I recently finished up working with a client whose life had different facets of its own.  She is a mother, wife, has an active social life with friends and is also planning on returning to work in the near future.  Her daily activities include things like playing in the sandbox with the kids, getting together with girlfriends and going on the occasional date with her husband.  She also needs to have clothing on hand for when she returns to work. When we met up, she was most interested in learning how to have the clothing on hand to dress for her well rounded life.  While this task may seem tricky to accomplish, or that she required a huge wardrobe, in the end, we made it easy for her to go from one part of  her life to another with simplicity.  I am going to share with you some of the things that I did to help her with the hopes that these multiple use clothing strategies can help you go from one part of your life to another and ensure that you’ll always look great

Keep the base and change the accents

I would say that the most valuable part that my client got from the experience was learning how a simple shoe change, the addition of accessories to her outfit and maybe a bag change (if she was feeling particularly ambitious) made all the difference in the world.  In my client’s case, she was looking to go to the playground in appropriate clothing and then be able to wipe off the sand and then run and meet up with some friends, all without changing her clothes.  Our strategy was to create a really simple outfit base, like crop pants and a T shirt for example, or an easy summer dress.  For the playground we styled her outfit with a practical sneaker or a pair of casual sandals along with a kid friendly tote bag.  When the time came to meet up for some socializing, I simply suggested that she ditch the  casual kid friendly shoes and grab a more elevated pair, like a wedge sandal and then throw on a fun piece of jewelry to finish off the look.  She could also grab a cardigan or casual blazer, as well, and it was up to her to decide if a bag change was something she wanted to do.

Multiple Purpose Clothing by bridgetteraes 

The goal here is to be able to do more with less and to focus more attention on setting a base of basics that can go from one part of your life to another with a quick change accents that change the look.

 Have floater pieces that are multi-taskers

The next strategy is to have floater pieces in your wardrobe that can be used in all areas of your life.  In my client’s case she had a few nice tops that were too precious for the playground but were great for a lunch out with friends and what she could wear when she returned to work.  These  floater pieces are crucial in a wardrobe and give you the ability to do less with more.  Personally,  use this strategy all the time.  Being someone whose lifestyle calls for more casual, yet nice, attire ( I see clients in jeans or an easy dress, work from home and rarely have the need to get dressed up) I often take my nicer t-shirts that I will wear with a pair of jeans and a cardigan, for example, and also wear it with a nicer pair of pants or skirt, nicer shoes and more elevated accessories when I am speaking publicly.  Recently, I took one of my sleeveless t-shirts that I wear more casually, wore it with a tailored pair of pants, put on a heeled shoe and threw a casual jacket (that I also wear with jeans) on to finish the look.  With a few accessories added, this t-shirt became a multi-tasker in my wardrobe, playing an important role in two very different areas of my life.

Multiple Purpose Fashion by bridgetteraes 

 Color Consistency

 The more of a consistent color theme you have in your wardrobe the better off you will be when it comes to going from one part of your life to the next .  This certainly does not mean that your wardrobe has to be so predictable in color that you start to become known in your social circle as the girl who never wears anything other than pink.  However, when there is a base of some consistency in color it gives you the ability to mix and match more.  Let me give you an example using my experience with my client:  We had established that her base of color would be tones of browns and olives.  We made sure that she had bottoms and dresses in all of these tones.  We then purchased just a few tops, accessories and layering pieces in colors that all worked back to the bottom shades she purchased.  She had some great greens, lavenders, blues and some neutral colored tops.  She will be continuing to add on some more accent colors from there, and with her established palette of color set it will be an easy thing to add on to.  We agreed that shades of teals, warm pinks and other shades of blues will work beautifully as well.

Make your novelty a novelty 

Novelty items in a wardrobe are great and provide the personality to a wardrobe.   Without basics, novelty items don’t have a serious foundation with which to be utilized and without novelty your basics are just boring.  However, you don’t have to go crazy with novelty items and you don’t need too many.  In each classification you don’t need more than one or two novelty pieces.  For example you can have:

• For work, one novelty jacket that can be worn back to several suit bottoms and  separate pants.
• One or two novelty knit cardigans that can become outfit finishers which is great in the summer when we don’t want to wear a jacket.
• One or two novelty fun tops that can work back to pants for work or jeans on the weekend.
• One or two novelty pairs of pants like a print, interesting seaming or pocket details, especially for casual, which can make your more basic tops look a bit more interesting.
• One or two novelty skirts that do the same thing as your novelty pants above
• A novelty dress that can be dressed up or down

The truth is that you don’t need too much novelty, it doesn’t take much to add some punch.  In my client’s case she was able to take much of the novelty that she bought (and it wasn’t that much) and use these pieces with jeans to elevate a casual look and also wear these novelty pieces to work.  Additionally, your novelty should work in color coordination to your basic colors.  After all, if you buy novelty you are going to need something to wear with it.  Don’t go off and purchase a purple and green floral skirt if you don’t have those basic colors in your wardrobe.

