On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of spending some time with the fabulous fit experts at my local Soma. It was a very busy day at the boutique, and I was struck by how many moms were coming through the door for bra fittings not only for themselves, but also for their teen and pre-teen daughters. I applaud those moms for recognizing the importance of having their daughters be fit by an expert and for purchasing a well-made, quality bra. If it’s time to take your daughter bra shopping, here are some tips to help make it a great experience (for both you and her!):

• Put yourself in her shoes. Think back to how you felt when you first went shopping for a bra. As your daughter grows and matures, her body will change, and with these changes girls can often feel self-conscious. To help alleviate anxiety she may have about her changing figure, make sure your daughter is fit by a professional, so she feels comfortable, not nervous or embarrassed.
• Every girl is different so it’s important to talk with your daughter and figure out what she wants and will be comfortable wearing.
• Know that she may outgrow her first bra and move on within a matter of months.
• If she’s just beginning to develop, she may prefer a wirefree style like our Heidi Bra.
• Girls who are on the smaller side may benefit from a demi cup like Soma’s Mimi Demi Bra.
• For girls who need more support and coverage, a great place to start is with Soma’s full-coverage Allura. It’s one of Soma’s best-selling styles and smooth under tees and tops.

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday season filled with love and laughter. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for reading The Undercover Post blog and sharing your questions and comments. Here’s to a gorgeous 2012!
xx,
Jessica

Did you know that on Soma.com you can view my favorite items and top picks? If you click on “Jessica’s Picks” within each category (New Arrivals, Bras, Panties, etc.), you’ll see what I’m particularly loving right now, including my faves from our stunning new resort swimwear collection. And speaking of loving, Kathie Lee Gifford recently told viewers of NBC’s The Today Show that Soma’s Oh My Gorgeous Cami Bra is one of her FAVORITE THINGS! To watch the show, click http://today.msnbc.msn.com and use the blue bar on the video screen to fast forward to about 8 minutes, 20 seconds. Enjoy!

Dear Jessica,
For years I have struggled with bra straps that constantly fall onto my arms. I have been fitted several times by a foundation professional, but I still have problems with the straps. I am petite. Could you suggest a Soma bra that would eliminate this problem?
Thanks!

You’d be surprised how many women have the same problem! In fact, it’s one of the most frequent frustrations I hear from women of all shapes and sizes. There’s not a universal answer to this question, however, I can offer some advice on how to prevent uncomfortable and embarrassing strap slippage!

1. Make sure you’re wearing the right size band and cup. Believe it or not, the band and cup size can have an effect on the way your straps fit. The best way to ensure your perfect fit is to be professionally fit by a trained bra fit expert. Soma offers free bra fittings in all of our boutiques as well as live chat with a fit stylist and a helpful bra fit tool and video on Soma.com.
2. It seems obvious but try adjusting your straps. Everyday wear and washing can loosen your straps so you should adjust them periodically, especially if you notice they’re slipping.
3. Women with narrow shoulders may benefit from wearing a bra with straps that are closer together, like Soma’s Allura Racerback Bra.
4. Use Soma’s Pull It Together 3-Way Bra Strap Converter to turn any bra into a racerback. This will link your bra straps in back to form a racerback shape so they can’t slip down your arm.

Good luck! Xx, Jessica

Dear Jessica,
I just bought my first Soma bras and I forgot the rules of wearing. Alternating between wearings, how to wash, etc. Can you please provide the guidelines for me?
Thank you!
Jenia S.

Dear Jenia,

Great question! As you’ve heard me say time and again, your bras are some of the most important items in your wardrobe. A well-fitting, quality bra will be more comfortable and can make you look and feel better in your clothes. To extend the life of your bras, you need to treat them with special care.

Tip 1:
Build a bra wardrobe. I recommend a wardrobe of styles you can rotate. If you’re inclined to wear the same style day after day, buy a couple bras in that particular style so you don’t wear the exact same one every day of the week. Since perspiration can deteriorate a bra’s elastic, avoid wearing the same bra two days in a row. What’s ideal? Wear one, wash one, and let the third “recover” for a day.

Tip 2:
Hand washing is preferred. Every bra is unique, with different fabrics, trims and recommended care.

Tip 3:
If you must machine wash, do so very carefully. Machines can cause underwires to twist and eventually poke through, cups to shrink and crinkle, elastic to stretch, and delicate lace and nylon to lose their looks. Be sure to read labels for temperature and washing instructions and do not wash with heavy items (jeans, towels, etc.) that can twist bras out of shape.

• Hook the bra band and tighten straps to prevent twisting, tangling, etc.
• Place your lingerie in a wash bag to keep it safe from the machine’s agitator
• Use lingerie wash such as Soma’s Be Gentle, a hypoallergenic wash that cleans and refreshes delicate fabrics
• Avoid fabric softeners as they reduce effectiveness of certain fabrics
• Hang dry, please! Machine drying will destroy the elastic.

Step 4:
Continue the care. Once your bras are dry, stack them in a row so the cups fit into each other, or hang them. Avoid folding bras in half with one cup inside the other, which will affect the shape.