A brassiere is a foundational undergarment for all women. While its primary purpose is to lift and support our breasts, it can also serve as a fashionable garment in and of itself. The design of bras which aim to be fashionable, rather than functional, has been driven by changing fashions in outerwear. This has often dictated what could be worn underneath which is why the bras shape has evolved through flat, round, pointed, conical, to “natural”.

Almost 2/3 of all woman do not wear the right bra size. Proper fit will provide support, maximize cleavage, and enhance clothing. The fullest measurement should be used for clothing size charts.

Use a flexible measuring tape, measure while either naked or in a loose slip/camisole. Don’t pull the tape tightly. Begin and end the tape measure along the side of your body, so you can glance down and be able to see the numbers. It is also helpful to have the tape measure upside down so that when you do look down, the numbers will be right side up.

1. BAND SIZE: Measure under the breasts along chest wall and straight across the back. Round up to the nearest whole number. Now add 5 to that measurement for the band size. Example, measure 29 + 5 = 34 band size. Measure 30.5 + 5 = 35.5 or 36 band size.

2. CUP SIZE: Measure the fullest part of the breast and across the back without compressing the breasts. 0″ difference = AAA, 1″ difference = AA, 2″ difference = A, 3″ difference = B, 4″ difference = C, 5″ difference = D, 6″ difference = DD

Correct bra size will help you buy other garments confidently, such as swimsuits, lingerie, gowns and formal dresses. Remember that bra size will change before and after a pregnancy, as well as with any sort of weight loss or gain over 10 pounds or so. Be sure to remeasure yourself for the best fit possible.

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Corsets have a long history through the ages in a woman’s wardrobe.  The corset was instrumental in the shaping of a woman’s body to the desired “hour glass” shape.  During the 1800’s, it was not uncommon for men to also don a corset to shape their bodies.  Corsets during this period were usually constructed of a flexible material like cloth or leather and stiffened with a boning material that was inserted into channels created in the cloth or leather.  In the 19th century, steel and whalebone were favored for the boning material thanks to its rigidity.

Corsets are held together by lacing usually at the back.  Tightening or loosening the lacing produces changes in the firmness of the corset.  Depending on the desired effect, corsets can be laced from the top down, from the bottom up, or both up from the bottom and down from the top using two laces that meet in the middle.  In the Victorian heyday of corsets, a well-to-do woman would be laced by her maid.  Many corsets also had a buttoned front opening called a busk.  Once the lacing was adjusted comfortably, it was possible to leave the lacing as adjusted and take the corset on and off using the front opening.  Self-lacing is also almost impossible with the technique of tightlacing, which strives for the absolute most possible reduction of the waist.  Modern tightlacers are usually laced by spouses and partners.

Since the 1920s, traditional corsets have been replaced by girdles which do not need a second person to perform its primary function of waist reduction.

Corsets offer a number of advantages:

• Corsets promote good posture
• Corsets can improve function for people with certain back injuries or spinal disorders
• Corsets can reduce the waistline 2-4 inches
• The abdominal pressure maintained by frequent use can inhibit the appetite without conscious dieting, drug use, or surgery and result in the reduction of body fat

While there are obvious benefits, there are also inherent dangers to using a corsets improperly:

• If a corset is correctly fitted, the wearer’s posture should be upright; the corset should provide pressure from below the ribcage, rather than on either side.  Incorrectly fitted corsets can lead to chest compression.
• Improper corset use may cause deformation of both the stomach and liver.
• Wearing a tight corset may lead to difficulty breathing or more use of intercostal breathing.  Tightlacers are more likely to notice this, as the volume of the lungs diminishes.
• Growing children are far more vulnerable to the potential health risks of corset use.  Corsets should only be worn by fully-formed adults, never by growing children.

Use of modern corsets has moved away from being intended for bodyshaping and moved more to being relegated for costuming and in the fulfillment of erotic fantasies.

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While I was shopping in one of the larger department stores for some intimate items, I overheard a discussion between a mother and her daughter who were looking through the stockings section.

Daughter: I don’t understand why women would actually buy thigh-highs.  They seem so antiquated when compared to tights or pantyhose.

Mother: They serve their purpose for women who wear them.

Daughter: What purpose would that be?

Mother: Oh my dear, to get laid of course!  Just how do you think I bedded your father?

Now I almost broke into laughter at the poor girl’s face hearing that come out of her mother.  While I do have to admit, that there is a lot of truth to that statement, that really isn’t the whole story.  There are a number of benefits to choosing thigh-highs over regular pantyhose:

• Less sweat and more ventilation in the genital area leads to less of an issue with fungus or bacteria
• It is quicker and easier to use the ladies room while wearing thigh-highs
• Easier and quicker access to a woman’s genitals does increase sexual spontaneity
• Wearing thigh-highs increases the message of erotic intent from a woman to a man who she may afford a glimpse of the stocking top

Now while there will be those who say that the intricacies and time needed to properly wear thigh-highs is not necessarily worth it, I have to wonder what kind of men THEY were able to bed?

Probably not the keeper kind.