2013 V-Day Merchandise Arrival

Our 2013 Valentine's Day Merchandise is Not Coming until 2-1

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Get to know the ladies at Belle Mode: Hannah

Building strong, trustworthy relationships with our customers is very valuable to us at Belle Mode. We strive to be the bra fitting store that you can rely on to feel comfortable at.  Read up and get on a more personal level with the ladies at Belle Mode. We are all enthusiastic about getting to know you and helping you out in any way possible. 
  
Hannah Frazier - Bra Specialist

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Indiana and lived there most of my life! My junior year of high school (2008) my family and I were relocated to Stuarts Draft, Virginia due to my dad getting a new job. I attend George Mason University and Fairfax has become my home over the past 3 years.

What's your zodiac sign?
Virgo

What's your favorite fashion accessory?
Hmmmmmm... my favorite fall/winter accessory is hands down scarves. I have a lot of them and they go with so many things. I am also a jewelry lover. If I had the money I would have such a large jewelry collection.

5 words that describe you are ... Compassionate, loving, hardworking, dedicated, and giving

What size bra do you wear?
 34DD depending upon the designer and style of the bra

When did you first learn how to bra fit and about bras?
I worked at Victoria Secret for a little under a year from October 2011-August 2011 and was the stand in bra specialist 80% of the time I worked there. I worked in the store in Fairoaks Mall and gained a lot of experience with customers of all shapes and sizes. They taught me how to bra fit there and I thoroughly enjoyed helping people and learning about bras; however I was not happy there as an employee so I sought out something else. Through some friends that knew of Belle Mode I came to work here in August 2012 and have learned about many more sizes that Victoria Secret does not carry and became much more knowledgeable on how to fit someone properly ever since.

What bras currently exist in your wardrobe?
Natori Lotus Bra, Elle MacPherson Bare Bold, Body by Victoria Push-up, and Very Sexy Push-up. I am still currently working on building my bra wardrobe with high quality Belle Mode bras.

What bra problems have you had in the past?
I am spread a part so I have the problem of bras rubbing in between on my rib cage. Also because I am spread apart the mass of my chest is further to the side so I often have the issue of the "side boob" if the bra doesn't work for me.

What's your favorite thing about working at Belle Mode?
The people I meet and helping women feel comfortable but sexy at the same time.

Who's your celebrity crush?
Oh so many beautiful men to chose from... but I like a man who can make me laugh and resembles my real boyfriend; so I would have to say Dane Cook ;)

Which celebrity(s) style resembles your own?
I wouldn't say that I resemble anyone particularly. I just go with the fashion treads that I find appealing not a specific celebrity.

Do you watch any TV shows?  If so, which ones?
I honestly don't watch much TV. When I have time I enjoy watching NCIS, SVU, Glee, and Cake Boss


About Hannah from her boss:
Hannah was like a Godsent, coming to me from Victoria's Secret and already knowing how to bra fit, she immediately hit the floor and got to business.  She realized very quickly that there were many things she needed to learn about the industry as she came from a place that was so confined with their services. This was no problem though as she is very intelligent and soaks up knowledge like no other. 

3 things I appreciate most about Hannah:
- She always keeps me on my toes, correcting me when I need correcting, and keeps the store moving in an innovative/positive direction
- She's genuinely enthusiastic about helping grow the business and is a great leader when it comes to facilitating pretty much anything at Belle Mode
- There is a quiet confidence about her that really shines when she's working with customers.  Always putting in 110%, doing anything and everything she can to help them in any way possible and they love that!

2013 BRA-SOLUTIONS!

Visit a bra fitting boutique to get a legit bra fitting:

We recommend that all women get fitted at least once a year due to the fact that our bodies change shape all the time. Gravity is simply getting stronger as the days pass by! 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra. Make it a goal of yours to get out of that 85% and become knowledgeable on your body shape.  Read more about the many ways that wearing the right size bra can benefit us all right here!

Be open minded during your next bra fitting experience:

If you go to get fitted by a well trained professional, they should offer to spend one on one time with you to help enhance and simplify your shopping experience. Let them take care of you and bring you bras to try on. Go into the fitting with an open mind and be willing to try anything. Lingerie is this persons specialty and they have the ability to help you, take advantage of this.

When customers are closed minded to trying new things they are depriving themselves of getting the full experience that we strive to give everyone in some cases leaving them dissatisfied. An open minded customer is the most successful. If you don't try new things,you will never get new results.

Re-Organize your lingerie drawer and keep it that way:

When my bras reach the end of their life, I tend to tuck them away in the back of my drawer instead of simply getting rid of them! This takes up half the drawer and makes it much harder to keep organized. GET RID OF THE BRAS AND PANTIES THAT DON'T FIT YOU! Say hello to new space in your drawer and utilize it appropriately.  

