Lingerie life: My landslide into lingerie.xx

Lingerie life: My landslide into lingerie.xx: The media would have us believe that small independent businesses on the high street are in decline, sadly they are but many of us are now a...

My landslide into lingerie.xx

The media would have us believe that small independent businesses on the high street are in decline, sadly they are but many of us are now an online shop or boutique.  For me, I'm spinning both plates; a small shop and an online boutique.  Each business supports one another to make it work. 

I haven't always worked in retail or indeed lingerie, so here's my little back story to 2011 or about 1803 if you ask my kids because they think I am almost pre-historic:

In Lincoln we had the usual department stores that stocked some lingerie items but not a great deal and not really a proper size range.  For a growing city it had pretty poor offerings for bras.

At the time I was quite happy with my work as a remedial therapist, working with ladies mainly.  After a good few years of hearing about ladies suffering discomfort caused by ill fitting bras I decided to take a course on bra fitting to investigate the problems women were facing.  The original thought was that it would help develop my problem solving ability when faced with bra discomfort or limited mobility due to large breasts.

What I wasn't prepared for was the complexity of bra fitting and the engineering that goes into bras (and knickers.....who knew gusset depth, width and length was a thing!).  From that first morning I knew I was on a slippery slope into the lingerie world.

I was entirely consumed by this new and exciting world and knew I would be hurtling into a new career.  I found myself at trade shows, with a thirst to know more and meet those already immersed into the very insular world of lingerie.

My therapy clinic morphed into a bra fitting studio a day per week and stock started to occupy every available space in my house.  My kids started signing for deliveries and knew more about bra sizes at age 10 than most women of retirement age!

I knew it was time to take the next leap of faith into an arena I knew nothing about, back to the books and concentration of learning how to set up a retail business.  It wasn't easy, I was completely out of my depth, but slowly I got the hang of it.  Above everything else I was passionate about women getting a brilliant bra and an expert to fit them.

My skill, experience and training continued to develop.  Training course after training course with different brands around the globe, learning how they develop the products, so many component parts and how they grade the sizing.  I now train everyone that works for me with an amalgamation of the knowledge gained from each course and brands I have trained with.  

The website, what can I say...... this has been a labour of love.  The shop was holding its own and my customers were not only local but from far and wide, they wanted to be able to buy their bra in other colours or re-order the same perfect bra we had fitted them with.  I began a new quest to get a website online but little did I know this was to be my biggest challenge to date.

Website developers speak a different language!  This was nearly the undoing of me, trying to find a company that really understood the variation of bra sizes and shapes was impossible.  I encountered a few rogue traders along the way, but eventually found two amazing companies to that understood and were very patient of what I wanted to achieve.  Nick and Liam, thanks, you have been amazing! 

 https://zaddle.co.uk

 https://pop-branding.com 

Now, the idea behind the website was to bring every bit of fitting knowledge I have (the inside of my head is a bit chaotic at the best of times, but to get it on paper is quite impossible) and put it on online for you fine and lovely ladies to be able to help when choosing lingerie.  This is ongoing, capturing the right words and putting them into sensical order for website presentation is not easy.  

I can honestly say that everything on Claire Woodall Lingerie is tried and tested!  I have worn some of the most uncomfortable bras known to woman in order to help you avoid them, they have scratched, made welts, cheese grated my nipples or made me look like a mad women pulling at it all day long!  Even my staff have the displeasure of wearing new bras to test them so that you don't have to.  

If you know the bra you love, for me its Marie Jo or Prima Donna Twist heart shaped bras, they help to disguise my wonky boobs and always fit a treat.  I will always post in my "Fit Tips" if there is something you should know, an extra special addition like a 'J clip' or that the bra is coming up a little snug or even a little loose.  If there is something you want to know about a bra, if your size has 2 or 3 hooks at the back we will be able to let you know.  If you need to speak to someone about the bra, just pick up the phone or email and we will be able to help.  We all work on in the shop bra fitting, we all love lingerie, so we can help.

So there you have it, the bras on my website are the best on the market.  Trade shows, regular meetings with company reps and managers ensure I present you with excellent lingerie.  I am always on the lookout for the next best bra, the next new design or innovative product and I'm a sucker for French Couture Lace.  

