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Test our website for 20% off

Test our website for 20% off

Help us test our new website June 17-18, 2024

We’re in the middle of a soft launch of our new website and need your help! Over the next two days (June 17-18, 2024) we’re asking for your help by testing our website and online ordering system! In return for your help, we’re going to give you…

20% off your online order | Use code: cyweb20

We are adding additional products to our website every day, but appreciate your feedback as we get things up-and-running during our soft launch of our website! If you have feedback on our new website, please send us an email! We appreciate your help!

*Discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Discount only available on web orders made on June 17, 2024 and June 18, 2024. Must use code: cyweb20 at checkout to receive discount.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your Bra Sisters if you have any questions. We can be reached at (217) 366-0244 or at [email protected].

Tidings of comfort and joy

Tidings of comfort and joy

When I think of the upcoming holiday season, comfort and joy are two words that I feel accurately reflect my thoughts and attitudes towards the months of November and December. I’m sure that this holiday season will be somewhat different than in years past, but in looking forward to the season ahead, I strive to keep these in my mind. 2020 has been a unique year of challenges and trials; however, if I take a few minutes to reflect on the positives of these unprecedented times, there have been many lessons that I have learned that I hope will stay with me long after this pandemic has passed.

The past few months have been a time of learning to embrace working from home, reprioritizing commitments, finding enjoyment in additional time at home, and unexpected additional time spent with my family. One of the biggest highlights for me has been the daily opportunity to wear comfortable attire consisting of leggings, tunic sweatshirts, and sneakers. I enjoy shopping in local boutiques and frequently see bralettes shown with cute sweaters, sweatshirts, and button up flannel shirts, but developed a preconceived notion that they were not for me.

As I recently described my dream wardrobe to a few of my friends on a Zoom happy hour recently, one told me that she had added bralettes and t-shirt bras to her daily lineup. She also mentioned that she had difficulty with tops and bras fitting her desirably due to her chest size. She found that the bralettes gave her good support. Good support was all she had to say to pique my curiosity. A few of the other friends reported that taking off their bra was one of the first things that they did when they walked through the door and were home for the evening. I did think to myself, though, if the bralette works for my friend then surely it is worth a trial. I’ve always been self-conscious about my bra size and have avoided the notion of a bra that might not be as supportive as what I’m used to. I have stuck with my Wacoal and Chantelle underwire bras for years (which are fantastic, by the way). Those two bras have served me well throughout my years of “motherhood” and I feel like I owe them my loyalty.

After hearing my friends talk about their positive experiences with bralettes, I decided that if I was ever going to try one, 2020 was going to be the year. When I went to try the bralettes on at Confidentially Yours, the Bra Sisters were kind and eager to assist me in finding my correct size and color. I was excited to find that there was a wide variety of sizes and colors available. Since I have fall and comfort clothing on my mind, there were a wide variety of fall fashion forward colors available – jade green, maroon, black, teal, yellow, and beige. I also was pleasantly surprised to find out that the size of bralette that was recommended for me was what I would purchase in most tops that I own. I tried on the Cosabella Curvy Collection. These bralettes feature a smaller band and fuller bust. A petite bra fits band size 28-30 cups DD-F. These range in size to an x-large which fits a band size of 38-40 with a cup size of G-H.

The bralette fit snug over the shoulders but once it was in place and everything was secure, it was very comfortable. I gave it a few minutes in the dressing room to make sure that I still felt comfortable a few minutes later, and decided to purchase it. I decided on a neutral color for my first bralette. I wanted to make sure that I liked the fit before I branched out to a fun color. I also felt that I could wear the neutral color with most anything if I did not care for it.

For the next few days, I wore the bralette while I was at home each day. I washed it each evening and it held up quite well for the frequency of washes. The bralette was very supportive, but it did not feel like I was wearing a bra. I love the racerback feature of my new undergarment and it also features a flattering neckline, as well. I ran errands while wearing the bra and did not feel like I overstepped any boundaries by doing so. On a rainy Saturday afternoon, I fell asleep while wearing the bralette. I truly didn’t know what I had been missing.

All this to say, I was convinced that it was not for me until I tried it….but now that I have been influenced by the bralette, I definitely have my eye on the yellow. I will be back.

Spanx Leggings – The Foundation of Your Fall Wardrobe

Spanx Leggings – The Foundation of Your Fall Wardrobe

Guest post submitted by CY customer Mindy B.

The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler. I’m slowly starting to pack away the shorts and tee-shirts for the return of my cardigans, sweatshirts, denim, and leggings. Yes…leggings and joggers. I always look forward to this time of year. I love the feel of a cool fall breeze, bonfires, hayrides, and trips to the apple orchard. As fall recently just began, I long for the days when I can dress in my comfortable attire for running errands, shuttling my children to and from school, and lounging at home. I also strive to put together outfits for my work with children which are comfortable yet professional.