Start wearing no panty line underwear when necessary:

How many of you notice when the lady next to you is wearing the wrong undergarments for the occasion?  This problem occurs more than you think, and yes, people around you are aware of it.  There are too many solutions to this problem that it is unacceptable!  Get yourself some seamless underwear to wear with tight fitted pants, cotton dresses, etc so that you don't look ridiculous like the person above!

Add a little color or fashion to your wardrobe:

Black and nude bras are basics and are essential to have, but too many women stick to these basics causing their lingerie wardrobe to be dull. Change up the game this year and splurge on some fashion bras that will make you feel good and are fun to show off to your friends.

Ditch the old sweats and get something nice and new to sleep in:

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed is never a good start to anyone's day.  When sleeping in new sleepwear or at least good quality sleepwear you will almost always wake up on the right side leaving you in an extra good mood at the beginning of the day!  

First, figure out what it is that you value when it comes to your pj's.  Do you like them to be soft?  Do you like them to have temperature controlling features (breath-ability)?  Pj's are made with all sorts of intentions and are all good for different purposes.  Work with a sales specialist to find you new life changing nightwear!

Be daring and use your bra to make a fashion statement:

Photo: Alison Rubke, Faire Frou Frou via Facebook

Wearing your underwear as outerwear is not something that most woman are brave enough to do.  We encourage you to break out of that shell and start using your bras as fashion statements and working them into your style wardrobe.  This simple white tank and sweater has been turning into a more elegant and fashionable ensemble by wearing the Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris bra.

Best of 2012 at Belle Mode

Best of 2012 at Belle Mode by nickel1209 featuring chantelle

As a customer you may be wondering what some of our "Best Selling" bras are at the store.  We have decided to give you that information in the best way possible, however, we would like to remind you that just because a particular bra is great for many people, doesn't mean that it will be the best bra for you.  Enjoy your read ...

Everyday Underwire Bras w/Lining A-D Cups
1. Natori Sheer Mesh Convertible Bra
2. Wacoal La Femme Contour Bra
3. Chantelle C Paris Contour Bra

Everyday Underwire Bras w/Lining D+ Cups
1. Montelle Pure Plus Full Coverage Bra
2. Panache Porcelain Moulded Bra
3. Prima Donna Perle Underwire Bra

Fancy Underwire Bras w/Lining A-D Cups
1. Natori Feathers Contour Bra
2. Chantelle Rive Gauche T-Shirt Bra
3. LeMystere Heather Y-Back Bra

Fancy Underwire Bras w/Lining D+ Cups
1. Le Mystere Isabella All Over Lace Bra
2. CLEO Jude Moulded T-Shirt Bra
3. Harlequin Capella Underwire Bra

Everyday Underwire Bras Unlined A-D Cups
1. Wacoal Halo Lace Bra
2. Chantelle Hedona Minimizer Bra
3. Wacoal Body By Wacoal T-Back Underwire Bra

Everyday Underwire Bras Unlined D+ Cups
1. Chantelle Hedona Minimizer Bra
2. Wacoal Basic Beauty Full Coverage Bra
3. Wacoal Awareness Full Figure Seamless Bra

Fancy Underwire Bras Unlined A-D Cups
1. Chantelle C Chic Sexy Demi Bra
2. Eberjey Anouk Underwire Bra
3. Elle Macpherson Stocking Stripe Bra

Fancy Underwire Bras Unlined D+ Cups
1. Elle Macpherson Cloud Swing Underwire Bra
2. Chantelle Cashmere 3 Part Cup Bra
3. Prima Donna Twist A La Folie 3 Part Cup Bra

Non-Wire Bras
1. Coobie One Size Strappy Scoopneck Bra
2. Calvin Klein Naked Glamour Wireless Contour Bra
3. Spanx Bra-lellujah Wireless Front Closure Bra

Strapless Bras
1. Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra
2. Panache Porcelain Plunge Strapless Bra
3. Chantelle Sublime Invisible Strapless Convertible Bra

Petite Bras
1. Wacoal Embrace Lace Push Up Bra
2. Lula Lu Petites Kira Lace Push Up Bra
3. The Little Bra Company Lucia Convertible Push Up Bra

Padded Push Up Bras
1. Elle Macpherson Bare & Bold Push Up Bra
2. Wacoal Embrace Lace Push Up Bra
3. Josie Natori Posh Push Up Convertible Bra

Sports Bra
1. Panache Full Busted Underwire Sport Bra
2. Natori Yogi Convertible Sports Bra
3. Moving Comfort Vixen Sport Bra

All Beauty Products 20% Off!

