Building a Foundation

With Lane Bryant

Plus size personality, Marcy Guevara takes us on a visual tour of some of Cacique’s pretty and functional bras as well as offering tips on how to get a proper fit and style for your outfit.

I think I have mentioned before that the Balconette style is my favorite for every day where. And Cacique was the first brand I fell in love with. Most of my pretty bras are Cacique. Here are a few of my faves from their new arrivals:

Different styles of Balconette bras from Lane Bryant's Cacique line.

As of this post Lane Bryant currently has bras, Buy 1 get one 50% off as well as some on for $20. Have fun!

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Topic Links
* Visit Lane Bryant for plus size clothing

Pretty Blue Bras

Addition-Elle’s bras keep getting prettier and prettier but I especially like their current array of pretty blue bras. Whether you like satin, or lace, or a little bit of both, there seems to be a little something for all tastes. These three are my favorite at the moment:

The Aqua Blue Perfect T-shirt Bra

The pretty blue color is made even more perfect by the extra long straps that can be criss-crossed to wear with that awkward tank cut top so the straps do not show.

Plus size pretty blue bra from Addition-Elle.

The Azur Blue Double Lace Balconet Bra

The Balconet style bras tend to be my favorite for comfort, support, and overall shape appearance. I love the two tone blue lace on this one. Very pretty.

Plus size pretty blue lace bra from Addition-Elle.

The Mint Blue Vintage Contour Bra

Sometimes allover lace feels too fancy and a nice satin bra with lace trim fits the mood. I love this vintage inspired bluey-green bra (I really cannot get enough of mint this season) with its zigzag cup details.

Plus size pretty blue bra from Addition-Elle.

All three of these bras are $55 each but at the time of this post they have “buy one get second 40% off”. Not all sizes are available in all bras but there are many other styles and colors to choose from.

What Color is Your Underwear?

When it comes to bras and panties are you partial to a certain color? Is it different from your outer garment choices? For example, I have a friend who wears mostly black on the outside. Tops, dresses, pants, shoes — black, black, black, and black. But with her undergarments she goes wild with reds and purples. Do tell us in the comments below! But before you scroll down, answer this quick poll on mixing and matching.

[poll id=”6″]

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Topic Links
* Get your plus size bras from Addition-Elle

Be a Showstopper

Addition Elle announced the launch of their “Be a Showstopper” campaign this week. It features these three plus size Canadian bloggers in their lingerie collection.

Plus size bloggers in lingerie for Addition-Elle.

Here is a sneak peak at their individual photos. You can see more at the Addition-Elle site where you can vote on your favorite bra and receive a coupon for $20 off any purchase of $50 or more.

Karyn Johnson of Killer Kurves

Plus size blogger Karyn Johnson in Addition-Elle bra.

Sarah St-Fleur of Queen Sized Flava

Plus size blogger, Sarah St-Fleur in lingerie for Addition-Elle.

Nadia Aboulhosn of Nadia Aboulhosn

Plus size blogger, Nadia Aboulhosn in bra an panty for Addition-Elle.

As if that were not enough beauty for you, they enlisted plus size super model Ashley Graham to feature in their new lingerie lookbook. The line includes pretty bras and panties as well as every day bras and shapewear.

Ashley Graham wearing plus size lingerie for Addition-Elle.

There is a coordinating commercial to see her in motion too. Watch it here, then look for it on the TV beginning March 18:

The music featured in this spot is called “Showstopper” by Brandon & Leah and is currently available for a limited time for free download on the Be a Showstopper page. You can also learn more about Addition-Elle’s plus size bras, panties and other accessories. And read their lingerie guide to get the best fit.

If you are on Twitter or Instagram you can find out what others think by following #beashowstopper.

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Topic Links
* Get your plus size lingerie from Addition-Elle

The Daily Bra

Addition-Elle provided me with one of their “daily wear” bras for review. By daily wear I mean the bras we tend to wear more than any of the other bras in our drawers for the activities of daily living — going to work, shopping etc. Typically there is nothing spectacular about them like lace or bows to get in the way or distract us or anyone else for that matter.

The Smooth Embrace Un-padded Underwire bra has a deep underwire so it does not poke into the breast or the inside of the arm midway up the side like the shorter ones tend to do. (FYI: I realize the pictures make this bra look greyish but it is pristine white.)

