Rachel Avery, President of Kalloné Intimi, gets intimate with Today’s Bride about the latest trends in lingerie and bathing suits. Here, she offers brides everything they need to know about what to buy for your honeymoon and hot to know if the suit fits. Check out our gallery for the latest trends in lingerie and swimsuit fashion.
If you’re in the market for some new lingerie, Rachel answers all your intimate apparel questions:
Today’s Bride: How do you know what kind of lingerie to buy for your honeymoon? Should it be based on what you like and what he likes?
Rachel Avery: I would say a bit of both. Take the number of nights you are planning on wearing lingerie and divide it in half – half of the outfits should be something you love and the other half should be based on what he likes. He is probably going to love everything that you choose but if you know that he loves a particular style he will definitely appreciate the thought. In terms of what to buy – buy what makes you feel good. If you absolutely hate bustiers, don’t buy one just because everyone says it’s sexy. It is important that you love and are confident in what you buy so that you are comfortable putting it on when the time comes. The better you feel, the more confident you will be and nothing is sexier than confidence!
TB: How do I go about buying it? Online? In store? Go with friends or alone? I’m a beginner and don’t know where to start!
RA: If face-to-face is not your thing – buying online is a great option. It’s important to note though that when buying online you can’t exchange/return certain items (for hygienic reasons) so make sure you look at the size chart and ask a customer service representative if you have any questions as to how the item fits.
Going with friends or alone is really dependent on how you normally shop. When going with friends it is important to remember that lingerie is intimate and personal, so take your friends advice, but remember you’re the one wearing it (similar to your wedding dress – it is YOUR day after all!). We have a great program on the go that a lot of brides are going with – Girls Night In. Basically, the bride (or host) invites a group of friends to the store after hours for a shopping party. There are incentives for the bride and we provide a fun and unique experience for their guests. It’s a great excuse to try on a bunch of fabulous lingerie with all of your girlfriends. The bride usually walks away with quite a few options as the guests tend to buy her gifts!
TB: How do I know what looks best on my body and what fits correctly?
RA: The best way to know is to go into a boutique and speak with a specialist. We know our industry and see different shapes and sizes every day. It is more than likely that we will know what styles will work for you just based on seeing you in person. If you do not have time and prefer to shop online, send a picture of yourself to the customer service email and set up a phone call to go over some options with them. We have customers do this regularly and they find it really helpful.
TB: What is in style these days?
RA: While there are always timeless lingerie pieces such as bustiers and garters, this season we are seeing a lot of peek-a-boo cut-outs and bodysuits. We’ve brought in brands that are current and trendy and showcase product for the conservative girl, the girl wanting to show a little more skin, and everything in between. Again, we look at lingerie as being very personal. What ever it is that makes you feel the best is the style that you should stick with.
TB: What can I expect to pay for an outfit?
RA: The price can vary depending on what sort of style you are looking for, but I would say to budget anywhere from $100 to $300+. In the lingerie industry price is a direct reflection of the quality of the garment – if you spend more, the outfit will last much longer and will be more likely to fit you properly as opposed to spending less on something that doesn’t fit well and having to throw it out after wearing it once.
TB: Why is it important for a woman to invest in lingerie?
RA: It’s important to invest in lingerie because it is the foundation over which all of your clothes are put on. The way I think of it, is if you’re building a house it doesn’t matter how beautiful the design is, if the foundation is poor quality the house will not turn out as expected. It’s the same with lingerie – over 85% of North Americans are currently wearing the wrong size bra, we see it everyday. Often times the customer leaves looking slimmer and more confident than they did when they walked in our doors just buy getting their true size.
Want to look ravishing in a swimsuit? Rachel offers advice on what you need to know when shopping for your honeymoon bathing suits:
TB: What style of bathing suit is trendy these days?
RA: Retro is back! We are seeing everything from high-waisted bottoms to sexy one-pieces. This is no different for men – short swim trunks are in again, along with fun retro colours and patterns.
TB: How do you know what kind suits your body best?
RA: You can find this out by going into a boutique and speaking with an expert or reading up on blog-posts and articles. It’s important to feel comfortable in any swimsuit you wear, however, there are styles that fit different shapes better than others. Do a bit of research and don’t be afraid to splurge a little. A quality bathing suit can last longer when it’s taken care of properly.
TB: Should you look for certain fabrics, colours or cuts depending on your body type?
RA: Black is still the go to colour, and we carry numerous different cuts to cater to the customers who trust in the slimming illusion black seems to cause. Don’t be afraid of colour and pattern though! With the right cut, these styles can be just as slimming as your favourite little black bikini. Again, do your homework to find out what’s best for your body and see what makes you feel most comfortable.
TB: What is the best way to buy a bathing suit if you’re self-conscious?
RA: The best way would be to accept help from an expert. I know that the last thing someone who is self-conscious wants to do is try on bathing suits in front of another person, but their expertise can make you feel so much better in what you are trying on. They know what suits look best on certain figures and how the pieces are supposed to fit – if you tell them an idea of what you are looking for (bikini, one-piece, etc.) they will be able to find you something that works. Swimwear does not always look the best on the hanger – so there will be pieces that you would never had tried on if you were alone that you will fall in love with.
TB: How do you know if it fits properly?
RA: Depending on the style, there are a few different signs to whether or not it fits. On the top, you want to make sure that you don’t have “quad-boob”. This is where you are spilling out of the top or side and the swimsuit digs making it look like you have four breasts as opposed to two. If this is happening, it’s a sign to go up a size in the top. You don’t want the strap around your back to dig in either. If you have a larger back, opt for a tie up closure so you can adjust it to fit just right.
As for the bottoms, you want to make sure they are not pinching or digging into you. Muffin tops are never a good look on any size girl. Don’t forget about the back- pick a cut that works best and feels the most comfortable. Try everything from a cheeky Brazilian to a fabulous full coverage so you know what fits best on your body.
Swimwear and lingerie boutique Kalloné Intimi features a unique, hand-picked collection of high-quality swimwear and lingerie pieces from brands around the world. Located in Toronto at 309 Queen Street West, products can also be bought online at www.kallone.ca.
