By Nancy Miller
Cupid Intimates

Last week I spent Monday afternoon trying on bras in a department store.  Whatever happened to the days when sales associates would hang on your every request, and run back and forth across the sales floor to bring you anything you desired?  They used to offer to find other sizes or different styles while you tried on merchandise in the fitting room.  Last week, instead, it was my job – as the customer – to do the running and searching, in between reps of dressing and undressing.  I left the store empty-handed and exhausted. Read the rest of this entry »

By Marcy Montgomery Jones
Cupid Intimates

Panties are often purchased for reasons of cuteness, rather than fit or function.  And recently, there’s been an explosion in cute panty presentation.  Walk into a store and you’ll find panties folded inside itty-bitty boxes, panties wrapped like hard candies in clear cellophane, and panties wound into globs and placed in plastic baking cups to look like cupcakes.  I’m as much of a sucker for great visual presentation as the next consumer, but nothing’s less satisfying than unwrapping those goodies and learning that they just don’t fit properly.  The wrong pair of panties can create lumps, bulges, and figure problems that draw unwanted attention to your backside, hips, and tummy.  Let’s discuss why panties aren’t “all for one and one for all.” Read the rest of this entry »

By MaryJo Kosisher-Demski
Cupid Intimates

Imagine, if you will, the following scenario.  It’s a lovely spring day.  You’re wearing a cute, short-sleeved T-shirt.  You’re at the airport, tearfully seeing off your husband or boyfriend.  He departs, but turns to wave one last time before dashing off to vanish among TSA personnel.  You wave back.  Suddenly, your arms flap as if you’re the one trying to become airborne.  To your astonishment, they continue to flutter even as you exit the airport, your wave having ended two minutes earlier.  Holy jiggling, Batgirl, when on earth did you sprout wings? Read the rest of this entry »

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

If you’re like most people from around the world, over the past couple of weeks you’ve been watching the XXI Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, Canada.  During the Summer and Winter Games, the events themselves are the primary attractions of course, but there are always many other interesting features for fans to absorb.  There are the personal stories of the athletes themselves; the sights, sounds, and histories of the host venues; and the international political tensions that sometimes arise among the disparate group of competing nations.  But, let’s face it, all of that can get a bit tiresome.  There’s been another topic of conversation, throughout these and previous Olympic Games, which merits some attention as well.  And that topic is underwear. Read the rest of this entry »

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

Periodically, the news media expose unethical labor practices being used in factories throughout the world.  Sometimes the problems involve child labor; other times, unsafe working conditions, unreasonably long hours or low pay, or even the physical abuse of workers.  Often, such stories are publicized because they involve world-renowned companies, celebrity owners, or well-known endorsers.  However, for every case connected to a famous brand or entertainer, there are likely a multitude of others involving companies and products of which most people have never heard.  And while such cases today, more often than not, occur in less-developed nations, we shouldn’t forget that unsafe factory conditions, as exemplified by the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911, were common in the United States until the early part of the 20^th century.  And unfortunately, sweatshops can still be found in America today. Read the rest of this entry »

By Marcy Montgomery Jones
Cupid Intimates

I’m tall.  Not the kind of tall that limits me to two-inch heels.  Nope, the kind of tall that inspires people to ask, “Did you play basketball in college?”  It’s led to a plethora of fitting-related frustrations over the years including: the inability to find shoes at department stores; the requirement to buy 36”-inseam pants online because they’re unavailable at brick & mortar retailers; and the realization that the “tall” clothes sold at most places aren’t suitable for anyone who’s 5’10” or taller.  Can I get an “AMEN”? Read the rest of this entry »

By MaryJo Kosisher-Demski
Cupid Intimates

You’re late, you’re late, and it’s not for an important date.  Congrats – you’ve just been told you’re about to be a momma!  Now, you’re facing nine months of turbulent emotions, topsy-turvy hormones, odd cravings, baby names, strangers patting your expanding belly as if you’re the Buddha, and other crazy changes you just can’t fathom … such as breasts growing to an unbelievable size.

While I’ve yet to take the dive into motherhood myself, I have plenty of friends who are moms or moms-to-be.  And to my vexed amusement, for many of them, my connection to the intimate apparel industry has somehow morphed me into a cross between Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Jack Welch.  At the expense of TMI, they’ve offered great “real world” observations about lingerie and shapewear, including opinions about which products need to be improved upon for the masses. Read the rest of this entry »

By MaryJo Kosisher-Demski
Cupid Intimates

My mom’s always been a certified game show junkie (and a Bingo junkie as well, but that’s a whole separate posting).  Thanks to this addiction, as well as the fact that we only had one TV, I spent an inordinate amount of time watching quiz shows during my formative years.  “Family Feud;” “Card Sharks;” “Treasure Hunt;” “Concentration” – you name it and I’ll know it.  Why the game-show reference in an intimate apparel blog?  Just utter the word “bra” to fifty randomly-selected people and almost as many different mental images will spring into their minds, depending on their age, cultural exposure, reproductive state, gender, etc.  It’s almost like “The $25,000 Pyramid” where players attempted to guess a series of words based on descriptions given to them by their teammates.  Since there are many different types of bras, let’s decipher some of the most common: Read the rest of this entry »

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

It’s awards season.  Perhaps you’ve already seen the 2010 Golden Globe®, People’s Choice, Screen Actors Guild, and/or Grammy® Awards shows.  Few people will miss the Academy Awards® in early March.  But how many of you know that the 2010 Femmy Awards were presented last week?  “The Emmy® Awards?” you say.   No, not the Emmys® – those for Primetime TV will be presented at the end of August.  The Femmys. They’re presented each year by The Underfashion Club, Inc. to members of the intimate apparel industry for their achievements.  This year’s Femmy Gala took place at Cipriani 42nd Street in Manhattan on February 2nd. Read the rest of this entry »

By MaryJo Kosisher-Demski
Cupid Intimates

The past few weeks have been hellish for me.  As I’ve sat and forlornly watched yet another football season draw agonizingly to a close, two things have repeatedly jumped to the front of my mind.  My two favorite teams really need to do a whole lot better next season, and too many guys, both on and off the football field, should be wearing shapewear.

You’re probably giggling now.  Who can forget that infamous “Seinfeld” episode featuring Kramer, George’s father, and “The Bro”?  But, if you stop for a moment and think, you’ll realize that men’s shapewear may not be such a bad idea.  If you’ve watched even one college or pro football game on TV, you’ve likely seen some 300-pound-plus giants in spandex pants with rolls of flesh in desperate need of compression.  And let’s face it – few non-athletes out there have the physiques of Super Bowl-bound quarterbacks.  They have their fair share of hurdles to overcome to attain at least the appearance of having a toned body.  Their problems can include: “man boobs“ (or moobs), a “beer belly,” “love handles,” or a nonexistent tush. Read the rest of this entry »