Set your spending by use

Multiple Use Clothing by bridgetteraes 

If you are in the dressing room considering the purchase of a new item, look at the piece and figure out how many facets of your life this particular piece will play in your life.  For example, you can look at a piece and think, “This top would work great with jeans on the weekend, can go under a suit jacket for work and can even be worn with a skirt on the weekends.”  The more multi-use a piece you are considering has the better.

We are all busy and we all are juggling so the last thing you need to worry about is creating a compartmentalized wardrobe with pieces that don’t relate to one another.  Sure, of course you will have the pieces in there that won’t multi task, yet, in general, you always want to have the bulk of your wardrobe to be multiple use clothing and to be able to go from one part of your life to another easily with just a few additions or changes.

The post Get More With Less: Multiple Use Clothing appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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For this Five Fashionable Ways series, you may also notice that I pull other pieces featured from past posts in this category.  I do this to also teach you how to build a working wardrobe where you can not only use one piece multiple ways, but also utilize what you may already own to do it.  While it would be easy to show fashionable new pieces in each post I do on this topic, I want show you how to work with what you own, not to encourage you to have to always be buying new.

Okay, now onto the looks!  For shopping information on all pieces used in the outfits, click the images below.

Five Striped Blazer Outfits

Outfit #1

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Look 1 

An easy look with this blazer would be to pair it with jeans.  Here I chose boyfriend jeans, but any style of denim would work.  To add some unexpected punch, I paired a simple pair of stud earrings in yellow.

Outfit #2

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Look 2  

For a classic casual look, I paired this jacket with Bermuda shorts in khaki, a denim sleeveless top and gold accessories.  What I like about this look is that the jacket can be removed and the outfit still looks polished.

Outfit #3

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways – Look 3  

For work, I wanted to keep the outfit business-casual by choosing an easy linen skirt in navy and added a surprise color of a chartreuse green tank.  If adding this chartreuse to the outfit seems a little out there for you, you can always sub in a basic white tank, however, I liked the punch of a third pop shade.  It really is incredible how the simple addition of a third shade can make a difference in how styled an outfit looks.

Outfit #4

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways  

For a casual-work look or for a dressy-casual, this blazer paired with a pair of white crop pants, a navy top, shoes and accessories is classic and perfect for summer.  Again, like the first outfit, for a pop of unexpected, I added some yellow.  Surely, this outfit would work just fine with a navy, white or the orangey-red bag from the first look, however, sometimes all it takes are the simplest of unexpected touches that make an outfit more memorable and stylish.

Outfit #5

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways – Look 5 

For the last look, I wanted to really play with color.  This may be pushing the envelope for you just a bit, yet, my job is not to show you what you already know, but to give you options that you may not have considered on your own.  Colored accessories are a great way to learn how to pull additional color into your wardrobe.  In this case, the necklace used was like a map for me.  By looking at the combinations in the necklace, I was able to bring in the colors I used.   This is a tip you can keep in mind when learning how to play with color.

The post One Item, Five Fashionable Ways: Five Striped Blazer Outfits appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, here are some looks to consider to wear to a wedding you may be attending this summer, no matter what type of wedding you may be attending.  For shopping information on all dresses, click the images below.

What to Wear to a Wedding- Morning Wedding

What to Wear to a Wedding by bridgetteraes 

Having gotten married in the morning, myself, I know that morning weddings require a type of attire that is much different than other times of the day.  Unfortunately, few people know this and will often wear what they would wear to an evening event.  Morning weddings are times to leave the rhinestones, glitter and spangly clothes in the closet.  In this case, I chose a pretty, cotton dress that is subtly dressy and very feminine.

What to Wear to a Wedding- Evening Cocktail

What to wear to a wedding by bridgetteraes  

Evening weddings usually require a bit more glitz and glam.  A gown usually isn’t necessary, but shine, sparkle and embellishment is certainly welcome.  These weddings usually begin in the later afternoon but go on into the evening.  Instead of a black dress, consider a color or go with a versatile metallic which is just as versatile as a black dress while being a little less expected.  Lastly, if your entire outfit is neutral in color, choosing a pop of color through a clutch is a great accent.

