Trend Round-Up: Fall 2011

Archive for the ‘Lingerie News’ Category

Trend Round-Up: Fall 2011

By Linda the Bra Lady on February 25th, 2011 in Lingerie News, Trend Watch

My buying team and I just spent a long but exciting week at Curve Expo NY. For those of you not in the lingerie biz, Curve is a showcase of European and American lingerie designers where we got a sneak peek at the Fall 2011 styles. Here’s what’s in store for the seasons to come.

Rich, Bold Color

Fall/Winter 2011 will be full of gorgeous, decadent color! Some stand-out shades were sapphire blue, dark purples and lots of red. These shades are flattering on a wide range of skintones, so we’re looking forward to getting an extra shot of color in our stores.

Simple Sophistication

While lingerie sales are back up, shoppers are still looking for practical pieces. This season’s designer lingerie uses simple yet elegant shapes in high quality fabrics, for timeless styles that can be worn everyday. Forget feathers and sequins – low key glamour is what’s hot.

Retro-Chic Bustiers

Longline bras are not just for brides – we saw a lot of sassy fashion bras that go down to the waist. What I’m most excited for are mini-bustier styles that give you the look of a longline bra but are easy to wear under your clothes. This pin up girl style is a new twist on the retro lingerie trend that has been huge over the last few years.

Let’s Get Physical

In addition to strong lines from athletic brands like Moving Comfort and Shock Absorber, regular lingerie brands are expanding into sports bras. We love the Wacoal Underwire Sports Bra and can’t wait to see the new large cup sports bras from Freya lingerie. This trend is also spreading to swimwear with athletic swimsuits that have extra bust support.

More Sizes, Big and Small

If any trend will make women smile, it’s this one! Sales of larger cup bras are on the rise, and lingerie manufacturers have finally noticed. We are seeing sexier bras for DD cups and up with every passing year. Petite women will see more variety too, as 30 bands become common for many large lingerie brands. Even 28 bands are getting some love, with brands like Freya increasing their offerings for smaller sizes.

What styles are you looking forward to for the coming year? Think you’ll jump on any of these trends or stick to the basics? Let us know in the comments!

xoxo

Posted in Lingerie News, Trend Watch | No Comments »

Donate a Bra for Haiti & Receive 20% Off Your Next Order

By Diana on January 11th, 2011 in Charity, Lingerie News

USA Today

Elaine Birks–Mitchell may not be a bra fitter but her work with bras has changed the lives of women across the world. As founder and CEO of The Bra Recyclers, a for-profit bra recycling company, Birks-Mitchell is responsible for the donation of more than four thousand bras to women across the world. From Kenya to Texas, Russia to Arizona, The Bra Recyclers are responsible for helping thousands of women in need. And that’s just the beginning. Next up for The Bra Recyclers is a major donation to the still-struggling women of Haiti. I had the privilege of speaking with Birks-Mitchell to discuss how she started The Bra Recyclers, the rarely-spoken about need for bras in shelters and how we can help bring bras to Haiti.

Q: You started The Bra Recyclers in 2008. What inspired you to start the company?

A: I spoke with someone who worked in a shelter and we were talking about what her women needed. She listed a ton of things so I asked if they needed bras. I had a lot with tags on and I knew a lot of organizations didn’t take them.

Q: Did she take them?

A: She told me they never had enough bras. I called around for other shelters and they all said the same thing. I started investigating and found out bra donation was popular in Europe. But the organizations I spoke to didn’t want to start US branches.

Q: So you did yourself?

A: So I did it myself. There was a need and I decided to do something about it.

Q: How many shelters do you work with in the United States?

A: We currently work with shelters in twelve states. Our goal is support at least one organization in every state. There are shelters everywhere that need help.

Q: What happens to the bras that aren’t donated to shelters?

A: 10% of everything we collect goes to charity. The other non-wearable bras are recycled. We want to reduce the amount of usable textiles going into the landfills.

Q: That’s wonderful. So let’s talk about Haiti. Do you have a donation goal?

A: We’ve collected 400 bras. Our goal is to collect 1000 by February 28.

Q: Is there a particular size the shelters are looking for?

A: They’re asking for sizes 32 – 38 in the band. A majority of their women are smaller because they’re malnourished but there are all types of women in need so we’d like to collect as many sizes as possible.

Q: What condition should the bras be in?

A: The bras should be gently used or new. The straps, hooks and elastic have to be in place and working. There shouldn’t be a lot of heavy deodorant stains or heavily perfumed. And if possible, it would be great if they were washed before sent.

Q: How do the bras get to Haiti?

A: We work with a number of shelters and organizations that help distribute donated bras. With Haiti, we’re working with Angel Wings International. The bras will be distributed in care packages through a local mission in Jacmel.

Q: That sounds great. Now all we need is Oprah.

A: I’ve tried, trust me! But someone told me Oprah would find us so we just keep working hard to help our women.

Please help the cause by donating your gently used or new bras. For every bra you donate, you will receive a percentage off your next purchase.*

If you send in 1 bra: Get 10% off your purchase

If you send in 3+ bras: Get 15% off your purchase

If you send in 5+ bras: Get 20% off and a surprise free gift!

Please send your bras to:

Linda’s Online
c/o Operation: Bras for Haiti
68 Jay Street. Suite 401
Brooklyn, NY 11201

…and don’t forget to include your email. You will be emailed your discount code.

*Applies to online orders only. Promotion ends Feb 28, 2011. Need a new bra that fits? Visit us at Linda the Bra Lady online!

Posted in Charity, Lingerie News | 17 Comments »

Bras in the News

By Linda the Bra Lady on November 22nd, 2010 in Lingerie News

With the implementation of new “backscatter” x-ray machines at airports across the country, a new controversy has arisen, especially for women. Do you risk the radiation and go through the machine or do you submit to a full-body pat down? Whichever you choose, chances are it’s going to make the news.

Here are a few stories about bras and the TSA.

Engineer Jeff Buske has invented a “special” type of underwear that will shield your privates from prying TSA eyes. The “special” part of this underwear is a large fig leave ironed on to the front of the panty. Ground. Breaking. Read the full story at the Daily News.
Underwire bras are the leading causes of setting off the alarms. Nancy Kates found out the hard way when her underwire bra set off the alarm.Read more to see what she opted to do.

Breast cancer survivor and flight attendant Cathy Bossi opted not to go through the x-ray machine because of radiation concerns. When being pat down, TSA agents forced her to remove her prosthesis. Read her embarrassing story here or view the video below.