Category: Personal Style

Soon-to-be-Bride and Buyer Tells Us Her Top Bridal and Wedding Lingerie Picks

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date March 19, 2018

Wedding season—that annual social calendar window loaded with romance, hors d’oeuvres and superspecific lingerie requirements—is coming back around. We walked down the aisle straight to the source for the best-of-the-best, all-things-bridal recommendations. That’d be Bare Necessities assistant buyer Jackie Garcia, who not only knows the category inside and out professionally, she also happens to be invested in the subject personally: She’s getting married this year.

Bare it All picked Jackie’s brain recently for everything a bride and her tribe could need. From subtly shaping underwear that won’t make you scowl in your photos to your something blue to the best swimsuits to pack for the honeymoon, we’ve put together the ultimate list of Big Day essentials. All you have to remember is to say “I do.”

Tags best wedding lingerie, bridal lingerie, wedding lingerie

Inner Beauty Personal Style Power Figures

Boudoir Photographer Cate Scaglione Wants You to Know You’re Already Perfect

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date March 5, 2018

Cate Scaglione has seen it all.

As the owner of Life As Fine Art Studio in Red Bank, NJ, she’s photographed women in their 20s and in their 70s, fiancées and divorcées, every conceivable body type and even a Real Housewife. In fact, she’s widely recognized as one of the country’s go-to photographers for these intimate boudoir (that’s French for “a woman’s private bedroom or sitting room”) sessions.

“There’s a misconception that you have to be 25, blonde and thin to do this, but my average clients are middle-aged women with big careers and money to spend on a Bucket List experience for themselves,” says Cate.

Find out why she left the corporate track to carve out her own niche, what’s so magical about lingerie and why she thinks stripping down is the most freeing thing a woman can do.

Tags boudoir photographer, boudoir photography

Personal Style Swimwear

It’s Not Just Swimwear, It’s Your New Favorite Bra-Sized Swimwear

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date February 26, 2018

We take fit personally at Bare Necessities.

It starts with bras, and it extends into everything else. It’s why we bring together the best quality, best-fitting swimwear with benefits you’ll find. Sure, you can pick up a bathing suit next to the cat food and paper towels in any big box store, but if it’s confidence and support you’re after, why would you? We owe it to ourselves to rock something that fits and flatters our figures beyond what happens to be left hanging on some rack. After all, there aren’t that many times in life we’re out in public dressed in so little (and if you are, we want to hear more about your life!)—may as well make them count.

That’s the thinking behind this season’s expanded assortment. While we’re continuing with all the lines you know and love from the top bra-makers, as well as swim with shapewear and bras built in; there’s even more to explore. Whatever your most pressing fit need or style want, we have a functional, fashionable swim solution.

Let us help you find yours and make this your best swim season yet….

Tags bikinis, bra sized swimwear, one-piece swimsuit(s), swimwear picks, tankinis, top swimwear picks

Personal Style Pop Culture Relationships

Our Top Valentine’s Day Ideas and Lingerie Picks for Everyone, from the Sweetheart to the Risque-Taker

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date February 1, 2018

An above-average bottle of Champagne. Seventy-percent-minimum dark chocolate. A ridiculously fancy candle. Some treats are timeless, best savored every so often all year long and filed under “self-care.”

Of course, they happen to be extra decadent when experienced altogether. Often the only time all those stars align is on Valentine’s Day.

Sexy lingerie is one of these things, too. Consider V-Day a perfect excuse to indulge or show off some of the more special pieces you’ve collected.

Tags valentines day ideas, valentines day lingerie ideas

Personal Style

Find the Hottest Style Tips, from Hair Styles to Makeup, for Your Next Holiday or New Year’s Party

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date December 25, 2017

Merry everything! Party season is in full swing, and there’s no one we trust more on matters of glamour than hair and makeup artist to the stars Bruce Dean. Bruce is back at Bare Necessities this week as our very special guest blogger to answer your most of-the-moment holiday style questions (thanks for sharing them with us on Instagram and Facebook).

