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Girlfriend support: Bras for all, big and small

By TODAY style editor Bobbie ThomasIt’s the season of tank tops, strappy dresses, and thin lightweight fabrics – all reasons to find the perfect bra. TODAY style editor and Bobbie.com's Bobbie Thomas is here to highlights five fantastic bra picks:Peak performanceWhen it comes to summer workouts, you want a bra that will rise to the occasion and won’t stand in your way. Award-winning brand An
TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas
TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas

By TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas

It’s the season of tank tops, strappy dresses, and thin lightweight fabrics all reasons to find the perfect bra. TODAY style editor and Bobbie.com's Bobbie Thomas is here to highlights five fantastic bra picks:

Peak performance

When it comes to summer workouts, you want a bra that will rise to the occasion and won’t stand in your way. Award-winning brand Anita’s Maximum Control Sports Bra is a great blend of comfort and support with a soft terry lining, adjustable straps and hook and eye closures, as well as moisture wicking to keep you cool and dry. Ideal for high impact exercise when you need to keep the girls contained ($66, Barenecessities.com).

Pump up the volume

A little can go a long way and The Little Bra Company’s best-selling lace bra, “Lucia,” definitely proves this point. Ladies with less on top who want to enhance what they have and add a little extra, often have a hard time finding a bra that both looks natural and is comfortable to wear. The Lucia bra aims to be this solution. The padding is discreet and the strategic stretch in the lace fabric helps to create curve. With a deep plunge, it’s a fabulous find for the lower V-neck silhouettes and wrap dresses of summer (Lucia Bra, $56; Thelittlebracompany.com).Peek-a-boo

Loose, flowy tops are life-savers on hot days – but they can leave you feeling overexposed, especially when you’re not wearing the right underpinnings. The lace bra by ShapeFX provides coverage while adding a pop of color that is intended to be seen, giving the illusion of a camisole and eliminating the fear of a wardrobe malfunction. The straps are pretty enough to show off and the bandeau design comes in an assortment of classic colors ($29, Newport-news.com). Other ways to try this “underwear as outerwear” trend are also available at Free People, with monochrome neon and candy-colored versions that look chic great under linen or lace (FreePeople.com).

Perfectly placed 

No matter what your specific support need is, every woman should own that one ideal everyday bra. Whether you’re full figured or barely there, it’s not about size, it’s about shape and Maidenform’s Lilyette® Keyhole Minimizer® bra has minimal seams that conform to your curves, giving you a sleek, smooth look. While the design is touted as a “minimizer” (and does a great job!), it’s still a fantastic option for smaller sizes on the search for that perfect T-shirt bra ($25, Maidenform.com).

Pretty plus

Many fuller figured gals have to compromise between pretty and practical when it comes to their bra options. You don’t want the girls to steal the show, but they still deserve a supporting role. And while minimizers have helped to downplay curves in flattering ways, it’s not always easy to find the right one. BareNecessities.comis the largest online store for brand name lingerie, with sizes ranging from 28DD to 56J making it a fantastic resource for bustier babes. You can search by size and need, choosing from over 1100 individual options. One of my personal favorites is their Elomi Hermione Spacer Underwire Bra made designed with air pocket technology that adds shape without adding size. The delicate lace sides also offer stylish support ($69; Barenecessties.com).

Store support

Last but not least, we’ve all heard the statistics stating that somewhere between 70-85 percent of us are wearing the wrong bra size. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to correct. National retailers now offer bra fittings, so stop by and make sure you are armed with the right information. All Lord & Taylor sales associates are properly trained to do bra fittings and can do on-the-spot for customers, no appointment necessary. Macy's hosts bra fitting events four times a year in select store locations. Customers can visit www.macys.comto find out specific dates and locations. JCPenney has over 17,000 Certified Fit Specialists, with at least one Certified Fit Specialists in all 1,100 JCPenney store locations. And all Nordstrom store locations have Certified Fit Specialists in the Lingerie department that fit daily with no appointment necessary.

 

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