IN FORM®

By Adam Welsch
Naomi & Nicole®

Today is International Women’s Day.  First celebrated in a few European countries on March 19, 1911, the date was changed to March 8th in 1913 and today is observed in more than seventy countries around the world.  Originally, its purpose was to generate support for the fight by women to obtain the rights to vote and hold political office, end gender discrimination, and improve working conditions, pay, and employment opportunities.  It evolved into a day to note the ever-increasing gains made by women in social, political, and economic realms, and mark their attainment of legal equality (or growing equality, in some countries) with men.  Since this is a blog about bras, panties, and shapewear, however, we’d be remiss if we didn’t take this opportunity to recognize the tremendous improvements in intimate apparel women have enjoyed since International Women’s Day was first celebrated one hundred years ago. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Miraclesuit® Shapewear

Today marks the 88^th anniversary of the publication of the inaugural edition of TIME® Magazine, America’s first weekly news magazine.  As a fixture of newsstands, libraries, waiting rooms, and coffee tables across the country, TIME® has played a central role in the coverage of political, economic, foreign-affairs, and scientific news.  But it’s also covered stories related to pop culture and lifestyles, including the latest developments from the world of fashion.  And concerns related to women’s underwear have been no exception.  In fact, looking back through the magazine’s archives takes one on a fascinating trip through the history of women’s intimates during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Here, then, is a sampling of what TIME® has reported about girdles, bras, and panties across the decades: (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Naomi & Nicole®

When you think about shapewear, which silhouette do you envision?  Do you see a torsette, a bodybriefer, a pantliner, or a waist cincher?  Chances are that you picture something more basic; chances are you see a brief.  Briefs may not be exciting, but they address certain needs well.  Think of them as the vanilla ice cream of shapewear – nothing fancy, but very popular.  But even the brief can be made with features that will surprise and delight.  In fact, I could go on and on about this pillar of shapewear, but I think it would be best to be brief. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Naomi & Nicole®

Over the past decade or so, shapewear has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity.  It’s a favorite discussion topic of morning news programs and afternoon talk shows, and is frequently written about by fashion editors and bloggers.  Many of the stars of the big and small screens promote their devotion to their favorite brands.  But despite all of the signs of general acceptance, and the ever-expanding size of the developed world’s waistlines, most women today still don’t wear shapewear.  One can’t help but wonder whether inaccurate, preconceived ideas about how shapewear looks, feels, and functions – by those who’ve never shopped for it or tried it on – aren’t causing this “usage disconnect.” (more…)