Problematic Pit Stains Perished Permanently

2010 ended on a client high note with Maureen (not her real name).  One of her big concerns were pit stains.  It's not that she gets hot all the time, she just sweats a lot.  Which, unfortunately, I can relate to.  My weapon of choice, armpit guards.

Behind the Seams Pretty Underarm Protection

I love drugstore.com because they have everything.  One check into their inventory turned up two armpit guard options.

The first, from the same company that brought you "fashion tape" made famous by Jennifer Lopez's Grammy dress.  For $10.99 the Behind the Seams Pretty Underarm Protection pads keep underarm wetness and odor off your clothes.

The second, My Dry Antiperspirant Pads for $7.99. Having this barrier between your clothes and your armpit will prevent not just the wet stains under your arms, but also those annoying white stains on your darks and yellow stains on your whites.  While not cheap to purchase on a regular basis, they will help you save on your dry cleaning.

For more delicate fabrics that you won't want to put adhesive on, purchase an undershirt with moisture wicking properties like this Spanx cami.

Mission Control- Luxury Shapewear Review

I have a love/hate relationship with shapewear.  And I'm sure my husband feels similarly.  Not because he wears it himself, but because shapewear isn't the sexiest thing I've ever worn.  I've joked that, while on a date, shapewear is false advertising just like a push-up bra.  Obviously my husband knows what I'm packing these days (see "plus-sized woman").  I'll be honest, I can't wear half the clothes in my closet without some type of shapewear on- It smooths out all of my lumps and bumps.  But let's face it, there is no sexy way to put on or peel yourself out of something that looks and feels like a sausage casing cleverly disguised as the 1940-esque girdle your grandmother wore.  My poor husband.

Needless to say I've been on the hunt for sexy shapewear for obvious reasons.  So when I stumbled across this beautiful lace bodysuit in June's InStyle Magazine, only to find out it was also shapewear, I had to look into it.  Others have tried to "dress up" shapewear, but none have mastered the balance of form and function quite like Mission Control.  Their products are less shapewear and more performance lingerie.  It's as beautiful as it is functional. And above all, affordable!

I put their products to the test on some of my friends and clients.  And their overall reaction?  W-O-W!  Some of my skinniest clients (aka- furthest from actually needing shapewear) said they would even be willing to wear shapewear if it looked as cute as this.  Now that's saying something.  My beautiful and very brave friend Amanda has graciously agreed to let me post photos of her wearing the product (because we want to see the stuff on real people, not just a model).  Pictured below are one piece from each of the Mission Control collections:

A-LIAS Sculpting Hi-Waist Brief. $38.
Notice how this "panty" easily pulls up towards her bra strap.  These babies don't roll down like others I have tried.  Only down side, and it's not necessarily a bad thing, is the they aren't exactly seamless.  To get the pretty stripes of color, they had to include seams.  However, when worn under this same black knit dress, you couldn't see them at all.

Exoskin Compression Tunic, $68
While this one is the prettiest of the three, it is really invaluable for those body con dresses.  What's great about this one is it allows you to wear your own bra.

















Body Boudoir Contour Cami, $52.
Isn't this lace beautiful?  Who wouldn't want to undress with the lights on in this hot number?  This cami comes from the same collection as the bodysuit I fell in love with in InStyle (see beginning of post).  It's so cute I don't want to hide it under my other clothes!  No one would guess that something this feminine and sexy is actually shapewear.  That's because it's not... it's performance lingerie. A+

Big thanks to Mission Control for letting me review their product, and to Amanda for being my amazing model :)

Images courtesy of InStyle Magazine, Mission Control and Jennifer Axcell

Spanx for Men: Yes or No?

My female clients know of my love/hate relationship with Spanx.  I don't always like having that extra layer (especially on hot summer days),  but I hate lumps and bumps more than a little extra sweating.  For many women like myself, shapewear is a necessary evil.  And now men can have the same experience [inset evil laugh here].  Introducing Spanx for men!

While I'm not sure anything other a diet or being stuffed into a sausage casing is going to make you look 10 pounds thinner, I do believe that shapewear can smooth out your lumps and bumps.  And this shouldn't be a luxury just for women (Lord knows the other options for guys aren't so great).  I know I couldn't wear half of my closet if I didn't wear Spanx.  So in the name of fashion, I am going to force my husband to test out these little beauties for you guys. 

Stay tuned for pics from my very unconvinced husband....

Image(s) courtesy of barenecessities.com

Practical Wardrobe Solutions: The Better Way to Tuck Your Jeans Into Boots

Boots are a staple to any cold weather wardrobe.  But if you aren't wearing them with dress/skirt or tucking your pants into them, boots are nothing more than a boring foot warmer hidden under a pair of jeans.  The most fashion forward way to wear your boots is to tuck your jeans into them.  Unless they are denim leggings, this can be tricky. 

How about this for a solution?  A $10 product that quickly and easily solves the problem: The Jean Strap.

Even when wearing skinny jeans, I find that my pants start to bunch around the knees after sitting down for a while.  A pair of these straps will help keep your denim where it belongs.

Image(s) courtesy of Jeanstraps.com