Problematic Outfit #2 Backless

Let's continue the Problematic Outfit series with the backless dilemma. So much stress can be created when women purchase a low back or backless dress, yet still expect to wear a normal bra with it. No thought is put into what sort of undergarment they are meant to wear under a single layer silk, completely backless dress. "I want something really pretty, completely smooth. Maybe a corset or something that's backless. Oh and it must be a really good push up." Arggghhhhhh! NO! Stop there! It doesn't exist. It just doesn't. So I want you to think about these things before you fork out the $$$ for a backless designer dress (Brides, I'm talking to you).

Women hate it when I tell them what their options are when they want to wear this problem outfit. They often huff in disgust at the thought of a silicone bra and think they can find for themselves that elusive, pretty miracle bra without a back strap. Good luck is all I say... You only have a few lingerie styles to choose from and it will depend on the shape of the outfit, which one you can go for. Is it completely backless or just low back? Does the outfit have straps wide enough to cover normal bra straps or is it spaghetti strapped? Let me show you some of the options you actually have when it comes to these hard to "under-dress" outfits.

Detail back bra

The first option you can look into is the detail back bra. This is a style that you can acceptably show off under outfits and not be embarrassed about an ugly back strap. You can often find a jewel or chain detail back bra that is pretty enough to wear as an outer wear piece. You have to make sure these bras have a nice moulded cup and that the back is done up tight enough as not to ride up on the under bust. Don't let me catch you out in public like this...

Beige bra under backless top? NO!

Wrap back bra

If your outfit has straps (not spaghetti straps) and has a low back, not backless, you can opt for the wrap style bra. This garment has a long back strap, often interchangeable, that you cross over in the back and wrap to hook in the front around your belly. This bra shape can be worn with a low v or scooped back outfit. The thing to watch out for is the strap line, especially around the stomach under finer fabrics. Best worn under slightly heavier, more structured garments.

Low back extender

If you have a bra that works with an outfit but isn't low cut enough, you can always buy a low back extender. These add ons attach to the existing hook and eye and turn your normal cut bra into a wrap style. They come in assorted colours and are best worn with bras that have straps.

Low back corset

Low back corsets are an option if you feel a bra just doesn't feel secure enough. If you think you are going to get maximum tucking from one of these, think again. They are usually designed for a smooth silhouette not a full control. If you want a smooth line under a fine fabric, you don't want too much boning. Boning on the side is enough to keep things in position and help you feel more secure. Be careful of your muffin top line, as depending on where the corset finishes and how tight it sits in this section, it may create an even worse line under certain dresses. These are better for a dress that nips in at the waist and flares over the hip so you don't see the corset line where it ends. Look out for a nice firm fit with hook and eye done up on the last hook so you have room to tighten as it stretches with normal wear. These can often be worn strapless or with straps.

Low back bodysuit

Low back bodysuits create the same effect as the corset, but usually smoother. They can come with straps or convert it to be worn strapless. The only concern is the length of the bodysuit on you, as well as the cut in the rear as to not create unsightly lines. When wearing the v back bodysuit as a strapless, make sure it is a very firm fit or you will be adjusting the garment all night long. Bodysuits need to be the correct length on your torso or it can pull the underwire up or down on the bust and in turn offer no support. Look out for a cup that sits up and over the bust to create a nice smooth silhouette and fuller coverage. This helps the garment from moving too much on the torso.

Silicone Stick on bra

Silicone stick on bras are your best option for the most problematic outfits, the completely backless dress. You don't have to worry about straps of any kind, you can position them how you need and they are completely seamless. The only problem with these are they don't offer the support of a normal bra. You wont get the lift that you would with an average push up. They are more like a large nipple cover, giving more coverage and a  little more fullness to the bust. They can however be clipped in the middle to cinch the bust inwards and create a little more cleavage. It does at least give a nice smooth profile under even your finest silks. Recommended for smaller cup sizings only. A to small D. If you are fuller, it will only be a nipple cover to you and nothing more. The rule to stick on bras is to have completely clean and dry skin. Stick on bras come in a variety of shapes and fabrics. From a normal fabric cup to the silicone variety.

Nipple Covers

Nipple covers are an option when you don't want the weight of a silicone bra holding up your dancing! It's less to think about when you're out on the town and just want to cover the headlights. They smooth things out when you don't want a boost or need the support. Remember, it isn't always about cleavage.You can opt for the silicone variety for a completely nude effect or go for something fun in a detailed style.

