BREAST AND BRAS

Hey guys, its been a while. Trust y'all good.

So am going to deviate a bit from what I usually post and do something else...talking about breast and bras. Yup. 

'I can't get my bra size in the stores', 'I don't know my bra size', 'My breast keeps spilling in the bras I buy', 'The cup size of bras I buy is either too big or too small', these are the usual complaints females make about bras.

Many women wear the wrong bra size and fit, which can cause discomfort with straps that dig in and a lack of support.

Ladies wearing the wrong bra won't do your milk shakes any good. We all want firm breasts and that starts with getting your perfect bra size.

To our men, don't ignore this thinking its none of your business. In fact it should be your business and your cup of tea too because if your lady's got firm boobs, its to your advantage. So help her out. Be her knight *wink*

First let's get to know the 5 ways to find out if you are wearing the right bra.

1. Does the underwire sit flat to your body?
The wires of your bra should sit behind the breast tissue along the natural crease of the breast.     

Check this by pressing on the underwire when wearing your bra, if you feel soft breast tissue        

underneath then the cup is too small and the wire will dig in throughout the day. If you feel bone   

this means that the wire is behind the breast and the cup size is correct. The center front of the bra   

should also lie flat against your body.

2. Does your bra move?

Your bra should not move throughout the day. The band around your back should feel firm and sit      in place all day long, if it moves it means that the back size of the bra is too big and is likely to rub.    A quick way to check if you have the correct back size is to pull the band at the hook and eye away    from the body and there should be an inch of give. Less than an inch means go up a back size, more    than an inch means go down a back size.

3. Do your bra straps leave a mark?
Straps should not leave indentations on your shoulders or equally slip off. Like the back band, your straps should give an inch when pulled. Adjust the straps until the breasts are supported in a natural position which is usually half way between the shoulder and the elbow.

4. Does your bra sit around the middle of your back?
The back of your bra should sit around the middle of your back and in line with the front. If the back is riding higher it means that your bust isn't getting supported properly and it will slope downwards.

5. Does your cup runneth over?
The cup of your bra should be big enough to hold the entire breast with no excess flesh spilling over the top or around the sides. A too small cup size is not only uncomfortable but causes the unflattering 'four boob' bulge. If this is happening you need to go up a cup size.

Wearing the wrong bra size also has side effects. They are: 

 1. It can cause breast pain;

2. It can cause back pain;

3. It can cause sagging breasts;

4. It can lead to shoulder and neck pain; 

5. It can cause blockage of the lymph nodes

6. It can ruin your posture 

7. It may trigger breast cancer

This is one of the side effects of wearing a wrong bra size. In extreme cases, using the wrong bra size  can also trigger breast cancer. This could happen because of the size of the bra that is too tight. This will block blood flow to the breasts, which can cause cancer. Women must stay very careful while picking up the bra size.

8. It may also cause skin abrasions 

OK lets get to it. Here's a guide to help know your perfect bra size.

To know your perfect bra size, you need to know your band and cup size.

Step 1:

Determine your Band Size With the first tool (mirror) in front of you and putting on your best fitting bra with fastened straps until your breasts are aligned in the middle of your chest – natural cup (for best results, don’t use un-padded, minimizer or sports bra) a full-length mirror, measure around the rib cage, just beneath your bust. Ensure that the tape is leveled around your body and close or tight fitting. If your result is an even number e.g. 30, add 2 to it, giving you a band size of 32. If your result is an odd number, e.g. 29, add 3 to it because band sizes usually come in even numbers. That would also give a band size of 32.

Step 2:

Determine your Bust Size To determine your bust size, put on your best fitting bra and then measure the bust around the fullest part. Ensure that the tape is leveled around the body and loose fitting, barely touching the breasts. Subtract the number you arrive at from your Band size. The difference is your cup size. See Bra Size table below.

Determine your Bra size:

Let's assume the band size is 32. Then your measured bust size is 36. The difference is 4. Then the Cup Size is D. The Bra Size in this case would be 34D.

"PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST A STARTING POINT, YOUR EXACT BRA SIZE MAY VARY SLIGHTLY."

WOMEN GENERAL SIZE GUIDE

A basic size guide for most women.

*Bra Sizing culled from Brief Essentials, Victoria Secret.

THE ART OF BESPOKE PIECES (I)

Brilliant sparkle, beauty and colour made possible by crystals on custom made shoes and bags; beautiful cut, great design, perfect material just the way you have imagined they would be.

The opportunity to own an entirely handmade pair of shoes made for your feet, arm candy (bag) made just for you: with your choice of design, shape, colour, material and more is the beauty of bespoke pieces.

As with bespoke suiting, it signifies a unique item created specifically for the wearer, fitting perfectly and speaking to his/her personal style. Unlike factory-made shoes or made-to-measure where you simply get to put your personal touch on an existing model, bespoke shoes are custom made shoes that are unique to their owner and craftsmen; and this is what the brand Ronke Adeshina is all about.