Claire.xx

Lingerie life: A Mans Guide to buying the perfect Lingerie Gift.x...

Lingerie life: A Mans Guide to buying the perfect Lingerie Gift.x...: A Blokes Guide..... Hopefully you aren't reading this Christmas Eve, because the shop is shut (we are at home with a glass of somethi...

A Mans Guide to buying the perfect Lingerie Gift.xx

A Blokes Guide.....

Hopefully you aren't reading this Christmas Eve, because the shop is shut (we are at home with a glass of something delightful, we are not coming to open the shop for you) and the post is finished.  If you are reading this in November or early December, "Well Done, there is a high chance that you will probably succeed in your mission to find the perfect pressie".

Walking into the lingerie department of a large store along with a lot of other blokes during the festive season, you will encounter two types of man:

Bloke A: he has it all under control, he's striding around with ease picking up bits here and there, examining the bra like he knows what he's looking for.  Asking for certain styles and nodding with a self assurance that looks impressive.  He has several garments including some of those fluffy socks you've never seen anyone actually wear.

Bloke B: he does not have it under control, he frantically looking for anything that looks pretty.  He looks frightened, very confused and might be sweating profusely under the extreme sauna conditions of the department store.  Lets face facts here, he hasn't got the first idea and the longer he wilts under the fluorescent lights, thoughts of gift vouchers and a few pints with the boys is now looking like the best option and idea he's ever had.

If you are Bloke A, read no further.  You don't even need the gift wrapping service as you have already got that sorted, along with a selection of bows to add the finishing touches!  

If you are Bloke B, listen in, grab a cuppa and put your glasses on because quite frankly you need all the help you can get.

Lets hope your beautiful lady has been to us or shopped with us previously and has left a wish list or previous order on the PC.  If she hasn't, heres where you need your phone or if you're old skool, a pen and paper.

Firstly, you are now a detective and there are plenty of clues to be found.

• Her knicker drawer or the laundry basket is your first clue.  Get in amongst it (wait until she's definitely out, don't get caught or you could be answering some serious questions!), look for her fave bra.  The bra she wears on date nights, the ones she feels good in or maybe saves for special occasions, you want her to have something special from you.  Grab the label in the bra, you are looking for numbers and letters; something like 32DD, 36G or 38HH.  Take notes on this or better still take a photo of the label.
• Take a second picture of the actual bra (the bit at the front, the cups), take a minute to look properly, its important.  Heres a few pointers to think about: 

1. Is it underwired? Thats the U shaped wire that runs around the underside of the cup.
2. Is it non-wired? No wire or hard structure in sight or to feel.
3. Is its padded?  Extra padding to boost her natural shape or perhaps removable pads.
4. Is it moulded?  Looks like a bowl and stands up by itself.
5. Is it panels of fabric stitched together in sections?  
6. Does she like lace?  
7. How see through is the bra?

• What colours does she like?  Is her favourite lingerie set black or brightly coloured or does it have a pattern?  Think about the clothes she wears, is her wardrobe mainly dark, light or coloured?  If she only wears dark colours, a white bra is probably not for her opt for darker colours.
• Knickers next, you've guessed it...look at the label.  Take a photo, it may have a size you don't recognise (lingerie can be complicated, lots of it is made in Europe so they put their EU sizes on the label).  
• Does she like "Big Pants" (the ones you don't really like, but you know she feels good in them), or does she like a thong (yippee, yep you know those pants), or does she like a boy short or regular knickers?  Make a note of what you see her wearing the most, if she thinks you are thinking of what she likes and not what you like when buying, you are onto a winner!https://www.clairewoodall.com/deauville-full-brief
• After you have been rummaging around for a while, you may have noticed there are a few bras by the same brand.  Make a note or take another photo, this is really helpful when you are looking to buy as you may see the branding in store.
• Has she made any subtle hints or not so subtle hints, has she told you she's following any brands on social media or left any brochures around. 
• How confident is your lady?  If she is body conscious she may prefer a beautiful chemise, this will ensure she feels cherished by you and you can still buy her lingerie without her feeling self conscious. https://www.clairewoodall.com/womens-lingerie/chemise/lace-affair-chemise If she is too hot to handle then buy her something to suit her personality, if she likes luxury fabric and smooth lines you may have to be prepared for a luxury price tag.https://www.clairewoodall.com/brands/marie-jo/dawnson-moulded-deep-plunge-bra

Now you are armed with all the relevant information, you are ready to shop.  A small lingerie shop will have time and expertise to help you, take your photos and detective notepad with you, it is greatly appreciated.  We will check our files for your partners name and details, if she's shopped with us previously she may have left a wish list with us.  If she hasn't, don't be shy, we are here to help and we know our products really well.  If its EU sizing we know how to convert it, if its an old style we will know the new style that has replaced it, we are the bra experts.