Beauty products make great gifts for us ladies!  No need to know anyone's size, shape or style.  Chose to gift her with the gift of beauty this year with some of our top selling products from:

 

Visit our ONLINE STORE FRONT in order to recieve 20% off all BEAUTY PRODUCTS until 12-18

(All products will be shipped out immediately and will make it to you for Christmas)

Celebrating Some of Lingerie's Leading Ladies

A pin up girl is a model whose mass-produced pictures see wide appeal as popular culture.  The fad of pin up girls was the first time that lingerie was shown in the media and was a huge advance in sexual revolution giving women everywhere more power.

Here are some of our favorite pin up girls:

Betty Grable - American actress, dance, and singer

The number one pin up girl of the WWII era and undeniably the most famous and popular pin up girl of all time.  Betty Grable, was most celebrated for her beautiful legs and iconic bathing suit posters.  After the war, Betty Grable became the highest paid female in America, earning about $300,000/year.

Bettie Page - American model turned pin up girl in the 1950's

Often referred to as the "Queen of Pin Ups," her jet black hair, blue eyes and trademark bangs have influenced many artists.  Her photos featuring fetishism and bondage, shocking at the time, opened up the doors to an early sexual revolution.  Instead of pouting, she made sexiness seem fun seducing the world with her natural smile.

Rita Hayworth - American dancer and film actress

Appeared in 61 films in 37 years and became one of the most requested pin up girls during WWII making dark red hair a popular fad during that time.  She was best known for her musicals such as You'll Never Get Rich and Cover Girl.

Norma Jean Baker aka Marilyn Monroe - American Actress, model, and singer

Starring in a number one successful motion picture in the 1950's and early 60's, Marilyn Monroe became the most iconic blonde in Hollywood and the very first cover girl for Playboy Magazine.

Betty Brosmer - Highest paid American model of her time period

Known for her blonde locks and stunning curves, she was a favorite among photographers and the American public as she appeared on over 300 magazine covers.

Gina Lollobrigida - Italian actress, photo journalist, and sculptress

"The world's most beautiful woman" is what they called the sex symbol of the 1950's.  She appeared in many films throughout her career making her one of the most popular European actresses of the 50's and 60's.

Veronica Lake - American actress and pin up model

Best known for her blonde "peekaboo" style hair updo and difficulty to work with on set.  Haunted with several broken marriages, a mental illness, and alcoholism, Lake lived a challenging adult life.

Jayne Mansfield - American actress in film, theatre and television, a nightclub entertainer, singer, and one of the early Playboy Playmates

Sometimes referred to as the "working man's Monroe," Mansfield was a major Hollywood sex symbol of the 50's and 60's publicizing her own personal life and publicity stunts.

Heather Renee Sweet aka Dita Von Teese - American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, and actress

Helped re-popularize the burlesque performance and became the most well known modern day pin up girls in the '90s band '00s when the this movement was revisited. 

Diamonds are a Girls Bestfriend ... but so is a good pair of shapewear!

Our friend, the most iconic blonde in Hollywood and pin up queen, Marilyn Monroe had this concept down pretty darn well

Every girl should own a few pieces of shapewear in her wardrobe.  Almost every female celebrity wears shapewear when attending red carpet events in order to give them curves in all the right places.  Smoothing out the lumps and bumps, slimming down some excess weight, as well as lifting and accentuating areas that need more "ooomph."

Shapewear is similar to bras in a sense in that different styles are meant for different body types and have different functions, such as shape different areas.  There are over hundreds of styles of shapewear out there, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you need for x, y and z.  We suggest you go talk to a professional about what you are trying to achieve in order to find that perfect piece for you.

Since the year 2000 when Spanx hit the market shapewear has become one of the most popular sought out items at both of our stores.  Spanx is the new Kleenex to tissues.  Explanation:  when customers come in they approach our sales associates asking for Spanx when they really want shapewear.  This says a lot about the empire that the infamous Sara Blakely has grown in just over a decade.  However, Spanx is not the only brand that manufactures shape wear and was far from the first!

Before shapewear hit the market women often times used corsets and girdles:

Corsets - Worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for medical purposes. However, the fashion industry caught on to the flattering and slimming look that corsets gave while still showing off those feminine curves.  Slimming the body and making it conform to a fashionable silhouette - lifting the bust area and slimming the waist area.    

Girdles -  Originally meaning belt, the girdle replaced the corset in popularity in the 1920's and were an essential garment for women to wear until the 1960's.  A girdle slims the buttock, stomach, thigh and torso area.  Girdles shape from the bottom up and do not cover the bust area.  (Spanx and other shape wear on the market have been known to be the modern day girdle)

Although we love our Spanx at the store, we also love the other shape wear brands that we carry and suggest that you all look into them as well.