Summertime? Go strapless . . .

Sticking with the summer theme, I wanted to address the strapless bra for the full bust. We've gotten several questions on this issue. A strapless bra is sometimes cooler for the hot summer months, but can also open up one's wardrobe options. A halter neck top, cut-in shoulder tank, or strapless dress all become possibilities for the well endowed girl with the right strapless bra.

It seems that most strapless bras are now molded and convertible. A molded bra has a thin layer of foam giving the cup shape (and nipple coverage), and a convertible bra has straps that can be used in a myriad of ways, as well as not being required.

This bra has a nice smooth satin fabric on the outside of the cups. Panache lingerie makes a seamed and non-molded strapless bra, part of their Confetti collection. They also have a more plunge style strapless bra based on their best selling Procelain Oasis t-shirt bra. We fit our broader chested clients in Panache, and remember, one can be broad chested and still have a narrow back band.

Our standard go-to for clients is the Fantasie 4530, pictured below in black. Fantasie's Ava cut also looks to be a strong candidate, but I have yet to fit a real body in it.

If you have a favorite strapless bra that is not listed here, please share it with us in the comments. We encourage you to embrace your endowment as a blessing and not a curse. And remember, please contact Bratique Helene if you have any questions about the best bras, swim & clothing for your body.

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.