Women in London Are Wearing Lingerie to the Disco

The lingerie trend on the spring 2010 runways was bound to catch on, because if there’s one thing women will always take advantage of, it’s an opportunity or excuse to dress slutty. Men — gay and straight — won’t discourage them, further fueling these exhibitionist tendencies. In London, women are already shopping the lingerie section for things to wear to the disco, according to WWD. Sales of corsets were up 70 percent this November from last year at Selfridges. And these are not corset tops, they’re corsets women are buying from the lingerie section. So when chicks are shopping for new going-out clothes, they are making conscious decisions to head to the panty section rather than the clothing section. Above, you see two hot sellers: the monochrome girdle with feathers protruding from the hips and a bandage slip, both by Bordelle. The $1,470 chicken corset sold out in less than 24 hours when it hit the floor, while sales of its sluttier $596 slip cousin increased 90 percent after Rihanna performed in her toilet-paper costume at the American Music Awards.

If underwear as outerwear is catching on with such fierceness in London, it’s only a matter of time before it catches on with the same zeal here. If ladies are willing to go out with slashed leggings and crop tops, they shouldn’t have too many misgivings about trotting out in Lady Gaga’s uniform of only a corset, panties, and fishnets. Already, Topshop and Forever 21 have expanded their tarty offerings with bunny ears, costing $30 and $14, respectively. Other lingerie brands are pushing early deliveries of corsets to Selfridges in light of the skyrocketing demand.

We will never be pro-dress-like-slut, but these statistics remind us of a moment we shared with Mom at the Thanksgiving table, when we noticed Beyoncé muted in the distance on TV, shaking her stuff in a black sequined leotard. “Oooh, Beyoncé!” we exclaimed. “She’s certainly not wearing a whole lot of clothing.” Mom replied, “I know, she never does. She looks happy!” Maybe that’s all that matters.

The lingerie trend on the spring 2010 runways was bound to catch on, because if there’s one thing women will always take advantage of, it’s an opportunity or excuse to dress slutty. Men — gay and straight — won’t discourage them, further fueling these exhibitionist tendencies. In London, women are already shopping the lingerie section for things to wear to the disco, according to WWD. Sales of corsets were up 70 percent this November from last year at Selfridges. And these are not corset tops, they’re corsets women are buying from the lingerie section. So when chicks are shopping for new going-out clothes, they are making conscious decisions to head to the panty section rather than the clothing section. Above, you see two hot sellers: the monochrome girdle with feathers protruding from the hips and a bandage slip, both by Bordelle. The $1,470 chicken corset sold out in less than 24 hours when it hit the floor, while sales of its sluttier $596 slip cousin increased 90 percent after Rihanna performed in her toilet-paper costume at the American Music Awards.
If underwear as outerwear is catching on with such fierceness in London, it’s only a matter of time before it catches on with the same zeal here. If ladies are willing to go out with slashed leggings and crop tops, they shouldn’t have too many misgivings about trotting out in Lady Gaga’s uniform of only a corset, panties, and fishnets. Already, Topshop and Forever 21 have expanded their tarty offerings with bunny ears, costing $30 and $14, respectively. Other lingerie brands are pushing early deliveries of corsets to Selfridges in light of the skyrocketing demand.
We will never be pro-dress-like-slut, but these statistics remind us of a moment we shared with Mom at the Thanksgiving table, when we noticed Beyoncé muted in the distance on TV, shaking her stuff in a black sequined leotard. “Oooh, Beyoncé!” we exclaimed. “She’s certainly not wearing a whole lot of clothing.” Mom replied, “I know, she never does. She looks happy!” Maybe that’s all that matters.

Spice up your holidays: A guy’s guide to shopping for lingerie gifts

Attention all fellers: As they now stand, your plans to buy a gift of frilly lingerie for your significant other are doomed to flop and fail. You’re probably looking at lingerie Web sites right now, armed only with a vague idea of your sweetheart’s sizes (no, no, stop looking at your cupped hands), and an even more vague notion of what she’d actually like to wear, a notion that’s inextricably rooted in the kind of lingerie you want to see in the bedroom: lacy, see-through, possibly evaporating.

Do some reconnaissance. Take a peek inside your significant other’s underwear or lingerie drawer and look up her bra size, which is a number followed by a letter. Then look at the panty size, which should be small, medium or large.  Do not try to measure her yourself: “A man coming at you with a measuring tape is a little frightening,” Kirti says. “Asking her for her sizes is completely fine.” Kirti also advises looking up your girl’s clothing size (size 6, size 8 and so on), which can be used to size her up for sleepwear.

You should also attempt to discern your lover’s tastes, because you’re probably less certain than you think you are. “Most guys like see-through, black, jewel tones … like the stuff they see in French movies,” says Kirti. (I know that she said “French movies” instead of “dumb American pornography,” but c’mon, fellas.) “Men typically like things that are on the racier side — which is not to say ‘slutty’ — and women want something that’s going to make them feel hot and sexy, because for women it’s very cerebral; it’s all about how we’re feeling.

“You should take her physical attributes into account,” she continues. “Find out what she finds most attractive about herself, and exploit that. If [she’s] a pear-shape, with bigger hips and booty and a really stellar upper body, buy her a bra-and-panty set so she shows off her stomach. If she’s got a tummy or has had some kids, then a baby-doll or something to cover your tummy is better. That’ll show off her legs.”

