The Difference is like Night & Day

Formaldehyde in Victoria's Secret Bras making you sick?

Well, there is a class action law suit pending with this claim.  We'll reserve judgment on this until the verdict is out.

However, this much can be said:  at Night & Day, except for one, all the bra brands we carry manufacture their bras in countries other than China, in factories they own, manage and control.

In six years of Night & Day, we have not have any problems ( I do remember one person coming in with redness around her, she may have been sensitive to the silicone beading) with bras causing the kinds of issues that were reported on ABC today.  ABC News story on 11/11

This a case of "you get what you pay for".  Not only do the bras we sell by reputable, long-standing companies, such as Chantelle, Wacoal, Cosabella, Prima Donna, and Natori last long, and continue to work for you way past the life-expectancy of some of the truly mass-produced, less expensive options, but they are likely to be good for you, as opposed to potentially bad for you. 

Why would you ever want to wear a garment that is potentially a health hazard -- think about it -- how many hours a day do you wear your bra typically.

Personally, I'm horrified if this is true.  Not only is the product inferior in general, but hazardous, and my customers continue to report less-than-satisfactory experiences with the fitting and quality of Victoria's Secret bras.

Please, every sister out there, go to a small boutique, be fitted well, and spend on the best bras you can find.  You're worth it!

First Esperanza Academy Graduates at Bra Fittings at Night & Day

A historic moment, Esperanza Academy in Lawrence is proudly graduating their first class of sixteen eigth grade young ladies on June 10th, 2009, with the motto:"There isn't anything an Esperanza girl can't do."

Esperanza Academy, School of Hope, is a tuition-free school that creates an enriched environment fostering individual success and community commitment for fifth through eighth grade girls from Lawrence, Massachusetts.

As a member of Great Women to Know, I have supported the wonderful Esperanza girls through various porgrams and efforts, such as participation in Shadow Day. I also help gain support from our community for the incredible work the school is doing in our neighboring town to foster the growth of these young ladies blossoming into confident highschoolers.

In addition, owning Night & Day allowed me to invite the entire graduating class for bra fittings, give each bra as a gift, and impart information to the girls about how to select bras in the future and how to take care of them. Pictured here is half of the class, as the fittings took place over two separate dates.  Top to bottom: Row 1 L to R Ashly Urbaez, Analie Mendez, Row 2 L- R Dianerys Rodriguez, Dranny Garcia, Adriana Silvestre, Row 3 L-R Rosalia Garcia, Michelle Duran, Zobeida Duarte
 
Laurie Bottiger Head of School Esperanza Academy, School of Hope www.esperanzaacademy.org esperanzahead@hotmail.com 978-686-HOPE

I was so incredibly moved by the smiles.  Nothing else needs to be said. 

Good luck Esperanza girls.  Stand proud.

Should you be inspired to find out more, or offer your time, talent, or treasure in support of Esperanza, please contact Laurie Bottiger,  Head of School Esperanza Academy, School of Hope,www.esperanzaacademy.org esperanzahead@hotmail.com 978-686-HOPE

10 tips for successful bridal undergarment selection

1. When selecting your gown, ask the bridal boutique sales person about the undergarments she thinks you might need for the gown. Sometimes you need nothing!
2. Remember, if you are a voluptuous or full-busted bride a low-back, strapless gown is very hard to find a good, supportive undergarment for. Consider choosing a bra-friendly style, or one with a regular height back will give you many more options for a good bustier.
3. Go scout for the undergarments at bra fitting boutiques as soon as you select and order your gown-- call ahead for their selection of bridal under garments in your particular bra size.
4. When you go scouting, bring a picture of the gown - front & back.
5. If your undergarment needs to be ordered, give yourself and the lingerie boutique enough time before your first fitting - 6 weeks is usually sufficient, unless the order has to come from overseas.
6. When going to your first fitting, don't forget the undergarment! Many shops will refuse to fit your gown without the actual undergarment you will be wearing, because it greatly affects the fit and what alterations are required.
7. If by chance you've ended up at the bridal boutique without the undergarment, try to gown on anyway, and have the seamstress or sales person mark the front and back on your skin. And then hurry over to a lingerie boutique. The marks will help find you the right choices.
8. Ask the lingerie boutique to buy several choices and bring them all to the fitting. Ask to make sure you will be credited for the one's that didn't end up being the ideal.
9. Don't forget that function sometimes trumps form, even in bridal undergarments. You may look your best with an old-fashioned bustier with power mesh and stays, and minimal lace. That may equal less than sexy; BUT you'll be supported and sucked in!
10. While at the lingerie boutique, buy a very pretty bridal bra and panty set, a teddy, or a chemise to change into from your power mesh to feel bridal and sexy once you're in your honeymoon suite!

Bra Fitters' Raison d'Etre

Here's what a customer who visited the Andover location of Night & Day had so say.  He sent us a feedback via our contact page on the website, and granted me permission to quote him.

"I just got back from your Andover location. I brought my wife there because she was very frustrated with the service and quality of Victoria Secret (amongst others) and when we watched a bra fitting on one of the shows on TLC (I think it was "What Not to Wear") she commented on how great it would be if there was a place near us where she could go that had service like what we saw on the show. I dropped my wife at your shop, and took my daughter down the street for some shopping. I have to say, my wife, Heather is extremely pleased with the service she received and the quality of your products. So much so that as she was telling me how great it was she began to tear up because of how happy she is. Thank you so much. Any place that can make my wife feel that special will certainly be getting more business."

John, Rockland, MA

With customers like John and his wife, we'll be there helping others for a long time

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Get Audited!? Free Personal Bra Audits...

I thought I'd let you know about this novel idea I've developed for my stores!