We’re bringing you Bruce’s best expert advice on mastering the smoky eye, perfecting your New Year’s Eve hairstyle and helping your makeup last until the ball drops (or you do, whichever comes first). Because with a bit of deftly applied mascara, a swipe of red lipstick and some stealthy, smoothing shapewear, 2018 will be off to a beautiful start.

Tags bruce dean, holiday style, new years eve style, style tips

Behind the Seams Personal Style Pop Culture

See Why the Half Cup Size Bra Doesn’t Exist and Find Real Solutions for Half-Size Problems

Post author By Moira Nelson
Post date December 18, 2017
12 Comments on See Why the Half Cup Size Bra Doesn’t Exist and Find Real Solutions for Half-Size Problems

If you’re plugged into pop culture, you’re probably hearing about half-size bras. At Bare Necessities, we know the phenomenon is nothing new; it’s been tried many times before. Playtex introduced the “Thank Goodness It Fits” collection years ago, which included “nearly” sizes (Nearly A, Nearly B and Nearly C) and the “Half Sizes Too” line.

Half-sizes seemed revolutionary when they launched but, despite a big marketing push, the collections were discontinued—they just weren’t relevant. Here’s why they’re nothing more than smoke and mirrors…

Tags bras with half size cups, EBP123, half cup bra, half cup size bra, half size bras

Behind the Seams Personal Style

The Ultimate Last-Minute Gift Guide for Christmas and the Holidays

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date December 14, 2017

Want to be known as a giver of great gifts? You’ve come to the right place.

These days, anything encouraging rest and relaxation is as close to priceless as it gets, and that happens to be our strong suit here at Bare Necessities. From cheeky thongs to seasonal socks to Secret Santa-worthy designer sleepwear from Ugg, Kate Spade and Oscar de la Renta, we know that sometimes the best things really do come in the smallest packages.

We’ve rounded up our best gifts so you can finish your holiday shopping in one place. Best of all: These presents will get to your door by Christmas, guaranteed (just order by December 16).

Tags last-minute Christmas gifts, last-minute gift guide, last-minute holiday gifts

Behind the Seams Personal Style

Invest in Your Wardrobe with the Top Picks in Luxury Sleepwear and Loungewear

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date December 11, 2017

Say what you will about tiresome winter weather, but the clothes are as decadent as it gets. Impossibly soft cashmere sweaters, velvet blazers, satin party dresses, brocade jackets, nubby coats….the list goes on. Simply put, there’s no better time to get extravagant.

This year, touchable, decadent fabrics have made their way from ready-to-wear over to intimates. For the price, a little luxe goes a long way (cashmere slippers, anyone?) and, if you’re daring, many of the pieces can be worn out of the house, too.

“Anyone can wear these fabrics to dress up a bit and take their wardrobe to the next level in seconds. I love that this holiday we’re seeing all these great fabrications play out across all different silhouettes, from robes to loungewear to nighties,” says Bare Necessities buyer Alyssa Barnard.

By all means, wrap yourself in something extra-special this season. A little fa-la-la-la-luxury may be the best way yet to cope with the cold.

Tags holiday luxe, luxury loungewear, luxury sleepwear, top loungewear picks, top sleepwear picks

Behind the Seams Personal Style Pop Culture

Find Top Picks for this Holiday Season, from Swimwear to Sexy Lingerie

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date December 4, 2017

It’s the most wonderful time of the year again! Of course, it can also be one of the most stressful. Whether or not you’ve gotten a jump on your gift list yet, you’re in luck: Our best-in-the-biz buyers are here to point you directly to their favorite picks for perfect presents in every category on Bare Necessities.

Now, with a minimum of time and indecision, you can find something your significant other, best friend, parents, in-laws, kids and even the dog are all but guaranteed to love. Consider it our gift to you.

Tags holiday gift guide, top bra gifts, top gifts, top holiday gifts, top swimwear gifts

Behind the Seams Personal Style

Find the Best Problem-Solving, Special Occasion and Everyday Bras with Le Mystère

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date November 20, 2017

Le Mystère became a household name when none other than Oprah named the Dream Tisha T-shirt bra one of her “Favorite Things” 15-plus years ago and ushered in a new era: the bra fit revolution. The brand is still going strong and, while Dream Tisha still anchors the whole collection, Le Mystère has gone in two different directions: solutions bras and everyday bras.

