I, like most every woman, love Victoria’s Secret, too. It serves its purpose in my life. But one thing that VS hasn’t been able to do for me is support my 34DD breasts. For me, and I know for other large bosom women, finding a good bra is always a challenge – a hunt, but a very rewarding experience when one is found.

So I was thrilled when the brand Curvy Kate reached out to me to introduce their bras. Curvy Kate specializes in D-K cup size bras (and swimwear) that are designed to be pretty and sexy. Look, just because my boobs need mega support doesn’t mean I am willing to compromise my style to get it. I don’t want a Playtex-looking bra. I want something that makes me look like a sexy, lingerie angel. With Curvy Kate, I can get just that. Don’t believe me? See the images of some of the Curvy Kate bra styles below.

Jené Luciani, bra expert and author of “The Bra Book,” offers these seven tips on finding bras for fuller breasts:

1. Be aware of your body type so you know what bras to look for. For example, if you are more of a top-heavy “apple,” you likely will be looking for fuller coverage bras, not demi-cups.  A full guide by body type can be found in “The Bra Book.”
2. Wear a thin T-shirt while trying on your bra so you can see what each bra looks like under the sheerest of circumstances.
3. Get a fitting! Or give one to yourself, using the instructions in “The Bra Book.” Be open-minded about your size. If you’re surprised (or disappointed), remember that size is just a number (or a letter). The proper fit of the bra is the most important part. Look for key fit points like the bridge between the cups lying flush and that nothing is bulging, pinching, gaping or billowing it, and the straps aren’t digging in or slipping.
4. If you’re in a bind and there’s a bra that you really love but they don’t have your size, it’s usually okay to go up a band size and down a cup size – or vice versa.
5. Don’t be afraid to put the bra on and face yourself in the mirror with a critical eye. If you see any gaps, spillage, digging in, or other signs of poor fit, it’s not the right bra. Turn around and look at the back as well. The back band can be very telling when it comes to proper fit.
6. Don’t get stuck in a size rut. Be sure to plan another fitting six months to a year later (our sizes fluctuate due to weight gain, hormonal changes, aging and other life changes so it’s important to get fitted at least once a year). Our bras also need to be replaced every six months to a year due to wear and tear, so it’s a good rule of thumb.
7. Once you find a brand you like, or that caters especially to you, like Curvy Kate, stock up on your seven essential bras, that is, one bra for everyday of the week and all occasions. These include: spa bra (comfy for everyday wear), sports bra for exercise, nude T-shirt bra, strapless bra, and a few special bras that are decorative and pretty – perfect for spicing up a humdrum work wardrobe and, of course, for spicing up evenings. Even let one peek out occasionally!

And because Curvy Kate really believes in their real women customers, the brand enlists them to act as brand ambassadors through the Star in a Bra model search. Beginning May 10, you can log into Facebook and vote on your favorite real woman model. Just go to www.facebook.com/curvykateusa.

Curvy Kate bra prices run in the $65-$72 price range and can be purchased at the following online retailers: BareNecessities.com, FigLeaves.com and HerRoom.com.

I always find that buying anything new is exciting, however big or small, and the excitement of going home to use it or try it out is always thrilling. Shopping is always an experience and you hope that once you have bought a product you get the most use out of it as possible because unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees (sigh).

Taking care of your bra is important, this is something you wear every day; for support and comfort. And let’s face it, without it we are pretty much shapeless. The best support a bra will give will be in the first six months of its life, that’s why it’s recommended to change your bra every six to eight months. You can also do the following to help prolong the life of a bra.

Bras stretch easily overtime, which is understandable, as they are worn constantly and your body movements and heat have an impact. To get the most out of them, it’s best not to wear the same bra one day after the other as the lycra will stretch. It can take up to 24 hours for the lycra to cool down.

Bras come in all sorts of materials and they are usually made out of durable, luxury materials. Aubade lingerie is a great example. It’s always best to read the aftercare label on the bra to find out what temperature the bra should be washed in. Some bras have a triangle on which means you can’t bleach the bra (I don’t know why you would want to, it may make your whites whiter but it will ruin the quality of your bras), so make sure you don’t.

It’s always best to wash bras in cold water (it’s best to hand wash, maximum 30 degrees), to ensure that the material is kept in the best condition and to keeps its elasticity. There are also lingerie wash bags available that help maintain the shape of the bra and stop underwire from getting caught in the machine and other clothes. Another tip is to fasten your bras when in the wash to stop the hooks/delicates getting damaged and getting caught onto things.

Try to avoid soaking the bra for more than half an hour as this could be damaging and will affect the shape of the bra, it’s also best not to use harsh detergents this will affect the quality of your delicates.

