Bravissimo

Archive for November, 2009

… We ♥ Take That and are very happy that Robbie has finally appeared on stage with the boys again! Robbie’s appearance with the band was arranged by Gary Barlow for the Children In Need gig at The Royal Albert Hall and was the perfect opportunity for the boys, sorry men, to reunite for a good old sing-song. Now that the will they/won’t they debate is over what can we expect from this reconciliation?  In the office here, we’re waiting with anticipation to find out…

The band’s latest tour ‘The Circus’ was one of the best musical tours of the year and one of the fastest selling tours in the UK to date!  Gary, Jason, Howard and Mark proved not only that the group works well as a foursome but also that the guys have a sense of humour as they performed some of their old dance routines.  They sure know how to get our hearts fluttering even 20 years on!

Robbie and the band are at the moment playing things close to their chest as, although the group appeared in their original line up for the charity gig, the time apart could just be too much for anything long term. But whatever happens we’re sure that it will be magic!

Don't forget your sports bra

… If you’re anything like us here at Bravissimo, then even the word ‘gym’ sometimes sends a little shiver down your spine! But we’re all guilty of promising ourselves that we’ll start our extreme exercise routine next week, after we’ve just finished doing this or that or the other.

So, if the gym is not for you, why not try something else to keep you in shape? Here are just some ideas;

•    Salsa – so much fun you won’t even know your exercising (until the next day maybe anyway!)
•    Biking – a lot quicker than walking and loads more fun than running
•    Walking – even increasing the amount you walk each day can help to improve fitness levels, just wrap up warm!
•    Cleaning – yes cleaning can burn up to 300 calories an hour and obviously will make your home look great too, get that hover out quick!
•    Gardening – the celebs are doing it so why cant we?!
•    Dancing – is a great way to combine exercise into your night out, a good boogie is great cardio
•    Kick-boxing – it’s a great way to tone up and learn self defence at the same time, it does however require a high level of commitment and discipline and is not for the faint hearted
•    Canoeing – maybe in summer, great fun though
•    Skiing – a fantastic skill to have and is great to do even on a rainy day!

Try to get ahead of the game for Christmas, if you can get into a good routine for a month before Christmas the January health kick will be that little bit easier. If you don’t want to go it alone, get your girl friends together and try something new. One last thing, don’t forget the sports bras ladies!

…We drop hints but sometimes men just don’t seem to pick up on them. Well, we’ve decided to start a revolution (a

That's what friends are for...

very nice revolution!). We’d like to spread some love amongst friends and instead of waiting for your other half to buy you some, why not we buy each other flowers!  It’s such a lovely way to tell a friend that you appreciate them. Many of our friends have seen us through the good, the bad and the down right ugly of times. So don’t they deserve a little something for all their hard work and their commitment! There’s nothing we like more than a girls shopping day, so whether you treat yourself or your friend, the simple fact is we all love to receive a little something to show we care.

So, don’t wait, buy yourself some flowers, or better still get your friend to buy you some!

Be comfortable while you sleep

… You should know by now that we like to ensure the bras we provide for Bravissimo Girls are top for comfort, fit and support but did you know that our nightwear range is also designed to give you support while you sleep? If you find your boobs need support when you sleep then try our pyjama tops. They will give you the comfort you need to have a goodnights sleep and they come in some really cute colours so you can mix and match them with different bottoms… This cosy shrug can be worn in different ways but will always keep you feeling warm and snug.

Satin Cami

Try a satin cami and shorts set if you prefer something a little more sexy. Our gorgeous amethyst cami feel incredible against the skin and will give you all the support you need! We love nothing better on these cold winter nights than getting out of the work wear, having a hot bath to get rid of that awful chill and cosying up in a comfy pair of pyjamas. Preferably with a hot chocolate and a good girly DVD, most of us know just about every line in the ‘Sex and the City’ film! Can’t wait for the sequel! Our night wear and lounge wear will help you to have a good night sleep and are simply and elegantly designed with bow and lace details so when someone knocks on your door at 8pm and you’re already in your pyjamas, you won’t be embarrassed to answer!