Now there is a lot more to each of the styles I have mentioned but I'm keeping things simple here. The following photos will give you an example of the actual variety within the options I have outlined.

The photos above and below are bad inventions that you shouldn't bother trying. It may work on a firm petite bust but on most people creates a horrible shape no matter how you put them on. Most people purchase them, try for ages to position them so they look right, then give up, rip it and half the skin off in the process! I've heard such horror stories about these. Personally speaking I would never bother trying. You could do just as good a job with sticky tape (that is not what I'm recommending. Always use an adhesive that is safe on the skin).
 

Marlies Dekkers

Hopefully you will use this post as a guide to the styles that might work under your outfit before you purchase it. As I always say, make sure you can return your outfit if you find no lingerie that works underneath it.

Do you have a silicone or stick on bra horror story? I'd love to hear it!

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Gangnam style!

Gangnam fever has hit! The Korean "star" Psy is in transit to Australia as I write this and a mini media frenzy is about to start. All of this for an overseas performer who was unknown to us a month ago. I was shown the video clip awhile ago and couldn't stop laughing at it's craziness. A week later it made it's way to main stream radio and into everyones ear. It made us all laugh and attempt the crazy horsie dance made synonymous by this video clip.

I thought I would lighten up the lingerie blog with a funny post as I'm about to get deep down into terminology and lingerie education next. It will be a lot to take in, so for now, lets have some fun!

Opp opp Gangnam style!

 

Lighten up and enjoy lingerie anyway you can. It doesn't have be taken too seriously! It's a fun part of fashion that only you need know about. So take inspiration from Psy and "Gangnam Style." Dress up and have a laugh! It's the most attractive thing you can do.

Are you on Twitter? I'm pretty new to it and would love some new Followers. Find me here
twitter.com/MyLingerieAddic

Love My Lingerie Addiction xx

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You know you have a lingerie addiction when...

#1 You actually dream about purchasing or owning certain lingerie

#2 You can't not purchase new lingerie every single week

#3 Your room is covered in lingerie, not even worn yet

#4 You buy lingerie for your friends when you can't buy for yourself
 
#5 Your lingerie drawer has taken over the whole set of drawers and more

 
#6 You would prefer lingerie as a gift over anything else

#7 You consider getting married just so you can justify buying an extravagant ivory lingerie set

#8 You physically cannot throw out lingerie no matter how old

#9 You can't afford to go on holidays because you spend your holiday money on lingerie

#10 Your art work is lingeriesque

 
#11 Your laptop looks like a males, with thousands of lingerie photos on it

#12 You consider going into Burlesque so your lingerie purchases can be a tax right off

#13 You haven't actually worn half of your lingerie collection

#14 You have spent a house deposit amount on lingerie

#15 Your book shelf is covered in lingerie books and paraphernalia

 
#16 You work full time in the lingerie industry and love every second of it!

#17 You try to convert everyone around you into wearing good lingerie

#18 You don't have to do the lingerie washing for years before you run out of something to wear

#19 You buy wine bottles just because it has a lingerie clad woman on it

#20 Your birthday cards all appear to be lingerie themed

 
#21 Your most expensive possession is actually lingerie

#22 Your partner finds it hard to buy you lingerie cause, well, you have everything!

#23 You have so much lingerie you actually don't know how much you have

#24 You're happy to spend $99 on a lingerie trend magazine

#25 You watch video clips only to see the lingerie in them

 
#26 Your emails are 90% lingerie related

#27 You can justify spending thousands on a lingerie set but not on anything else

#28 You wear $600 La Perla lingerie under your $8 op shop dress

#29 You own more lingerie than clothing

#30 You raid op shops for vintage lingerie

 

  
#31 You purchase lingerie you know you will never wear but still love them

#32 You purchase lingerie ahead of groceries

#33 You have a feeling of euphoria when purchasing lingerie

#34 You can't help but walk into a boulangerie because the word looks like lingerie...