What to Wear to a Wedding- Beach

What to wear to a wedding by bridgetteraes 

Beach weddings are very popular during the summer.  These types of weddings welcome a slightly more casual look, usually in bright colors and prints.  A maxi dress is a great option to consider.  If you don’t want to buy a new dress, you can often dress up a summer dress you already own with things like metallic wedges, a clutch purse and bold accessories.  Wedges are great if you’re expected to walk on sand.

What to Wear to a Wedding- Black Tie

What to wear to a wedding by bridgetteraes 

Black-tie is usually mentioned on the wedding invitation.  If the bride and groom are requiring black-tie it should be respected.  Few realize that black tie does not mean that women are obligated to wear a black dress, it just means that the gentlemen should wear a tuxedo.  In cases of black-tie weddings, a gown is usually preferred and is something that few women own or have much use for after one use.  If this is the case with you, check out Rent the Runway, a site where you can rent designer gowns at affordable prices.  I think I may check out Rent the Runway for my next black-tie event.  While wearing black isn’t required at black-tie events (unless it is requested), I went with a dress from Rent the Runway in this shade to give it a very formal feel.

What to Wear to a Wedding- Vegas, Baby!

What to wear to a wedding by bridgetteraes  

You have to love a couple who invites you to Vegas to see them get married.  When in Rome, right?  Might as well just go with the flow.  This is the type of wedding where you can push the envelope, go a little over the top and embrace your inner party-girl.  Chances are, the type of bride who invites her friends and family to see her get married in Sin City would welcome it.  Now, there is a fine line between party style and tacky style.  This outfit definitely runs against that line, however, there is a still some class to it.  The dress is a basic shift with fun ombré fringe in bright blue.  Playing off the blue accent in the dress, I accessorized accordingly.  What  fun dress to wear to dance the night away.

The post What to Wear to a Wedding appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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3. What am I Going to Wear to Work Tomorrow? Work Outfits for Monday Morning

The goal of this series is to give inspiration for your work outfits while also featuring some products in the stores now.  You may not be able to purchase these pieces for tomorrow but you may have something similar that you’re not maximizing to its fullest potential.

Okay, now onto tonight’s looks!  To get shopping information on all pieces used, click the  links and images below.

Work Outfits for Monday Morning

 Look #1 

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow? Look 1 

I wanted to start with a printed skirt, like this one by Ann Taylor, because I think it seems like a no-brainer for a work wardrobe but can often feel a bit limited.  Few women know what to do with a printed skirt besides choose tops in white or black or ones that match the colors found in the print.  While these are perfectly fine options, if your work environment is casual enough, consider a denim shirt which will match any print you pair with it.

Look #2

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow? Look 2  

Next, I want to talk about printed tops, like this one from Anthropologie– another no-brainer for the working wardrobe.  However, beyond a pair of black pants, black shoes and a black handbag, few women know what to do with a top like this.  Instead, I chose basic pair of navy pants, which are just as versatile as a black pair of pants, switched out a pair of black shoes for a comfortable pair of coral peep-toes and finished the look with a relaxed white cardigan and navy necklace.  With these simple finishing touches the outfit looks more pulled together.

Look #3

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow? Look 3 

Lastly, a basic black and white dress, like this one from Lord and Taylor,  a no brainer, right?  Well, not really, especially for work.  Black and white, in particular in the work environment, is not for everyone and wearing it could be detrimental to your success, read more about it here.  If after reading about black and white as a color combination you do find you can wear it, don’t forget to add puches of color to the outfit.  In this case, I chose a red blazer.  Keep in mind, however, red is not a color to wear when you are asking for something as the color can evoke feelings of aggression or anger in others.  Perhaps you should skip asking for that raise while wearing this jacket?

The post What Am I Going to Wear to Work Tomorrow? Work Outfits for Monday Morning appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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In the 24 months since Shoes of Prey launched, women have designed tens of millions shoes with, spending more than 20 million minutes creating their dream shoes. That’s the equivalent of one person spending more than 40 years (24 hours a day) designing shoes.

How Shoes of Prey Works

With their 3D Designer you choose the shape, colour and height of your shoes; they custom make your design and ship anywhere in the world.  Shoes of Prey also offers special sizing, including shoes in narrow and wide styles as well as shoes starting as small as a 2 1/2 and up to a size 15.   They can even make one shoe bigger than the other.