And whatever you do, don’t guess at the size. “The most common mistake men make is buying too small. It’s rare that I have women bringing back large underwear to buy small,” Kirti says. “It’s more likely they’ll bring back a small to exchange for a large.”

Make sure you’re sure. “If you’re giving lingerie for the first time, it’s really important that you go a little bit on the safer side, and buy something a little more mild,” says Kirti. “Just buy a nice silk nightgown instead of a bra-and-panty set. You can work into the sexier, racy stuff later.”

Conversely, if you’re buying for a lingerie connoisseur, don’t cheap out. “Buy the good stuff,” Kirti says. “She knows what it is, and you don’t want to insult her by buying her trashy adult-store lingerie. Not that there’s not a place for that stuff; there absolutely is. But don’t buy it for someone who loves lingerie and has a collection.”

The best lingerie gifts are the kind that translate “from the boardroom to the bedroom” — the kind of lingerie that could see everyday use. “If you buy her a super-awesome-sexy bra-and-panty set that she can wear under a sweater when she goes to work but can also wear on a hot date, that’s great.”

If you’re unsure what might work in that regard, Kirti suggests you get two sets of lingerie: a classy set and a racy set. “She’ll know that one’s for you,” she says, “and one’s for her.” And if you’re utterly stumped, “Just buy her something black and lacy,” she says. “That looks good on everyone.”

Do some reconnaissance. Take a peek inside your significant other’s underwear or lingerie drawer and look up her bra size, which is a number followed by a letter. Then look at the panty size, which should be small, medium or large.  Do not try to measure her yourself: “A man coming at you with a measuring tape is a little frightening,” Kirti says. “Asking her for her sizes is completely fine.” Kirti also advises looking up your girl’s clothing size (size 6, size 8 and so on), which can be used to size her up for sleepwear.
You should also attempt to discern your lover’s tastes, because you’re probably less certain than you think you are. “Most guys like see-through, black, jewel tones … like the stuff they see in French movies,” says Kirti. (I know that she said “French movies” instead of “dumb American pornography,” but c’mon, fellas.) “Men typically like things that are on the racier side — which is not to say ‘slutty’ — and women want something that’s going to make them feel hot and sexy, because for women it’s very cerebral; it’s all about how we’re feeling.
“You should take her physical attributes into account,” she continues. “Find out what she finds most attractive about herself, and exploit that. If [she’s] a pear-shape, with bigger hips and booty and a really stellar upper body, buy her a bra-and-panty set so she shows off her stomach. If she’s got a tummy or has had some kids, then a baby-doll or something to cover your tummy is better. That’ll show off her legs.”
And whatever you do, don’t guess at the size. “The most common mistake men make is buying too small. It’s rare that I have women bringing back large underwear to buy small,” Kirti says. “It’s more likely they’ll bring back a small to exchange for a large.”
Make sure you’re sure. “If you’re giving lingerie for the first time, it’s really important that you go a little bit on the safer side, and buy something a little more mild,” says Kirti. “Just buy a nice silk nightgown instead of a bra-and-panty set. You can work into the sexier, racy stuff later.”
Conversely, if you’re buying for a lingerie connoisseur, don’t cheap out. “Buy the good stuff,” Kirti says. “She knows what it is, and you don’t want to insult her by buying her trashy adult-store lingerie. Not that there’s not a place for that stuff; there absolutely is. But don’t buy it for someone who loves lingerie and has a collection.”
The best lingerie gifts are the kind that translate “from the boardroom to the bedroom” — the kind of lingerie that could see everyday use. “If you buy her a super-awesome-sexy bra-and-panty set that she can wear under a sweater when she goes to work but can also wear on a hot date, that’s great.”
If you’re unsure what might work in that regard, Kirti suggests you get two sets of lingerie: a classy set and a racy set. “She’ll know that one’s for you,” she says, “and one’s for her.” And if you’re utterly stumped, “Just buy her something black and lacy,” she says. “That looks good on everyone.”

Lingerie buying cheat sheet for men

Gifting lingerie is the most intimate and expressive way of telling a woman that you love her, yet it is affordable. However, for most men, what to buy and in what size is a terrifying mystery. It is also perilous; you can easily buy something inappropriate or in the wrong size.

Here is a guide to buying lingerie for those men who need one.

Give your wild fantasies a rest. The chances are if your lady has never leapt out from behind the front door at you in a dominatrix outfit, she’s really, really not going to appreciate you buying her one as a surprise. If you really think about it, buying lingerie that you fantasize about his akin to buying yourself a gift, not your lady!

Try to find out the kind of underwear that she likes to wear, and if you haven’t noticed go get your beer and watch the football game – Lignerie buying is not for you.

Does she like thongs? What styles of bras does she wear? Help her out with the dishes after dinner and then chat her up over a glass of wine and probe her on whether the prospect of suspenders is alluring to her.

How Does She Dress?

Her sartorial tastes should give you strong clues on the type of lingerie that she is likely to appreciate. If she’s inclined towards plunging necklines, and tight, low cut trousers then she may appreciate something provocative – like thongs and demi-cup bras. However, if her wardrobe consists of loose-fitting modest clothing, than don’t buy her something that Dita Von Teese would wear out to dinner! Give her the additional coverage that she seeks focusing on tasteful femininity instead – delicate embellishments, lace and pastel colors in satin and silk.

If you are not sure but must keep it a surprise, go for luxurious chemise and robe, baby doll, or camisole with matching panties in lace, silk or satin.

A pair of beautifully cut silk pajamas with a sassy camisole would also be a better bet for romance than buying her something that’ll make her feel like a hooker.