I am always on the lookout for fall attire that leaves me feeling put together and polished. It’s the little things that bring me joy, and those are such things as long sweatshirts, leggings, and a cute tennis shoe to tie the outfit together. I’ve purchased many leggings or joggers throughout the years; but, had never yet tried Spanx leggings. I had heard the reviews of people loving the pants, and how they appreciated their shaping capabilities, but had just never taken the time to order a pair. I’m not sure why I hadn’t taken the time to do so, but I decided that this would be the year. With more time at home this past year and anticipating more to come in the upcoming months, I was excited to expand my wardrobe.

I was very excited to learn that Confidentially Yours recently started carrying Spanx leggings. I’m always happy to support a local business with my purchases, and my love of comfortable clothing is real. When I set out on a dreary fall morning to purchase my leggings, I was greeted by cheerful staff when I arrived at the store. A wide selection of patterns and sizes were available for me to choose from. I have a tendency to go for more basic styles with my pants, because I often wear colorful, printed tops. There were black faux leather leggings, black camouflage leggings, green camouflage leggings, and plain “very black” leggings available for me to choose from. The leggings were available in sizes XS – 3X. I grabbed a few pairs of leggings to try on, and luckily, I found that the pair that fit me the best were in my typical size. I love when that happens. They were easy to slip on and stayed put when I gave them the “dressing room trial.” I jumped up and down a few times and danced (thankfully behind the closed door because no one needs to see that). When the leggings felt comfortable and also passed my fitting room test, I decided to purchase them. I was in and out of the store in about fifteen minutes with new attire in hand. I was also happy to be able to add a few more bra bucks to my customer shopping account because I’m working towards that free bra (yes….FREE). If you haven’t signed up to earn bra bucks, make sure that you do because there are some pretty good rewards available.

At home, I found a tunic length sweatshirt to wear with my leggings and decided to wear them the next day. I loved the way that the leggings felt on. I’ve worn many Spanx products in my lifetime, and these leggings did not feel as constricting as other shapewear products that I’ve worn. They also were not loose fitting, but seemed to give support in all of the areas that I desired extra shaping. I would not describe the fit as tight as athletic leggings that you might be familiar with, but I would describe it as more of “a just right hug.” The leggings are made of nylon and spandex which makes them flexible and moveable. I also have a long torso, so I was very happy to note that the leggings hit at and cover my waistline. When I took the leggings off for the day, I threw them right in the washing machine (turned inside out) on cold to wear again the next day.

I’m very happy that I decided to make 2020 the year that I purchased a pair of Spanx leggings. In the short time that I have owned them, they have already gotten a lot of use. I love the fact that leggings can be dressed up or down depending on what you put with them. Pair your leggings with a long cardigan or tunic length blouse, and you can be ready for a day at the office. Try a pair of pumps and some fancy jewelry, and the leggings could be ready for a night out on the town. Or, try my favorite….a tunic length sweatshirt and fun athletic shoes make for a comfortable and polished look for errands, car trips, or days around the house.

As I had eyed the green camouflage leggings inside Confidentially Yours, I have a feeling that I just might be making a trip back before too long in order to make those another part of my fall wardrobe. The black leggings definitely exceeded my expectations which makes me eager to return to purchase another pair. I think that you’ll find that Spanx leggings may just become the new foundation that you never knew you were missing in your fall wardrobe.

The 5 most common questions we get asked – and our answers

The 5 most common questions we get asked – and our answers

Your Bra Sisters at Confidentially Yours are here to help you. No question is off limits and trust us when we say we’re asked a lot of questions. That’s why we thought it would be helpful to share five of the most common questions and their answers.

 

How do you tell if a bra fits correctly?

Like almost every article of clothing, how a “size” fits can really vary depending on who made the garment. So just knowing your usual band size and cup size might not necessarily get you the bra you need. To find the perfect fit, pay attention to these 5 features:

  • Comfort: You don’t want pokey underwire or elastic that cuts into your skin. If your bra makes your back hurt or irritates your skin, you don’t quite have the right fit. Bras don’t have to be uncomfortable!
  • Cup: A bra that fits right should comfortably cup the breast. See a gap in the cup, you’ve gone too big. Spilling over on the top or sides? Your cup is too small. What you want is a cup that comfortably cups the breast, with the section between cups sitting flat against the body.
  • Underwire position: Underwire should follow your natural shape. If it rides low, sits up on the bottom of the breast, or pokes your side, the fit is off.
  • Shoulder straps: Finding marks at the end of the day is a sign that the bra is not supporting you properly, and that weight is pulling down and tugging on the straps throughout the day. Straps falling down or consistently needed tightening is a sign that the elastic is wearing out.
  • Back strap: You don’t want the back of the bra pulling up towards your shoulders. This is a sign that your shoulder straps are doing all the support work. When it comes to good fit, you want the band to pull its weight too! A helpful test is to slip your straps down and see how much the bra sags. If the bra hardly sags, you’ve got the right fit.

