New York Magazine, known for its coverage of politics, culture, and most things urban, devoted a 4-page spread in last week's issue to ....tah...dah......the bra. Including an historical timeline and articles on the 'mechanics,' care, etc, the article didn't tell HerRoom shoppers much they can't find on HerRoom, but still.

A NYC DD (or E or F--you know how that goes) described her quest for the great bra in eight New York lingerie shops, which reminded me again why so many of us would rather buy our bras online.

The historical collage and timeline are especially fun--would make a great poster.

Guys--we understand. You'd love to buy her something sexy and luxurious, but walking into a lingerie shop is right up there with getting a cavity drilled or singing "Feelings" at a karaoke party. Even a phone order is hard--how do you explain over the phone (without the use of hands) what size bra you think she wears? So, here's the drill.

It's a a lot easier if you know her sizes. If you don't, take a look in her lingerie drawer and check the label on a bra--the size should be right there--34B, 38DD, something like that. Panties are in sizes usually from XS through XXL. Sometimes they're numerical, ranging from about 5-10.

You might also take a peak at brand names-- especially on items she wears all the time. If you see 3 Wacoal bras, for example, you can be pretty sure that's a brand she loves. Now you've got the critical info--what to buy?

Well, if you see quite a few of the same brand, you can take it up a notch and choose a luxury item in that brand. For instance, if she buys herself mid-range Le Mystere bras like this cotton racer-back bra, why not go all out and buy her this sexy, lacy confection from Le Mystere. Don't forget to add matching panties.

Or, how about buying her something you know she won't ...

Let's fact it--nursing bras are not so very sexy. We've all seen the heavy cotton white utility model. But nursing mothers take heart. Condessa has come out with a line of pretty, colorful, and lacy styles (really) that remind you (and your partner) that you are not just an all-night dairy. The Cassandra lace nursing bra comes in great colors like sunset and turquoise. It has pearl snap closures in the front and lots of support. Gives new meaning to the phrase, 'Hot Mamma.'

Hot News! HerRoom is now carrying hosiery. We have a complete line of Falke, including leggings, tights, pantyhose and socks. Falke is well-known for their product innovations in hosiery--combining high-tech processes with an eye for hot design. Leggings are back in style and tights are huge! Check out the Falke line and stock up.

Le Mystere No.9 is the first collection of innovative, designer bras incorporating patented technology to compliment the shape of women who have undergone breast enhancement surgery. After breast augmentation, a woman's shape as well as breast size changes - rounder and fuller on top with wider cleavage. Traditional bras are designed with a more oval-shaped underwire which does not conform easily to a implant's rounder shape. The No.9 garments take into account all of the anatomic changes that occur after breast enhancement.

In order to be fit properly, Le Mystere highly recommends using their fitting guide to aid in correctly sizing yourself for the Le Mystere No.9 product line. Due to the unique changes in cup depth, wire shape and distance between the cups, you may find that the fit of the Le Mystere No.9 bras may be different from other Le Mystere bras.

Cass & Co’s camisoles were featured in the November issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. The Invisibellas collection includes shaping camisoles to be worn without a bra. Think comfort, great colors, and no more visible bra lines or bulges.

Sassynips Nipple Concealers were featured on ABC’s The View last week. The silicone concealers are undetectable, lightweight, and can be re-used up to one hundred times!

Based on what we’re seeing on the runways and in the shows, Spring fashion is about feminine. Dresses are back, lace is enjoying new popularity, color is popping, and 'buff' is the new neutral. Sure, lots of what's in your underwear drawer will work with Spring's new clothes. But, at HerRoom, we're big believers in the under coordinating with and enhancing the outer. Why not add that hint of lace or get a little support with the new knits? And, as far as color goes, with soft neutrals starring on the runways and bright colors in the stores, we probably could all use some lingerie color coordination. Learn more in our articles about lace, color, and dresses for Spring.