Size Matters

When it comes to size, there is literally no room for error. If it’s too small, you’ll make her feel fat, and if it’s too big you’ll make her think that YOU THINK she’s too fat, which is far worse.

There is no playing safer with size, like you can do with style. Your best bet is to note down the bra size before buying the gift. For buying panties, knowing height and weight can help, but for a bra you have to know the band and the cup size.

The next time she goes for a bath, rummage through her underwear drawer but for heaven’s sake keep your hormones in control long enough to note down the digits and letters for the bra size.

If there is more than one size, write them all down and take them into an underwear shop and seek help from a lingerie store attendant. They are used to helping men pick stuff for their sweethearts. There is no need to feel embarrassed, its routine for the stores.

If your scruples, or nerves stand in the way of peeping into her drawers, try charm and a more direct approach.

“Honey, you have adorable breasts. What size are they?” Alternatively, if you’ve been with your lady for a while and might offend her by asking a question you’re supposed to know the answer to, just take a gander in her knicker drawer and write down the bra and knicker sizes you see in there.

What Color Should You Buy?

Walk into her closet If there are some colors that crop up a lot, you can bet they are her favorites. Buy her something in that kind of shade. If in doubt, black, nude and cream are safe classics.

Online Shopping

Shopping for lingerie online gives you the comfort of home to understand what is out there. The variety to choose from is way too large. Going to the store as a total novice can be overwhelming. For example to buy a bra there are styles, shapes, colors, sizes, material to choose from. There are push ups, minimizers, enhancers then there are padded, gel padded, unpadded, underwire – Spending time reading about it online will help you make the right choice.

Additional tips

Women don’t like to possess too lacey lingerie with too busy embellishments. Simple high quality wear in satin, silk or any comfortable clothing with a sexy touch is what most woman would like. Very bright colors like reds can be worn only occasionally.

Finally, women are fickle and hard to please… so keep the receipt and make sure that what you buy is returnable!

Lingerie shopping made easy & ‘sexy’

A sexy set of lingerie might appear to be the most intimate gift for your girl, but buying it or rather buying the right kind of lingerie can be quite a daunting task.

Particularly, if you wish to increase your intimacy with her, a wrong choice can do more harm than good. After all, nothing can be as embarrassing for a girl than getting a sexy corset in a size that’s way too small, or big, for her.

So, if you want to avoid the untimely death of your relationship, better brush up your style sense before going lingerie shopping for your girl. We bring you a few quick tips:

Size and style rule the roost: The first step to avoid making a blooper is to know her actual size and her taste. While buying a smaller size may cause her embarrassment, buying a larger size can give her an indication that you think she is bigger than what she actually is. So, it is always better to do a little homework beforehand. Check out her lingerie drawers and examine the labels where her size too will be mentioned.

Similarly, having an idea about her style sense will be a big help. Buying a bold black corset may be a wrong choice for a girl who loves flowery lacey stuff. A bad choice can only make her cringe, so observe what she loves to flaunt when you get into some steamy action. If you manage to get even a little close to what she loves, know that you have hit the jackpot. After all, finding her something she loves to flaunt is the greatest achievement for a man. So, let the time be your guide!

Shop for her body type

If she is tall and slim: Garter belts cut the body horizontally and make your leggy lass appear all the more sexy. These belts accentuate the legs and highlight the curves in her body. These belts form the basics of sexy lingerie and stand a rare chance of going wrong. Just make sure you buy complementing stockings, underwear and a bra to complete the set.

If she is voluptuous and well-endowed: Nothing works better to turn a big bust line into a sexy cleavage than a corset. Not just that, it also takes attention away from her fuller tummy by giving it a flattening effect together with highlighting the waistline.

If she is bigger and fulsome: If you think a tight fitting corset or bra will squeeze your fulsome babe into a lesser size, you are heading into trouble. Rather than making her realise she is big, give her something that not only makes her feel comfy, but covers her rounds in the best possible way. A sexy negligee will do the best to hide all the sins. Something like a baby doll that‘s fitted at the bust and flairs down, her bum will not only accentuate her cleavage but will also camouflage her big bottom. Go for dark colours as they have a slimming effect; nets and see-through fabrics are absolute no-no’s.

If she is fit and athletic: Wanna make your tomboyish girl look sexy for a change? Boy shorts in a sexier style are what you must buy. Not only will they make her athel etic bod look curvier, they will also accentuate her well toned butt. Anything from a bra to a corset complements a boy short well. So go ahead and let your sporty babe pose sexy tonight.

If she is shy: Not everyone is blessed with a girl who is confident enough of her body and doesn’t mind sporting even the most daring of lingerie styles. If your girl is not very comfortable flaunting that tiny-miny underwear that you bought for her, just ease her by adding a satin robe. The robe will take away her hesitation and the satiny effect against her body will make her feel sexy and sensual. And you never know what else it does to her mind and you might just get lucky!

Points to ponder

– Make sure what you buy doesn’t accentuate or clings to a body part that she prefers to hide. For example a big tummy or thighs…you know your girl so better pick up something that flows down those areas making her look curvy.

– Your aim should be to gift something that enhances her best assets.

– Darker colours have a slimming look.

– When it comes to fabric, cotton is a big no, as women prefer it for everyday use and as a gift option, looks boring.

– Lace, silk and satin are the safest bets. They look sensuous and feel beautiful on the skin too.

– Go for lycra only if either your girl has a ten-on-ten figure or doesn’t mind showing off those buldges. The fabric has a tendency to cling to the body.