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The cups are made of microfiber which is silky soft to touch. I thought it would have been warmer to wear than my regular bras but it was remarkably breathable (Side note: I wear a bra liner with my bras in the summer). The underwire is lightly padded with brushed material for softness. The only thing I did not like was the little satiny overlay at the top of the underwires between the breasts. For some reason this irritates my skin there with an annoying itchy sensation.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The bra has immaculate stitching.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The boning at the side is moderately soft.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The straps are lightly padded at the shoulders and sit in a wide position on the shoulders so they do not dig into that tender meaty section.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The band is reasonably thin without providing extra lumps under tops. I also like the extra width in the side back panels.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

The brand tag is a satiny soft so no picking.

plus size white bra from Addition-Elle

This was a perfectly comfortable bra for all day wear.

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Topic Link
* Get your basic daily wear bras (and the pretty ones too) from Addition-Elle

Complimentary Bra Fittings

According to Penningtons, 70% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. In an effort to decrease the percentage of a lot of uncomfortable women, they are holding a Bra Fit Weekend — June 2 and 3.

Throughout the weekend they will be offering complimentary bras fittings. Specially trained staff will take your measurements (make sure you are wearing one of your good fitting bras and not a ratty-assed one), do a few calculations, and give you your correct bra size.

You can get a complimentary bra fitting at anytime you visit Penningtons but this weekend there will be draws for free bras every hour, a draw for a special gift basket, and a complimentary outfit for summer.

Here are just a few of the bras I have my eyes on:

pretty plus size bras from Penningtons

  • Padded Underwire T-shirt Bra (black floral print)
  • Printed Underwire Demi Bra (limelight)
  • Padded Underwire T-shirt Bra (coral)
  • Padded Underwire Animal Print T-shirt Bra (blue paisley)
  • Solid Wirefree Cotton Cra (seafoam)
  • Striped Underwire Demi Bra (blue floral print)

If you cannot make it to the weekend in-store event be sure to check out their online selection with is currently on for $28.

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Topic Links
* Visit Penningtons online for plus size bras

Addition-Elle Bras and Panties

Back in February Addition-Elle invited me to the spring launch of their new intimates collection featuring plus model Ashley Graham. Much to my disappointment I was not able to attend but shortly after they sent me a press package which included a coupon for a bra a panty from my local store.

This past weekend I was finally able to make it over to Addition-Elle to check out their lingerie line. I have to say, IT’S FRIGGING HUGE! Seriously, I could not believe how many styles there were for pretty bras and functional bras; both underwire and wire free. I took a few pictures while I was there and of course tried on a few styles.

plus size bras from Addition-Elle

And that was not all of them.

plus size bras from Addition-Elle

As you can see from their mannequins many of the pretty bras have matching panties.

plus size bras from Addition-Elle

Unfortunately many of the pretty panties did not go above 2x. In fact there was a huge amount of 1x and 2x sizing but I did not not find anything larger. Perhaps those sizes just sold out quickly. When I say “pretty panties” I am referring to the lacy ones, not the basic briefs. The bras though had many sizing options to choose from.

plus size bras and panties from Addition Elle

I tried on the lacy Femme Fatale and Smooth Curve Underwire Bra (definitely check out this one as its band is really unique) but ended up taking home the Smooth Embrace Underwire Bra in white (with a coordinating white brief) which does not have any molding so will be perfect for summer. I also loved how it covered the back area (I will do a full review posting once I wear it for a day).

The staff of course were friendly and helpful. I think they might have had a few extras on for the customer appreciation day (I have such good timing) they were celebrating with their customers. One of the things they were giving out with purchases were some kick-ass fashion watches — I was given a lovely Michel Studio bracelet watch. This photo does not do the watch justice.

watch from Addition-Elle

I looked at their website and they still have their buy one get the second 40% off if you are interested.

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Topic Links
* Get your plus size bras from Addition-Elle

Sensual Bras

This week Torrid introduced a new line of plus size bras — the Sensuous Bra Collection. The collection includes six different bras styles each with their own function. plus size black cheetah lace t-shirt bra from Torrid

The T-shirt Bra (black and nude lace, black cheetah print, or nude lace)
The Push-up Bra (black lace, nude, or black)
The Strapless Bra (black zebra mesh, fifties pinks, cosmo pink, black, white, or nude)
The Demi Bra (black and nude lace)
The Full-Coverage Bra (grey, nude, or black lace)
The Racer Back Bra (black)

They are currently offered in sizes 40 C to 44 DDD and are $34 each BUT for a limited time Torrid is offering a promotion to showcase these bras — buy 2 bras, get a third FREE! And this promotion is extended to all bras at Torrid, not just the new line.