Dresses are back with a vengeance—everything from belted shirtwaists to empire styles to slinky jumpers and chemises. This article from the San Francisco Chronicle points out that “After many seasons of separates ruling the runway, skirts and dresses, but especially dresses, dominated the American and European collections for spring. There are so many styles that even if you don't see yourself as the dress type, there is more than likely a dress for you”

And what goes under those dresses? If you’re going for the new soft knits or flowing cotton voile, a little shaping may be in order. Control panties like Flexees firm control high-cuts can help with a smooth look.

Under all styles of dresses, the slip is making a comeback. Like dresses themselves, the slip has a certain sexy innocence that’s appealing across the age groups and, surprisingly, with young shoppers.

Half or whole slip, long or very short, it’s time to add a new-fashioned version of the perennial to your wardrobe. You can see all of HerRooms’ slips here.

This season’s hottest (or coolest) neutral is ‘nude’ or ‘buff,’ as it’s being called. It’s minimalist, flattering to most, clear, and warm. And according to an interesting article from Knight-Ridder in the Dallas-Fort Worth Star Telegram, buff … “can be especially sensuous when worn in head-to-toe monochromatic pieces or lingerie, because it seems almost invisible.” Just as a side note, anyone who watched the Academy Awards probably noticed the preponderance of champagne, buff, or nude gowns on the red carpet. Always a good signal of things to come.

The Chantelle Tamarine Bra is a good choice under soft or sheer buffs. And you can find lots more of the color of the season here

According to the History Channel, the history of this day of romance is murky, but it contains traces of both ancient Roman religions and early Christianity. There are several legends about who St. Valentine was: our favorite is that he was a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II’s decree that, since single men made better soldiers, young men were not allowed to marry. The priest married young lovers in secret until he was caught and put to death. Or, as another legend has it, while Valentine was in prison, he fell in love with a young girl, to whom he wrote the ancient equivalent of love letters, signing them, ‘from Your Valentine.”

Interesting, albeit useless, factos about Valentine's Day courtesy of BrainCandy

About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling.

Quick Tip: Why not download and print our complimentary sizing chart, fill it in with your sizes, and give the guy a clue.

It’s Valentine’s Day---give him the best gift of all---you wrapped in heart-stopping sexy lingerie. We’ve done some research on what men think of lingerie (and yes, they do think about it) so that you can be the best wrapped gift he’s ever received.

According to Robb Ksiazek, who writes about fashion, lingerie can initially seem a bit intimidating unless you keep in mind that there are only a handful of supermodels and then there are the rest of us. As he writes in an article on EzineArticles.com, “Your body is beautiful no matter what shape and size it is… You can find intimate apparel the way you want it to fit your body.”

An article by Jon Gammon in GoArticles.com, reminds us that men are all about visual stimulation.

Now that we’ve all eaten too much and generally over-indulged, it’s time to kick into resolution mode and get in shape. According to the American Council on Exercise, even walking as little as one hour per week will cut the risk of heart disease in women in half. So, let’s get moving.

If you’re a lapsed exerciser or a beginner, setting some goals will help you get started. Whether you want to lose weight, gain strength, trim inches, or generally feel healthier, give yourself some realistic attainable goals and you’re more likely to succeed.

Find a program that works for you—we’re not all meant to be in an advanced spinning class five days a week. There are so many alternatives—from that ubiquitous half-hour ladies’ workout to yoga, pilates, cycling, aerobics, step, and team sports. For some, walking 30 minutes a day several times a week can be enough to make you feel more energetic and healthier.

To keep from getting bored, try to vary your routine. If you work out at a gym or class a few times a week, add in walking, running, bike riding, yoga or a sport for variety. If your exercise is all outdoors, you’re giving yourself a great excuse not to work out on lousy weather days---so plan on something you can do indoors as well.

We don’t all have the room or money for a personal in-home gym, but we all have room to get on the floor for some crunches or to stand in front of the TV for stretching exercises.