We will ask lots of questions, but thats all good because you have all the correct info, right?  Yes, its written down or its on your phone in photos! 

Don't leave it until the last minute, if we haven't got what you are looking for or what she would like we can get it for you but if its coming from Europe or the USA it might take some time.  

No sweating in the sauna of a department store, no battling the traffic or parking charges.  No vague answers from a harassed teenage staff member that normally works on luggage, no long queues for the gift wrapping service.  Shop local, shop independent, shop independent online and shop with experts that really care that you make the right purchase.https://www.clairewoodall.com

Happy Shopping Gents, it doesn't matter if you are Bloke A or Bloke B.  Love your lady and make her feel special with beautiful lingerie.....and its not just at Christmas!

Claire.xx

Awards Evening 2017

Stars Best Shop Awards 2017

All was well, I was organised, I had ordered my dress in plenty of time and had found the perfect shoes to match (even though they were hideously uncomfortable and I knew they wouldn't be happy until they drew blood, but it was all in the name of beauty).

We had been nominated for four years running as finalist for the best shop awards, with a win in 2016 for "Excellence and Outstanding Achievement" by public vote.  Our lovely customers had voted for us with vigour, we had a victory over the likes of Rigby and Peller and Fenwicks of Bond Street!  This year we were finalists for the "Special Care Recognition" award for our work with post surgery ladies.

Special Care, lets just say it, BREAST CANCER!  Horrible, horrible, horrible and continues to effect ladies from all walks of life.  Our days are filled fitting ladies facing an uncertain future, we help to guide ladies through an area of bras I hope I never have to face myself.

We have ladies visiting us that are just about holding it together; they take a deep breath and need us to be brave too.  We also have ladies that break down, we stand together in a tight embrace whilst she is allowed to sob her heart out.  Its ok, there isn't a set rule, each and every lady is different.  We have tissues and we have time to care, my little shop is a safe place to come and you can cry (and I will cry with you), you can melt down, you can be brave (and I will try to be brave too), you can be what you need to be.

Over the years my staff and I have been honoured to help so many ladies pre and post surgery, it was decided we would like to raise as much awareness as possible.  We contacted the nice people at Coppafeel, a charity that raises awareness of breast cancer by way of checking your boobs regularly.  With fun and innovative ideas, cheeky slogans and visual reminders with stickers for the shower and swing tickets on lingerie.  We also felt the need to do something, so we entered ourselves into the London Moonwalk 2017.  We raised awareness and funds in the shop by selling pin badges, they became a talking point, giving us a platform to talk about breast cancer and the importance of checking your boobs regularly.

We took to pounding the streets and training for our walk, wearing T-Shirts with bras printed on them and bright pink hats, tweeting our photos and generally looking a little odd on a Friday night (nothing glam about sweaty women in leggings and trainers on a Friday night).  We wore our T-shirts at work, with heals and a pencil skirt to ensure we looked half decent for work!

The Moonwalk itself came around, we had a great night, walking with thousands of other ladies (and a few gents) all for the same cause.  Raising much needed funds.  If you ever want to join something amazing, do it!  All the info is here and its really easy to sign up, get your friends involved and get the best bum and legs you've had in years!   https://www.walkthewalk.org 

Back to the fabulous dress......it didn't arrive......a girls worst nightmare!  I couldn't possibly wear something I had previously worn, thats just ludicrous and was never going to happen.  I had no other choice but to go to a red carpet event in my slippers and PJ's, I love a good drama surrounding a dress but the drama had stopped being entertaining, it had become an uneasy feeling lodged in my chest.  I dashed from one shop to the next, I tried on a fabulous Union Jack dress at Caroline Chamberline, but I didn't have time for the surgery to remove some ribs for me to zip it up.  http://www.carolinechamberlain.co.uk/Union%20Jack%20Dress

