Mad Men style: lingerie to wear for a 50s figure

Image credit: mawphoto.com

Everyone’s talking about Mad Men. Whether it’s the shockingly sexist, blinkered 50s society the show examines, the charm of the strong, central characters or the absolutely gorgeous clothes that Peggy, Joan and Betty parade, chances are you’re already as hooked as we are.

To get away with those nipped-in waists, frothy skirts and bulging bosoms, you might be mistaken for thinking that you need a perfect hourglass Nigella Lawson-esque figure. But you’d be wrong. You could be apple, pear or square in body shape, but glamorous, feminine 50s silhouettes all come down to one thing: the right lingerie. 

Get your vintage 50s wardrobe in shape with the help of the following Mad Men style lingerie, all of which our favourite Mad Men characters would most certainly approve of. 

Joan Holloway: sexy and supportive

Image credit: postbourgie

 Joan is the sauce of the ad agency office in Mad Men, with her sophisticated, smart and supremely sexy style which shows off her curvy figure with panache. Stay in line with Joan's classic 50s look with supportive lingerie which doesn't lack the sex-kitten factor and pick the Fantasie Belle balcony bra in black, £26.76 down from £31.48. The smooth black satin is cool and enigmatic, while the floral lace adds a strong feminine touch that Joan would be proud of.

Peggy Olsen: prim and practical

Image credit: mawphoto.com

 Because Peggy takes her copywriting role seriously, she needs to dress the part too. This means practical, supportive lingerie which keeps her in place without hiding her best assets completely - and if Wonderbra had been around in Peggy's time she would definitely have a few Everydays to hand. For work-ready lingerie, try Wonderbra Everyday, £20.83 down from £24.50 and embrace the comfy satin straps and thin, moulded cups which won't be revealing any distracting lines for the other office workers.

Betty Draper: fancy and feminine 

Image credit: mawphoto.com

 What with all the glam balls, romantic dinners and general Grace Kelly style posing, Betty Draper needs the effortlessly chic and pretty-pretty lingerie to match her designer wardrobe. Choose Playtex Flower bra in white lace, £19.55 down from £23 for a girly look but a reliable lift; something of a paradox these days! The scalloped edging, satin ribbon and white lace gives the lingerie an innocent look, while the wide set straps and comfort cushions pads mean you'll be able to saunter all day, hassle-free.

See more beautiful D+ bras in the November lingerie sale

Nottingham Pedalled it Pink!

Yesterday saw 500 women dressed up in pink tutus and leg-warmers cycle through Nottingham in a bid to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign, as part of the Pedal it Pink scheme. Hundreds of locals gathered in the sunny streets to support the colourful good cause, attracting over 500 cyclists and expected raising of around £35,000!



Here at Uplifted Lingerie we're always pleased to hear such successful charity stories. Breast Cancer is something we're always looking for ways to raise awareness of, and especially the supporting charities and events, so do let us know if you or your friends take part in any and you can post your pictures here on the blog!

We'd love to hear your stories or see your photos if you were at Pedal it Pink yesterday. Comment below or tweet us at @upliftedtweets and let us know your Pedal it Pink success stories!

Strictly Come Dancing: Ann to win!

Have you been watching Strictly Come Dancing this year? Well I have; it never gets boring when you can recreate the steps with your unwilling partner in the living room after a glass of wine! And I’m even more fascinated this year thanks to the round, strangely out of place shape that is Ann Widdecome. As I watched the sparkling celebrities take to the dance floor for the first time I found it hardest to take my eyes off Ann, who we’re used to seeing exclaiming shocking conservative opinions from the safety of a lumpy skirt suit.

Alhough Ann isn’t moving quite like the dream she’d like to be just yet, her moves are certainly impressive considering the show has only just begun. Ok, there's very little chance she will win, but she's still a great role model for slightly larger women to be confident about their bodies and try amazing new things, even if they do involve being wrapped in the spangliest silver jacket on earth. And you've got to admit, anyone's better than Paul Daniels!

Take a look at Anne Widdecome's Strictly Training Diary here:

Ann is adamant that she won’t be revealing any skin owing to her strict Christian morals (though we did spot a little leg lift) so we’re sure she’s got some good lingerie secured under all that glitter. It’s so important for larger sizes to be safely in place, especially doing crazy things like ballroom dancing on national TV. Take a look at our sports bra ranges and more glamorous ballroom-worthy lingerie here.

But whether Ann actually goes far or just continues to be a cuddly symbol of transfixion for us, she is a delight to watch simply because she looks like she is having a brilliant time; despite what you may expect, she’s an inspiring figure. In the words of Ann herself in a recent Daily Express http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/203034 interview, ‘I look like an elephant but I am thoroughly enjoying myself.’ 

