Diamonds are a girl's best friend ... but so is a good piece 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.  

Lingerie companies are catching onto the fact that shape wear sells and women want undergarments that are going to give them a flattering look on the outside of their clothes.  We carry some shaping garments from companies such as Wacoal, Chantelle, Vanity Fair, etc.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Sale!

Holiday Must Have's at Bertha Church!

New Product: Knock Out! Smart Panties

Not too long ago Angela Newnam, Founder and CEO of Knock Out! Smart Panties, found herself wanting sexy but comfortable underwear that had performance built in. She wondered why technology was so advanced in this world, but panty production was not keeping up?  This led her to her main goal:  to create a panty with high functioning technology!

Made in the USA with luxury Supima cotton, Knock Out! Smart Panties serve a purpose for women of all ages from puberty to menopause.  

Absorbing Odor - Transferring Moisture - Drying Faster - Protecting Clothing - All Natural Cotton

Some things in life go without being spoken about and until Knock Out! Smart Panties came along, topics such as odor and wetness applied.  When Angela was bold enough to spark conversation about these things, women responded and opened up about the subject and here's what they had to say:

"No one told me being pregnant would give me drips"

"Some people may think they don't have odor, but everyone does"

"I can't risk a drop or spot in those tight yoga pants.  So I wear a liner every time I workout"

"From the teen years on, we women deal with these gifts of nature"

"These panties look normal, but they are extraordinary!"

We carry the companies best sellers at our store.  These styles are the thong, bikini, brief and of course a sleep shirt!  Come try this product today.  No regrets here, it is well worth every penny you spend.

Read more about Knock Out! Smart Panties on their website:

http://www.knockoutpanties.com/  

http://www.facebook.com/KnockOut.Products

https://twitter.com/KnockoutPanties

Bertha Church Must Haves for Back to School

Students AND Parents:  The following items are crucial to have when moving out of the house for months at a time.  Don't make the mistake of forgetting them.  It will only cost you money, be a hassle and waste valuable time you could have spent living the college life and focusing on your studies! 

Find a variety of all of these products at Bertha Church today!  

SAVE 15% WHEN MENTIONING THE BACK TO SCHOOL BLOG SPECIAL!

Bra fitting- new bras

Another school year is about to begin and everyone has a chance to get back on track, why not start with your undergarments?  Read up on the importance of a good bra fitting here

Robe
When moving into dorms or an apartment where you will be sharing space with people other than your immediate family, ROBES ARE KEY!  They cover you, are easy to throw on, absorb a lot of water and are comfy.  You will want several, possibly a terry (towel) robe for after the shower and then a modal/cotton one for other times?

New Panties

Bring enough panties so that you can avoid doing laundry once a week.  Remember, the lifespan of underwear is 8-12 months, and as women we really need to be getting rid of panties at the appropriate time and not keeping them around for years as most do!

Pajamas
Pajamas for all types of climates are important.  Be prepared to live with someone who may like to sleep in a much cooler temp than you are use to or vice versa.  Cotton knits pants or flannel ones are good for the cooler nights and woven cotton for warmer temps.

Sleep shirt: Covers enough to walk around in, but allows you to sleep without pants on.

Quality hosiery and shape wear

You will find yourself needing to dress up for social events or school projects.  Ladies keep it classy and cover up those legs with some hosiery!  Hosiery does not have to be uncomfortable if you get a good quality product.  Shape wear is becoming so prevalent these days that even women who don't necessarily need the shaping are wearing it.  Invest in a shape wear item or two, you will be amazed at the difference it makes.

Camisoles and Coobies

Outfit savers right here!  Sheer tops are in, but in many cases you will need a plain camisole to wear underneath in order to keep everything from showing.  Camis also come in lace and are good to wear underneath crop tops or cardigans to show and change up the outfit a bit.  Coobie bras are bras to replace the camisoles with so that you do not have the extra layer of clothing on your mid-drift.  They also make for great lounge and travel bras - MUST TRY!

Sleep Mask

Wear this fashionable accessory when your roommate/housemate is studying and needs the lights kept on, but you need to get some sleep.

Sidewalk Sale 2012 Preview

32 Church Street is where you want to be this July 25th, 26th and 27th:  Come up to the top of the block and visit us at Bertha Church for our lowest prices of the year!

Sneak Preview for you right here, right now 30-75% off the following items:

Wacoal Alluring Bra in blue

Chantelle C Chic Convertible Bra in all colors

Wacoal Rosy Outlook Bra 

Wacoal Opulence Bra in nude and purple

Wacoal Retro Chic Bra in red

CLEO Lucy Bra in pink

B.Tempt'd Super Push Up Convertible bra

Fantasie Vivienne bra in berry

Fantasie Savannah bra

Freya Polyanna bra in black

Fantasie Marie bra in red

Carole Hochman Pajamas

DKNY Pajamas

Needham Lane Cotton Boxers

Calvin Klein Panties

B.Tempt'd Panties

Champion Sports bras

Beach Cover-Ups

New Spring Arrivals!