I packed my case whilst having a mini melt down, by this point I had started shouting at my husband (obviously, we've been married for a millennia and knows his role is to say "yes dear" to all of my dress melt down rants).  My case was very light; it contained a nude thong, an enormous pair of hold it all in knickers, a black push-up bra and a pack of sticky bras.  Non of which were attractive but if I had any chance of getting sorted, this battle armour was definitely required. https://www.clairewoodall.com/womens-lingerie/bra-solutions

I trawled the usual haunts in London, I was swallowed up in Topshop, not knowing what floor I was on or how to get out.  I was no longer in a good mood at this point, I was sweating and my hair had taken on a Worzel Gummidge look (if your too young to know this character, look it up on FaceTube).

Then a beacon of light appeared in front of me and I could almost feel my credit card wincing in my purse.  It was going to be painful and the type of shop you always tell your husband "it was in the sale".  The kind ladies clearly took pity on me, they sat my weary husband down and placed a bucket of chocolate in his arms, a glass of something chilled and fizzy in my hand.  It was going to be ok, the very kind ladies had clearly seen the likes of me before.  They set about their work, fetching dresses, shoes, bags and more food and water for the weary husband.  It was all going well, I felt Aunty Gok was with me in spirit.  

45 minutes later, the kind ladies were steaming my dress for me.  My husband was paying for the beautiful collection of sparkly things I had acquired whilst I distracted him with "Thats good, the dress is a sale dress".  Thank goodness I had unearthed the nude thong from the depths of my drawer and the scary looking sticky bras.

We arrived at The Shakespeare Underglobe, a red carpet outside, the Oscars of the Lingerie Industry!  Lots of photos on arrival, before you spill anything down your frock and your lipstick in still in place.  Wedding day smiles are everywhere, lots of air kissing is happening, lingerie life is very kissy and full of "darlings" mainly because its tricky remembering everyones name.  

Our meals were served, another nightmare was about to happen.  The fabulous new dress was white, the starter that arrived was beetroot, this was going to end badly.  My tummy was rumbling, do I eat it and risk the springy, curly lettuce covered in BEETROOT breaking free from the confines of my plate onto my lap or do I stave?  Seriously, anyone that knows me knows I am always hungry, like "have you got worms?" hungry.  Phew, I made it through the starter (if you are a chef, have a word with yourself, beetroot is not a good food for people dressed up), the main course arrived, yep more dark food, I had to eat my dinner without gravy this evening as my nerves hadn't recovered from the beetroot starter.  Yum, pudding was just around the corner (desert if you live down South), to my horror, it was a dark chocolate pudding with dark chocolate sauce and brown ice-cream.  Could I make it through 3 courses of the most beautiful food that shouldn't ever be in the same room as a white dress?  

The awards began, I didn't for one minute expect to win my category.  I know so many great independent bra shops doing such brilliant work, I aspire to be as great.  Our award came up and my name was announced with the addition of "its a good job she got a dress", my husband had already turfed his jacket and his bowtie had gone adrift.  Quickly we straightened our attire and hot footed it to the stage, I squeezed Jemma (probably a little too hard) and the guest celebrity comedian I still have no idea of his name and a German doctor with vigour, I did a little happy dance and then my best pose and cheesiest smile for the camera.

WOWZERS!  Our second win in as many years, we had another trophy to find a place for (and dust).  We are a little shop with a big heart in the centre of a great community, being the winner of this award is not about the glitz and glamour of a fancy sparkly shop but about how you go about your business with your lovely customers.  It means the world to the girls and I, it really gives us a sense of pride that our work has been recognised as first class.

We all continue to work hard, we will feel pride in our work and we will always care about all of our ladies.  

Claire..xx

.....and the other dress, it still hasn't arrived!

Award presentation from Anita UK

Me and my lovely husband.xx

Its all about the gusset .......

Its all about the gusset......

Working in the lingerie industry means certain words become very familiar, words such as "breast bounce", "saggy", "big nipples" and eeeekkkk "gusset".