– Same goes for nets and see-through fabrics. Buy only if she is comfy carrying them.

Make the sales woman your friend for a day, tell her your choice and let her help you find the best piece for your princess.

More than 6,000 turn out in pink for cancer walk

Four years and two days ago, Robert Cleckner became a breast cancer survivor.

The 39-year-old Akron man distinctly remembers finding a hard lump under his right breast while he was showering. He had it checked out, found it was cancerous and underwent a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy.

”Until I got it, I thought it was just a woman’s disease,” Cleckner said. ”Men actually get breast cancer.”

Cleckner was among more than 6,000 people who participated Saturday morning in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk, which started and ended at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.

The event, under mostly blue skies and a crisp fall temperature of 50 degrees, was almost a sea of pink — the color of choice when it comes to raising awareness for breast cancer. Participants wore pink shirts, coats, pants, hats, ribbons, shoes, hair, buttons and more, while decorations included pink wrappings and balloons. Some men sported shirts that read ”Real men wear pink.”

Loud dance music got feet moving and hips swaying and even inspired line dancing as people registered and warmed up before the noncompetitive, five-kilometer walk.

They raised about $200,000 — the event’s goal — bringing the 10-year total for the annual walk to $1.8 million, organizers reported.

While Cleckner was among the male breast cancer survivors there, the walk and its related activities attracted a predominantly, but far from exclusively, female crowd ranging from infants to the elderly. Organizers bill the event as a way to ”honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people about the disease and raise funds and awareness to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.”

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for about 1 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. For women, breast cancer is the second most common cancer after skin cancer, accounting for about 25 percent of all cancer diagnoses.

Participants had numerous reasons for taking part in the event. For many, it was a celebration of lives remembered and also of lives still to be lived.

Eboni Smith, 32, said she has been taking part in the annual walk since 2005, shortly after her mother, Madge Warren, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mom died from the disease in 2007 at the age of 49, she said.

”She only had two years. I come down here to show my support,” Smith said, after finishing the walk. ”I loved it.”

Her family and friends formed a group for the walk that calls itself Madge’s Angels.

Another group, the Dragon Dream Team, is made up exclusively of female breast cancer survivors, ages 40 to 78, who live in the Akron area. The group, which has its own Web site, http://www.dragondreamteam.org, works to raise funds and awareness — and to race on a boat.

”We are the only all-breast-cancer-survivor dragon boat team,” said Natalie Stemple. ”We’re not only survivors; we’re competitors.”

Dragon boat racing — its history dates back 2,000 years ago in China — is similar to sculling. The group’s 40-foot-long pink and white boat holds 20 paddlers, a coxswain and a drummer. It’s called a dragon boat because the bow is decorated with a dragon’s head.

”Our main thing is to show there is life after breast cancer,” said Lee Runkle.

A new twist at this year’s walk was a display of creatively decorated bras in what is billed as the ”Battle of the Bras” or the Comp-Bra-tition, with a winner to be chosen on Oct. 31. The decorated bras each have a catchy name, with people paying $5 to vote for their favorite. The bras can be seen online by going to http://www.cancer.org/stridesonline and clicking through the Web site to the Akron program.

The bras are, to be sure, colorful and family-friendly.

One bra, made up of a pair of witches, was called ”Cancer is scary. I witch I’d had my mammogram.”

Another bra with an owl theme asked, ”Whoooos smart and gets a mammogram?”

And yet another Halloween-themed bra proclaimed, ”Get your boooo-bies screened!”

Walk volunteer Jennifer Turley, 42, a Barberton High School teacher, stood near the bra display wearing an outrageously pink outfit that included a pink hat, wig, eyelashes, clothes and beads. All 10 of her fingernails were decorated with tiny pink ribbons.

”It’s a great cause,” Turley said. ”When I was 14, I had a lump removed. It was precancerous.”

She had another lump removed in her 30s, she said, which gave her ”matching scars.”

Turley said she makes sure to do regular self-screening and to get mammograms.

”When is cancer going to discriminate?” she asked. ”It’s not discriminating. It doesn’t care.”

More people need to be proactive in checking for cancer, Turley said.

”This is the greatest place on Earth today. It’s where you can talk about your breasts and it’s acceptable,” she quipped.

As Turley talked, Cleckner held a bra on display that a friend at his workplace made to raise funds. As of Saturday, the bejeweled bra, named Button Out Breast Cancer! was leading the Battle of the Bras competition with more than $1,040 raised toward a $2,000 goal.

”We’ve been involved in raising money for breast cancer ever since [my diagnosis],” Cleckner said.

Cleckner said he hopes that next year will mark five years without a recurrence of cancer. At that point, ”I’m out of the woods,” he said.

Four years and two days ago, Robert Cleckner became a breast cancer survivor.

The 39-year-old Akron man distinctly remembers finding a hard lump under his right breast while he was showering. He had it checked out, found it was cancerous and underwent a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy.

”Until I got it, I thought it was just a woman’s disease,” Cleckner said. ”Men actually get breast cancer.”

Cleckner was among more than 6,000 people who participated Saturday morning in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising walk, which started and ended at Lock 3 in downtown Akron.

The event, under mostly blue skies and a crisp fall temperature of 50 degrees, was almost a sea of pink — the color of choice when it comes to raising awareness for breast cancer. Participants wore pink shirts, coats, pants, hats, ribbons, shoes, hair, buttons and more, while decorations included pink wrappings and balloons. Some men sported shirts that read ”Real men wear pink.”

