Here comes the bride - and her bridesmaids!

A foundation garment, such as a bra, bustier or shapewear is designed to alter your silhouette. (In a good way!) This can often come as an unfortunate surprise when, after finding the *perfect* gown, you look for a foundation garment ...

When I was a bridesmaid last summer for one of my dearest friends, it was such a wonderful feeling once she had picked out her dress - because she was done! I had fit her for a perfect strapless bra that we used to go pick out the perfect dress and after that, she was home free.

I strongly encourage brides to consider their foundation garments first, and use them to try on the gown of their dreams. This sequence of events ensures no sudden issues after the dress is decided upon, and gives a realistic view of the style of dress that will make you look and feel stunning. But if not before (as Jo points out to me sometimes you don't know until you see the dress) as soon as you've selected your gown - and long before your first fitting - come see us!

While assistance is merely a google search away when you're looking for advice on the style of dress to choose for your big, and hugely photographed, day - some brides have been considering the undergarments an afterthought. I beseech all the lovely brides of 2013 to think about the components going into the look.

Especially if you want an open or low cut back, my advice is to absolutely consult with us here at Jo Karen for a comfortable bustier (for strapless) or low-back bra (for halter-style) to make sure you feel effortless in your foundation before you put on your gown. The last thing you want on your wedding video is the constant 'hitch-up' of your bra, or tugging at bits and pieces of uncomfy undies. When all eyes are on you, you need to feel as though everything is working in your favor - and at Jo Karen we literally work from the foundation up to make you feel great and look your best!

And don't forget to keep your attendants in mind when choosing bridesmaid dresses. If everyone needs an updated foundation - consider throwing a lingerie party! Jo Karen associates are more than pleased to advise the entire wedding party on their undergarments, or provide the bride with an assortment of negligees, chemises, lace hankies and more.

See you soon,
Jaye
Assistant Manager

Beautiful Handmade White Cotton Nightgowns, and for a good cause

The fabric I hear referenced in longing most frequently is cotton. Despite the plethora of performance blends to help with various issues including night sweats and hot flashes, there is forever a place in our hearts for the original breathable textile.

A crisp, white cotton nightgown is a classic piece and our selection comes with the added bonus of charitable giving. Each nightgown or robe is hand-embroidered with exquisite feminine detailing on pure white cotton print. Not only is each garment beautiful, comfortable and effortless but the proceeds go to an excellent nonprofit corporation founded in 1988 in the Philippines.

Marie de la Soudiere, a French designer, founded the Thread of Hope for Economic Advancement (or THEA) with the objective of improving the situation of disadvantaged women in Manila. Thea provides skills training, and also has worked to set up health care, first aid, housing and other necessary programs for these impoverished working mothers.

Thea has grown and prospered and currently grants scholarships for education and vocational training, as well as opening two nursery schools and a small community library in Imus, Cavite. The hard work that makes each Thea nightgown and robe so beautifully elegant gives the workers not only a way to make a living, but also hope for an improvement in their lives, and for future generations.

I personally love receiving a shipment from Thea, and liberating the softest, lightest, most romantic gowns from the box. As I give them a quick steam to release the packing wrinkles, a light yet mouthwatering scent of some sort of delicious incense wafts briefly through the store. Thea nightgowns, robes, and even pajamas, are a product I am proud to sell, not only for the perfection of each piece but also for the hope it represents.

Mother's Day is May 12th, for the record. ;)

See you soon!

Jaye
Assistant Manager

I need a bra solution for my backless prom dress!

Let's be real - the reason lingerie exists is to make our clothes look their best. The greatest test of this purpose comes during prom and bridal season, when girls and women of all shapes and sizes put on their once-in-a-lifetime dresses and need supportive yet utterly invisible foundation garments to complete the look.

A complete look depends on the dress, of course. We obviously boast a good variety of strapless bras, including bustiers, and our size range now includes an I cup. For the majority of women, a properly fit strapless bra not only makes the WOW-factor dress wearable but also makes for a great investment in the summer. Most strapless bras can also double as halter, one shoulder, or clear-strapped bras - there are usually a bunch of options built into just one bra of that type.

If your dress is more complicated, there are all sorts of solutions for you. Let's make a chart:

Those are the basic choices for the most common conundrums. We have had the best success when the girls bring their beautiful gowns to the store, getting it right the first time is our goal.

For shapewear, the sky is the limit. Some of us prefer a bra to thigh shaper - a la Curves, some prefer the Commando Thong ("better than nothing") and we run the gamut with choices between those two extremes.

Can't wait to see everyone's dresses!
Jaye
Assistant Manager

Comfort Bras

Before working at Jo Karen, I never wore a bra. Due to a lack of information on the subject (brafitting should be taught in school!) I thought a bra was designed to be uncomfortable. Only after Jo and Karen opened my eyes did I realize a bra was supposed to work for me, and do what I wanted, and be an asset in my closet!

As much as I love my traditional, back closure, structured, molded cup and underwired bras for my work clothes and formal situations... I am all about seamless, wirefree comfort the rest of the time. When I'm chasing down my nephew, walking the dog or other everyday activities, I want my bra to be effortlessly supporting me and not create tension lines under my lighterweight clothing. To give you a frame of reference, in the nine years I've been working at Jo Karen I have been a size 32DD-34D.