My customers are often embarrassed and start to whisper or mouth these terrifying words.  Stumbling over the words whilst trying to ask for the perfect bra to cover dark nipples, one customer managing to splutter "Like the size and colour of burgers" before actually managing to say "I have large, dark nipples".  Heaven forbid we should talk about gussets!

GUSSET!  There, I said it again, this time loud and clear in shouty capitals!

Its seems that as us ladies mature and perhaps after childbirth there is a definite need to inspect the gusset of the knickers we are potentially going to buy.  A quick inspection will deem these panties suitable or unsuitable quite quickly, generally with a small shake of the head or a little furrowed brow.  These panties do not have the required amount of fabric or the correct type of fabric.

Why?  Well, it just so happens some ladies have mentioned ......ahem.....dampness.  I know, you are cringing as you read, we are talking about feminine hygiene and dampness in the same sentence. Dampness (yep I said it again) caused by a number of factors.

Now, I'm not a gynecologist but I understand when a lady says a pair of knickers doesn't have a suitable gusset.  I too have sat on one of those plastic chairs in the summer and felt a distinct discomfort afterwards, I'm not incontinent, I'm just sweating in all the wrong places.  This type of sweating is particularly evident if you've ever seen me in the gym, I will never ever wear grey turbo tights again.

For some ladies there may be other dampness causes, I don't need to know, I am happier not knowing in fact.  My friend Lisa is an expert on the pelvic floor, she will be yelling at her screen saying come to see me about your pelvic floor if dampness is causing you issues!  www.optimum-health.me.uk

So, my introduction to some new undercrackers with a toweling gusset had my imagination in overdrive.  I immediately conjured up a series of images of bath sheets sewn into knickers, the beastly briefs were enormous!

Well, my giggles subsided as the humorous images faded away when I was presented by a rather lovely pair of lacy knickers......with a toweling gusset.  The entire range from this company had this rather unique gusset, from shape-wear to evening wear.  If you are thinking these are for a very mature lady that needs a well known brand of moisture controlling liners then you are quite wrong, these a far more refined.    

Here comes the science, well, its not really science its just pants!  The 100% cotton toweling gusset is soft and fine, no nobbly bobbly bits to chafe and irritate.  Its wide and quite long, but nothing too industrial looking I hasten to add.  When you are wearing them they feel like regular knickers, only slightly more comfortable, there is no bulky feeling I can assure you.  The hot, uncomfortable feel is gone instead leaving a cool and aerated feeling in the entire area.  These Spanish made knickers have been around for a few years but somehow only just made it to the UK.  I've often wondered why some of the European ladies look so cool and calm, they don't seem to have handbags overflowing with yeast controlling creams or that fearful look when they are approaching a plastic chair......now I know why.

The gusset enables moisture control, temperature regulation and therefore balances PH levels.  This means we can be "healthy" and the word diet hasn't been mentioned!  They even have a knicker that I can wear to the gym with good bum coverage (winner) and they don't ride up my bum within seconds (I have an olympic gold standard knicker eating bum, all those squats have paid off making my bum firm and round but the downside is no knicker is safe from my bum).

From now on I will no longer fear the plastic chair in the summer months, I will no longer check my gym pants for the tell tale sweaty crotch although the grey turbo tights will not return from the depths of the wardrobe!  I will prance around knowing my vagina is getting VIP treatment and is feeling all PH balanced and temperature controlled.

https://www.clairewoodall.com/

Full details, size range and colours canbe found at Clairewoodall.com or by popping in store to Lincoln Bra Lady.

Claire.xx

Which sports bra?

Which sports bra shall I buy?

Its one of the questions we get asked daily, often with an embarrassed giggle and the addition of "I just want to keep my girls strapped down!".  Giggles aside, keeping the girls under control is no easy task because they want to leap out of your bra and have a party of their very own.

This is where a good bra shop will have tracked down some quality sports bras and be able to pair one to you for the ultimate sporting performance (or at least a circuit of the park with your mate).