Bespoke isn’t about adding your personal touch to an existing model; what we call customisation. True bespoke pieces begins with your feet being traced and measured to get the perfect fit. Client work with the shoemaker to select the style he/she desires (from lace-up to loafer; oxford to brogue(men); from wedge to platforms, stilettos to flats (women); the choice is endless), choose the materials you want (calf, suede, leather, patent leather, alligator and many more) and decide on your sole, brouging, monk straps, heel height (their width, style and number) and innumerable other choices.

Client is met to take measurements and imprints of the feet, draft a design and select materials. The last is built. The last determines the shoe’s fit, and a custom-cut last ensures a custom-fitting shoe. The last also gives the shoe its shape. Then the construction process begins. To make a pair of shoes by hand is an arduous process that requires over sixty hours of meticulous labour. The pattern must be drafted and perfected. The uppers must be cut and fashioned to the lasts. The infrastructure must be constructed, and the welts must be hand-sewn to the insole. It’s important that final fitting is done. This allows the shoemaker to make whatever adjustments that are necessary to achieve a flawless fit. When every detail is perfected, it is delivered to the customer.

Cost of making a bespoke foot wear and bag is quite different from factory made ones. Bespoke pieces cost more because of the personal touches been given to them. These pieces especially shoes should be ordered at most eight weeks before it is needed. Enough time is needed for construction and fittings.   

The woman/man we at Ronke Adeshina cater to is the protagonist in the story of his/her own life. The chance to own an entirely handmade pair of shoes made for your feet, with your choice of design, shape, colour and material is the exquisite concept behind this hand-crafted product. After all other clothing items has been put together, shoes and bags are the true hallmark of a man/woman’s class and elegance. 

Sistersshare247 : SISTERS AT WORK - RONKE ADESHINA (RA)

Sistersshare247 : SISTERS AT WORK - RONKE ADESHINA (RA): One word .....Bespoke !  MEET CEO- RONKE ADESHINA RA Why shoe business? I have always loved shoes. I bought ...

Sistersshare247 : SISTERS AT WORK - RONKE ADESHINA (RA)

Sistersshare247 : SISTERS AT WORK - RONKE ADESHINA (RA): One word .....Bespoke !  MEET CEO- RONKE ADESHINA RA Why shoe business? I have always loved shoes. I bought ...

SHOE KNOW HOW: 5 SIGNS YOUR SHOES NEED REPLACING

These shoes need replacing….

Do you need excuses to buy new shoes? I wouldn’t dream of encouraging that kind of reckless behavior (but sometimes it is good to indulge *wink*).

If you are unsure as to whether your shoes are on their last legs, check through this list.

Signs that your shoes need replacing

*The uppers have holes. If your shoes are letting in water, it’s definitely time to let them go. Even the highest  quality shoes have a shelf life, and however much you love them, shoes that have sprung a leak are never going to last for long. Best get rid before you catch something.

*They are damaging your feet. Perhaps the arch support has ‘gone’ or part of the straps have worn through, making them feel rough against the skin. Maybe they never fitted you particularly well in the first place-but in either case the odds are they won’t suddenly fit the way you want them to, so best to cut your losses and chuck them out.

*You can no longer read the brand label. Perhaps only one for shoe purists, some will keep a pair of shoes only as long as the brand name can still be clearly read on the inner sole of the shoe. In many cases this is a good guide to the point at which a shoe becomes ‘worn out’ but it can depend on the make -  and on whether or not you wear them with socks.

*The leather/uppers are scuffed. A bit of minor scratching and crumpling is inevitable unless you only wear shoes indoors, but once you can no longer disguise the wear and tear with a bit of polish, the shoes will be looking ‘scruffy’. If that’s not a look you want to cultivate, ditch them.

*You don’t remember buying them. Try to remember what inspired you to buy these shoes, where you got them, what you wanted them for at the time and as many other details as you can. If you’re drawing a total blank (or simply thinking ‘why the HELL did I ever think they did look good?) then you probably have a case for ditching those shoes.

Can my shoes be repaired?

Don’t rush to throw out your shoes if there’s still a bit of life in them: a much loved shoe or boot can be often re-heeled for years of extra wear, and in many cases this will be much cheaper than replacing them with a similar pair. Your shoe can probably still be salvaged if the following applies:

*There is no structural damage to the uppers (leather);

*Damage to the heel has not extended to the sole;

*The damage is to embellishments, not the main body of the shoe.

Caring For Leather Shoes in Wet/Rainy Weather/Season

Rain some consider it a blessing and others really don’t. Why? Because you can’t dress as you please under rainy conditions.

Clothes designers have come up with fashionable apparel that is suitable for rainy seasons, shoe designers are yet to conclusively come up with a shoe that serves both utility and fashion during wet season (except the rubber shoes which aren’t all that fashionable). This leaves majority of shoe wearers in a dilemma as to whether to go for a chic looking shoe to match their attire or a weather appropriate shoe that does no justice to their overall look. In most cases, they choose the former.

Wearing your regular leather, suede or fabric shoes during rainy seasons has quite a number of challenges. It’s impossible to avoid mud and water during rainy season, of course with the exception of those who own vehicles (but it still possible you get in contact with water and mud). In as much as regular cleaning through polishing or using water resistant sprays will help the shoes to remain in good condition for a while, when trudging through the rain water and mud, one always runs the risk of ruining good footwear. Repeated contact with rain water spoils your shoes.

