Any architect will tell you that
it is the foundation, which is the most important part of even the most
beautiful building. And so it is with Bridal Lingerie. It can be the most
beautiful dress in the world, but, if what lies beneath is 'wanting',
the whole effect can be ruined. That's a lesson that, unfortunately, some
Brides learn the hard way when they settle down to watch the video of
their 'Dream Wedding'.
Getting the right underwear for the style of dress is essential and it's
something that Bridal Lingerie specialists, 'A Touch of Class' in Lichfield,
know all about.
"A bra for your Wedding is a functional bra - it has a job to do;
and it's not always the prettiest bra which does the best job - plain
and functional can often be better. If it's pretty - that's a bonus."
You can have the prettiest, the frilliest, the finest, the gauziest,
the most charming underwear that you wish for your honeymoon. But, for
your Wedding it has to do the correct job. What you don't want to be thinking
after your Wedding is: "I wish I had bought a better bra."
I have been fitting Brides with Wedding Underwear for 17 years. All through
that time, they have put their silhouette and their confidence in my hands.
No-one is ever under any obligation when they come to my shop. It is very
important that they feel comfortable. We say to Brides "Tell us about
your dress and let us fit you. Then tell us which bra you are comfortable
in."
Basques are a very popular form of Wedding Lingerie. But don't assume
that you will need the same basque size as your bra -50 per cent of women
don't. With a basque, you are wearing something which fits the whole body
and you have to get the combination of back and cup size correct. Each
country has its own different cultural body shape to cater for, and therefore
produces basques which suit different women. For example, the Americans
have a very clever way of boning larger sizes of basques. They have extra
underwiring in the front, which gives very good support. Up to size 52DDD
is available in the Goddess
from USA's strapless basque range.
The Belgian basque manufacturers Marie Jo - Avero , on the other hand,
are very good at producing smooth-effect basques, suitable for the small
to medium size bust. They are decorated with scrumptious Belgian lace,
which lies on the basque bridge, between, rather than over the bust, allowing
the bust line to stay very smooth.
For those women with hourglass figures, a basques from the English corset
company, 'Silhouette', Silhouette
Paysan would be my first choice. With over 100 years' corsetry experience,
this firm really knows how to hold a girl in! Now, they are also producing
basques in a range which goes up to a 40F fitting, and their corsetry
expertise ensures that their basques provide a really wasp-like waist.
For this year's strong trend towards sheer Wedding Dresses, however,
you need something other than a basque, and I have the perfect lingerie
solution: I would recommend Nuage
bras, which means 'cloud' in French and the Nuage Invisibles . They really
are just like a cloud - sheer, dainty, fine and very plain. The cups are
sheer or pre-formed and there are deep plunge and strapless designs. They
are ideal for the fine crepe and organza dresses around at the moment.
Another tip for this year's sheer look, is to go for a skin tone bra,
because it doesn't show. White under white, actually isn't the best combination:
Skin tone is much less visible.
We take this year's emphasis on strapless and sheer designs in our stride.
Although the exact look of the wedding dress changes each year, the problems
are basically the same. Through the years we have had to cope with low
back dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses - you name it!
At 'A Touch of Class' we operate a fitting service with a difference:
This allows Brides-to-be to purchase their Wedding Lingerie, take it to
their Wedding Dress Retailer to try on under the dress and, if it isn't
right, to come back to us for a refit, or even for alterations. This,
of course means, they will never be stuck with ill-fitting foundations.
I have the following advice for Brides-to-be when selecting Bridal Lingerie:
Firstly, don't leave it too late - your ideal garment could just have
been sold: Secondly, choose a specialist supplier and be fitted, rather
than buying off-the-peg: Finally, when choosing your dress, be conscious
of your body shape.
It can be very frustrating when women are sold dresses which aren't right
for their shape. For example, if you are full busted and want a dress
with a low back and an off-the-shoulder cut, it is incredibly difficult,
not to mention expensive, to get the right underwear. I have seen ladies
sad, disappointed and red eyed after struggling to find suitable underwear,
only to be told that there is nothing suitable for their size and shape.
This can be very distressing for a Bride: But from our extensive range
we can usually find a solution at 'A Touch of Class' in Lichfield and
at 'www.finestlingerie.com'
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