Loud dance music got feet moving and hips swaying and even inspired line dancing as people registered and warmed up before the noncompetitive, five-kilometer walk.

They raised about $200,000 — the event’s goal — bringing the 10-year total for the annual walk to $1.8 million, organizers reported.

While Cleckner was among the male breast cancer survivors there, the walk and its related activities attracted a predominantly, but far from exclusively, female crowd ranging from infants to the elderly. Organizers bill the event as a way to ”honor and celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate people about the disease and raise funds and awareness to create a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.”

Male breast cancer is rare, accounting for about 1 percent of breast cancer cases in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. For women, breast cancer is the second most common cancer after skin cancer, accounting for about 25 percent of all cancer diagnoses.

Participants had numerous reasons for taking part in the event. For many, it was a celebration of lives remembered and also of lives still to be lived.

Eboni Smith, 32, said she has been taking part in the annual walk since 2005, shortly after her mother, Madge Warren, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mom died from the disease in 2007 at the age of 49, she said.

”She only had two years. I come down here to show my support,” Smith said, after finishing the walk. ”I loved it.”

Her family and friends formed a group for the walk that calls itself Madge’s Angels.

Another group, the Dragon Dream Team, is made up exclusively of female breast cancer survivors, ages 40 to 78, who live in the Akron area. The group, which has its own Web site, http://www.dragondreamteam.org, works to raise funds and awareness — and to race on a boat.

”We are the only all-breast-cancer-survivor dragon boat team,” said Natalie Stemple. ”We’re not only survivors; we’re competitors.”

Dragon boat racing — its history dates back 2,000 years ago in China — is similar to sculling. The group’s 40-foot-long pink and white boat holds 20 paddlers, a coxswain and a drummer. It’s called a dragon boat because the bow is decorated with a dragon’s head.

”Our main thing is to show there is life after breast cancer,” said Lee Runkle.

A new twist at this year’s walk was a display of creatively decorated bras in what is billed as the ”Battle of the Bras” or the Comp-Bra-tition, with a winner to be chosen on Oct. 31. The decorated bras each have a catchy name, with people paying $5 to vote for their favorite. The bras can be seen online by going to http://www.cancer.org/stridesonline and clicking through the Web site to the Akron program.

The bras are, to be sure, colorful and family-friendly.

One bra, made up of a pair of witches, was called ”Cancer is scary. I witch I’d had my mammogram.”

Another bra with an owl theme asked, ”Whoooos smart and gets a mammogram?”

And yet another Halloween-themed bra proclaimed, ”Get your boooo-bies screened!”

Walk volunteer Jennifer Turley, 42, a Barberton High School teacher, stood near the bra display wearing an outrageously pink outfit that included a pink hat, wig, eyelashes, clothes and beads. All 10 of her fingernails were decorated with tiny pink ribbons.

”It’s a great cause,” Turley said. ”When I was 14, I had a lump removed. It was precancerous.”

She had another lump removed in her 30s, she said, which gave her ”matching scars.”

Turley said she makes sure to do regular self-screening and to get mammograms.

”When is cancer going to discriminate?” she asked. ”It’s not discriminating. It doesn’t care.”

More people need to be proactive in checking for cancer, Turley said.

”This is the greatest place on Earth today. It’s where you can talk about your breasts and it’s acceptable,” she quipped.

As Turley talked, Cleckner held a bra on display that a friend at his workplace made to raise funds. As of Saturday, the bejeweled bra, named Button Out Breast Cancer! was leading the Battle of the Bras competition with more than $1,040 raised toward a $2,000 goal.

”We’ve been involved in raising money for breast cancer ever since [my diagnosis],” Cleckner said.

Cleckner said he hopes that next year will mark five years without a recurrence of cancer. At that point, ”I’m out of the woods,” he said.

Avoid Wearing Tight Bra

Researchers say that wearing of tight brassieres can cause oedema which can eventually lead to breast cancer. Oedema means accumulation or stagnation of excess body fluid in cells, tissues and organs. It occurs when the body’s excretion mechanism, cardiovascular (of the heart and the blood vessels) and urinary systems are impaired.

A Breast Pathologist, Dr. (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospital explained to The Spectator that the link between wearing of tight bras and breast cancer may just be an indirect one, especially when the bra is too tight for the breast and contains metal fittings which can impede blood supply to the breast tissue.

“This, especially, is true in women with cardiovascular diseases when the heart and kidneys are not able to get rid of excess fluid from the body, just the same way as people get pedal oedema.” She said and added: “Women must therefore not subject their breasts to undue harassment of very tight bras with those unacceptable metals in them.”

Some women are used to wearing their bras throughout the day, but Dr (Mrs) Addai says that there are no hard and fast rules against, as long as the bras are not too tight and the women feels comfortable in it.

She advised that since the breasts are a symbol of beauty for women, each woman has to choose the bra that fits well and not too tight to constrict the blood vessels and impede blood supply and metabolism the breast.

Dr. (Mrs) Addai, who is also the President of Breast Care International, an NGO, explained that bras are meant to support the breast which would otherwise hang loosely according to the law of gravity.“Although with a normal cardiovascular system and with normal breasts nothing will happen if a woman refuses to wear a bra, the breasts look better when they are supported, which again prevents oedema,” she advised.

For pregnant women and lactating mothers, the Breast Pathological advised them to wear bras that fit their sizes and to do their monthly Breast Self-Examination because breast cancer can strike at any time in a woman’s life.Since the root cause of the disease is still not known, she advised women to take good care of their breasts as the breasts are very fragile.

