Does it seem like you wake up with larger breasts every morning? Even in the first few weeks of pregnancy, you’ll probably notice your bras fitting differently than normal. Women in the first trimester often ask me what size they’re going to be when they have the baby. Unfortunately, the only accurate answer is “bigger”! Most women go up one band size and anywhere from one to three cup sizes. Rather than try to predict what size you will be in the future, pay attention to how your bra is fitting you at that moment. If the band is starting to dig into you or you are spilling out of the cup, it’s time for an upgrade.

Ideally, you should get re-fitted by an experienced bra fitter whenever you outgrow your current bras. If that’s not possible or practical, you can estimate your size based on what you are currently wearing. If the band feels tight, go up a band size, but remember that when you go down a band size, you’ll have to go up in the cup. If you are spilling out of the cups, keep going up cup sizes until you can fit all of your breast tissue comfortably inside the cups. Sometimes, women with larger cup sizes are a little afraid to go past DD cups, but you really shouldn’t worry about the letter on the tag. When you’re pregnant, your bust is heavier and more sensitive than normal, so you absolutely need the correct size for support.

When you get close to your due date, be sure to also buy two non-underwire bras that have extra room in the cup or are made of stretch fabric. Right after birth, your breasts will become engorged, and you’ll need comfortable bras with extra room in the cups. I recommend Bravado and Bella Materna for comfortable bras with flexible sizing.

Once you know what size bra you need, you’ll have to determine the style that’s best for you. Many women find non-underwire bras to be more comfortable during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester or if you are “carrying high”. Another bonus is that soft cup bras tend to be a little less expensive. If you prefer underwire bras, be sure that you also have soft bras that you can wear to sleep. Because your breasts are heavier, a sleep bra is essential for support during pregnancy. One cash-saving tip is to wear nursing bras after about 36 weeks, so that you can get more use out of the bras later. I recommend having at least two comfortable bras to wear right after birth, since you probably won’t have much time for laundry!

Have more questions about this confusing stage in your bra fitting life? Feel free to ask us in the comments!

With the New Year come new resolutions. One of the most common ones among women aged 18 to death is to lose weight. Every year, gyms across the country see an influx of signups as resolutioners flock to hit the treadmill and once and for all, lose those extra pounds. But let us not forget the most important part of working out is having the proper sports bra. Without one, you risk paying more attention to the movement of your breasts than to the movement of your muscles. Read on for answers to your most pressing sports bra questions to ensure your workouts are smooth and successful.

Q: What are the different types of sports bras?

A: You can select your sports bra depending on the type of activity you’ll be doing. For more intense exercises, you should opt for a high-impact sports bra like the Shock Absorber Run Sports Bra. If you’re going to be doing yoga or similar mild exercises, choose a low to medium impact sports bra like the Anita Active Medium Impact Sports Bra.

You can also choose between underwire and non-underwire sports bras. While your sports bra should be snug (even snugger than your regular bra), it doesn’t necessarily have to have an underwire to provide support. Whether or not you wear an underwire is a matter of personal preference.

Q: How should my sports bra fit?

A: The main purpose of wearing a sports bra is to limit excessive bouncing and to compress and encapsulate your breasts so that they are stationary while you’re not. For this type of fit, your band should be snug – even snugger than your regular bra. You don’t need a smaller cup size to hold your bust down – the bra is designed to do that for you.

Q: What are the best bras for petites? Plus Size?

A: When selecting a sports bra, first narrow down what activity you’ll be doing. Once you know if your sport is low, medium or high impact, you can then narrow down by your size.

Q: Do all sports bras give you the uni-boob look?

A: Ah, the dreaded uni-boob. No one likes the look but unfortunately it is a necessary evil with soft cup bras. Sports bras work by compressing your breasts so that they don’t jiggle when you’re being active. The good news is that you can avoid the look by opting for a bra with underwires. This will create a more feminine silhouette which is ideal if you need to go out after the gym.

Q: What other features are important when selecting a sports bra?

A: One of the most important features of any bra is the material. This is even more important when it’s your sports bra. Because you’ll be working out and subsequently sweating (sometimes excessively), you’ll want to stick to moisture-wicking materials that won’t absorb sweat. When shopping for your bra, make sure to look at the fit support to see the materials used.

Q: What are the benefits of wearing a sports bra?

A: Sports bras are beneficial because they reduce the force high-impact sports may have on your breasts. Women with larger breasts know just how painful it can be to walk around, much less jump around, unsupported.

Q: How many sports bras should I own?

A: You should own one sports bra for every day you work out. If you work out twice a week, have two on rotation. If you work out four to five days a week, try to have at least four on rotation. Because you sweat much more in a sports bra than in a regular bra, you should wash your bra after every wear, especially if you’re doing high-impact sports.

Q: I plan on losing a lot of weight. What size should I buy?

A: You should always buy the size that you are now. You never know what shape your breasts will be when you lose the weight so whatever bra you buy for your expected size could become obsolete. Why yes, that actually is the sound of money being flushed down the toilet. If you’re concerned about buying too many bras as you lose weight, stick to non-underwire sports bras because they are more forgiving if they are slightly too big.

Q: I have very large bosoms. Should I wear two sports bras?

A: No! If one isn’t doing the job for you, it’s either too lose or it’s not high enough impact for your activity. A good-fitting sports bra will be snug and supportive and you’ll only need one to do the job. If you find yourself having to wear two sports bras when you work out, I’d recommend getting fit for a new one.

If you have any questions regarding sports bras, feel free to e-mail us with your questions or call Linda’s expert fit hotline at 1-888-262-4887. We’re here and happy to help you!

