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Lingerie Can Help Make Wedding Dress Look Perfect

So much time, effort — and money! — go into beautiful, frothy dresses. Just as important, though, is what goes underneath. Here are a few suggestions about where to shop for lingerie for the bride and her bridesmaids as well.

Aerie in Westfarms mall sells a few must-have items for the up-to-date (and budget-conscious) bride. Assistant store manager Morgan Vadnais assists brides frequently. “They flock to our vintage lace undies in white or pale blue, which are included in our buy seven for $26.50 sale. Perfect for the honeymoon, too! Another popular item is our backless bras with sticky cups to wear under a wedding dress.” Available in nude lace, plain nude, black or black lace, these are priced at $35.

Contessa Shop in West Hartford Center has been in business for 57 years. With personalized customer service, it is an excellent option for a bride who needs a little help figuring out the necessary undergarments for her big day. One item called the invisible torsolette — essentially a longer corset — is constructed with light boning to slim and cinch the waist and curve the hips. Owner Maria Colasacco says “brides are buying white lacy corsets, strapless, long ones with garters or shorter styles. The brands we carry are Carnival or Goddess. Also the pretty, cheeky boyshort in white lace for $25 is perfect for a wedding day.” Contessa Shop also carries lace garters, small white satin handbags and lace handkerchiefs.

Owner Christine Dimaio took over Irene’s Lingerie Shop in Plainville from her mother, so she knows a thing or two about unmentionables. Dimaio says, “A lot of brides are wearing strapless bustiers, so it’s important to have the perfect size.” With a chuckle, she also notes “the girls want to be pushed up.” Irene’s also offers garter belts, shapewear and girdles so those in the wedding party have the best fit for their dresses. One trend noted by Dimaio is the return to the white or ivory two-piece peignoir set. “But the girls also want something sexy for their honeymoon: A black lacey Mystique-brand chemise works.”

In Hamden, Lady Olga’s Lingerie is the place to be fitted for correctly sized bras and bustiers for your wedding day. Owner Jeniene Furgson says: “Brides come to us for the proper undergarments, strapless bras, Spanx or torsolettes so the bride can dance and be comfortable and not pulling on her dress or lingerie the whole time. We also sell initimate apparel, short and long peignoir sets too. Another popular item is a PJ boxer set with matching short-sleeve top that says Mrs. or bride on it, selling for $55. We also sell a silk charmeuse little wrap in white, decorated with Swarovski crystals.” In addition to brides, Furgson says mothers of the bride, bridesmaids and even mothers of the groom come in to shop. “We fit the whole wedding party.”

Lulu’s Boutique in Guilford offers a bride and her bridesmaids a personal shopper’s touch. “Brides come in for our Hanky Panky-brand, cream-colored underwear that says I do, or bridesmaid or maid of honor in Swarovski crystals,” says manager Michele Platt. “Also popular are chemise nightgowns with matching robes in short or long, available in white, cream, black and colors. We also carry bridal robes and wraps that say bride or bridesmaid for the girls to wear when they are getting their hair done.”

Aerie – Westfarms, Space D-114, Farmington, 860-561-0679

http://www.ae.com/aerie/

Contessa Shop – 60 LaSalle Road, West Hartford, 860-236-5380

http://www.contessacorset.com

Irene’s Lingerie Shop – 21 Whiting St., Plainville, 860-747-9500

http://www.ireneslingerie.com

Lady Olga’s Lingerie – 3490 Whitney Ave., Hamden, 203-288-1133

http://www.ladyolgaslingeriehamden.com

Lulu’s Boutique – 75 Whitfield St., Guilford, 203-453-6887

http://www.lulusguilford.com

Copyright © 2015, Hartford Courant

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