#35 You consider opening a lingerie museum

 #36 You know all the lingerie brands out there

#37 Your friends have become lingerie addicts

#38 You do unpaid work in the lingerie industry just out of love

#39 Your friends ask you for lingerie advice
 
#40 You attend any lingerie event you can

 
#41 You know what lingerie will fit you without even having to try it on

#42 You wear at least two different lingerie sets in a day

#43 Your lingerie collection is in every single room of your house

#44 You take lingerie in your handbag on a walk incase you need to take a photo of it

#45 You pay attention to lingerie brands worn in movies and track down where to get it from

#46 You relax by researching lingerie anyway you can

#47 You make lingerie when you can't find what you want

#48 You throw the word lingerie into far too many sentences...

#49 You wear beautiful lingerie everyday for yourself, not for anyone else

#50 You start writing a lingerie blog

Ok ok so I admit that my addiction is a little extreme, but I reckon if you agree with 3 out of my 50 statements you too are a lingerie addict!

So, do you think you have a lingerie addiction?

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Lingerie faux pas and a pub

I went to the local pub to watch the Grand Final on the weekend. Even though I don't go for either team I thought I would still get in the mood and scream at the top of my lungs at a television screen surrounded by a hundreds of others doing just the same.  Now I don't go out to this sort of a place normally. It was one of those 'hip' pubs that turns into a club later in the night. I knew that when I walked in, but what I was confronted with was a shock to the system...

I turned up in pub lunch/footy appropriate attire and found myself surrounded by women in all levels of undress... At noon... At a pub... I was there to watch the Grand Final not find a mate, but these girls had other ideas. It was fascinating to see this in daylight as all the faults and flaws become aparrent. You can get away with wearing a certain type outfit in the dark but in the daylight so many mistakes were there, staring me in the face. I wanted to scream at them not at the television.

Now I wont go on about the fashion faux pas themselves cause, well, I dont write a fashion blog. But I can tell you ladies that inappropriate lingerie during daylight is so much more obvious and I just couldn't help but stare. That is not the sort of attention I think you want. So let me give you the top three mistakes that were made and probably weren't even realised. Dont let me catch you doing the same... Let the rant begin.

#1 VPL under body con and leggings (are not pants btw)

 

Ladies ladies ladies. When did looking in the mirror become so difficult?? I understand at night (or when teamed with alcohol) these mistakes are not as easily seen. But in the harsh light of day, seeing your panty line under a fitted outfit is not attractive. It's rather distracting, in a really bad way. All you need to do is go get yourself some basic seamless bottoms and miraculously your butt looks better! You don't have to wear a g/sting to get that invisible look. And seriously, do you really want to look like your underwear is too small to fit your bottom inside it? Get yourself down to Target and try these basic seamless briefs. They are completely smooth under an outfit and only cost $12 (or go when Target have their 20% off all underwear sale like I do and stock up). Please don't show me double butt again...

Target Seamless Hipster Briefs

#2 A Push up bra and a wrong size bra are two different things

 

I see so many women going for that push up effect by wearing a bra that is a cup size too small. Not intentionally either I might add. Go get yourself a proper push up bra please! Yes your too small bra may create a full cleavage to capture a mans eye but from the side it looks like you have four boobs. Yes you hear me, four of them and it isn't an attractive look. Don't strangle your bust, cutting it off across the middle as you aim for maximum lift. This isn't attractive. It just looks like you haven't bought a new bra in a long long time and I don't think that is the image you want to present. Go get a fitting and look out for a smoothline push up bra that can be worn under all you Saturday night (or day apparently) outfits for full effect.

#3 Pantyhose Scar...

 

This is a term I use when a pantyhose wearer doesn't wear a flat seam style with a tight fit dress. It refers to the centre seem that a lot of hosiery have running all the way down the belly to the gusset. Under a fitted dress it comes up looking like a big scar on the stomache. There is nothing wrong with wearing pantyhose but look out for a seamless top option to wear under your very fitted or fine dresses. Same goes for the sausage belly (line around your middle) and the bike shorts look (reinforced area around the thigh). If that shows under your outfit, it's telling you that your dress is too short...

Lingerie that should've been worn! (This is for the Swans fans)

We all make lingerie mistakes from time to time. One of my worst was wearing a corset I knew was too big in the back for me as semi outerwear ie under a sheer top and I spent the whole night pulling it down into position as the underwire kept riding up over my bust all night long. It looked terrible! And to top it off I was at a lingerie event!

What has been your biggest lingerie faux pas? Or whats the worst you have seen out and about?

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