Between eggnog, plum pudding and Grandma’s famous Sweet Potato Pie, it’s no wonder January is the month with the highest gym membership sign-ups. But that’s the beauty of December – it’s not January. This year, skip the guilt, indulge in delicious goodies and raise a glass to the creators of shape wear – the very useful items that will have you looking and feeling your best while enjoying all the holidays have to offer.

Waist Away…the Easy Way: Waist cinchers are the modern-day corsets. A waist cincher will shape your waist for a sexy, hourglass silhouette (without rearranging your organs) and will instantly make you look thinner and sexier. There are two types of waist cinchers that will do the trick. One will surely work for you!

 
1. Squeem Firm Compression Waist Cincher: This unique rubber, multi-use waist cincher will not only create an hourglass silhouette but it will help improve your posture. This product has three hook settings so it can be adjusted to fit as you lose inches. If worn daily, the pounds are sure to melt off so those settings will come in handy.
2. Squeem Firm Compression Vest: The Squeem Firm Compression Vest does the same thing the waist cincher does but with one added benefit – the high back will help sooth relentless back-fat. Similar to the above, the vest has three hook settings for easy adjustments and is made of a rubber outer shell with cotton lining

Bust the Belly Fat: Sometimes those last five pounds are the most stubborn and you know what? That’s January’s problem. December’s problem is choosing which color Spanx Higher Power Panty you want. This multi-tasking control-top hosiery will smooth away those last five (or ten) pounds from your belly, thighs and rear-end. If you ask nicely enough, it might even do your taxes. Other benefits include a snap cotton crotch (for quick and easy bathroom breaks) and four-way stretch material that won’t leave you feeling like you’re at a spa sauna. Read: lightweight, breathable and the worst thing to happen to late-night exercise machine infomercials.

Awesome Arms: If the most exercise you’ve done for your arms this year was lifting your remote above your head so the kids can’t have it, you’re not alone. Luckily, the Tres Sleek Pleine Sleeve Arm Shaper is here to save the day. This arm shaper comes in two colors, black and beige, and two sleeve lengths, long and short. It will reduce the circumference of your arms by 1 to 3 inches so you don’t have to hide under bulky clothes. Show ‘em what you got, ladies.

Mama Maternity:The Spanx Power Mama Maternity Shaper is the perfect piece of shape wear for the sexy mama-to-be. It will smooth out your hips, thighs, and butt while also keeping your bundle of joy safe with a soft, stretch stomach panel. The control band beneath the stomach will also provide support for your lower back. Just because you’re pregnant doesn’t mean you can’t look great in a form-fitting outfit.

This holiday season, flaunt what you got and hide what you got too much of. That’s why these products exist! If you have any questions regarding shape wear, feel free to e-mail us with your questions or call Linda’s expert fit hotline at 1-888-262-4887. We’re here and happy to help you!

Women are always calling Linda’s Bra Hotline and asking for products they absolutely need, but unfortunately, don’t exist. Not for lack of trying but because the laws of physics simply don’t permit it. Of course, this can become frustrating but don’t let that get you down. There is always another solution for your needs and Linda’s has it!

1 – Strapless Minimizers: It makes sense why a woman would want a strapless minimizer but unfortunately it’s physically impossible to create. A minimizer bra is able to produce the illusion of a smaller bust by evenly distributing the breast tissue around the cup. This is possible when the entire breast is enveloped with fabric and held up with straps. Strapless bras don’t have enough material to accomplish the minimizing task.

Instead Try: A regular strapless bra in the right size. It will flatter your bust so you won’t mind showing off a little! We recommend the Panache Porcelain Moulded Strapless Bra. This bra is lightly molded, has seamless cups and won’t add to your size. It runs up to a G cup.

2 – Low-Back Strapless Bras: A strapless bra can’t have a low back because your breasts will not have the support necessary to stay up. This is especially true for women with larger busts; the breast tissue is too heavy to be supported with a low back band. And as our customer service manager Steph likes to say, “Your bra band is like a shelf. If it’s tilted, everything will fall down!”

Instead Try: If you’re above a DD, try a strapless longline bra. These types of bras go down to the waist for strapless support. For a sexy yet supportive look, check out the Elila Lace Strapless Longline Bra. This lace bra runs up to a size 46H and because of the long band, your bust will be lifted no matter your cup size. A great option for the smaller sizes is the Le Mystere Essentials Dos Nu Bra, which is a low-back convertible bra. You can adjust the clear straps in a multitude of ways (halter, criss-cross, regular) to achieve that look you’re vying for.

3 – (Supportive) 100% Cotton Bras: Bras that are 100% cotton are missing the vital ingredient needed to support your bust: elastic. Many women (including myself) have questioned mathematical probability and wondered whether it was possible to have elastic in a bra that was 100% cotton. No. Not possible. Another problem with 100% cotton bras is that they stretch faster and therefore lose support quicker. If, however, you need a cotton bra because you’re nursing or post-surgical, you may find solace in bras with 95% cotton.

Instead Try: Most bras that have a high concentration of cotton are post-mastectomy or nursing bras. If you’re not interested in that style, try the Elila Cotton & Silver Fiber Soft Cup Bra. This bra is 95% cotton, 5% polyester and has a soft boning that mimics the shaping of an underwire. You’ll have the support you need in the material you desire.

Still have questions about your bras? Don’t worry because we’re here to help you! Feel free to e-mail us with your questions or call Linda’s expert fit hotline at 1-888-262-4887. We’re here to help you and no question is too small.