Lingerie

Soak is ideal for hand-washing delicate lingerie.

With Soak, people who care about their clothes have a great no-rinse wash solution and an exciting selection of yummy, contemporary scents. Our customers love it. It’s perfect for anything that’s hand-washable – and that includes everything from your raciest lingerie to your sports bra and your every day favorites.

“Not having to rinse to get out residue soap is a real bonus” -customer

The rules of lingerie care are simple;

Hand-wash your lingerie.

Wear your favorite, fanciest, best fitting lingerie on a regular basis. Don’t just save it for a special occasion.

Hand-wash your bras every one or two wears. This will prolong their life. Wash sets, like lingerie together.

How to Use Soak

Soak the stuff you care about most.

For hand-washing, pour 1 teaspoon into one gallon of cool water. Soak item for 15 minutes then gently squeeze out water. No need to rinse. Lay knit items flat to dry. Wash sets (like lingerie) together. Some colour may bleed into the water- don’t worry; this won’t harm your garment.

Test fabric for color-fastness before washing.

Soak is also ideal for machine washing- including High Efficiency Machines. Use the delicate cycle and measure Soak based on your machine’s instructions. You can either use or skip the rinse cycle, depending on what you are washing. Measure Soak by individual machine guidelines

If you’re anything like Soak staffers, you probably aren’t going to get your measuring spoon out to do the laundry. Our general rule is one capful (or squeeze) on the 14oz bottle or two capfuls on the 4oz bottle for a gallon (sink full) of water. Make sure there’s enough room for water to move around and cover the garment while it Soaks.

No rinse. Really? Yup.

No rinse means that the product is a low-suds liquid. When you soak your items, the dirt and detergent comes out in the water and what is left in the item evaporates. When you squeeze out the water, you are left with a hint of fragrance that dissipates over time. You can rinse if you want. Rinsing does not affect how Soak cleans. It just removes the fragrance.

No rinse means less agitation for fibers. It is easier on garments and makes them last longer. It also uses less water which is good for the planet.

Swimwear

We’re always asked if Soak will take out chlorine when washing swimwear.

The key to washing swimwear is getting all of the ‘chlorinated water’ out during the Soak-ing process. Soak does not neutralize chlorine; it helps remove the chlorinated water, and other dirt from the suit. Ingredients that neutralize chlorine tend to be harsh and also potentially damaging to fibers. Chlorine damages fibers when it is on the swim suit, in the water, while the swimmer is wearing it, stretched, over their body. Once out of the water, Soak works to remove chlorine, dirt, sweat and other particles from the swimwear itself, leaving a clean, fresh and chlorine free swimsuit.

The smell of the chlorine can live beyond the actual chlorine, when you swim a lot, ever notice how even after the hot shower, you still smell like a pool? Make sure when you Soak your suit, there’s enough water to flow freely around your suit. If there isn’t enough water and movement around the suit, the chlorine and dirt doesn’t have enough water flow to sufficiently come out. Swimming a lot? A double soak/ rinse combination is great to further remove chlorine smell if it remains after the first Soak. Or, wash it in the shower, then Soak at home. When I wash my swimsuit after being in the pool, it gets a quick rinse with Soak (which doesn’t take out all of the chlorine smell) and then a proper long Soak at home, which does.

Soak is made from a premium ingredient structure that is still gentle on your skin/ hands, while cleaning your swimsuit. Although Soak is no-rinse, if the swimsuit has been in chlorinated water for a prolonged time, we encourage rinsing.

No wash product can fully restore the damage that is done to fibers when they are stressed while on the body and in chlorine. Soak ensures that the swimwear is cleaned properly, prolonging its life and continued use.

Extended Uses

We know there are many more uses for Soak. Here are a few brilliant washing solutions for all of your favorite fabrics, knits and fiber projects that just don’t fit into one of our other categories.

You can also use Soak on your pet- because a wet dog is pretty much like a wet sheep.

Need an answer on something that isn’t covered here? Ask us a question?