Researchers say that wearing of tight brassieres can cause oedema which can eventually lead to breast cancer. Oedema means accumulation or stagnation of excess body fluid in cells, tissues and organs. It occurs when the body’s excretion mechanism, cardiovascular (of the heart and the blood vessels) and urinary systems are impaired.

A Breast Pathologist, Dr. (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer of Peace and Love Hospital explained to The Spectator that the link between wearing of tight bras and breast cancer may just be an indirect one, especially when the bra is too tight for the breast and contains metal fittings which can impede blood supply to the breast tissue.

“This, especially, is true in women with cardiovascular diseases when the heart and kidneys are not able to get rid of excess fluid from the body, just the same way as people get pedal oedema.” She said and added: “Women must therefore not subject their breasts to undue harassment of very tight bras with those unacceptable metals in them.”

Some women are used to wearing their bras throughout the day, but Dr (Mrs) Addai says that there are no hard and fast rules against, as long as the bras are not too tight and the women feels comfortable in it.

She advised that since the breasts are a symbol of beauty for women, each woman has to choose the bra that fits well and not too tight to constrict the blood vessels and impede blood supply and metabolism the breast.

Dr. (Mrs) Addai, who is also the President of Breast Care International, an NGO, explained that bras are meant to support the breast which would otherwise hang loosely according to the law of gravity.“Although with a normal cardiovascular system and with normal breasts nothing will happen if a woman refuses to wear a bra, the breasts look better when they are supported, which again prevents oedema,” she advised.

For pregnant women and lactating mothers, the Breast Pathological advised them to wear bras that fit their sizes and to do their monthly Breast Self-Examination because breast cancer can strike at any time in a woman’s life.Since the root cause of the disease is still not known, she advised women to take good care of their breasts as the breasts are very fragile.

Buying a bra? Take a breath and get it right

Like a preacher at a tent revival, I tend to get passionate when it comes to spreading the word of proper bra fittings. Undergarments, when sized accordingly, can give women a confidence boost that can best the sexiest pair of shoes.

But when it comes to finding the right fit, women are mighty creative with excuses. I’ve even used a few myself: I don’t want to spend a lot, I don’t like strangers touching me, blah blah blah.

Girls, zip it. There is simply no excuse for wearing ill-fitting bras.

I know from experience that’s much easier said than done. Sure, there’s been blips of heightened awareness, like when Oprah Winfrey had her entire talk show audience measured and refitted with properly sized bras.

But because so many of us are guilty of wearing the wrong size, I sought advice from experts Jennifer Manuel Carroll and Kathy Shultz, authors of the new book “Underneath It All: A Girl’s Guide to Buying, Wearing and Loving Lingerie.”

What’s behind the widespread lingerie angst? A defeating mix of denial and self-loathing that needs to go away.

“It’s almost like we have a block about our bodies, what they really look like,” Carroll says.

When the fit is off, women tend to shut down and settle for less-than-right. That is simply unacceptable.

“When you are paying attention to your underwear, you’re paying attention to yourself,” Carroll says. She owns the Bellefleur Lingerie Boutique in Seattle and partnered with fellow lingerie-lover Schultz to write a guide that aims to empower women from underneath their clothes.

The fastest way to cure an ill-fitting bra is to put yourself (literally) in the hands of experts at a boutique or department store.

And get over yourself: You are not the first bare-chested woman this salesperson has seen. Try to find someone with a similar body shape and take advantage of this one-on-one attention. As you try on different styles, talk about the fit.

You won’t be standing still when you’ve got this bra on, so give it a test drive in the fitting room: Move around, bend over at the waist. The bottom of a well-fitted bra should sit flush against the bone between your breasts.

My bra epiphany came about six years ago. Until then, my bra purchases were more of the quantity-versus-quality kind. I figured I could make it work if it was cheap enough. But something finally clicked: I started considering the fit of my clothes and how I carried myself.

I visited a lingerie boutique in Charlotte. I swore to myself I wouldn’t leave until I had found the perfect bra.

I won’t lie – there was plenty of whining and a few near-tears moments, but the sales staff and I worked through my fit issues and I walked out a more confident, less self-conscious woman.

Once I was armed with my proper size, I indulged my inner deal diva and started shopping around. I was no longer intimidated by foundation wear, in fact, I was so confident, I politely questioned the qualifications of another department store salesperson helping me (completely acceptable, boutique owner Carroll says).

And I learned things. For example, a new bra should be fit on the first set of hooks. As wear increases, and the fabric gives, move to the second and third set of hooks. Carroll says a well-made bra, with proper care, should last two years.

“Knowledge is power,” Schultz said, as she recounted the impact a T-shirt bra made on her wardrobe. “It’s amazing what one small change can do.” But be careful – it can turn into a new addiction.

“If you can afford to treat yourself to a new bra and panty set, do it,” Schultz says. “It is such a lift.”

Like a preacher at a tent revival, I tend to get passionate when it comes to spreading the word of proper bra fittings. Undergarments, when sized accordingly, can give women a confidence boost that can best the sexiest pair of shoes.

But when it comes to finding the right fit, women are mighty creative with excuses. I’ve even used a few myself: I don’t want to spend a lot, I don’t like strangers touching me, blah blah blah.

Girls, zip it. There is simply no excuse for wearing ill-fitting bras.