Realistic goals and a program you actually enjoy will go a long way towards success keeping this year’s fitness resolutions. And of course, it helps to have the right underwear for the job. This is no time for the dainty demi bra or little silk teddy.

Start with a sports bra that offers essential support, comfort, and breathable, moisture wicking properties.

We love the Donna Karan Underwire Sports Bra for its never-fail support, side-support panels to avoid chafing, and comfortable underwire. It’s especially good for larger-breasted women.

Champion has come up with a great idea with their Comfort Zip Sport Bra. HerRoom customers give it high marks for support, comfort, and that easy-on front zip.

With Gossard’s Shock Absorber Multiway Sports Bra, the name says it all. Shaped and padded straps that can adjust to crossover position, molded inner support panels, and very breathable, moisture-wicking fabric makes this the choice for high-intensity workouts.

ExOfficio’s Bikini Brief is designed for women on the go—they’re stretchy, breathable, and moisture-wicking for the toughest workout.

ExOfficio also makes a seamless version with a no-tag waistband, fast-drying fabric, and odor resistance.

So, now that you’ve got the right stuff, see you at the gym. Really.

Do Like the Boys Do
While thongs won't be going out of style anytime soon, this season's hottest buy is boy shorts, or as the British charmingly call them, French knickers. In England alone, sales are up 36 % on the mesh, cotton, or lace fuller cut bottoms that leave no visible panty line. And besides---'boy shorts'--what a cute name.

Take a look at the Fleur't Amber Lace Boy Short--sexy, flattering, and comfortable

The FarrWest Fresh Flowers Boy Short has 2-way stretch to fit like a second skin.

And to look and feel like you're wearing nothing at all, try the Calvin Klein Microfiber Boy Short. Seamless and smooth---it brings minimalism to the next level.

See all our boy shorts here and round out your winter wardrobe.

Under is So Over
A peek of underwear is not new. What is new is how extreme the trend is now. Almost anything shows--depending on what you want to emphasize---a peek of thong at your hip, or a ...

We have a friend who regularly receives expensive lingerie from her husband. Lucky, you say? No so much when you realize that every piece is see-through, tiny, push-up or bottom-baring. He loves that stuff. Does she? is that what you want to wear under your everyday jeans and tee? It's time to give the guys some help when it comes to under-cover gifts.

Some insights from a recent fashion article:

According to an article on MSNBC, knit sweater coats will be big this season. And you know what ‘knit’ means—clingy and shape-defining.

How about some all over slimming with the Va Bien Classic Body Suit? It will add a flattering silhouette under the season’s hot outerwear.

One thing never goes away in women’s’ fashion—cashmere. Whether a cable knit cardigan or simple crew neck, you’ll want a smooth look underneath.

Women around the world are finding creative ways to use their support garments to support important causes. Take a look at some of these recent events.

Women's groups around the world are showing their bras to raise awareness of women's' issues. In the UK, more than 5000 bras fluttered in the breeze to raise breast cancer awareness. Those bras will now travel to Cypress where they'll be a part of a world challenge. The current record is 79,000, held by a team in Singapore.

Closer to home, in Baltimore, artists are being asked to decorate bras--create art bras--for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The winning creations will be displayed at the Baltimore Washington medical Center

In South Bend, Indiana bras are coming off, being strung together, and displayed at the Morris Performing Arts center. For every bra collected, a donation is being made to local cancer services.

And in California, a collection of artified, decorated bras will go up for auction to benefit breast cancer research and patient services.

Those wild and crazy Canadians are doing something even racier--posing for the Breasts of Canada Calendar, now in its fifth year. The calendar, filled with fine art photography and lots of facts, raises funds for breast cancer research.

Celebrities packed a Design for the Cure event in LA,, where Laker Girls modeled lingerie to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Let your purchase benefit women across the globe! During October, Wacoal will donate $2.00 to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for every Awareness Bra sold.

Does your organization have a great event planned to raise money or awareness for breast cancer research? Let us know and we'll post it in our newsletter. And if you're looking for ideas, maybe some of these will inspire you.