Remedy:

If you have to wear your shoes in the rain, below are a number of precautions that must be taken in order to ensure that your shoes serve you satisfactorily under such circumstances.

• Ensure you have multiple pairs of shoes: This will give the wet shoes ample time to dry properly before storage and subsequently, the next wear. Damp leather is sensitive to heat, which will harden the shoes and form cracks when flexed.
• How to dry the shoes: Leather should never be dried directly under sunlight as they will become as dry as sandpaper thus form cracks. As a means of artificially drying the shoes, you can either stuff them with newspaper crumpled into balls or even stuffed with tissue papers, as they absorb the water from the inside part of the shoes.
• The problem of moisture: The glue that firmly holds the upper sole is weakened by moisture. In addition, if the shoes are not used for a long time, moisture may even cause cracks in the soles. A small packet of baking soda or charcoal will prevent moisture, odour and bacteria from accumulating in the shoes.
• Socks are a must: Even if they get wet, socks act as a barrier between the skin and the leather. Direct skin contact with leather footwear especially when wet can cause bacterial growth.
  
• Regular polishing: Wax polish is always good on shoes, as they repel water and prevent shoe damage. This however, is limited depending on amount of water the shoes are externally exposed to.

• Be suede smart: The wet cleaning remedies that work for smooth leather aren’t good for suede, which needs to stay dry so it doesn’t lose its texture. Instead, quickly rub off overall dirt with a kneadable eraser (grab one from your kid’s art box), or just lightly remove obvious stains with an emery board. To raise the nap of suede that’s flattened, scrub briskly with a clean toothbrush or terry cloth towel. If it’s really matted, hold the shoe a few inches above the spout of a steaming teakettle for a few seconds, then brush up the nap. Please note, use appropriate suede spray for your suede shoes. Black suede spray for black suede shoe, brown suede spray for brown suede shoe. If you can’t get suede spray in colours like green, red and others, use a neutral spray. When using coloured spray, ensure you cover your hands with rubber gloves (or nylon if you can’t get rubber gloves). Also make sure you protect area so it doesn’t get stained because its very difficult to remove such stains)

Whereas these remedies will provide simple solutions to the challenges encountered when wearing your favourite leather or suede shoes during rainy seasons, it is still highly recommended that you avoid exposing your shoes to such wet conditions if you want to maximise their durability.

Rain is a gift from God, so enjoy it fashionably *wink*

A Little Shoe Education

I was with a client talking about the kind of material to use for her shoes and I was mentioning
different types/names of materials and she had this blank look on her face, like ‘what are you talking about?’, I just had to laugh; we both had a good laugh though. And she is not the only one. Since I started making shoes and bags, I noticed that most people do not have an idea of what material the shoe they wear or bag they carry is made from; the general name for everything is leather.

So I have decided to do a little education on names of materials and fabrics shoes are made from. Also note that, knowing this would also make you know how to take care of your shoes and bags.

LEATHER: Made of animal skin with smooth finishing. This material is known to everyone.Care of leather: Polish shoe regularly to preserve moisture and maintain shine.
        
SUEDE: Made from the underside of the skin, primarily lamb, although goat, calf and deer are commonly used. That is why most designers describe products made from them calf skin or goat skin. So it should be noted that they all suede.

Here, there is also Nubuck. Nubuck is a brushed grain-suede leather with a soft-velvety surface and is one of the most expensive leather to purchase.
Care of suede:

• Use a soft bristle brush to lightly lift away dirt.  
• Use appropriate suede spray. Neutral suede spray is for all colours, black suede spray for black, brown for brown (care should be taken when using suede spray especially black suede spray so as not to stain other fabrics). 
• Waterproof suede and nubuck shoes.
• Masking tape can also be used to lift away.

PATENT LEATHER: Leather with a glossy impermeable finish. People usually call this ‘shinny leather’.
Care of patent leather:

• Rub in petroleum jelly and leave for a while to soak in. Then buff with a soft clean cloth. This will not only keep them shiny but also prevent them from cracking.
• To remove scuff marks from coloured patent leather shoes, use nail polish remover, but be sure that the remover isn’t highly colourful or too harsh like the regular cheap ones we have around. If the nail polish remover is too colourful, it may also put a tint on your patent leather (and be careful of any polish you may be wearing). Put a small bit on a cotton ball or paper towel/toilet roll and rub on the scuffs you want to get rid. Really deep scuffs probably would not come off but this should remove any minor scuffs or discolouration. Then add glossiness back by using a bit of petroleum jelly.

PERFORATED LEATHER: Commonly used for brogues. This is leather with holes to form a pattern. The holes can vary in size, density and pattern.

Shoes and bags are also made from fabrics like satin, silk, taffeta, lace, etc. They are delicate and should be handled with care. Fabric or canvas shoes can often be cleaned by hand or machine washing (but I would suggest hand wash). Fill them with crumpled newsletter after washing to maintain their shape while drying.

Hope this has been helpful.....



Tips from ShoeFetish by Ronke Adeshina