The Reg Grundys part 2

There is only one thing worse than an ill-fitting bra, ill-fitting panties.   I remember asking one of my student employees, who seemed to be having a particularly bad day, what was troubling her. She replied “I am wearing one dollar panties and 99 cents worth of them are right up the crack of my butt!”  Have we not all had days such as that?

 

boyshort briefs
Penningtons $14
 

I cannot really remember what I wore in times past, when I was younger and there was less of me.  At this point in time my choice in undies is simple, Penningtons for stretchy boycut and regular briefs; and Sears for Jockey.  The basic seamless boycut brief from Penningtons are always in the laundry ergo I wear those the most. They feature a low-riding waistline style with full-coverage. Fold over elastic around waist. No panty lines (as if that were a consideration with me).  I like them because you can tuck them up under a droopy tummy.    

The all over print briefs from Penningtons are pretty and wear well however I find they are often cut short in the rise.  Made from 100% cotton, they breathe well.
http://www.1-plus.com/Allover-print-full-brief-panty/718636,default,pd.html?dwvar_718636_color=Apricot&start=8&cgid=PE-Intimates-Lingerie-Full-Brief

 

Jockey has been making underwear for over a century, what you purchase once you can be assured will be what you will purchase again and again. I like their Elance (100% combed cotton) brief and having been wearing a size 9 but see myself edging up to a 10. At $12 for a single pair, or $30 they are not inexpensive however the Sears retail stores often have them 40% off.  Occasionally I have found the multipacks in great colours and prints.     http://www.sears.ca/product/jockey-3-pack-of-elance-briefs/618-000068262-7448_4_WHITE_4_100

Should you be able to find them, coordinating briefs to match a special bra are fun.  It is a scavenger hunt to find your size in top and bottom so I just colour match.   Infrequently,  Winners have Delta Burke undies in sizes 9 and 10 at a fraction of the original price.   I have scored several of these and they are lovely.  If you want to try exciting,  colourful undies browse the on line stores.  However I am too cheap to pay shipping and want to shop local.

Wonder Bra $14.99
 

That is it for covering the bottom, now how about shaping?  When I was younger, and much smaller, I did not leave home without my girdle!   The closest I would come to that in the last twenty years are the control panty; smooth’s, shapes and provides tummy control they are usually 90% Nylon/ 10% Lycra spandex.  No breathing here.  Women wanting more control chose a Firm support brief.  The Glamorise features” extra-wide waistband shaper with inner tummy panel for firm control, Innovative moisture control keeps you dry & comfortable all day”. That wide waist band would be rolled right down around my fat tummy!

 

When a young woman I know started to find that there was more of her than there was of her clothing she purchased a body shaper.   These suck one in and flatten you out and are available in a price range starting at $60 up to several hundred dollars.   Shape wear is sold by size and cup size and the range available in large cups has certainly improved.  Most plus size women will want to wear one for those times you want to look a wee bit trimmer, or the favorite garment that highlights every flaw.   http://www.1-plus.com/plus-size-Intimates-Shapewear/PE-Intimates-Shapewear,default,sc.html



Grenier $129.99
 

 

You can try these on at a retail store, again Sears is good. Do not expect this to be a fun experience!  My choice for a heavy duty garment is   Grenier’s Back-Support Briefelette at $ 129.99.  It features a zip up front which aids in dressing.  And I will not say anything about the joys of opening and closing the snaps at your crotch!   A word to the wise, do not let your crotch strap dangle down into the flush. http://www.sears.ca/stores/shop/search?Dx=mode%2bmatchall&Ntt=shape+wear

 

 

 

 

Always purchase the best under wear you can afford and find. When you learn what works for you be proactive and buy when it is on sale.  Treat your undies kindly

• wash on gentle or hand wash
• use cold or warm water and  mild soap
• use under wear bags (often available at the Dollar Store)
• always hand dry undies. 
•  And never wear a bra two days in a row.  

If you have questions, comments or want to pass on your opinions – please do.

<a href="http://www.hypersmash.com">HyperSmash</a>

Next to the skin – the Reg Grundys

Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle.

 

Women's undergarments collectively are called lingerie. They also are called intimate clothing and intimates. Not wearing underwear under outer clothing is known in American slang as freeballing for men or freeboobing for women, or as going commando for either sex. Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle. (Wikipedia)

Now those skinny minis may get away with freeboobing or going commando however if you are a plus size or past you thirties it is a choice I would not recommend.  When asked why they choose not to wear a bra, freeboobing, women reply “I cannot get a bra that fits” or “they hurt, or are uncomfortable”.   Really ladies after your shoes, what is the first thing you take off when you get home?

How I hated this!

In the eighth grade I went from a little pudge to a 36D and I hated it!  My clothes did not fit, the boys kept looking at my chest and the crude ones called me “General Dairies”. To make matters worse the bras my friends wore did not contain my chest and the Playtex white, all cotton, circle bra was my lingerie!  I hated them, they dug in, and the white turned grimy and worse of all the straps wore furrows in my shoulders.




 

note the sectioned cup
 

The years few by, I grew up and so did bra manufactures.  Enter the underwire, support from below, no more raw shoulders.  Trial and error showed that I did best with a seamed cup; I have since learned that I have balloon breasts and that smooth one piece cup does nothing for me. Playtex Women’s Secrets Signature Floral Underwire Bra   was my best fit for over twenty years, then I gained weight and their largest size did not fit.

 

 



My Elomi as a better fit
fully containing brest
 

Attempting to find a suitable bra became my passion, I purchased from the sublime to the absurd.  Some received one wearing and was passed on.  My chief issue was not finding a large enough bra but one that fit in snug between my breasts, and laid flat on my breast bone.  Then I discovered The Girls Bra Shop Inc. for quality bras, expert bra fitting and foundational garments. They are located in: Rothesay, NB and St. John's, NFL -Rothesay 1.888.344.9393/ St. John's 1.877.719.6338.  Here I purchased an Elomi bra – beautiful, expensive and it fit.   I have treated her with care and almost five years later she looks like new.  However my illnesses has progressed, and edema and weight gain have played havoc with fit.

 

 

 

the Intimates comfort bra

Enter Penningtons and their Intimates comfort bra, ahhh…  It holds them up, I can tuck them in, and this bra does not dig in.

Made of 95% nylon and 5% Spandex it has the look and feel of Wick away cotton and definitely breathes. 

Unfortunately, Penningtons do not seem to be currently carrying this bra.  I did find a very similar one at their sister store Addition Elle.

 
Do I get the same frontal look as my Elomi or the Playtex?   No, but I am covered and respectable. I have the Intimate comfort bra in all three sizes and treat them with as much respect as the expensive girls.  Never, ever put a bra in the dryer. Strive to wash your bras by hand; if you must machine wash put each one in a lingerie bag and wash on gentle and cold or warm water.

The best way to purchase a bra is at a reputable specialized or department stores.  Sales staff is trained to measure and fit.  However if the size they measure does not feel comfortable, try a size or a cup size up or down and try a variety of styles.  Purchasing a bra is not for the faint hearted.  At http://brayola.com you can take a photo of yourself in your favorite bra, upload it to them and their experts will analyze your fit.  And yes, you can crop your head!

Panties, knickers, undies and one piece foundations deserve a blog of their own.  Leave me your bra woes and wishes.  An expert once told me that women often change in their bra size every six months; now isn’t that enough to make you go freeboobing!   Please leave your comments and questions.

 

this gal might have a great body, but ...
She needs a better bra!
(and yes I think this has been photoshopped!)