NEXTONSCENE: BENEATH IT ALL WITH bra expert, JENE LUCIANI Jene Luciani is a nationally known TV style expert and bestselling author. We had the fabulous opportunity to interview and showcase her in our wellness issue!
First how did you become a bra expert? "I had a decade-long career in journalism and had forayed into the fashion side of things, as a magazine editor and oncamera fashion xpert. I was assigned an article on bras and foundation garments which resonated with me, as I’d had a life-long struggle with my own breasts and bra issues! I realized there were millions of women out there like me and decided to become an advocate for them. I got the idea for The Bra Book and went full-steam ahead! In a three year time span, i had a publishing deal, a deal with a bra company for a private label, and many appearances on DR. OZ and NBCs Today, as a bra expert."
How does one figure out how to size themselves ? "It takes two “simple” measurements, but the rest is anything BUT simple! You take a sewing tape measure, wrap around just underneath your bust, pulling snuggly. Record that number. Then measure over the fullest part of your bust wearing your best fitting bra. Just above the nipple line. Record that number. Here’s where it gets tricky. The 2nd number will obviously be larger than the first. The first number is your general band size. But often times, you’ll want to round up. You then subtract that number from the larger number. The difference is your cup size! So for example, if it was a 2” difference, you’d be a B-Cup, this is only meant to be used as a guideline and is in now way an exact science! A professional fitting is always helpful."
Photography: Matt Hoyle & Dollface Studios NY
Can you breakdown the best bras for small breasts and big breasts? How should one select for themselves? "For all of these bust sizes, it’s really subjective to what the woman herself is looking for! For example, some bigger busted women want to minimize while others want cleavage and emphasis! Therefore, the style is really a preference. Generally speaking, I recommend an underwire for larger heavier breasts or those that need lifting. Also, a molded cup is great for shaping, for breasts with volume loss or smaller breast. If you tend to get nipple poke through and don’t like that, you’d also want something that has a molded cup or thin padding for modesty, as opposed to an unlined. Larger busts can also look for wider and padded straps, as well as full-coverage cups. A Demi or balconette style bra can be flattering for smaller busts, as well as some graduated padding or removable pads in the lower part of the cup."
#GETINTOUCH with Jene: jeneluciani.com, Facebook: @Jene Luciani, IG: @jeneontv
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