 

Why does the band of my bra ride up?

When a bra truly fits, the band should sit straight across your back. If the band rides up, there are two possible causes:

 

  • Band is too loose: When selecting a new bra, feeling the band ride up on the widest is a sign to go down a size. Over time, the elastic in your bra will stretch, so you should start off with a snug fit from the get-go.
  • Straps are too tight: If you’ve tightening the shoulder straps as a way of lifting your breasts, you’re not getting the support you need. The bra band should do the heavy lifting.

 

Do I really need to replace my bras that often? They feel comfortable after I’ve worn them in.

As mentioned above, bras will stretch over time, which affects the support they provide. Yes, this is why there are multiple closure options, so that you can adjust over time, but eventually, your bra is going to lose its shape. When you find that the bra is loose enough to easily fit more than three fingers between the band and your skin at its tightest closure, or if you find the straps are always falling down—even after tightening them—the time has come to replace. It is hard to let go of a good bra, one that has served you well, but once it stretches out too much, you just will not get the support you need. One way to extend the life of each bra, however, is to have several in rotation, so that you are not wearing the same bra day in and day out.

 

Hand washing is a pain. Do I really need to do that?

The answer to this question really depends on how committed you are to extending the life of your bra. Washing a bra after every three wears is recommended to get rid of the sweat, oils, and deodorant residue that tends to build up and keep the material in good shape. The good news is handwashing bras is not as tricky as you might think. You can let them soak in a sink of water and detergent like one of these options that we offer at Confidentially Yours. After they have soaked, rub them gently to work out any stains, then rinse and hang them up to dry.

If you are adamantly against hand washing, get a mesh back for the washing machine and toss them in on the gentle cycle, preferably with no other clothes in the load. The key when the cycle is done, is not to pop the bras into the dryer. The heat of a dryer will break down elastic and delicate fabrics much faster than normal wear-and-tear, so always hang bras on a shower rod or lay flat to dry.

 

What kind of bras do I really need in my bra wardrobe?

Earlier this summer we shared with you our recommendations for essential summer bras. To fill out your wardrobe, consider these essentials to make sure you’re covered for any occasion:

  • A bra that matches your skin tone (plus a darker one that doesn’t): for light colors and fabrics, a bra that doesn’t contrast heavily with your skin will create a seamless look. For dark fabrics, you’ll also want a black, navy or other dark tone that won’t peek through.
  • A bra that gives you the coverage you desire: Whether your goal is to enhance your cleavage or minimize the size of your breasts, you will definitely want a bra that gives you uplift or full coverage. It is important to find a good bra that is comfortable and creates a silhouette you are comfortable with.
  • A t-shirt bra: a t-shirt bra can create a flattering, rounded shape that pairs well with a more casual look.
  • A sports bra: get the support you need while running, jumping, cycling, or dancing with a reliable, full-coverage sports bra to keep everything comfortably in place while you work out.
  • A convertible bra: whether your outfit has a halter neckline, bares your shoulders, or plunges low in the back, a good convertible bra works for any number of silhouettes, boosting your wardrobe versatility.
  • Specialty bras: Strapless, deep plunge, backless, racerback, nursing—your outfit, your life, and your body might need a specific fit. Our staff can help you find the right bra for the right occasion (and of course, the right fit to boot).

Stop in to see your Bra Sisters at Confidentially Yours for a complimentary bra fitting. Visit us Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Welcome Back to Confidentially Yours!

Welcome Back to Confidentially Yours!

We are so excited to finally be able to safely re-open our doors on May 29th to all of our customers after many, many weeks of being closed. Our online store will continue to operate and we will continue to offer free shipping and curbside pick-ups for those of you that would like to continue to shop CY virtually.

We are committed to safely welcoming you back into our store. We’ve missed you! Here are just a few of the ways we intend to keep your shopping experience safe, clean, and most of all, welcoming!

  • Constant Sanitizing:
    Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the store for the use by customers as well as our staff.
  • Increased Cleaning:
    We have increased our cleaning procedures in high-touch areas such as fitting rooms, check-out counter, and restrooms. We’ll also clean hangers and garment racks throughout the day.
  • Masks:
    Our staff will wear masks at all times. We encourage you to also wear masks while visiting our store.
  • Capacity limit:
    We will only be able to accommodate 10 individuals in the store at any one time. Please be patient with us as we navigate this next phase in re-opening our store.