And if you use the coupon code: 9AF11OFF you can get an additional 10% off your purchase. The coupon expires October 15, 2011.

Give the gyrls something to look up to!

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Topic Links
* Visit Torrid for plus size bras

The Butterfly Collection

Claire Dumican and her partner Paul Syrenne combined their talents to start the Vancouver based Butterfly Collection online lingerie boutique with the mission of getting “every big busted Canadian woman into the right bra and feeling fabulous”. A tall order especially for plus size women.

Currently the boutique has 21 plus size bras to choose from going up to a K cup. What will make shopping frustrating for some is that not every bra comes in all sizes. These are not cheap bras, the cheapest is $62. But if you are having a hard time finding bras in Canada with an adequate cup size then it may be worth checking them out.

From the collection three styles stand out the most for me:

plus size bras from Butterfly Collection

The Grenier Tactel Bra comes in white (shown), nude and black (38C to 46F) for $74. The Elila Plum Wired Bra (40/42G, 42H) is $75. And the black Felina Emotions Bra (40G) is $140.

Three tips Claire recommends for all women to be aware of when fitting a bra:

“ALL of your breast tissue must be inside the cup. Your band should lie flat against your skin with room for 2 fingers to run smoothly beneath it. Your band should be at the same height at the back as it is at the front – both parallel with the floor.”

Visit the Butterfly Collection online for more tips in the “Bra School”.

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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size bras from Butterfly Collection
* Other places to get plus size bras

Summer Dresses

When I worked at Penningtons, eons ago, one of the things that seemed to turn over fast were the pretty dresses. If you found something, then blinked, it was gone. End of warning. Here are a few of my favorites. I especially like the convertible ones (sleeveless, halter, skirt):

plus size summer dresses from Penningtons

As you can see there are many of not-so-bra-friendly dresses this season. The good news is that Pennington’s also has an convertible bra in plus size (40B to 46DDD). They are a bit pricy so I suggest stocking up on a black one and a nude when when they go on sale (currently on for $29.99 — regular $49.99).

plus size convertible bra

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Topic Links
* Get your plus size dresses from Penningtons

Plus Size Lingerie Sale

My favorite place to get sexy lingerie is Hips and Curves so I thought I had better tell you about this week’s sale so they can become your new favorite too. plus size lingerie

Hips and Curves is having a “friends and family” sale. Here are the deets: $10 off $100, $20 off $150, $30 off $200. This sale will run from April 25 to April 29. You need to use the correct coupon code for the amount you spend:

  • For $10 off of orders of $100 or more, use coupon code: 10off100friends11
  • For $20 off of orders of $150 or more, use coupon code: 20off150friends11
  • For $30 off of orders of $200 or more, use coupon code: 30off200friends11

One of my favorites is the Pin-Stripe Baby Doll for $33. You’ll find lots of sexy lingerie, a few bras, lots of corsets, and few fun items.

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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size lingerie at Hips & Curves

Sexy Lingerie from Torrid

In general sexy lingerie is pretty limited locally. Online there is a lot of choice but many of the businesses carry the same products. For something really different there is Torrid. They tend to be a bit edgy without going into full sleaze mode. Here are a few of my favorites today including the incredibly cute Wonder Woman, sorry, Hero Bustier that kind of looks like Wonder Woman’s costume. All items range from $30 to $36 US (yes they deliver) and are available in sizes 0 to 4x (some sizes have sold out).

plus size sexy lingerie

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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size lingerie from Torrid.

Triple Threat Corset

Whether you are thinking about something private or adding to your Halloween costumes this year or need something under your wedding dress, these plus size satin corsets are both beautiful and affordable as far as corsets go. I love the look of all three but that red one is hot! These corsets are available in sizes 0x to 4x for $39.95.

plus size satin corsets from Hips & Curves

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Topic Links
* Get your own plus size satin corset from Hips & Curves

New Bras and Panties

It’s time to celebrate pre-fall with new arrivals at AdditionElle, Penningtons, MXM. As well as the traditional pants, tops, and sweaters they have released some new styles in bras and panties. The bras are a bit pricey at $49.99 but if you check the website you’ll find a code for 20% off.

lacy bras

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Topic Links
* Visit AdditionElle, Penningtons, for new arrivals