Do you think Ann stands a chance?

Would you like to start ballroom dancing?

Are you a ballroom dancer and think Ann's got what it takes?

Do you like watching Ann or think her dance moves are a joke?

Let us know below!

Our top 5 on-trend lingerie for London Fashion Week

You’re wearing the clogs, double denim and pastels that flooded the runways at London Fashion Week earlier in the year and you're raring to buy AW10's new aviator jacket, camel coat and chunky ankle boots, but why let the trends stop at outerwear? Update your lingerie with the latest trends and pick fashion-forward lingerie sets which will look just as good on you as it does on the models showing it off.

1. WonderBra Lace Trim Balcony Bra and Lace Shortie in white
Not only is the summer trend of lace sticking around until well into next year according to trend reports, but white is also the colour to be seen in. This innocent looking lingerie set looks a picture when worn together, without being too fussy under your outfit.

2. Freya Arabella Plunge Balcony Bra and Thong
Sheer panels have been seen making jaws drop on the catwalks all the way on to celebrities such as Kelly Brook. Follow suit and match your lingerie to your cutaway and panelled body-con dresses for a sexy style that hints at what’s beneath, complete with pastel bows; another big trend that looks set to stay.

3. Elomi Tamarie Bra and Brief
Florals may have been around since last year, but it looks like dainty and dark florals are going to be even bigger this Winter. Be prepared with this charming lingerie set, which combines exotic embroidery with alluring smoky shades as a base colour.

4. Fantasie Savannah Side Support Plunge Bra and Brief
Channel more of the lace trend but with a gothic edge, with this sensuous lingerie set by Fantasie. The Briefs are ultra-flattering on larger hips and the smooth contours of the bra mean you can wear this lingerie set under your work-wear without causing too many distractions.

5. Panache Harmony Full Cup Bra and Thong
You’ve probably already got a dress which nails the ‘underwear-as-outerwear’ trend which just about every smudged-eyeliner inclined celebrity has embraced with fervour. Give the trend a cheeky twist of your own by letting these pretty bra straps show through your sheer or strappy top.


Shop for more larger lingerie here

Did you like out fashion-forward picks? Let us know by commenting below.

How to buy a bra online

You're probably wondering why you need to be told how to buy a bra: you’ve been buying your own bras for years, the bra you’re wearing feels fine and you should probably be spending your valuable time learning how to change a wheel on your car or something instead. But believe it or not, three quarters of women are going about their day - changing car wheels obviously - wearing completely the wrong bra size.

Wrong sizes are most probably owing to bad habits started early on in life, such as not getting measured for a bra properly in the first place. Such common and simple errors as these can lead to bad backs, bad posture, head-aches and sadly, sagging in later life. So, to make sure you’ve still got a bust to be proud of in years to come, follow this advice on making sure your lingerie drawer shapes up; and if doesn’t, how to buy the perfect bra online.

First up, take a look at yourself and your bra in the mirror. Are you over-spilling a little? Then your bra is probably a cup-size or two too small. Is the back of your bra sagging or climbing up your back? This back strap provides you with the majority of your support, so if it’s wrinkled, rising up or just plain loose, then you probably need to go down a size. Take a look at our guide to bra-fitting here.

To ensure the next bra you splash your cash on is the right one for you, get your bra-size measured once a year. From last minute bikini beach diets to a change in hormone levels, our weight certainly see-saws, so it should come as no surprise that our bra size changes with our dress size too.

While choosing your next bra, although you should certainly opt for comfort as well as style, don’t avoid under-wiring. Larger ladies need a helping hand, especially - if it’s discreet - so avoid flimsy cuts and pick under-wired bras. This handy bit of material will also offer you a super-sexy silhouette as well as being more effective than specific breast-minimising bras, which are known for damaging breast tissue.

So you know what to avoid and what to look for, now to take your hunt for the dream bra online. Here at Uplifted Lingerie, one mantra always rings true; you get what you pay for. Yes you could go and get a multi-pack of a plain bras in your newly discovered size from your nearest department store, but the quality won’t be as great and the fit will undoubtedly be poor. Our bras are designed for real women with real curves who want real quality, so take a look at our latest lingerie brands and ranges to find a bra which will show off just how amazing you are.

Search by size or brand on Uplifted Lingerie

Did you find this guide useful? Have you had bra size issues in the past? What are your experiences of buying lingerie online?

Let us know by leaving a comment below - we'd LOVE to hear what you think and we'll even tweet your best comments too!

Hello ladies!

Welcome to the brand spanking new Uplifted Lingerie Blog!

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Stay beautiful,
UL Editor