Thank you so much for your continued support! We look forward to seeing you all soon!

A 21st Century Guide to Choosing Shapewear

A 21st Century Guide to Choosing Shapewear

Finding the right shapewear can improve your self-confidence and boost your self-esteem as you head into the new year. Once thought of as just for special occasions, women are celebrating shapewear and are finding it an everyday luxury. Confidentially Yours carries a large selection of shapewear and special occasion undergarments to take your outfit to the next level.

Shapewear in 2020
Shapewear is no longer just a trend spotted on the red carpet worn by celebrities. Instead, it can be worn daily to the office, trips to the grocery store, and especially on evenings out on the town by people of all ages, shapes, and desired goals. Shapewear has come a long way since its early invention where it used to push excess body tissues outward and upward rather than smooth it out evenly. If you haven’t had a chance to try on shapewear in recent years, you are more than likely in for a surprise as to how comfortable it can and should be.

Come To The Store To Try On Your Shapewear
It’s always a good idea to try shapewear on in person in order to get a feel for the garments. Ordering too small of a size in shapewear can counterbalance the smoothing effect that is desired by causing garments to look bumpy and bulky. Some people think that ordering a smaller size in shapewear will actually give them more compression and extra minimizing effects; however it can often cause the opposite to happen. Purchasing ill-fitting undergarments can also cause discomfort, sickness, dizziness, or even shortness of breath. Physicians warn that wearing too tight of shapewear can actually compress organs and nerves causing numbness and tingling. By trying your undergarments on in store by a trained fitting specialist, you can assure that you are getting that “just right” fit for your wearing needs. If you are in between sizes, your CY Bra Sisters recommend trialing a larger size rather than sizing down in your shapewear.

Choosing Shapewear
When choosing shapewear, one of the most important things to consider is having support and control in all of the right places. Finding the right size can be half the battle, but it doesn’t have to be. The Bra Sisters are here to come to your rescue. They share their ultimate tips for choosing shapewear below. They also happily offer their fitting guidelines for bras, undergarments, swimwear, and more in store during regular business hours. A trained fitting specialist is always on hand in order to help guide you in the right direction for all of your apparel needs.

Consider Your Goal For Wearing Shapewear
When purchasing shapewear, the Bra Sisters will ask you to consider your ultimate goal for wearing the shapewear in order to direct you to the most appropriate options. It is helpful to bring your outfit(s) that you are planning to wear with the shapewear with you to your fitting. The Bra Sisters encourage you to walk around the store, shop around, and sit down in the fitting room, etc, to get a feel for the apparel to determine if it is comfortable to you. Stand behind the closed fitting room door and do a little dance to determine if your shapewear will remain in place for your daily activities. (It’s ok….no ones looking). Remember, in order to look your best, you need to feel your best, too.

Shapewear Fabrics To Consider
Another factor to consider when choosing shapewear is the time of year that you are planning to wear the undergarments. Shapewear fabricated from nylon and spandex can get warm when worn in the summers; however, it may provide an extra layer of comfort when worn on cooler nights. Cotton blends of shapewear are often used for smoothing out body lines while thicker fabrics or those with higher nylon content are often used for compression and targeted zoning.

Full Bodysuit Options
Many people turn to full bodysuit shapeware in order to simplify options and to avoid the work in finding minimizing bottoms and tops that work well together. Full bodysuits are available with chest minimization and without. If a full bodysuit is not what you are looking for, the bra babes suggest finding high-waisted shapewear that hits at your bra line in order to smooth your torso. While you might find yourself thinking of granny panties, these help to provide that “just right” level of compression through your midsection to provide a nice slimming effect. There are actually shapewear pieces designed to attach to your own bras in order to hold undergarments into place and to provide a comfortable and known fit for your upper body.

Shapewear For Your Lower Body
In terms of shareware for your legs, it is recommended to look for tights with built in compression and shapewear capabilities. Wearing tights over shapewear can be uncomfortable and difficult to do because the two garments typically each contain nylon. When these two fabrics are worn together, they often don’t play nicely with one another. This can cause rolling waistlines as well as cause an evening of tugging and shifting of garments in order to stay in place.

With so many options available and with how far shapewear has evolved, it is definitely worthy of a first try or a retry. When worn correctly and appropriately, shapewear can be a welcome addition to anyone’s wardrobe. A special night out should be celebrated by wearing the just right fit and not just tolerated by wearing shapewear that is uncomfortable and constricting. The Bra Sisters at Confidentially Yours are available to help you along any step of the way in order to provide the foundations to your wardrobe and have you feeling fit and fantastic as you head into 2020.

Browse our Shapewear collection here!