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

Don't have time to diet before my holiday event!

One comfortable, lightweight garment that seamlessly eliminates "back fat" as well as "muffin top" - it is no longer too good to be true.

Imagine adding the finishing touches to your hair and makeup, then effortlessly stepping into an Unbelievabra which takes away any blemishes on your silhouette.

This product includes underwire, molded cups on a silky smooth tank style foundation.  Designed by a woman (obviously,) this is the bra plus shaper replacement we have all been waiting for.




Before

After

The Alternative to Spanx Shapers

As the holidays arrive, we pay more attention to our outfits for that special party or holiday photo. We are all worried about "back fat," panty lines, stomach rolls, etc. The best way to rock your event is to feel comfortable in your own skin - or an upgrade!

Shapewear has a long and fascinating history, but the newest styles are unique in that they offer comfort as well as flattering support. The most important aspect of any shapewear is its ability to be worn effortlessly. We certainly stock an assortment of bustiers, Shapeez, iPants. Sassybax (future blog post subjects!) but the far and away bestseller is Curves by Berkshire.

Curves is made to be worn with your own bra, and it controls, shapes and smooths your entire torso all the way down to mid-thigh. Curves takes away all lines at your midsection and is absolutely ideal for thin or tight styles due to its smooth nature. The best part about Curves is how it feels very natural but looks so good!

Curves by Berkshire comes in Black or Nude, and two different styles. The Above The Waist Smoother starts right at your bra line and smooths all the way down to midthigh - leaving a lovely clean foundation for your dress to fall against. The Waist Smoother with its Tummy Toning Panel is ideal for skirts - it boasts well engineered flattening exactly where all women want it.



For best results, bring in your holiday outfit or special dress when you visit Jo Karen. There's nothing more magical than the foundation garment transformation!

See you soon,

Jaye
Assistant Manager