Friday’s royal wedding of Catherine Middleton to Prince William has inspired me to post about bridal lingerie. Have you ever hosted a lingerie shower or tried to buy romantic gifts for someone else? Buying something so intimate can be challenging. Here are a few tips:

1. Analyze how well you know the bride. Try to find out her size and the kind of lingerie she typically likes to wear. Does she prefer silk to cotton? Does she lean towards the conservative or is she more adventurous?
2. Remember who is attending the shower. The bride’s mother, grandmother or future mother-in-law could be in attendance so don’t give anything that could make the bride uncomfortable in front of her guests.
3. Think about the colors she tends to wear. White is the obvious choice, and a good one, but don’t rule out choosing colors to complement her skin tone, like jewel tones, pastels and even black.
4. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious. In addition to bras, panties, gowns and chemises, brides need casual sleepwear, robes and honeymoon basics like camis and even beach cover-ups.
5. A gift card is always welcome. Give her the opportunity to buy something for herself that she may not otherwise buy.
6. A bath or beauty item, lingerie wash or bag, either added to the gift or on its own, is a great option when buying for someone you don’t know that well, or don’t know their size.

My wardrobe just isn’t keeping up with my busy life. From this week’s holiday gatherings, to spring break with the kids and Mother’s Day brunch, I need some new clothes that look good and work for many occasions. Which is why I’m loving our new maxi dresses. Particularly appealing is the fact that maxi dresses can be worn day or night: the longer length is a no-brainer for easy, daytime dressing or it can be worn with jewelry and stacked heels for evening. My favorite trends this season? Bold florals, painterly stripes and 70’s inspired prints and silhouettes.

The v-shaped neckline and strategically placed vertical floral print make petite ladies look taller and the rest of us look slimmer!

I’d add a pop of color by wearing this with purple, red or green sandals, espadrilles or wedges.

Vintage in feel, the Parker Maxi Dress and Summer Love Hayden Dress speak to 1970’s styling, but are decidedly modern in their cut and comfort factor.

Dear Jessica,

Can you recommend an all-in-one bodyshaper that will give me a flat tummy and make my chest look fuller?

Thanks,
Camile

Hi Camile,

Yes, I have a solution! Soma’s new Vanishing Edge Anywhere Panels Torset Bodybriefer:

I don’t know about you, but I’ve worn shapewear that’s so uncomfortable, I feel like I’m in a straightjacket! Not this one. Its specially designed control panels tone the tummy and waist for a smooth, sleek look. The fabric is lightweight and edged with our famous Vanishing Edge technology for an invisible, no ride fit underneath your clothes (since there’s nothing cute about publicly un-bunching your shapewear!).

But what I love the most is that you can wear your own bra to create the curves YOU want. It’s available in a thigh shaping version as well.

I hope this helps!

Best,
Jessica

I’m so happy to announce the results of Soma’s 2^nd Annual Nationwide Bra Drive.  Thanks to you, from January 25^th through February 20^th, we collected an astounding 41,000 bras for women in need! The bras you generously donated were sent to women’s shelters and charities across the country, The Bra Recyclers and Dress for Success. And since our first bra drive last July, over 66,000 bras have been collected and donated! Thank you for helping us to make a difference in the lives of so many women. If you missed the last bra drive stay tuned, we’re doing it again this summer!

I have more good news! Soma’s Vanishing Back Nadia Bra is featured in the April issue of In Style. Take a peek: