New bra statistics from Consumer Reports!

A poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that 37 percent of women don’t bother to try bras on before making a purchase to make sure they fit. Wow....

Yet, 75 percent of women reported that they faced a specific challenge related to fit, and 53 percent of women have never been professionally fitted for a bra. When shopping for a new bra, 63 percent of women reported that comfort was the most important feature they looked for, followed by support (21 percent).

Bra Poll:

Bra Ownership-- Women own an average of 9 bras, but only wear 6 on a regular basis; the average woman purchased 4 bras in the past year.

Decent Exposure-- 80% of women say they would never go out in public without a bra.-- Over one-third (34%) of women take action to enhance their bra size, withthe most common methods being padded (23%) and push-up (22%) bras.

A Perfect Match-- Matching bra and panties is not a priority for most women. 58% of women say they never or rarely match bras and panties.-- Over one-quarter of women (27%) have decided against purchasing a clothing item because they did not have an appropriate bra to wear.

So, don't hesitate to come to Coup de Foudre Lingerie for a bra fitting....and get some advice on what to wear underneath.

Chantelle Bra Fitting Event: May 15-17th

Are you in search of the perfect bra?

Join Coup de Foudre Lingerie for a Chantelle Bra Fitting Event. Get 10% OFF when you purchase 2 chantelle bras.

When: Thursday & Friday May 16th, 11:00AM - 7:00PM; Saturday, May 17th, Noon-6:00PM. Where: Coup de Foudre Lingerie 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Corner of 11th and E Street).

Call now (202) 393 -0878 to schedule your bra fitting appointment

Where to shop for bra size 32-40 EFG?

Did you pick up your copy of the Washington Post Express this morning?


We love Fridays...because we are eager to read the "Style" section of the Washington Post Express...well guess what?....Coup de Foudre Lingerie is mentioned in this week end edition!


"Hollywood babes are both buxom and skinny ,and, while this combo is usually endowed by God, we must wonder where they buy bras. Brassieres with large cup sizes are rare, but Coup de Foudre Lingerie (1001 Pennsylvania Avenue NW:202-393-9878) is joining the teeny club of shops carrying E-G cups in sizes 32-40. Prima Donna Bras are pretty (There's lace!), meaning ugly elastic contraptions can go to the back of the drawer"

Happy Mother's Day!

Shop Coup de Foudre Lingerie Mother's Day gifts to celebrate all the moms in your life: Mom, Wife, Mother-in-law, Sisters, Friends. And for gift ideas for Mother's Day that are truly one-of-kind don't hesitate to get her a gift certificate and schedule a personalized bra fitting appointment. Especially if she is a new mom and recently stopped breastfeeding... she might not be sure you about her bra size anymore ... She will thank you latter once she discovered she looks better underneath her clothes.

Couture Bridal Lingerie

We just received a new bridal sleepwear collection from Christine Vancouver .

Christine Vancouver is the product of Canadian designer Christine Morton. Established in 1976, Christine Vancouvers lingerie specializes in exquisite laces and luxurious textured silks with a tremendous dedication to couture detail. Famous for its old world Victorian inspired designs and intense attention to detail, this label has an international customer base for bridal and traditional fine lingerie.

If you are looking for a stunning bridal silk chemise for your honeymoon, look no more. This bridal collection from Christine Vancouver is 100% silk and the design while simple is just irresistibly chic and elegant. It's the perfect piece of luxury for your wedding night or honeymoon!

Just add it to your bridal lingerie wish list...

Bra Life Expectancy? Bra life span?

What is your bra life expectancy? While there is no magic formula to calculate your bra life span, it depends on the following factors:


1) How many bras you own 2) How often you rotate your bras 3) How you care for your bras 4) What is the Quality & Craftmenship of your bra

1)How many bras do you own? If you wear the same bra everyday it would quickly lose its elasticity. Yes...you know you are guilty of that one...! The life expectancy for that bra would obviously be shorther and would need to be replaced more often.


Fact: On average, women own about 6-10 bras. (see our bra statistic survey)

2) How often do you rotate your bras?


We all have that favorite bra that keeps finding it's way to the top of the drawer so it gets worn more than the rest. It will wear out faster than expected.


Fact:You should rotate your bra every 2 days.


3) How do you care for your bras?


Washing and wearing, stretches the fabric and causes it to relax resulting in less support. As your bra ages, the elasticity will relax. You can wash your bra in the washing machine (unless you really have the time to do it by hand- who does?). Make sure it is hooked together to prevent tangling and use a lingerie wash bag to keep your underwear separate. Wash on delicate cycle in cool water. And please...no dryer (especially for T Shirt Bras).


Fact: Heat breaks down the spandex.


4) What is the quality of material & craftmenship of your bra?

The quality of the material and craftmenship plays an important part in the life expectancy of your bra. Some of our vendors such as Chantelle or Prima Donna do extensive testing. For example, each new fabric used by the brand is examined and tested in Chantelle’s quality control laboratory for its reaction to washing, wearing, yellowing, and color fastness. Only when the quality of the material has been approved can the fabric be used for manufacturing.