Several factors we consider when helping you select a great sports bra:

• Your body shape and breast size.  You should know we will not squash and squish those beauties into the smallest piece of Lycra we can find!
• What style of exercise will you be partaking in? #Parkrun #Boxercise #Combat #Yoga Or the latest new class which we cant even pronounce......"they say its fun".
• What is your budget?  We understand the gym membership means you now have no money left to eat.
• Are you concerned about the shape of your boobs in your gym kit?  Ahem.....a little bit because who doesn't want to look good in their gym kit? #wrappedinlycra #lookinggood #Damnfineass

We have been wear testing, reading reports and studies and generally trying not to bounce in our bras to help you ladies find the right bra.  Believe me, some of them you will be glad we saved you the struggle because at times I have had to beg my husband to help to free me from some of the contraptions!  I can assure you, its not pretty and not alluring in the slightest!

Elomi "Energise" 8041

An underwired sports bra specially developed for a fuller figure and large cup.  If you already wear and love Elomi bras you will also love Energise.  It has a unique non-compression design for ultimate support and shape, it also has clever microfiber fabric for moisture management.  Energise now has a J-hook offering the choice of straight or racer back positioning.
RRP £34.  Available 34-46 band, D-K cup (up to K cup in 34,36,38 band only).

https://www.clairewoodall.com/energise-sports-bra

Panache 

An Award winning underwired sports bra.  The wire is encased in gel to give a soft cushion next to your body whilst giving you great shape and support.  Gives a smooth silhouette under sports wear and has the racer back option (J-hook).  Fully breathable and sweat wicking fabric.  This sports bra offers encapsulation not compression, meaning your boobs will wobble inside but won't bounce out!  If you love your normal Panache bra the chances are you will love their sports bra too. 
RRP £40.  
Available from 28-40 band, B-H cup.  32&34 up to J cup.

https://www.clairewoodall.com/panache-sports-bra

If you love the Panache sports bra but it just does not fit, try the Freya Epic.  Both bras have similar attributes and take it in turns to win awards for less bounce and firm control, we find ladies will fit one or the other.  They are the same price too, this makes choosing one a little easier.  https://www.clairewoodall.com/epic-sports-bra

Anita "Extreme Control" 5527

A non-wired high impact sports bra, with a three-section cup made from high functioning pique fabric (clever fabric that is very strong).  The inner cup is lined with seamless microfibre towelling.  The seamless inner cup prevents any chafing (lets not think about nipple chafing!!!).  Ergonomic shoulder straps prevent slippage and add to the overall support.  Mesh back panelling for great anchorage along with breath-ability and temperature control.  We recommend this bra for long distance runners/walkers, it has a low profile which prevents that bulky bra feel on arm swing.  Not so good for very large cups, we recommend this bra up to around an F cup.  A little more expensive than others but it can go in the washing machine, always a bonus for us!
RRP £51.
Available 30-46 band, B-H cup European sizing.

https://www.clairewoodall.com/anita-extreme-control-sports

If you prefer a racer back option or have problems with shoulder straps slipping the Anita
"Dynamix" has virtually the same attributes as Extreme control.  RRP £53.
https://www.clairewoodall.com/dynamix-star-sports-bra

Freya "Force" AA4000

Freya soft cup (crop top style), non-wired sports bra offers great support and coverage. This bra is simplistic in its design but has all the technology; including Coolmax fabric to wick away moisture, wide shoulder straps for extra comfort, J-hook for a racer back option and 2-ply durable fabric cups for enhanced support.  This bra is great for a variety of purposes from jogging to yoga for ladies that prefer a non-wired option.  

RRP £36.  

Available 28-40 band, C-H cup.

https://www.clairewoodall.com/force-sports-bra

There are so many more sports bras on the market, its easy top get confused with which one to buy.  I have a drawer full, some of which I will never wear due to discomfort or because I might need a lie down after I have wrestled my way into it.  

There is a new sports bra in my life right now, its brand new on the market and full of high spec fabric and science.  I am a little bit in love with it, its my new best boob friend and so want it to stand up to the punishment of my gruelling training routine along with the demon washing machine.  Its an investment at over £50, before I recommend a product I will always check its value for money and fit for purpose, this means you don't have to ladies.  #itsapersonalservice #yourwelcome 

Sneak peak at the Anita"Air Control" 5544 and my boobs (I'm 32E just in case you are wondering #nofilter ).

Claire.xx

Note: All prices are correct at the time of publishing.  Colours are released seasonally and will vary.