Long sleeve shirts make a great base layer

… Layering

The layering trend can be a tricky one to master. However, if done properly the look can be both stylish and practical, as it makes it easy to add or remove layers to suit the ever changing weather, so that you can always keep your cool. We know you Bravissimo girls like to look great and feel confident and comfortable in what you wear so here’s our easy guide to pulling off the layered look…

Colour is important when tackling the layered look. Neutral tones (browns, creams, greys) and black often work best when layering a number of garments, introducing a multitude of colours and patterns will just make the look more difficult to pull off.

Layer both over the top and underneath a garment to create different looks. The key pieces for easy layering are long and short sleeve tee-shirts in a variety of colours, jumpers, cardigans, light weight coats and jackets and accessories. It’s just a question of how you put them together! Here are some ideas to get you started;

1. Wear a long sleeve plain tee-shirt underneath a top or dress to create an all together different look whilst keeping your arms lovely and warm!
2. Try to make sure each garment is visible, i.e. when wearing a cardigan under a jacket, wear both open so that each individual piece can be seen.
3. Try a polo neck underneath a shift dress to keep cosy at the office.
4. Use accessories to add interest to your layers. A top, cardigan and lightweight jacket (worn open) can be topped off with a waist belt, wrapped around everything including the jacket to define the waist and the bust and bring the outfit together.
5. Try long sleeve tops under your cropped jacket/coat to add a splash of colour, alternatively long gloves will give an edgier look and keep your hands warm too!

… As we start to prepare for the party season we concentrate on finding that perfect party outfit. Sometimes it can be  hard for Bravissimo girls to find a frock that fits, so we look at some bigger boobed celebs for inspiration.

Simple and elegant

Melinda Messenger shows us how to work the simple and elegant look . The knee length pencil skirt

Glamorous Bandeau Dress

helps to add sophistication to the look and a pair of heels keeps things elegant. Our own bandeau dress in black is a wardrobe classic that won’t date and gives you a sensational silhouette.

Our next celeb inspiration is Kelly Brook. She’s a bigger boobed girl that knows how to dress to suit her figure. You too can get your own perfectly fitting party dress by discovering your Bravissimo size. Most of our tops and dresses come in sizes 8-18, curvy – super curvy so you know your dress will fit and you’ll be comfortable enough to party all night long!

Underwear is key

Kelly is also a fan of the one shoulder dress and proves that bigger boobed girls can wear one shoulder styles, as long as the right underwear is worn underneath! 

Finding the right underwear is just as important as finding the right outfit, as underwear lays the foundation for outerwear.  Having a correct fitting bra will give you all the support you need to feel comfortable all night long.  Use our ‘Bra style guide’ to help you match the right bra to your perfect party outfit.

Unfortunately there is only one Gok Wan in the world and we can’t all go on TV, strip down to our undies and have the pleasure of his expert advice. So here are some hints and tips to keep your body looking and feeling beautiful during the winter months.

Now is the perfect time of year for some full on girly pampering, yay! Our skin can take a bit of a battering during the brisk winter weather, so now is the time to think about your winter beauty regime and how to protect your skin during the cold coming months. In order to help your skin endure the winter season and re-appear looking as fresh as a spring daisy come March, follow these winter tips;

1- Moisturise moisturise moisturise! To avoid dry and chapped skin, lips especially can suffer from the change in climate, invest in both face and lip moisturisers. Re-apply moisturisers when the skin feels dry or tight to avoid it becoming a problem. Also, why not do something for your boobs too. Simple cleansing and moisturising will keep your skin supple and soft, but for an extra special treat we recommend that you try some aromatherapy. Just mix three drops of your favourite essential oil with a base oil and apply after bathing – we like Lavender or Ylang Ylang to relax and any citrus based oil to revitalise.

2- Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dull skin and stimulate new skin growth, so scrub up for the festive season! A good exfoliation will re-energise the skin, and get rid of the top layer of life less winter skin. Do this once or twice a month to keep yourself looking and feeling gorgeous.