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PERSONAL BRA AUDIT at NIGHT & DAY

In the current tight economy consumers cannot afford to waste money. Yet, millions of women do waste money on bras that do not fit or are so uncomfortable the just stuff them in a draw with other rejects. Admit it, you too have purchased a bra here or there that "sort of fits".  

Most women I meet have quite few bras in a drawer that they don’t use.Although bras are a fashion item, they are also a comfort necessity for many women. Finding and fitting the right bra is a challenge for women and as they age, their shape may change resulting in the need to change styles, brands and even sizes.

In the spirit of frugality, now you can find out if the ones sitting in your drawer actually do it for you or not.  I am inviting women to bring up to five bras to either Night & Day location for a personal bra audit where an expert fitter will check the fit of every bra to help the customer determine whether to keep them or not.Buying a bra that doesn’t fit is like throwing away money!

This is a free program; we even offer a discount that day to customers that decide to purchase new bras.

The holiday party season is the perfect time for a free personal bra audit.Let's face it, if someone is going to spend good money on that perfect dress or silk blouse, they need the right bra or lingerie under it to make sure it compliments the wearer, and they certainly don’t want to be uncomfortable at this hectic time of year.

To make an appointment for a free personal bra audit at either Night & Day location, call

the 63 Park Street Andover store at 978-475-0343 or the 58 Merrimac Street, Newburyport

store at 978-463-0343. For directions and hours visit www.nightanddaylingerie.com

 

 

No Visible Bra Lines or Otherwise Known as Back Fat?

If I had a buck for every time a woman admonishes the "flab", the "roll" the "blop", the "extra" that bulges over and under her bra in her back I'd truly be a wealthy woman by now.  In five years of Night & Day, the wish to eliminate all that completely enters in on every bra fitting conversation and experience that takes place in one of the Night & Day stores every day.

Two pieces of advice regarding the dreaded "back fat":

My professional belief is that a regular bra has to fit snugly around your rib cage, as that is where most of the support for your breasts needs to come from.  In the quest for not "back fat" many women opt for bras that are too big around.  Result?  Back fat -- just higher up on the back, where it is more noticeable.  This happens as the bra, being too big, creeps up on your back, and guess what, allows your breasts to drop in the front.  Overall, not a flattering result.   

#1 Solution:  get fitted in a bra that is snug!  It will rest lower on your ribs where you are narrower and leaner, stay in place, and support your breasts, thus minimizing the back fat and optimizing your look from the side and front.  Which is how you are faced when interacting with others by the way! 

#2 Solution:  buy a one piece, cup-sized bra cami shaper such as the Unbelievabra or UBB among friends.
We have carried in our stores for some months now, and struggle to keep them in stock.  They are comfortable and absolutely indispensable under knits -- dresses, sweaters, St-John jackets and more.  I wear mine as often as I can.  I have a completely smooth and young, trim looking back as a result.

Thought you can't wear tight-fitting clothes?  Yes, you absolutely can! 

Back fat no more. 

The Ultimate Fitting Solution: Breast Reduction - A Customer's Story

 

“I should have done this ten years ago”.

This is the reaction of most customers who choose breast reduction surgery, remarks Laura Hardiman, Store Manager and Bra Fitting consultant at Night & Day.

 
In fact, breast reduction surgery has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of all cosmetic procedures, a statistic confirmed in a recent study at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.  Most medical insurance plans cover all or most of the cost, and recoveries are usually short and uneventful.

 
Recently, a longtime client of Night and Day underwent this procedure,  technically referred to as “reduction mammaplasty”.

 
At 5’3” tall, asymmetric Double to Triple D’s were not only a “weighty” issue, but as other buxom petites experience, blouses, jackets, and other tops never fit or looked quite right. While Laura, Merit, and the staff of Night & Day are extraordinarily patient and committed to finding the right fit for all body types, it was still a difficult and, due to the asymmetry, sometimes frustrating process.

 
Two weeks after the surgery, she is thrilled with her new silhouette and pain free torso. While the surgery removed about 2 pounds of tissue, she looks like she has lost closer to 20 pounds. Her breasts are both exactly the same size, perfect C’s. In two more weeks, the surgical incisions will be completely healed, and she will be able to resume all normal activity, including sports and work outs. At that time, she’ll return for a bra fitting, something she can finally look forward to with excitement and enthusiasm!

 
Share your story and tell us how we can help.

Clues that your bra doesn't fit

Ever experienced any of these common symptoms that your bra does not fit?:

Top 10 Clues that your bra doesn’t fit:

1. Your cups runneth over, or…

2. You don’t quite fill the top of the bra.

3. Your breast droop.

4. Your bra rides up on your back.

5. You adjust your bra constantly.

6. You remove your bra as soon as you get home.

7. Your straps dig into your shoulders, causing dents and/or irritation.

8. Your breasts merge with your waistline.

9. You have irritation, excema, or skin discoloration on your torso.

10. You “hunch” your shoulders or stoop due to the weight of your breasts

Merit and her readers welcome your comments!

Go to "Post a Comment below to tell us your own bra stories, comedy or tragedy!

Bad news: -- your bra does not fit, good news: there is help. 

In order to be fitted, go (or come to Night & Day) to a specialized bra fitting boutique.  There you will find knowledge,  compassion, and expertise.

Don't you agree that given we women spend -- what -- 12-16 hours of our day in a bra -- it should fit, no matter what the trouble and cost!

Merit

My First Bra Fitting Blog!

Friends,

four plus years owning a lingerie boutique -- do I have stories! And what a topic - bra fitting.  I am anxious to get started, and hear your comments.

Look for more posts soon!  Merit