11
FASHION | WOMEN
to understand a customer’s needs and give her the proper type of bra for the occasion,” says Karam. Karam feels that material of the innerwear is subjective to a person’s individual comfort. While the new generation may have a penchant for lace or guipure, purists may stick to cotton. Karam says that the age of the woman, her body structure and type of clothes she will be wearing will help in deciding the type of inner apparel she must wear. For bottom wear, she suggests selecting those with a cotton gusset and soft elastics which will not dig into the skin and cause visible panty lines under clothes. Just like there is no one allpurpose dress, there is no allpurpose bra. The number one bra that every woman should own is an everyday T-shirt bra – seamless, with a smooth cup and in skin-color. Don’t make the mistake of pairing a white bra with a white T-shirt. Only a skin-toned one gives an invisible look. Another must-have innerwear is a sports bra, one that locks your bosom in place and prevents movement. You can actually do a lot of damage to the ligaments if they are moving uncontrollably during workouts. If you want to get the most life out of your lingerie, purchase one that feels snug on the loosest hook. The elastic in the band stretches with use, and as it ages, you can move to the tighter hooks.
Certain types of bras work better with certain tops. Here are the best bras for different types of clothing: • T-shirt: As the name says, this type of bra is ideal for T-shirts. It doesn’t have any frills that would be visible under a T-shirt. • Push-up: If you’re wearing an outfit with a lower cut in the front and you want to show skin, try a push-up bra. The combination of the padding and the cut of the bra gives you lift without showing the bra underneath your top. • Sports: You’re probably familiar with sports bras already. Consider a racer back design since it offers more support. Make sure to match the level of support to your activity—walking needs lighter support than running. • Strapless: Made especially for tops or dresses that don’t have standard straps. • Plunge: Best for tops or dresses that have a deep neckline. • Convertible Bra: A mustown owing to its versatility, this bra has modifiable straps that can be changed into a halter, racer-back, one-shoulder, or strapless. It’s the ultimate, all-in-one quick fix! Buy it in a neutral color, preferably nude, to increase its utility. You don’t need to own every single one of these, of course— but depending on the tops in your closet; you may want to have a few of these around.
Your lingerie is going to be on your body all day long. You want to invest in one that is comfortable, that makes you look good, and is going to last. A well fitted bra can be expensive and you must take care of them to get the maximum wear possible. Do not bleach, iron or throw them in the dryer. Hand-wash, when you can. But remember even the highest quality of elastics and microfibers wear out over time and lose their elasticity. Do not wear the same bra two days in a row. They need time to rest between wears. According to Karam, there are five basic steps for a woman to be assured she is wearing properly fitted innerwear. These are as follows: 1. The back band of the bra should fit comfortably around the body without riding up the back. 2. The bosom tissue should not bulge or spill over the bra, if this is the case, the bra is not the right size. 3. The cups should not pucker or gap and the center of the bra should lie flat against the chest. 4. Straps should sit well on the body without slipping or pulling too tight. 5. The underwire should not cause any discomfort. Women desiring to get proper fitted innerwear by an expert fitter can visit Fifty One East to get a proper fitting and advice on your best individual style. March 2017