The dress and what lies beneath....

I must have tried on 100 different  dresses while I was preparing for my wedding. I, like most women, have my "problem areas".  At first, it seemed like I just couldn't find the perfect dress for my body type -- as if I was some sort of bride-to-be mutant that had to have an expensive custom fitting.  That was until of course, I had a discussion with my grandmother.

"Did you find a dress yet, sweetheart?" she asked, looking up from behind her reading glasses as she poured me another cup of tea. I explained to her my issues and woes, how expensive it was to have something custom made nowadays and how I just wish I could find something to fit to my curvy, but slim, figure. I would be lying if I said I wasn't more than slightly irritated in knowing her "fairy tale story" -- Meeting my grandfather at a USO dance, her dress she practically walked out of the store wearing and her lovely watercress finger sandwiches that were served by bright young gentlemen in tuxedos.

How did she just BUY a dress without requiring alterations? Was it her? Was it the dress? And why did clothes just fit so ... different ... 60, 50 -- Jesus -- even 30 years ago?

And then it hit me.

They wore girdles. Corsets. Garter belts. Slips. Shapewear...

After countless hours of  trying on gowns, I had finally figured it out. I marched my butt to the nearest internet access and began my search. Measured myself, read some product reviews and purchased. The following week I headed back to the store and re-tried the same dress I had poked and pulled in the mirror countless times the week before. And VOILA! Perfection! I can't help but ask you Mover's and Shaker's of the 60's and 70's: Why did you all stop wearing these things? True, I can see how being forced to wear restricting undergarments for hundreds of years could get to you, but man, these things are great!

But I digress, small details that can have a big impact on the overall appearance of a wedding gown.

What you're wearing under your dress is just as important as you dress! Bridal undergarments and lingerie play a HUGE role in how your big-day dress will fit you. Formal gowns require support, and a smooth foundation for the fabric to fall correctly on your body.

And if you're not sure where to start? Check out these links to find shapewear, sizing, and find what fits best for your body.

So our first lesson here ladies? Shapewear. Wear it. Use it. Love it.

I am on a personal campaign to "bring it back", baby.

American Shapewear: Styles and Colors for every body and occasion. (Not to mention super cute!)

Secrets in Lace: Believe me, you'll get hooked. (Check out the RAGO and Betty Page sections!)