When it comes to drying the bra it’s always recommended not to tumble dry it, this can ruin the elasticity of the material, its best to dry it flat and out of direct sunlight. There are now many devices which you can use which can help you care and maintain for your bra, ‘bra drying board’ this helps to maintain the shape of the bra and to help dry it naturally. There is also a product called a ‘bra baby,’ a machine which would hold the shape of a bra and then slowly dry the bra.

Once the bra has been washed and dried you can store it within a bra box organizer or a bra bag. You can get these in different shapes and styles, which are also designed for travel as well as storage.

As the summer is approaching, it’s good to know how to keep your swimsuits in tip top condition so that you can wear them on holiday or the following summer, as well. It’s always best to buy good quality swimwear, such as Moontide swimwear. Chlorine is damaging for swimwear, but it will take longer if the quality is better. The more spandex the swimsuit has the better, as it helps to maintain its shape longer and of course to support you.

When washing your swimsuit it’s best to hand wash it with a mild soap to get chlorine/salts out and it’s advised not to wring it out, but to air dry it flat, out of direct sunlight so that it maintains its elasticity for as long as possible.

Summary

These are the best ways to get lengthy support from your bra and to help it look brand new every time you wear it!

Of course, it’s difficult to spare this much time taking care of delicates/swimwear; chucking them in the washing machine is the easiest thing to do, to get on with other things. But like most things if you show care and attention, you will notice the long term effects. Also bras are not cheap (and from my experience the ones that are, don’t last a very long time anyway) so it’s also a great way to get the most for your money.

The thing is that technology has altered our undergarment options for the better. Thongs are no longer the one and only answer to remaining free of panty lines. Boy shorts, shapewear and Plus Size Briefs are now being designed to allow women to look smooth beneath their clothes and sexy once they take them off. Granny panties are obsolete, because even granny likes looking cute.

Briefs and Boyshorts
I personally would like to bring briefs back. Look for thin fabric briefs with the words “seamless” or “no pantyline” on the packaging.  When shopping for boyshorts, check the packaging to make sure they offer a “vanishing edge.” Briefs and boyshorts that are made of microfiber are less likely to create a panty line. Nowadays, you can find really cute briefs and boyshorts in pretty colors and prints with sexy matching bras.

Shapewear
If possible, before buying shapewear, try it on with the outfit under which you plan on wearing it. While in the dressing room, stand up and sit down. Give yourself a few minutes to test the comfort level. Don’t compromise your comfort for a shapely silhouette. The more spandex incorporated into the fabrication of the shapewear, the more firming and control you will receive. Read the attached tag for the percentage of spandex in your preferred shapewear.

Also, search for shapewear from your favorite fashion lingerie brands. Due to the demand for cute shapewear, fashion lingerie brands are now adding shapewear to their lines. The pieces may be a little more expensive, but at least you will no longer have to hide in the closet when undressing because you don’t want your significant other to catch a glimpse of you in your shapewear.

Avoid Gimmicks
I’m finding things called the C-string and some weird patch that you use to stick onto the inside crotch of your pants so you can go panty-free, but it all seems rather gimmicky and just plain silly. Stick with what you know and trust. There may never be a time when you throw out your thongs, but at least you will always have other options.

Sponsored blog post.

I tweeted about a lingerie sale, and one of my followers generously, yet begrudgingly, re-tweeted my post saying, “I’m not in a relationship, but I’ll tweet this for those who are.”

I immediately replied to her saying that she didn’t need to be in relationship to give herself the gift of sexy. Eventually I convinced her, but it got me thinking, are single ladies everywhere denying themselves the luxury of lingerie?

Here’s my thought process on the subject: if career counselors advise employees to dress for the job they want, not the job that they have, then shouldn’t the concept behind that theory apply to love, too? Dress for the relationship status you want, not the one that you have. And, yes, that includes sexy lingerie.

If you allow yourself the joy of sexy, pretty lingerie, you’ll feel confident, beautiful and lovely. This self-love and inner (or under) happiness will emanate through your body language, smile and the way you carry yourself. Believe me, feeling sexy and looking satisfied will help you attract the kind of person you have been dreaming about.

So whether you are married, dating, living with someone or living a single woman lifestyle, go ahead and give yourself the gift of sexy. You deserve it.

The Damsella Look: This luxurious silk range is printed with a unique Agent Provocateur design. Inspired by an enchanting moonlit garden with dragonflies sweeping through its flora, the bra with removable pads offers great support, the dramatic waspie with spider lace trim cinches in the waist and the brief and thong are a hipster style. Finish this dramatic look with the lavish Damsella kimono.