Michelle Weber
More than 65 million American women are a size 14 or larger, and for many women, buying undies that fit right isn't easy. But Frances Rivera tells us about new plus size lingerie that's fashionable and fits fuller figures when she opens the 'Style File.'
In the magazines and on the runway we have all seen these "heavenly bodies." But when it comes to shopping for intimate apparel many of us discover that not every body is so picture perfect.
"Lingerie shopping was never fun in the past," Jessica Ladore, plus size woman, said.
Jessica Ladore says that's because it was difficult to find things that fit her figure...
"It's just a little more uncomfortable when you're not finding anything that makes you look pretty or feel pretty or feel normal like your friends," Jessica Ladore, plus size woman, said.
Jessica is not alone, 65 million American women are plus size. But it is not just waste-lines that are bigger, so are bustlines.
"For so many years, plus size women had such a hard time buying lingerie," Catherine Lippincott of Lane Bryant said. "It was basically, you'd get black, beige, or white, and they were really ugly."
But not anymore. Catherine Lippincott of Lane Bryant says many designer's are finally creating fashions that fit the full-figured with style!
"So when you go into an intimate apparel department now, you see colors, you see polka dots, you see bows, you see special embellishments," Catherine Lippincott of Lane Bryant said.
And many women say this new breed of bra's are worth bragging about.
"I have a whole wardrobe, of fun, sexy, comfortable lingerie, that my skinny size friends don't even have," Jessica Ladore, plus size woman, said.
From the push-up to the halter--workout to sexy everything goes--but larger ladies do need extra support.
"Sometimes at the other stores, they may have made it larger, but they didn't take into consideration, the proportion of the larger woman," Patrice Williamson, plus size woman, said.
New designs are cut to fit. Bras have wider non-slip straps, and extra hooks to help shape and smooth out a bigger body.
"I get the proper support, it looks fabulous Patrice Williamson, plus size woman, said.
But plus or not--no matter what your size--
"It's so important to have the correct fit bra," Catherine Lippincott of Lane Bryant said.
Make sure you measure first. Prices are generally the same as regular sized intimate apparel starting at about $29.
Additional resources:
Lane Bryant: Cicaque Lingerie Line
Victoria's Secret
Alectra by Kiyonna Plus-Size Intimate Apparel
(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