If you would like to stock Soak, we would love to hear from you.

“My daughter’s teddy is on his last legs (too fragile for the washer) but at the same time is extremely filthy – yuck!! Teddy has had his bath and he looks great – no damage”.

-It looks like swiss cheese.
-Major pieces are missing or broken like the underwire.
-You need a safety pin (or ten) to wear it safely.
-It has seen the inside of the clothes dryer, more than once.
-You can’t remember what year you bought it. (note if it wasn’t with the last year, it’s probably done)
-It never fit right in the first place.
-It doesn’t work with the clothes you like to wear.
-You have to constantly adjust and re-adjust the bra but it never feels right.
-You forgot you were wearing a bra because it forgot to do its job.
-You only wear it with the assistance of a second bra
-The back band stretches out like a slingshot.
-You don’t know what color it is anymore, (a vague shade of dirty that never washes away?)
-You don’t wear it until all other options are gone, even then with a sweatshirt or big coat.
-The cups are dimpled or pilled.
-The underwire is crooked or bent or uncomfortable.
-You keep tightening the shoulder straps more and more…
-They keep falling off anyway.
-The band rides up constantly no matter how many times you put it back down.
-The bra hooks end up just below the back of your neck or somewhere between your shoulder blades.
-Its cute but you never want to wear it, not enough to actually wear it.
-Its the only one you have and you’ve been wearing it every single day for the past four months.

If you answered TRUE to any of the statements above, you probably have a dead bra!
Even brand new bras can go bad if they don’t fit or they don’t work with your wardrobe or if it just doesn’t feel good. If its a bad bra, it might as well be dead to you.

Rule #1

Pay attention to the kind of lingerie (bras, panties, sleepwear) she wears.  When she’s not home, go through her lingerie drawer and see what styles she owns.  Are her bras mostly nude and black, lace or no lace?  Does she prefer thongs, boyshorts, or briefs?  What does she usually sleep in or wear around the house at night?  Knowing her style will help you buy a gift you know she’ll feel comfortable in and wear.

Rule #2

Make sure you know her size.  Look in her lingerie drawer and jot down her bra and panty size.  If she’s bought from a la mode then we will most likely have her information in the system.  We also track what she has bought before, that way you do not make the mistake of buying the same thing.  Remember, going home with the correct size is very important in ensuring her happiness with you. 

Rule #3

This gift is for her; not you!  Although you may want to see her in a sheer, lacy teddy, does not mean she  wants to wear it.  Buying her something that she feels good in will show that you care about her and that you put a lot of thought into what would make her feel great.  If you feel secure that your lady is adventurous as you in the bedroom than, by all means, include some fun toys, oils and body paints into the mix.  The website, www.delicioustoppings.com has a great selection.  The best combo to try, which can add more fun to the gift and in the bedroom, is a sexy, but classy, bra and panty set with a karma sutra massage oil set.  Note: Aubade and Simone Perele are two very high-quality and very sexy lingerie brands.  Go to www.alamodelingerie.com to view products. 

Quick Reference Points to Ensure She Loves Her Gift

1. Know her size and the styles and colors she wears most

2. Do not buy anything that says “control top,” “Tummy Minimizing,” or any other kind of product that implies she needs to “suck it in.”

3. Be careful buying products that are cleavage enhancing, because some women may get offended.

Follow these rules and your lady is going to want to wear that lingerie as much as you want her to.  Let the ladies of a la mode help you pick out that special gift.  They will make the shopping experience easy and painless.  The boutique also provides complimentary gift wrap and greeting cards.  It’s one stop shopping…what could be better!

Sarah Platt

We all know what can happen when a cool breeze whips through a light-weight top or we enter an air-conditioned room.  But when the weather is warm you want to be able to wear the blouses and bra of your choosing.  There are several easy solutions for every occasion.

The Tshirt Bra

How It Works: Tshirt Bras usually have foam cups that offer a layer of insulation and concealment. 

Pros: It is one garment and probably part of your normal dressing routine already. There are lots of styles for different figures and outfits. Non-Adhesive.

