The Definitive Guide to Bridal Foundations and Lingerie

WHAT TO CONSIDER ABOUT YOUR OUTFIT BEFORE BUYING UNDERGARMENTS

• How low is it in the front?
• How low is it in the back?
• Are there openings on the sides?
• Is the garment sheer? If so, where?
• What is the thickness of the fabric? (i.e. is it satin/silk, which is very thin?)
• Is the garment lined? If not, could it be if necessary?
• How much structure does the garment have?
• Is the garment beaded? If so, what is the beading design?
• Example: Fully beaded dresses can create an extra layer to the garment, whereas beads that are in specific places on the garment will not.
• Does the garment have a slit? If so, how high is it?
• Does the garment have a natural waist, drop waist, or empire waist?
• Where is the garment form fitting -(Bodice, skirt, hips, etc.)
• Is it strapless? If not, what do the straps/sleeves look like?
• Are the straps wide enough to accommodate a bra  strap?
• How short or long is the garment?
• Example: Is the dress floor length? Knee length? Above the knee?

LOW-FRONT/LOW-BACK DRESSES – HOW LOW WILL WORK FOR YOU?

• Low-back: must go to the middle of your waist for MOST sizes
• Low-front: end of the sternum MAXIMUM

WHEN IS THE TIME TO RESORT TO ADHESIVES?

• Too low in the front and back for anything that would give shaping and support
• This also includes if any part that might not be LOW per se but are SHEER
• Types of adhesives that exist:
• Tape on a roll
• Adhesive cups
• Adhesive lifts
• Silicone adhesive enhancers (A-C cups)

SHAPEWEAR CAN BE PAIRED WITH A BUSTIER/BRA FOR EXTRA SMOOTHING

• Types of shapewear that would be good to pair with different bras/bustiers:
• Strapless/everyday bra: high-waisted
• Longline bra: high-waisted
• Mid-waist bustier: mid-waist – eliminates “muffin top”
• Longline bustier: mid-waist – eliminates “muffin top”
• Types of bottoms for shapewear:
• Capri
• Mid-thigh
• Boyshort
• Girlshort
• Brief
• Thong-back
• Low back/low front garments will require t shapewear that hits at the natural waist MOST OF THE TIME

• Different types of shapewear for different dresses
• Semi-thin fabric w/ no lining: shapewear that is as seamless as possible, and try to avoid anything with shorts if it’s form fitting on the legs
• Thicker, lined fabric: Shapewear with seams/lace/boning is acceptable
• Dresses/skirts with a slit: brief and thong-back shapewear
• Dresses/skirts with mermaid/trumpet bottom: Try to stick to shapewear w/ legs – brief could cut into the legs and create a bulge. Try a capri length shaper
• Jumpsuits: brief and thong-back shapewear