I know from experience that’s much easier said than done. Sure, there’s been blips of heightened awareness, like when Oprah Winfrey had her entire talk show audience measured and refitted with properly sized bras.

But because so many of us are guilty of wearing the wrong size, I sought advice from experts Jennifer Manuel Carroll and Kathy Shultz, authors of the new book “Underneath It All: A Girl’s Guide to Buying, Wearing and Loving Lingerie.”

What’s behind the widespread lingerie angst? A defeating mix of denial and self-loathing that needs to go away.

“It’s almost like we have a block about our bodies, what they really look like,” Carroll says.

When the fit is off, women tend to shut down and settle for less-than-right. That is simply unacceptable.

“When you are paying attention to your underwear, you’re paying attention to yourself,” Carroll says. She owns the Bellefleur Lingerie Boutique in Seattle and partnered with fellow lingerie-lover Schultz to write a guide that aims to empower women from underneath their clothes.

The fastest way to cure an ill-fitting bra is to put yourself (literally) in the hands of experts at a boutique or department store.

And get over yourself: You are not the first bare-chested woman this salesperson has seen. Try to find someone with a similar body shape and take advantage of this one-on-one attention. As you try on different styles, talk about the fit.

You won’t be standing still when you’ve got this bra on, so give it a test drive in the fitting room: Move around, bend over at the waist. The bottom of a well-fitted bra should sit flush against the bone between your breasts.

My bra epiphany came about six years ago. Until then, my bra purchases were more of the quantity-versus-quality kind. I figured I could make it work if it was cheap enough. But something finally clicked: I started considering the fit of my clothes and how I carried myself.

I visited a lingerie boutique in Charlotte. I swore to myself I wouldn’t leave until I had found the perfect bra.

I won’t lie – there was plenty of whining and a few near-tears moments, but the sales staff and I worked through my fit issues and I walked out a more confident, less self-conscious woman.

Once I was armed with my proper size, I indulged my inner deal diva and started shopping around. I was no longer intimidated by foundation wear, in fact, I was so confident, I politely questioned the qualifications of another department store salesperson helping me (completely acceptable, boutique owner Carroll says).

And I learned things. For example, a new bra should be fit on the first set of hooks. As wear increases, and the fabric gives, move to the second and third set of hooks. Carroll says a well-made bra, with proper care, should last two years.

“Knowledge is power,” Schultz said, as she recounted the impact a T-shirt bra made on her wardrobe. “It’s amazing what one small change can do.” But be careful – it can turn into a new addiction.

“If you can afford to treat yourself to a new bra and panty set, do it,” Schultz says. “It is such a lift.”

Bras as Art

Bras – 26 of them, to be exact. Adorned in beads, buttons, ruffles, flowers, feathers, and… computer hardware?

The University at Buffalo’s first “Artful Bra” exhibit features these feminine and often-humorous works of art crafted by UB staff and community members to raise money for breast cancer research.

The brassieres are a part of the 2009 Employees Campaign for the Community – an annual effort where UB faculty and staff raise funds for a Western New York charity of their choice – and will be on display in the Center for the Arts until Oct. 30.

Last year, employees raised $878,000, an amount well above any other university in New York State. But Scott Nostaja, the campaign chairman, encouraged the volunteers to meet and exceed this number in 2009.

“I’m holding out for the million bucks,” Nostaja said.

The employees at Student Academic Processing Services have been active participants for the past several years, each time raffling off hand-made quilts to raise money for their elected organization, the American Cancer Society.

But Mary-Camille Swindler, the department’s assistant register and campaign liaison, felt the idea of quilts was getting a little old.

Swindler came across the Web site of a group of quilters from South Carolina who designed brassieres to be auctioned off for breast cancer awareness. It was appropriately named “The Artful Bra Project.”

“I was looking for something different to do this year and when I saw this, I thought it was a great idea,” Swindler said.

Hoping to replicate this at UB, Swindler contacted local retailers and was thrilled to find that Wal-Mart on Transit Road was willing to donate 30 bras to the effort.

Swindler appointed her colleagues as brassiere decorators and found three representatives from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Women and Children’s Hospital who were willing to lend their creativity to design their own “artful bras.”

The final display – an array of 26 diversely themed undergarments – with names ranging from “Woodstack” to “Boob Dazzler” – showcases each designer’s craftsmanship and sense of humor.

Max Levitt, a freshman theater technology and design major, was impressed.

“It was bra-tastic,” Levitt said. “I really enjoyed ‘Boobs in Bloom,’ ‘Double Feature,’ ‘Nessie’ and ‘Abracadabra’ – they were so artistic.”

Courtney Alwais, a freshman theater production major, said her favorite was “Tech Support,” a bra trimmed in wires, computer chips and duct tape made by the only male designer of the bunch.

“I felt so nerdy looking at it. It made me laugh,” Alwais said.

Although Swindler says it is too difficult for her to personally choose a favorite, she created a blog site (http://ubsartfulbra.posterous.com) where students like Levitt and Alwais can vote for the bras they enjoy the most.

And those who have fallen in love with a particular bra can take – or wear – it home with them. Instructions on submitting bids for the undergarments are detailed on the site, with a minimum amount of $25 and all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

Alwais said that with Halloween coming up, she would consider wearing many of the bras as part of a costume.

“I’m definitely going to bid,” Alwais said.

Bidding will end on Oct. 30. Although Swindler said she hasn’t received too many bids so far, she already forecasts even more artful bras in the future.

“I think we’ll be doing this for a while,” Swindler said.