Cons: It still might not be enough to completely conceal on all occasions.  It might not be your preferred bra style or it might not work with the particular top you have in mind (halter tops, racerback, strapless, etc).

 The Seamed Bra

How It Works: A well-placed seam can smooth over the nipple area while giving great support to the entire breast.

Pros: It is one garment and probably part of your normal dressing routine.  It can be lighter and more breathable than some tshirt bras.  Most styles also give support and shape without any padding at all.

Cons: It still might not be enough to completely conceal on all occasions.  It might not be your preferred bra style or it might not work with the particular top you have in mind (halter tops, racerback, strapless, etc).

Disposable Breast Petals

How It Works: These small bandage like flowers usually have a soft, padded non-adhesive center and adhesive petals that gently cover the center of the nipple.

Pros: Quick and easy to use. Inexpensive. Small and inconspicuous; you could keep a few pairs in your purse or in your car for Fashion Emergencies.

Cons: Small and might not cover enough area. Most styles are single use only and have to be replaced often. Adhesive might irritate sensitive skin.

Reusable Silicone Concealors

How It Works: A layer of tapered silicone adheres to the skin over the nipple to leave a very smooth edge with the natural look/feel of silicone.

Pros: Super smooth silicone melts into the skin for a nearly seamless finish. Can be worn with or without a bra. Can be re-used many times with proper care.

Cons: Adhesive will gradually wear off over time and eventually need to be replaced. reusable Silicone Concealors also need to be stored carefully to prevent dirt and dust from collecting. Silicone or Adhesive might irritate sensitive skin.

Non-Adhesive Bra Discs

How It Works:  The Bra Disc is a round, tapered disc of carefully-formulated, non-latex resin that fits between your breast and any bra. The disc features tapered edges and curved slits around a solid center to allow the disc to adjust to your particular shape.

Pros: Water-Proof, Non-Adhesive. Allows you more bra
options and can even be worn with swimwear as many of our customers do. Completely Reusable! Easy to clean and store. The longest lasting nipple concealor option. Featured in Oprah Magazine June 2005.

Cons: Must be used with a bra (or top that presses against the breast like a bra-cami or swimsuit).  Though very carefully designed some people’s skin may still be sensitive to this product as with anything so close to such delicate skin.  

 
Explore More Intimate Solutions & Fashion Fixes at www.alamodelingerie.com

Want to wear out your best bra in 3 months or less? Here’s how:

Wear the same bra day after day:

That’s right, you can kill a bra with kindness.  Show your favorite bra just how much you really love it by making it work hard; all day everyday.  Don’t let that bra get lazy by taking a rest, don’t call in replacements when that bra starts to tire. Toughen up bra!

Wear the same bra for different activities:

Your bra’s the best, a superstar, an ace, jack-of-all-trades. So why bother changing into a carefully-crafted, highly-specialized sports bra for that morning jog around the block or that rousing round of racquetball? You don’t want your bra to feel left out now? So take it with you for every jog, jump, bounce and stretch.

Wear the wrong size bra:

Like 80%-90% of women you’re probably doing this already.  So keep at it!  Squish as much as you can into the last B cup bra you could find and let that band ride all the way up to the back of your neck.  With all the pieces getting pulled and stretched in the all the wrong directions that bra will be a goner in no time!

Wear the cheapest bra you can find:

Finding a bargain feels great so ignore that sharp stabbing pain in your side and that itchy fabric against your skin every time you put on your bargain bra.  So what if it’s starting to fray and the cups have gone all lumpy, you want to get your money’s worth.

