cover them up with a boring, stretched out beige bra up and forget about them. The quickest way to feel good about your changing boomer body is to Perk up your girls with a gorgeous, sexy new bra. Splurge on something a little more feminine and pretty. We are seeing some gorgeous options out there like two toned bras in ice cream colors of lime sorbet and lemon ice, rich chocolates and strawberry pinks! Or for the holidays go bold with jewel tones of ruby, amethyst or emerald. How fun to run around all day knowing that underneath it all is a sexy woman!
2. A Cape
The trick to looking fabulous after 40 is not to try and look young, but to look modern. A cape is a great way to do that. Fashionable and fresh, a cape is a sophisticated way to show you’ve still got flair! Not only that, but they are really comfortable, since they are not as restrictive as a coat and warmer than a pashmina. It’s the newest look in stepping out in style! Go for a grey or deep chocolate color for a versatile look that can go day into evening. If you go off to a black tie affair, of course a black velvet one can be quiet gorgeous and very formal.
3. Sleek High Heeled Boots
A simple formula to look boomer chic is to stick to simple classic looks, (a crisp shirt, flat front pants and fitted cropped jacket, for example) and put the emphasis on the accessories. One of the most important details this season is boots. Finding a wow pair to personalize your look is key. Nothing can date you faster than an out of style, worn our pair.
Opt for a boot that is finer in style to ooze sophistication. Not too round or square toe and keep the heel thinner or go for a wedge. Too clunky is funky and better left to the younger crowd! If you’re looking for comfort and style, try some of Cole Haans new boots that have Nike air cushions in the toe. As we age, our feet get drier and the pad on the bottom of the foot can become tender after walking all day. This pair allows you to have fun in heels and still feel comfortable.
4. Smart Handbag
Enough of teensy weensy bags that barely hold your lipstick and ridiculously oversized purses that let you lug around everything you own and make you look like a bag lady. For Grown-Up gals it’s time for something stylish but smart. There’s a whole new line of luxury bags out there that look gorgeous but also keep you organized. We think the Butler Bag is a great choice because it is fashionable on the outside, but the inside stays absolutely organized!! The new exotic fall colors in spicy ginger and olive martini are just the thing to add some zing into your wardrobe!
5. Gorgeous Gloves
If your coat is neutral and you want to jazz things up, try a new pair of fresh gloves. Snakeskin and extra long leather is all the rage this season. Bold colors and exotic skins are easy to pull off, especially if you’re only wearing them until you step inside. Look for soft supple leathers that aren’t too bulky. Sure you have the ones you walk the dog with but for going out change them out. Don’t go for the practical black or brown ones; find something that sings your personality. Dare to be wild. You will have fun soaking in all the compliments!
When you have that top or dress that just won’t work with a traditional bra, there is always the option to use a stick on strapless, backless bra.
In case you have not heard of these, they are sticky pieces of silicone that you just stick on and go!
The brand I (JoJami) like the best is from Nu Bra. This sticky, backless, strapless bra, is the original brand, and it is very comfortable and easy to put on and off.
However, let me add a disclaimer: If you have more than a small C cup, the strapless version will not work for you. But they are now making them with clear staps that will keep those puppies nice and lifted!
But the big question is do they really work?
I have been through several pairs now, and here is what I have found. They work just great under “sedate” conditions.
That means, if you plan on going out and dancing like a crazed women or if its really hot out, you could be in for some trouble.
I wore mine today in 90 degree heat. As I sat outside and sipped my iced coffee, I felt them start to slip and slide. So I had to take them off and put them in my purse.
However, for the calm dinner date in comfortable weather, I think they can be a real life lifter!
Loved this tip from Image Consultant Brenda Kinsel on how to judge whether or not you have sagging breasts. 
The author of 40 after 40: Forty Things Every Woman Needs to Know about Getting Dressed, recently told Oprah:
Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Put your hands on your hips. Draw an imaginary line across your shoulders, and an imaginary line across your waist — if your bust line is in the middle or north or the mid-point, you’re in good shape. If it’s south, you need to lift your breasts up so there is more room between your waist and your bust line.
Droopy breast make you look tired and matronly. Perky breasts instantly shave off some years. So try this test,then hike up those bra straps, or even better, get out there and treat yourself to sexy new bra with lots of support.
Remember: as we age gravity takes it toll and our undergarments become even more important than our clothes.