You start by picking your shape.  You can select from 12 shoe shapes – including ballet flats, stilettos, sandals, oxfords and wedges.

Next, you can play with over 170 fabrics to select the shade and texture you want.

Once your design is completed, Shoes of Prey hand-makes your design and ship it to you in 4-5 weeks.  Prices range from $195 – $350.  Return within 365 days and we’ll remake them free of charge or offer a full refund – including shipping.     To see how the shoes are made, click here to watch the video.

Check out Shoes of Prey to start playing and designing your own shoes.  And, good luck getting anything else done today.

The post Friday’s Fab Find: Shoes of Prey appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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I tell you this story to remind you just how important communication is, and that how you package yourself really does make a difference.  My website is living proof of this.  Taking time to consider your personal style as it relates to your goals is worth considering, as it could be the biggest obstacle you’re dealing with in your own success.  If you’re not presenting your skills, capabilities, and who you in your personal style, you’re potentially doing yourself a major disservice.

I’m going to tell you about an exercise I did with women, all whom I didn’t know and would never meet face-to-face to help them figure out their personal style and will prove to you how quickly we react to visual images. These photos were flashed in front of a women.  They were asked them to respond one of three ways to each image: I like, I somewhat like, or, I don’t like at all.

Through each woman’s visceral reaction I was effectively able to capture their personal style with just this exercise.  Next, I showed them fashion options that corresponded to their reactions to the images.  Their positive reaction to the fashion chosen for them, based simply on their reaction to the original images, confirmed that this exercise worked.      When I developed the concept, those who were working with me on this project thought I was crazy.  They couldn’t see how I could figure out a person’s style simply by flashing a few these arbitrary in front of the quiz takers.   Yet, after years of assessing the styles of people I knew it would work because visuals are processed  faster than any other form of communication and emotions to those visual images greatly affect our decision-making.

This is why personal style is so important, it’s the strongest form of communication you have.  Yet, like me and my website, you may be thinking that you don’t have the time to focus on changing your personal style.  However, if you actually did put some time and energy towards it all those things that you are struggling to accomplish could get done more quickly and efficiently.  You’d actually have to work less to accomplish more.   Going back to my website, before and after I changed its design the content was exactly the same, yet the success rate of it skyrocketed after I changed its visual presentation.  Giving more attention to your own personal style, you may actually succeed where you feel you are failing, and all that time you’ve spent keeping up or getting it all done could potentially be minimized if you just took a step back and looked at whether your personal style was in line with everything you’re setting out to accomplish.  Could it be that your personal style, the thing you’re giving no thought to, is the obstacle?

The post Proof that Personal Style Matters appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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Of course, not all denim jackets are created equally.  You don’t want to break out your acide washed denim jacket from 1987 with shoulder flanges and some hair-band patch on the back.  As a more sophisticated lady, a shaped denim jacket that ends a few inches below pelvic bones, in a classic wash will probably get you a lot more mileage.  A denim jacket doesn’t need to be expensive either.  This denim jacket, that I am using to put five denim jacket outfits together, is from Old Navy and sells for $35.

Okay, here are some denim jacket outfits for a little inspiration.  For shopping information on all pieces used for the looks click the images.  And, be sure to check out other posts in this series.  You’ll notice that I use pieces from previous weeks to show you how easy can be to build a wardrobe using what you already own.

Denim Jacket Outfit #1

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways – Denim Jacket Outfits 

For a fun, casual, weekend look, I like a denim jacket with a summer dress.  Here I particularly love how the denim works with the soft pink.  It adds some edge.

Denim Jacket Outfit #2

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Denim Jacket Look 2  

A denim jacket is great with a maxi dress because the jacket offers waist shape and the perfect proportion when worn with a long dress.  Denim being so versatile, it should work with any maxi dress color you wear.  Finish the outfit off with a metallic accessories, handbag and shoes to be all set with an easy summer look.

Denim Jacket Outfit #3

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Look 3  

Khakis and denim go together perfectly.  Even with a longer tunic, a shorter, shaped denim jacket still works.  This look remains casual, even with the accessories and metallic accents.

Denim Jacket Outfit #4

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Look 4  

A denim jacket can add a more casual element to the dressier items that already exist in your wardrobe.  If you’re looking to get the maximum out of what you already own, a denim jacket can be a great piece to bridge the gap.