In the previous post I referenced Blue Canoe cotton bras, which were my first unstructured lingerie love. However, the recent addition to our lineup includes Coobies [pictured] which are hugely popular. Cute colors, adjustable straps, optional modesty pads - this seamless, half-cami-looking bra replacement is a very useful addition to a bra wardrobe, especially for the summer.

And a step up from that, in terms of quality fabric and invisibility under clothes, are two offerings from Wacoal - the b-smooth line which includes a tank-style with removable modesty pads [pictured] as well as a thin cami style which provides a lightweight, summer friendly layer of support. The other line from Wacoal includes the Cool Definition bra which is purported to literally cool your skin AND it's made of an eco-friendly material in a very athletic racerback design.

For me, it's very relieving to know that there are a number of options that will not only feel great while supporting me, but also be very smooth under my tanks and sheer tops. So if comfort is key for you as you shop for your summer wardrobe, let us assist you!

See you soon,
Jaye
Assistant Manager

Surgery Bras - Before and After

Comfort bras are absolutely a personal passion of mine - I love when a woman praises her foundation garments for their ability perform with ease and grace. While we have many options for seamless, softcup, no underwire bras, the particular focus of this post will be the pre- and post-surgery bras.

Women who have to go through radiation, chemotherapy or other procedures that make their skin sensitive are always pleased with the Blue Canoe organic cotton bras. There are no metal clasps or plastic adjustment pieces either around the back or over the shoulders, and the velvety cotton feels substantial enough to replace a traditional bra. The most popular style is Jen's Bra [pictured] but there are several variations to accommodate different body types.

The Blue Canoe boasts some of the most comfortable pre-surgery bras, but post-surgery, you may need an entirely different type of bra. Blue Canoe offers two different kinds of front closure cotton bras - after rotator cup surgery, for instance, a bra that hooks or zips up the front offers a much easier time getting it on and off.

Many women come into the store post-breast reduction surgery with instructions from their doctors to get a compression bra with no underwires. Apparently the science behind this has to do with trying to keep fluid retention low for the most lasting results. And for compression we have two I highly recommend:

Lunaire's front close comfort bra has a very supportive cup, and can encompass a broad range of sizes. The hooks at the front clasp are simple and secure, and it feels and looks the most like a traditional bra, in my opinion.

If you would rather a sportier, racerback style compression, Moving Comfort's Grace bra [pictured] has long been a popular pick for post-breast reduction due to its wicking, moisture-management fabric (great for the upcoming season!) and ease of use with the quick zipper front.

Regardless of your particular situation, the associates at Jo Karen are always pleased to offer the latest and greatest in foundation solutions.

See you soon!
Jaye
Assistant Manager

So you’re having abdominal surgery!

 In all the pre-surgery preparations me of all people never thought or asked about a support garment for after surgery. 

So, day one at home I realized I couldn’t move without holding a pillow against my tummy- this does not work for me. I get on the phone to my expert staff, explain that I want only tummy support nothing else and my helper (loving sister) will pick them up.

They provided me with five excellent choices. I ended up liking three of them but my personal favorite was a Levusha - cost was only $18.00 and it was so comfy .

 I was able to drop the pillow and move around freely. I even wore it to bed and moving around was so much more doable!!

Jo

Owner

Sports bras for the plus sized cups

A New Year resolution that includes exercising and getting into shape should also include a fitting for a  sports bra.  Especially if you are a " D" cup or larger.

You know your sport bra needs to be replaced if....

-It is more than 1yr old, and it no longer maintains its shape
-You wear 2 at one time to control the bounce
-You struggle with a style that pulls over your head

In general Sport bras work on compression. The well- engineered ones have cups, adjustable straps, and close in the back. The fabric is moisture wicking, so they are more comfortable and supportive than your everyday bra. They are also can be sized like regular bras for a more customized fit.

Here are some examples of styles we think work very well.

Wacoal has a style that is unique.  It is sized in regular bra sizes 32-40 bands, and C-H cups. It has a underwire, so your breasts separate however, the wire is on the outside for comfort! The inside is smooth seam free and moisture wicking.

                                                   


Anita makes several excellent sports bras.  This one is for high impact control with seams not wires.  The inside of the bra is lined with seamless moisture wicking fabric. It is also sized in regular bra sizes  30-46 bands, and B-H cups.

                                                   

The Enell sports bra is a hybrid specialty sport bra, it is sized a bit differently in ranges 32-52 bands and C- DDD cups, incorporated into sizes 00-8 it is best to be fitted for this bra, if need be they can custom make a bra for you.

                                                 


Moving Comfort also makes several excellent hi-impact sport bras. The one- pictured " Rebound Racer" a more traditional racer-back style, also comes in Bra sizes B-DD cup, 30-38 bands.  Even though it is a racer-back, it offers a customized fit with front adjustable straps and an adjustable keyhole back closure.

These are some of our best high impact styles, but they are just a representation of the many styles we offer.
In my next blog I will discuss some of the lower impact and smaller cup size options.

Karen
Partner/Buyer

Email questions to personal_service@jokaren.com or www.facebook.com/jokaren.personalservice