Signs it is time to buy some new bras: Discoloration, loss of elasticity or shape, torn fabric or the 3rd hook (the tighest) does not feel tight anymore.


Wouldn't be easier if you had a microship or RFID embedded in your bra to tell you you need a new one? It would then beep (like when your cell phone is about to die) when you are due for a bra tune up! Ok may be not such a good idea....

In the meantime, here's the life expectancy of some common household items by Smart Money.

SPECIAL OFFER TO OUR COUP DE FOUDRE LINGERIE BLOG READERS:


For a limited time only, Get a free Chantelle lingerie wash detergent with the purchase of any 2 chantelle bras during the month of May at the store. (while supplies last)

Prima Donna Lingerie

We are very happy to introduce Prima Donna Lingerie at our Washington, DC store. Founded in 1865, Prima Donna specialize in luxury lingerie for fuller busted women (D to H cup) that fits perfectly and has an iresistible look. The high quality of Prima Donna bra did not come by chance. It is the result of a perfect cut, an extremely attentive choice of fabrics and the strictest quality testing. Did you know that a Prima Donna bra is made from some 50 different elements, each of which is sewn together by hand?

The fit and quality is unbelievable! If you are between a 32-40 D - G cup, come on in for a bra fitting and discover the various Prima Donna collections that we carry: Menton, Deauville, Satin, Manhattan! You will be very happy with the result and the way you look.

Eco Friendly Sleepwear?

Belabumbum just launched a new eco friendly sleepwear and underwear collection. It is crafted from bamboo, an eco-friendly fabric.


DID YOU KNOW THAT bamboo fabric is a natural, soft textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass? Highly absorbent, hypoallergenic, fast drying and breathable, it is an ideal wicking fabric for next-to-skin use. Bamboo grows very rapidly and replenishes itself each year. Additionally, the plant can be harvested without ecologically damaging chemicals, and chemicals are not needed to turn the plant into fiber.

Bamboo fabric is soft to the touch and very comfortable. A perfect eco friendly collection for the environmentally-conscious female shopper!


Who would have though that going green underneath could be confortable, beautiful and sexy?


So isn't it time to get yourself a pair of sustainable underwear?


P.S: The bamboo collection is available for a limited time only at Coup de Foudre Lingerie.

French Women & Lingerie

You know how the story goes. French women don't get fat. French women are more sexy......blah blah...

So how do they do it? Keep reading for how French women view lingerie as part of their seduction tool kit.


French Women views on lingerie:

1. Lacy lingerie is an everyday must, not something saved for a romantic rendezvous


2. If your pretty bra strap shows and match your outfit "du jour"..."All the power to you!"


3. If your bra shows a little bit through your blouse...."that might get his attention".


4. French women buy matching panty with their bra...."Mais bien sur" and also tend to buy two panties per bra..."in case you lose one" or just because "panties wear out much faster than bras".


5. French women try to match their lingerie to what they wear.


6. Lingerie enjoys a lofty place in the French woman's wardrobe. So much that Galeries Lafayette, a big Parisian department store has devoted 28,000-square-foot to just lingerie....

So, how about you? What are you thoughts?

New Color for the Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong

Hanky Panky just launched several new colors for this Spring in its famous low rise thong (4911p). But one of them is a very special blue, no not just Aqua, Baby Blue, Navy Blue, Periwinkle, Denim blue...it's called "Tiffany Blue". Yes, you heard it right!

The famous, Tiffany Blue is the blue color associated with Tiffany & Co, the New York City Jewellery company. Well...that you already know...

Well, if you can't afford the magic little blue box, you can always buy the Tiffany Blue Low Rise Thong (4911p) from Hanky Panky! It's also a perfect gift for bridal showers or for your bridesmaids.

Lingerie Report Fall 2008

Top 5 Lingerie Color trends for Autumn Winter 2008/2009:

Here's a sneak preview at the top 5 lingerie color trends for Fall:

Fall is usually associated with subdued and quiet colors, but this season we are seeing a shift toward color with bright, vibrant and exciting undertone.

1. BLACKOUT -Black texture on texture, matte against shiny, against dull, against shimmering. It's very chic and sophisticated. Example: Simone Perele Stiletto, Barbara Caravanserail, Huit De Ci De La, Simone Perele Dress Code collections. For a very "Couture" and timeless feel, we love the combination of the black & beige.


2. PURPLE/LAVENDER: We saw different shades of purple, from lighter (lavender) to eletric darker purple . It's rare to see this color in lingerie so it will be your chance to splurge if it is your favorite color. Example: Aubade Comedie , Huit Jeanne, Huit Destin Collections.


3. METALLIC (SILVER): Example: Chantelle Africa Wild Silver, Barbara Caravanserail Smokey grey collections.


4. JOLTS OF RED-BERRY/DEEP RED/PLUM: Very rich and warm reds for this Fall. Example: Chantelle Africa Wild in Ruby or Chantelle Caprice in Mixed berries & Simone Perele Paradis Plum Collections.


5. DEEP FOREST : From Chocolate brown to dark green. Example: Simone Perele Paradis (Khaki), Chantelle Caprice Moka Rose Collections.

More pictures to illustrate our color trend report will be posted as it becomes available. But here's a sneak preview....