Denim Jacket Outfit #5

One Item, Five Fashionable Ways- Look 5  

Again, to casualize (is casualize a word?) a dressier look, throw it together with a denim jacket and you can make more elevated pieces more casual.  In this case, a maxi skirt is ready for a stylish weekend outing with the addition of a denim jacket, tank top and easy gold sandals.

The post One Item, Five Fashionable Ways: Five Denim Jacket Outfits appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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Rainy Day Fashion Essentials for Work

A popular brand for inclement weather geared towards professional women is Aquatalia.  All Aquatalia shoes are specially treated with a unique protective process for weatherproofing, helping to prolong the product lifespan and adding value.

Aquatalia  

This is a great solution that will set you back a few hundred dollars.  If you’re not interested in spending that much money on a pair of shoes, another solution are shoe covers, like these by Grace Carter.

Grace Carter Shoe Covers  

The brilliance of these shoe covers is that they work for any pair of shoes you may be wearing, the covers can be folded and stored right in your handbag so you’re never caught off guard, and come in a variety of heel heights.  These covers are made with a non-porous membrane that is water-resistant, windproof, and breathable for rain or snow.   You can watch a video about how they work here.

Rainy Day Fashion Essentials- The Rain Boot Alternative

Now that the weather is warmer, inclement weather does not mean ruining a flirty pair of capris with a cumbersome rubber boot.  It’s time to add a new essential to your spring wardrobe: waterresistant ballet flats, a perfectly practical solution to the summer shower that won’t leave your legs sweating in the rain or having you carry around an extra pair of shoes to change into once you finally make it to the office.  This first look offers the protection from rainy sidewalk and looks fabulous all day long.

Rainy Day Fashion Essentials- The Rain Bag

Your umbrella may cover you from the rain, but, nothing is worse than when you get indoors only to find your handbag soaked because you couldn’t get it covered under your umbrella.  There are a few rain bag solutions out there, from the waterproof work bag to something more casual, like bags by Baggu, that can be folded stored until you need it.  For shopping information on all rain bags featured, click the image above.

Rainy Day Fashion Essentials- The Rain Hat

Stylish Rain Hats 

I never think to buy a rain hat.  I don’t know why, it’s such a smart solution for rainy days.  With such a variety of rain hats out there, from styles that are perfect for work, to more casual ones, a rain hat is added protection when used with an umbrella or a great solution for drizzle or when you don’t have a spare hand to carry your umbrella.

Rainy Day Fashion Essentials- The Raincoat

Stylish Raincoats  

I wasn’t going to originally feature raincoats as on of the rainy day fashion essentials simply because it seems so obvious.  Yet, I can’t tell you how many of my clients tell me they don’t have one.  In fact, a client of mine recently purchased the pink raincoat featured above from Tahari.  This super bright, playful rain coat was so darn cute that I had to include it in this blog post, along with a few others, from casual to work appropriate.

The post Rainy Day Fashion Essentials appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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The goal of this series is to give you new wardrobe ideas and outfits for work while also featuring some products in the stores now.  You may not be able to purchase what I’m featuring to work tomorrow, but you may have something similar that you’re not maximizing to its fullest potential.  With this series you have the opportunity to look at your wardrobe in new ways.  Plus, for future shopping endeavors, this series may help you become more focused and purposeful.

Okay, now onto tonight’s looks!

Work Outfits for Monday Morning

Look #1

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow- Look #1 by bridgetteraes featuring a bow belt

I decided to feature this skirt by Brooklyn Industries because it’s feminine and flirty but, often a style like this gets bought and just hangs in the closet.  Usually when we step out with something different, we think we’re doing something right, but, then, because we have no idea what to do with it, it doesn’t get worn and feels like a huge mistake.

When I looked at this skirt, the first color I thought to pair with it was yellow.  You can wear a top like this two ways- either belted or tucked in, which is why I added the belt option.  I don’t suggest you wear a top like this untucked with a sunburst pleated skirt.  Next, I wanted to anchor the outfit with navy, which I like to call a versatile, summer black.  Lastly, let’s talk about printed shoes.  Before you buy a pair, think about the colors that already exist in your wardrobe.  While you may feel swayed by a drop-dead gorgeous pair of printed heels, if the print doesn’t work with what you already own they will never get worn.

Look #2

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow – Look 2 by bridgetteraes featuring melie bianco handbags

While I am a huge advocate for accessorizing, I know that some of you will continue to be resistant to the additional step.  If you are someone who hates accessorizing, consider a dress or top that has embellishment around the neckline, like this one from Lord & Taylor– it’s a dress with a built-in necklace.  With a versatile pair of tan shoes (if you don’t own a pair of tan shoes, run don’t walk and buy a pair) and shaped white blazer, you’re work ready in seconds flat without compromising any sense of style.

