Time to Celebrate!

The theme of the week at A Little Lingerie Company is definitely “party, party, party.” I’ve been preparing for a lingerie party (picture a Tupperware party, but more fun), as well as co-planning Vermont’s upcoming Bachelorette Expo. A Little Lingerie Company will also be hosting a booth at the upcoming Imperial Court festivities in Burlington in August.

What with all these parties, I decided to add a gift registry to the website – after all, what better place to register your bachelorette party than A Little Lingerie Company?

Best of all, we now offer Lingerie Gift-o-Grams, in five amazing styles: Chocolate Reverie, Fun in the Tub, Secret Delights, and Sapphic Nights. These lovely gift bags contain beautiful, high-quality lingerie and Vermont-made specialty items. We also offer Gift Certificate Gift-o-Grams – ideal for new moms who would enjoy a fun chocolate or spa gift now, and later on can treat themselves to new lingerie with the gift certificate.

Come celebrate with us!

Definitions of Success

Today I want to talk about how we present ourselves. I think this ties into some of our previous threads on body image and self-perception.

The one thing I’ve learned, after having been a rebellious youth (okay, and adult, too) is that presenting yourself appropriately for where you work comes naturally when you actually feel suited to what you’re doing. If you feel like an aerobics instructor at heart but are working as an attorney, you might find getting dressed in the morning a little emotionally jarring.

This all comes back to knowing who you are and what you hope to achieve. We’ve spoken about defining the concept of beauty for ourselves, what if we also picked our own definition of success?

Knowing what you want makes it easier to get there, and feeling comfortable with who you are and what you’re doing makes it easy to present yourself appropriately in any situation.

More Fitting Information

I have been looking for better information on bra fitting, and just got some great tips from my Panache representative – a brand known for their excellent fit (not to mention beautiful bras!).

I was very pleased to learn that we agree on the main thing: the bra size isn’t the issue, it’s the fit. You need to know what to look for in a bra, rather than just automatically reach for the same size.

Here are some tips:

1. With underwire bras, make sure the wire is not poking into your breast.
2. Make sure the band is parallel to the ground, not riding up your back.
3. The shoulder straps should stay in place and not fall off your shoulders.
4. Being squeezed out of your bra is not the same as getting nice cleavage. The cleavage should come from the cut of the bra, not from poking into your breasts.

For more information on how to measure yourself, check out:
A Little Lingerie Company Fitting Guide

Reply to Oprah's Bra Bible

Hi everyone!

It seems like it’s been so long since I’ve blogged – result, mainly, of repetitive motion problems. I lost most of last week in terms of computer time. But so far, so good for this week.

How many of you have read Oprah’s Bra Bible in her July issue? It is a source for fabulous bra fitting information, but also had a couple of things that I wanted to comment on. So, here it is, my letter to the editor of Oprah Magazine:

Dear Oprah,

I have been a fan of yours for years and really enjoy your magazine. However I was shocked by what I read in your July issue’s “Bra Bible.” Did I really see that the best you could do for Jordan Tesfay – a communications student! - was a $157 bra? And that you recommended to Saudia Davis who, as an actor and housepainter I have no doubt is extremely busy and not overflowing in cash, that she have her bras tailored to suit her petite frame?

May I suggest an alternative? A Little Lingerie Company – www.alittlelingeriecompany.com. We are a website catering to the needs of working, busy women who don’t have $157 to plunk down on a bra, nor the time – or inclination – to take their bras to a tailor. Please tell Ms. Tesfay and your other 34F model, Bernadette Vajda – also a student (who was put in a $62 bra) – that I can put them in bras that will fit them beautifully for a fraction of the price. Our Venus Frippery is only $79 – and it comes in not only a 34F bra, but that price includes a gorgeous matching thong and garter. Or, how about a camisole in a soft cotton with a built-in 34F bra for only $39 ($38 for the sleek microfiber)? Or my Empress bra, with matching thong or panty, for $48.

You say that a woman has need of only three bras. Well, at $157 a pop, I imagine so. But if you are like so many of us who want only three bras about as much as we want only three pairs of socks, I suggest you check out what A Little Lingerie Company has to offer. While not a discount shop, our entire collection is subject to a reality check – if I would balk at paying it, I’m not selling it.

And we don’t just carry large sizes. We carry a wide range of “average” sizes, as well as a lovely collection of A and AA cup bras and sets. In fact, we have sizes running from 32AA to 46F, with some styles running up to G or H cups. Want something from one of our manufacturers that you don’t see listed? Email me – I’ll let you know how quickly I can get it in your hands – and it won’t be for $157.

We especially take pride in providing clear, accurate sizing information about each product. If a cup size runs large or a band size runs small, we let you know. Speaking of which, may I please refer Ms. Davis to our Cloud Nine bra? This bra says it comes in a 32, but – as we clearly point out on our site - its band size runs small. It will very likely fit her beautifully, still for only $29 ($37 with matching thong) – but no tailoring required.

And what happens should the bra you buy from A Little Lingerie Company not fit the way you’d hoped? Simple. You just send it back. Our return policy takes the fear factor out of shopping online: we will refund the full purchase price of any lingerie returned within 30 days of purchase, providing the items are returned in clean, resalable condition, with the tags and hygienic liner still attached. Even better, not only can you return your items, but any time you do, we’ll give you 10% off your next purchase, just as a courtesy.

Moreover, our site is fully bilingual in Spanish and English, as is our customer service help desk. You can call, write, or email in either language and get the full level of customer care you deserve.

We also provide a Fitting Guide, a Wash and Care Guide, and a Gift-Giving Guide. And, given my background is in public health (MPH from Tulane University) including many years working on women’s issues, we also have a blog in which we discuss body image and self-esteem (www.alittlelingeriecompany.blogspot.com). I also provide free seminars (to groups based in Vermont) relating to these issues – “Hey, I’m a Cutie, Too! (Images of Beauty)” and “Is There ANYTHING Left I Can Eat? (Interpreting Health Messages from the Media).” The goal of these seminars is to mix fun with learning, and give participants a nudge in the direction of finding love for themselves, just the way they are.

So, please, tell your readers and viewers they needn’t spend $157 for a beautiful, well-made bra, no matter their size, nor should they have to visit the tailor. We would love to help them with all their lingerie needs. You may also be interested in knowing that we will be adding a gift registry to the site by the end of July, in addition to introducing our Lingerie Gift-o-Grams. These are fun gifts that combine our lovely lingerie with a fabulous assortment of Vermont-made specialty foods and beauty products.

A Little Lingerie Company is more than just another online panty peddler. This is a woman-owned company dedicated to helping women feel good about themselves and their bodies.

As it says on our homepage, the only one who gets to define you, is you.

Sincerely,
Jennifer Michelle
President
A Little Lingerie Company, LLC