Why the neckline is so important

All day yesterday I wore this sweater (over the Carissa Rose Farrah Shell in persian red) I received for Christmas. After wearing it twice the tie broke so I had to wear it completely buttoned up with the cowl neck, as opposed to just buttoning one button and cinching the waist with the tie.

As I walked the cowl neck had a life of its own. The thing bounced each time I took a step. I guess resting on a FF bust was just too much of a spring board for it.

Which segues us into the neckline discussion. The neckline is important (in addition to no cowl necks allowed) because if its too low, "you look like a sl*t"! At least that's how one client put it. She followed her comment with, "if I get something that fits the neckline and bust, then I just look chubby because its big in the waist". And she is a curvy Italian, size 4 SW (small well-endowed) in our line.

Even wear to work pieces have necklines so low that they require wearing the ubiquitous camisole, which adds extra bulk, which is usually unwanted bulk.

Over to you, what are your neckline pet peeves? Or better yet, what are the necklines you feel good in and enjoy wearing?

Bust-line Quiz #1

We had an event this week at our Dallas boutique - a.k.a. the front room of our home - and I witnessed first hand lots of cleavage, especially among our clients that wear the "really endowed" (R) sizes. Thus the inspiration for today's blog post.

We're excited to announce the first pop quiz in our 'Bust-line Quiz' series. The theme of this Bust-Line Quiz is Cleavage - a popular topic among the full bust - whether its abhored or enjoyed by the possessor.

To enter the quiz, just answer the question in the comments section of this post. We will randomly select the winner from all correct answers submitted. The winner receives a Bratique Helene garment of their choice.

What is the cause of the cleavage in this picture?

A) the breasts are just too big, and there's no getting around that cleavage.
B) her breasts are too close together, nothing could separate them.
C) the cup of the bra is too small, more volume is needed.
or
D) the back band of the bra is too tight.

This quiz is open until Sunday, September 6, 8:00 p.m. CST. The winner will be announed Labor Day morning. Good luck!!

Cleavage - How to get It.

Its summertime, the season of tank tops and sundresses, and since a couple of weeks ago we blogged about avoiding cleavage, I thought it only fair to give equal time to the plight of trying to acquire it. On certain special occasions you may *want* to have cleavage. Or a certain dress may be required - think bridesmaid - and you need a low-cut bra to keep your breasts in the dress as prettily as possible. A plunge bra is what's required, and most plunge bras for special occassions are padded, to increase the cleavage affect.

Women with a full bust can still be challenged in the cleavage department because of the shape of their ribcage. If the thoracic shape is comparatively broad, the breasts will be further apart, whereas if the body depth is comparatively deep (yours truly) the breasts will be relatively close together. This has nothing to do with the back band size, even a 30F could have breasts that are relatively far apart. I have a great graphic on this issue, I'll work on posting it.

While at Dallas Market last week showing the Bratique Helene line (hence the lapse in blog entries, sorry) I visited my friends in the lingerie showrooms. For me, being around a bunch of lingerie is like being in a candy store. Its so very fun & yummy. Eveden (manufacturer of Fantasie, Fryea, Goddess & Elomi) is excited about this new bra - Savannah. Based on their best selling style Bridgette, Savannah comes in a padded plunge style WITH side seaming. The side seaming works to bring the breasts together, so if you have breasts that are wide set due to a broad thoracic cavity and want some cleavage, this is the bra for you.

Please contact Bratique Helene if you need any help finding bras, swim & clothes for your full bust-line. Being well-endowed is a blessing and not a curse.

Cleavage

Cleavage is defined as the partial exposure of the separation of a woman's breasts; the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by the wearing of a low-cut dress.

Rihanna is sporting some cleavage in this picture, where the breast tissue starts to rise up from the ribcage. This form of cleavage is usually seen in a scoop neck or square neck top and can be hard to avoid, especially in summer time clothing a la Anna Kournikova in the picture below. I say that it is harder to avoid because as well endowed women, we look better in necklines that are v-neck, u-neck, scoop, square, etc., and not so good in crew neck, boat neck and similar. As I heard an ample bossomed woman say, "my boobs start right under my collar bone". The neckline of one's shirt has to hit right at that sweet spot so as not to show any cleavage, but also give direction and be flattering to our bust-lines.

However, the "bottom crack" as shown below, is really only acceptable when a woman is trying to be overtly sexy, as in at a certain function (romantic date with husband?). This type of cleavage, when not intentional (this isn't usually an appropriate every day look), is due to an ill-fitting bra. Because as we know, the center gore of your bra should rest flat against the chest wall, thereby seperating those breasts - even if its by 1/2 inch.

So look down at your bust-line or in a mirror, do you have the "bottom crack" caused by the breasts being pushed together? Then get thee to the nearest bra salon for a fitting. Unless of course you WANT to have cleavage, then purchase a bra such as the one below.

Cleavage, when not intentional, is caused by one of the following (listed in order of importance):

1. improperly fitting bra


2. neckline too low

And as always, please contact Bratique Helene if you have any questions concerning the best bras and swim for your full bust.