Look #3

What am I going to wear to work tomorrow? – Look 3 by bridgetteraes featuring a white jacket

Lastly, I want to talk about seersucker, like this one from Target, a very popular summer work fabric that few feel all that sure about how to wear.  You can treat seersucker like a solid neutral colored blazer, any color works with it.  In this case, I chose a pair of ankle length pink trousers, and navy shoes and handbag and added a colorful necklace to tie it all together.

The post What Am I Going to Wear to Work Tomorrow? Work Outfits for Monday Morning appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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A recent trip to Lee Lee’s Valise, the world renowned Brooklyn boutique that exclusively caters to women sizes 10-28 and sells lingerie in bra sizes all the way up to the letter i, taught me that I’m not the 34D/DD, the bra size I’d been wearing for years, I’m actually a 34G!  Owner of Lee Lee’s Valise, my friend Lisa Dolan, should be called the bra whisperer.  One look at me and she nailed my size and threw me into the dressing room to try on a PrimaDonna bra, the only brand she sells in her store because she believes in in them so strongly.  The second I tried on the PrimaDonna bra, in the size she hand selected for me on sight alone,  it fit like a glove.   Amazed by how well it fit and felt, I actually came out of the dressing room to show it off.  Lisa looked at me and just said, “Once you go PrimaDonna, you never go back.”  She’s right, and it’s why I am featuring PrimaDonna bras for Friday’s Fab find.

If you’re unfamiliar with PrimaDonna bras, there are a few reasons why they are superior to all other bras out there.  PrimaDonna’s undisputed expertise in luxury lingerie for larger cup sizes, that go all the way up to a size i, began in Germany in 1865, came to Belgium in 1990 and was transmitted from one generation to the next.

Photos courtesy of Primadonna

All PrimaDonna bras are handmade in Belgium (everything good always comes from Belgium, doesn’t it?), and requires a far greater proportion of manual work than their competitors.  Each PrimaDonna bra requires between 40 and 50 different stages of assembly and they have rigorous testing on all components of their bras.  Before a bra is dispatched, it goes through two rounds of testing by hand and there are components to the bra that other bra companies don’t do, like encasing underwiring in rubber for added comfort.  Lastly, the bras aren’t fit on models or dummies, but a panel of customers, all who represent a variety of sizes that PrimaDonna caters to.   Currently, PrimaDonna ships to 4,000 specialty lingerie retailers all over the world and choose to only sell to these types of stores because they believe in the importance of individualized and personal advice when shopping for a bra.

Now, I’m not going to lie, PrimaDonna bras will set you back a bit as the average price for their styles are around $130 but, as a recent convert, I will tell you the price tag is more than worth it.  For me, especially as a larger busted woman, I’d rather have fewer well made, better fitting bras than a bunch of junky, ill-fitting bras that feel like I’m wearing a hammock or a slingshot.  Plus, if you care for a bra like this the investment will pay for itself over time.  Sure, $130 may be expensive for a bra, but if it lasts five times longer than a bra you pay a fraction of the price for the PrimaDonna bra will actually be the better bargain.

Left: PrimaDonna’s Deauville Bra, their most popular style. They sell one every two minutes! Middle: The Couture Bra, the style I currently am wearing. Right: The Happiness Bra from PrimaDonna’s retro Twist Collection.

I should also point out that I have been sized in the past, other fitters have been the ones to put me into a 34DD or a 36C, however, as I learned from my friend Lisa over at Lee Lee’s Valise, often a bra fitter at a less reputable lingerie shop or department store will try to work you into a bra that they have stock of on hand.  Due to the fact that few stores offer much above a size DD, they will often just increase the band size instead of the cup to accomodate.

For more bra fitting advice, watch this video featuring PrimaDonna bras my friend Lisa Dolan.  I will warn you, the first two minutes of the video isn’t worth watching, so watch from two minutes on to see Lisa share her bra knowledge.

If you’re in the NYC area, I highly recommend you have the Bra Whisperer, Lisa Dolan fit you for a PrimaDonna bra at her store Lee Lee’s Valise, however, if you are not in the area, you can also check out PrimaDonna for retailers near you.

The post Friday’s Fab Find: PrimaDonna Bras appeared first on Bridgette Raes Style Expert.

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