When in doubt, Wash it out:

Is that bra still clinging to life?  Well here’s a sure fire way to get it going toward the underwear graveyard; give it the ole wash and dry. A gentle hand wash is always a welcome treat for a weary bra but this time there’s no mercy! Toss it in the washer with your dirtiest jeans, with your muddy sneakers and the roughest toughest detergent you can find.  Let that high-power soap eat away grass stains and your bra’s delicate fabric. Gentle, schmentle- tumble it all around the washing machine. Forget that wash bag, your bra doesn’t need protecting. When the cycle’s done, keep that bra spinning right on into the nearest inferno; your clothes dryer.  High heat, heavy falling objects, metal and fabric contracting, elastic melting, jagged edges of searing hot underwire: sound’s like the perfect place for your bra to live out its final days.

WARNING: These stunts should only be performed by a professional bra destroyer with the intent to harm and maim wayward bras. Some bras may have been harmed during the production of this article (but don’t worry they didn’t fit anyway).

For as many times as we have to put on or take off a bra, you’d think we’d know what we are doing. But many women skip over key steps to making their bra wearing experience a comfortable one. So just in case you don’t know or want to brush up on the finer points here is à la mode’s step-by-step guide to putting on a bra.

STEP ONE:

Prepare the bra. Loosen the shoulder straps, unclasp the back. Inspect the bra for signs of wear and not just the obvious ones like popped out wires and gaping holes; beware of worn out or frayed elastic, loose hook and eyes closures or bent underwire.

STEP TWO:

Place each arm through the shoulder straps. Lean forward and bring the underwire to the chest and position each cup around each breast, the center bridge should tack firmly against the chest and the underwire should surround the breast tissue not crush it.

STEP THREE:

Fasten the back with the hook and eye closures. Most bra Choose a snug, but comfortable position.  Make sure the band is anchored securely below the shoulder blades. Try to keep the band level from front to back, all the way around the rib cage. If the band rides up it could be too loose or the elastic could be worn out.

STEP FOUR:

Bring all breast tissue forward into the cup by:

Bending at the waist, lifting and adjusting the underwire, while allowing gravity to pull the soft breast tissue into the cup.

Or

Reaching through each cup with the opposite hand and “scooping” the soft tissue from the underarm area forward and into the cup.

Or

Both! 

STEP FIVE:

Readjust the shoulder straps. The shoulder straps should simply keep the bra cups taught—not bear the full weight of the breasts. Do not over tighten- if the back of the bra begins to ride up or if the straps are causing visible indentation loosen them to a more comfortable level.

And Voila You’re wearing a bra!

The truth hurts.  But so does a bra that doesn’t fit.

Can you accept yourself as you are?

Don’t by bras for the body you want or the weight you plan to lose.  Be ready to take an honest assessment of your body as it is. Don’t blame your body for a bad bra. Keep in mind that when you lose or gain weight, as little as 5lbs, it may change your band or your cup size in unexpected ways.

Be Prepared to Be Surprised

Most women think they know their bra size, yet bra fitters still report that 80-90% of American women are wrong!!!! Most department stores and mall-based “specialty” stores only carry a small fraction of the possible bra sizes. If you haven’t tried a cup too big or a band too small how can you be sure?

Take Notes!

Think about how you approach your wardrobe starting with your underwear drawer; do you just grab the same bra over and over; if so why?  In your whole closet think about what colors, fabrics and necklines you wear most? Keep up the detective work in the fitting room, learning to recognize and articulate the feeling of good fit.

Leave the Stereotypes at Home

American Media presents a very distorted image of the female body and most women associate DD cups with Cartoonish Proportions and wolf whistles. In truth DD cups are only 5” of difference between band measurement and bust measurement.  DD is on the average or even low end of the bra size range, which runs from AA-JJ.

Fear Not

We often overlook the emotional significance of bra fit; how we feel about our breasts and our bodies are uniquely connected to our experiences in the past and the present.  Don’t let insecurity intimidate you. Think about how you want to feel in your bra and take the time to identify your specific reasons and needs for wearing a bra.

Kiss A Lot of Toads!

You’re probably going to have to try on several bras that don’t quite fit before you get to ones that do. Go with the flow and give every bra a chance because each bra you try on, fit or no fit, provides valuable information about the shape of your body and how it responds to different bras, helping you recognize your own Prince Charming when he finally arrives.