I think it’s safe to say that a bra by Miss Mandalay changed my life.  This is what made my jaw drop when I first discovered Bravissimo:

Paige set in Limeade/Azalea by Miss Mandalay. Some sizes still available, other colors available.

It was a revelation: bright and girly colors, sheer mesh, lace, ruffles, and bows.  I’d been wearing beige Wacoal bras with the elastic all shot to hell (because I put them in the dryer.  If you put your pretty things in the dryer you will be sad) and random discount bin briefs for years, so the fact that this bra existed, and existed expressly for women like me — I couldn’t believe it.  To go from “You can’t have this” to “You can have ALL THE THINGS!” was startling and wonderful.

Miss Mandalay designs have a simultaneously chic and retro feel.  I want to start the brand introductions with them, because they’re an independent brand, and very often it’s the independent brands rather than the heavy hitters (which I will cover, because they’re increasingly available and y’all should know about them) who are best at innovation and listening to their customers’ requests and feedback.  For example, when Miss Mandalay launched they carried up to I believe F-cups; as a result of customer demand they’ve expanded their size ranges enormously since then.  I would also LOVE to see Miss Mandalay lingerie more readily available in the US, or at least on Figleaves’ US site.  I’ve heard rumors that Linda the Bra Lady in NYC might start carrying the line, and if that is true, it would be delightful. Continue reading →