Today, we’re looking at the solutions because who doesn’t need more than a few of those in her special occasion arsenal, especially this time of year? “People tend to go to brick-and-mortar stores first to try on these types of bras because they’re too specific to take a wild swing,” says Bare Necessities premium buyer Heather Viskovic. “That’s why we decided to do a product road-test. We did the work for you, so you’ll know how to choose the right bra with the best possible fit when you really need it.”

Bare it All had three staffers put three solutions bras through their paces to find out firsthand how they actually work, whether they perform out in the real world, what they’re great (or not so great) for and everything else you’d want to know before you get a bra home so it really can be the answer to your night-out prayers.

Read on for the full scoop and to find a bra that solves some issues of your own.

Tags bra solutions, everyday bras, infinite possibilities plunge push-up bra, Le Mystère bras, push-up bra, soiree strapless bra, special occasion bras, strapless bra, the perfect ten bra

Personal Style Pop Culture

Alyssa Hertzig’s Treat Yourself, Gift Yourself Guide to Sleepwear and Loungewear

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date November 13, 2017

Alyssa Hertzig of The Sparkly Life blog is no stranger to the “treat yo’self” philosophy. A mom and a wife, a lifestyle blogger, a beauty writer for some of the world’s top magazines and, oh yeah, a Bare it All Power Figure, we knew Alyssa would be the perfect person to talk to for our holiday gift yourself guide.

Bare Necessities spent the day with Alyssa at her home outside Manhattan, hanging with her adorable kids Sadie, 7, and Nate, 4, and pup Easton. Alyssa was in full sparkly life mode during our photo session, while her in-between moments were spent trying to feed the kids, get them to after-school activities, talk to the babysitter, let the dog out….

Real life, meet the sparkly life.

That’s what this gift-yourself guide is about: the times when the reality of every day rubs up against who we imagine ourselves to be…polished, put-together, at our best even when kicking back.

“As moms, we tend to put our kids before us—and we should do that! But it doesn’t mean we don’t matter, too,” says Alyssa. “I dress my kids in adorable PJs each night, but if I’m being honest, I’ve kind of let myself go in that area. I had fallen back on wearing sweatpants and an old tee shirt to bed—not exactly chic.” And since Alyssa spends a lot of time working for home, “that outfit often follows me into the next day, so I love the idea of giving yourself the gift of cute loungewear or sleepwear. It can be just as comfy as your standby sweats, but you feel so much cuter and more confident.”

Who doesn’t need a daily dose of that? Read on for where she found it.

Inner Beauty Personal Style Power Figures Relationships

Jessica Matlin and Jennifer Goldstein See Beauty Everywhere in their Podcast for Women, Fat Mascara

Post author By Brooke Glassberg
Post date November 6, 2017

By day, Jessica Matlin (top right) is the health and beauty director at Teen Vogue, and Jennifer Goldstein (top left) is the executive beauty and health editor at Marie Claire. Not glam enough for you yet? On nights, weekends and rare, spare moments in between, they become the co-hosts of Fat Mascara, the award-winning, first-of-its-kind weekly podcast about all things beauty. (The show’s name is an allusion to the bigger, better, juicier, where-does-it-end? trend in mascara and the like.)

Since last spring, Jess and Jenn have been “raising a wand” to their favorite products; interviewing celebrities, hair stylists and makeup artists, physicians and all manner of experts; reporting the latest industry news; answering listener questions and otherwise holding up beauty as a mirror to our culture.

For bravely, stylishly and hilariously exploring this often fraught women’s territory in a smart, fresh way, we hereby name Jenn and Jess this month’s Power Figures. Read on to hear how they know a hero from a zero when it comes to cosmetics, why these print all-stars became audiophiles, how they cope with stress when they’re at their limits and what beauty really means to them.