3- Get a bit of colour the healthy way. Having a little bit of colour can make us feel more cheery. A good blusher will make your face look fresh and healthy, pink tones work great on blondes and light brunettes, whereas bronze/brown tones work well for darker hair/complexions. A spray tan is the best way to go for an all over healthy glow, especially if you are considering baring your legs in those all important party frocks! Choose a subtle shade to suit your tone and achieve that natural look.

Although it would be nice, you don’t have to go to an expensive health spa to achieve the desired affect. Set aside a night of peace and quiet. Dig out some bath products, run a hot bath and get scrubbing. This time of year means parties, family gatherings and work do’s a plenty, so you will want to look and feel at your very best. And nothing beats a good pampering to help you feel fabulous, whether you’re wearing clothes or not!

Happy Shopping!

Christmas shopping. How has it crept up so fast? Well if you’re like most of us here at Bravissimo, you haven’t even started yet, but don’t panic, luckily there is still time to shop, whether it’s on the high street or online. To give yourself a head start, why not buy a few extra gifts that can be given to most people, pampering bath sets, yummy chocolates, a bottle of Rioja etc, as there will undoubtedly be someone you accidently forget and if not you can have them as an extra treat for yourself instead!

Talking about treats for yourselves, use our Wish List to let your friends and family know you want without having the guilt of asking them directly. Plus the more you wish for, the more likely you are to get a surprise by giving your friends and family lots of options! But if you look at your wish list after you have sent it, you might ruin the surprise as this would be the equivalent of looking a the bottom of the wardrobe, or wherever your loved ones usually hide their gifts!!

Why not get started with your very own Christmas wish list

… and there becomes a distinct chill in the air, our thoughts turn to winter knitwear, hats, boots, scarves and finding the perfect winter coat. Yet blazoning down the recent Milan catwalk was a sea of sheer fabrics and corsetry. The last thing on our mind as we see our own breath in the morning air is baring all next summer! However, the underwear as outerwear trend seems to be back!

Antionette Basque (MQ16)

We have a lovely basque for winter and whether you choose to wear it as underwear or outerwear is up to you. Either way, we hope you’ll feel great and fully supported!

Panache’s porcelain brief body with tummy control will also help to slim the figure and give you an extra confidence boost, love it!

Other trends to look out for…

As you may have noticed sequins are back, but beware there are rules when wearing sequins in order to keep it chic and sexy and avoid looking like a 5 year old that has covered themselves in glue and rolled around in glitter. When donning sequins, limiting them to one garment/one area is best practice, leave the all over sparkly mini dress, matching bag and shoes to the teenagers. A small sequinned clutch will jazz up an old outfit, sequinned tops look great paired with simple well fitting jeans and help to balance the glam factor. And the last rule, keep jewellery to a minimum, a sparkly top is enough with out adding more shiny things!

And for bigger boobed ladies, if you want to draw attention away from your boobs, avoid long round necklaces as they will make you look even bigger – opt for statement necklaces that sit on your collarbone instead.

Curves on the catwalk

… Hello and welcome to the Bravissimo blog! Look no further for trend updates, news, style advice, hints and tips and a few things thrown in just for fun! Over the coming months we will bring all you lovely Bravissimo girls fashion tips, the latest trends (to suit all shapes and sizes) and how real women can wear them. We will also keep you up to date with the latest lingerie styles whether that’s haute couture or high street.

Here at Bravissimo we’re all about celebrating our curves, feeling confident and looking great, so it was refreshing to see bigger boobed women walking down the catwalk at the latest London Fashion Week. Mark Fast’s collection demonstrated that curvy girls can wear his dresses and look even better in them, as what’s a figure hugging dress without a figure to hug?

Cut to fit and flatter your boobs

So whether you have a whirlwind of glamorous parties, or a fun family Christmas day planned, if you’re going to invest time, effort and money to splash out on a new outfit, you’ll want to look and feel your absolute best… and more than once!

Our own collection is cut to fit and flatter boobs perfectly.  So, whether you’re looking for evening elegance or daytime casuals, we have something for everyone.

If you’re interested in the London Fashion week, watch the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalk from Mark Fast at the gallery section of his website ~ www.markfast.net