Monthly Archive for January, 2011

B.tempt’d this Valentine’s day

Looking for something new this Valentine’s day? Well, take a look at sassy young fashion lingerie brand btemptd – sister brand to the often overlooked Wacoal. They offer a new twist for fashionable chicks and while tailored more to petite ladies their bras are avaialble up to a 36DDD (aka E cup).

The Passion Flower bra and tanga set makes an impact in Bright Violet and in its sheer fabric, is bold and flirtatious. Intricate embroidery playfully skirts the set whilst keyhole details on both the bra and knickers make for an enticing detail.

For a burlesque-inspired celebration, the aptly-named La Parisienne collection transports you to the capital of romance. A sultry yet playful basque plays the principal role supported by flirty hipster pants, a delicate string and garter belt. The soft colourways of Vanilla Ice and the prettiest pink keep this ensemble wonderfully feminine.

As Modelled by Justin Timberlake’s bosom buddy Esmee Denters She says:

I am really excited and honoured to continue working with b.tempt’d, having seen the spring collection which is so sexy, fun and fl irty! The brand speaks to a lot of girls out there who want to be comfortable, but at the same time be fashion forward, even with
their underwear.

And her favourite bra?

One of my favourite pieces in the collection is the La Parisienne bra that I wore on the shoot; I wear pieces like this as performance outfits. You can wear b.tempt’d pieces to spice up an outfi t and easily wear styles like their corsets as outerwear.

Fulfil fantasies this February with the beautiful b.tempt’d lingerie, available from February 2011 in stores nationwide including Selfridges (instore only), Harvey Nichols, Harrods and online store ASOS.com. Also available in the Republic of Ireland at all Brown Thomas stores.

What to look for in a good sports bra

Are you keeping fit in the new year? Forget resolutions, forget excuses – what you need is a good sports bra and we’re here to help you find one!

As well as avoiding the obvious inconvenience of jiggling there is sound medical evidence that women should protect their breasts during excersize. The breasts are supported by the Coopers ligaments which stretch when you exercise. If these ligaments are over-worked it can cause sagging – and once this happens, they will never recover!

Shock Absorber running bra
Shock Absorber running bra

All is not lost though. A good sports bra can cut breast movement by over 50 per cent – for example a Shock Absorber running bra tested by experts at Portsmouth University was proven to reduce bounce by 78%. According the The Bra Book the first sports bra was invented in 1977 when Hinda Miller, Lisa Lindahl and Polly Smith sewed two jockstraps together and called it the Jogbra (I hope they washed them first).

Look for cushioned fastenings to stop the bra chafing or scratching against your skin, while moisture-wicking fabrics such as those used by the Breeze Comfort bra help keep you cool. Good sports bras can provide comfortable support for large and small busoms with wide non-stretch straps.

Sports bra checklist

  • Look for a sports bra with seperate cups with plenty of support – not to mention a more natural look.
  • Choose a bra with thick supporting straps that won’t chafe or cut in with movement.
  • Pay the extra for a breathable fabric. Moisture wicking fabrics make for a comfortable workout.

So what are the best sports bras out there? A quick search for sports bra on our price comparison engine shows at least 83 different bras from. Needless to say some help whittling it down should help! Popular brands include sport-experts Shock Absorber, Triumph’s Tri-Action range. Other lingerie brands such as Anita Rosa Faia.

If you want a little more help then look no further than sports bra specialist Less Bounce. Other retailers specialising in active gear include Boobydoo, She Active and SweatyBetty.

We’d love to hear your experiences on this one. Finding the right sports bra is a revelation and there’s so much choice depending on your shape, size and sporting activities – just leave us a comment below, or if you prefer join in on our Bra Selector Facebook page.