ShareThisBRA FAUX PAS:
1. Never wear a black bra under a white top, ever. Well, maybe if you're Madonna or Lady Gaga.
2. The right amount of cleavage is sexy. What's not is when breast tissue billows out, making it seem like you're wearing a bra three sizes too small.
3. Slippery straps are a fashion no-no. They make you look sloppy and unkempt.
4. Wearing a bra is not just a matter of appropriateness, it's a necessity. After babies, weight gain and general aging, your breasts simply aren't what they used to be.
5. If there is a build-up of tissue around the underarms or below the bra band, your body is screaming for a proper fitting. We're also confident you're seriously uncomfortable.
6. Nude is the color to wear under just about everything. You shouldn't see the outline of your bra through your top -- unless you're wearing something sheer.
7. When wearing low necklines or tank tops, how do you hide the top of your bra? Try layering or using double-sided fashion tape. Or go for a bandeau, balconette or demi bra.
8. If you're wearing a halter top or an evening dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves, you'll need a corresponding bra so that the only focus is your ensemble.
9. You have only two breasts. If someone is seeing four, that's a major concern. Generally it means your bra is tight and pushing your breast tissue upward, creating the illusion that you're rocking a side-show act.
10. Stay smooth by embracing the new lace. T-shirt and contouring bras are smooth but may lack sexiness. Many of the new three-part cup and cut-and-sew bras provide optimal coverage with flirty appeal. A bonus: The extra seam helps to control and center breast tissue.
-- Beverly Russina, founder of www.123underwear.com and Beverly's Hill, an intimates boutique in St. Louis.
BRA-FITTING TIPS:
The bra fitters at barenecessities.com offer this fit guide as a starting point for finding your correct bra size. They suggest measuring yourself while wearing a comfortable, non-minimizer bra with no padding:
BAND SIZE
Measure under your arms, high on your back, across the top of your chest. If this measurement is an even number, this is your band size. If an odd number, add 1 inch to determine band size.
CUP SIZE
Measure loosely around the fullest part of your bust. Subtract your band measurement from your bust measurement; each inch represents a cup size. For example: If your band measurement is 34 inches and your bust measurement is 36 inches, the difference is two inches, and you'd wear a B-cup.
Call Bare Necessities toll-free for additional help: 1-877-728-9272.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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