Bras – 26 of them, to be exact. Adorned in beads, buttons, ruffles, flowers, feathers, and… computer hardware?

The University at Buffalo’s first “Artful Bra” exhibit features these feminine and often-humorous works of art crafted by UB staff and community members to raise money for breast cancer research.

The brassieres are a part of the 2009 Employees Campaign for the Community – an annual effort where UB faculty and staff raise funds for a Western New York charity of their choice – and will be on display in the Center for the Arts until Oct. 30.

Last year, employees raised $878,000, an amount well above any other university in New York State. But Scott Nostaja, the campaign chairman, encouraged the volunteers to meet and exceed this number in 2009.

“I’m holding out for the million bucks,” Nostaja said.

The employees at Student Academic Processing Services have been active participants for the past several years, each time raffling off hand-made quilts to raise money for their elected organization, the American Cancer Society.

But Mary-Camille Swindler, the department’s assistant register and campaign liaison, felt the idea of quilts was getting a little old.

Swindler came across the Web site of a group of quilters from South Carolina who designed brassieres to be auctioned off for breast cancer awareness. It was appropriately named “The Artful Bra Project.”

“I was looking for something different to do this year and when I saw this, I thought it was a great idea,” Swindler said.

Hoping to replicate this at UB, Swindler contacted local retailers and was thrilled to find that Wal-Mart on Transit Road was willing to donate 30 bras to the effort.

Swindler appointed her colleagues as brassiere decorators and found three representatives from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Women and Children’s Hospital who were willing to lend their creativity to design their own “artful bras.”

The final display – an array of 26 diversely themed undergarments – with names ranging from “Woodstack” to “Boob Dazzler” – showcases each designer’s craftsmanship and sense of humor.

Max Levitt, a freshman theater technology and design major, was impressed.

“It was bra-tastic,” Levitt said. “I really enjoyed ‘Boobs in Bloom,’ ‘Double Feature,’ ‘Nessie’ and ‘Abracadabra’ – they were so artistic.”

Courtney Alwais, a freshman theater production major, said her favorite was “Tech Support,” a bra trimmed in wires, computer chips and duct tape made by the only male designer of the bunch.

“I felt so nerdy looking at it. It made me laugh,” Alwais said.

Although Swindler says it is too difficult for her to personally choose a favorite, she created a blog site (http://ubsartfulbra.posterous.com) where students like Levitt and Alwais can vote for the bras they enjoy the most.

And those who have fallen in love with a particular bra can take – or wear – it home with them. Instructions on submitting bids for the undergarments are detailed on the site, with a minimum amount of $25 and all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

Alwais said that with Halloween coming up, she would consider wearing many of the bras as part of a costume.

“I’m definitely going to bid,” Alwais said.

Bidding will end on Oct. 30. Although Swindler said she hasn’t received too many bids so far, she already forecasts even more artful bras in the future.

“I think we’ll be doing this for a while,” Swindler said.

Bra chain challenge gives chemotheraphy unit a lift

A CHAIN of bras measuring more than three miles was strung across Great Bentley Green in the name of charity.

The sponsored bra challenge was staged by Clacton Lions in aid of the chemotherapy unit at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, to improve the conditions for patients who have breast cancer.

On Saturday, the Lions managed to lay out 3.08 miles of bras, but the lack of time and space stopped them making it longer.

Ladies around the district had donated more than 5,000 bras. Some arrived in the post, addressed Bras, Clacton. One special bra was devised by Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society for its next production, Are You being Served?

Adrian Robinson, one of the organisers, said: “Saturday was very blustery which always threatened to send the whole chain off into Suffolk.”

Sadly, the Lions were miles off the world record set in August this year in Bundaberg, south-east Queensland, Australia, of more than 166,000 bras stretching over 101 miles.

Despite not breaking the record, the money raised will help the cancer unit and the bras will be sent to the Third World and Eastern Europe, to be reused as part of the Lions recycling initiatives.

A CHAIN of bras measuring more than three miles was strung across Great Bentley Green in the name of charity.

The sponsored bra challenge was staged by Clacton Lions in aid of the chemotherapy unit at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, to improve the conditions for patients who have breast cancer.

On Saturday, the Lions managed to lay out 3.08 miles of bras, but the lack of time and space stopped them making it longer.

Ladies around the district had donated more than 5,000 bras. Some arrived in the post, addressed Bras, Clacton. One special bra was devised by Clacton Amateur Dramatic Society for its next production, Are You being Served?

Adrian Robinson, one of the organisers, said: “Saturday was very blustery which always threatened to send the whole chain off into Suffolk.”

Sadly, the Lions were miles off the world record set in August this year in Bundaberg, south-east Queensland, Australia, of more than 166,000 bras stretching over 101 miles.

Despite not breaking the record, the money raised will help the cancer unit and the bras will be sent to the Third World and Eastern Europe, to be reused as part of the Lions recycling initiatives

Not Cool: Sexy Lingerie For Your Pooch!

First they take our children, and now they are after our pets. The SEX EVERYTHING UP industry has struck again, and this time they’re marketing lingerie for dogs.A company in the UK sells what they call “Negligee T-Shirts,” which are “made from fine lingerie lace and the same stretchy nylons used in fine undergarments.”

First they take our children, and now they are after our pets. The SEX EVERYTHING UP industry has struck again, and this time they’re marketing lingerie for dogs.A company in the UK sells what they call “Negligee T-Shirts,” which are “made from fine lingerie lace and the same stretchy nylons used in fine undergarments.”