The Lingerie Handbook (Paperback)

by Rebecca Apsan (Author), Sarah Stark (Author)
Key Phrases: adhesive bra, show some leg, curvy girls, United States, Elizabeth Taylor, New York City (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"How lucky we are that Rebecca Apsan is sharing her expertise and enthusiasm. I love how she celebrates women's bodies and brings out the little flirt in each of us."—Cindy Crawford

Product Description
Rebecca Apsan is the lingerie evangelist. She knows that intimate apparel has the power to transform. That the right bra affects not only look, but outlook. That sexy silk or lace are feminine armor, offering a soft layer of protection against life’s vicissitudes. Her New York City store, La Petite Coquette, draws shoppers from around the world—and not just the celebrities who swear by it. New York Magazine sings her praises as “the best bra-fitter in the country”; so does Lucky. The Wall Street Journal wrote up her role in catapulting Hanky-Panky thongs onto every well-dressed woman’s must-have list—on their front page! She provided all the intimate apparel for Sex and the City. And now Rebecca Apsan is ready to divulge thirty years of wisdom and insider information about how underclothes can make the woman.

For a world where 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, The Lingerie Handbook is a complete tops-to-bottoms guide to bras, panties, slips, sleepwear shapewear, stockings, teddies, camisoles, and accessories. There’s the how-to on proper fit, including before-and-after photographs. Guides to matching the right underwear to different outfits. (T-shirts, jersey dresses, white pants, strapless gowns? No problem!) Straightforward advice on shopping, cleaning, organizing, and storing. But inspiration, too: how to cure body-image hang-ups by finding the right undergarments. And romance: how to find your own inner flirt, develop a unique style, and, when the occasion is right, how to dress to undress.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (October 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761143238
• ISBN-13: 978-0761143239
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of information.., January 6, 2007

By	Ivi (NC, USA) - See all my reviews

..what every girl ought to know! This book has caught my eye today at the local book store because of it's nice cover and I thought I just flip through the glossy photos for some eye candy but I couldn't put it down. I ended up sitting down and reading it in the store, of course it's so full with well organised info that I just ended up buying it.

I have a few fashion books but lingerie usually is not covered or just barely mentioned even though it's just as important as the clothes we are wearing on the outside.
A well chosen bra, panty makes garments fit better, look nicer on us. Now, this book covers how to choose the right fitting undergarments, what you have to watch out for when buying, mentiones the many kinds of lingerie you can ever come accross and how to use it.
For instance, there are full slips and half slips which I've heard of and remember my grandma' used to use but it has never occured that I could use it. I just thought it's for old ladies. Well, it isn't. As it turnes out, full slips are for under see-through or/and clinging, static dresses.
The book is written in a funny, engaging, understanding way. The author understands what it's like to go underwear/swimsuit shopping (you know when you standing infront of the mirror and the terrible shop-lighting shows every bump on your body. Even the ones which are not there.. ;)
Otherwise, you'll find lots of nice photos and all the topics covered with all the right information.

I paid the full price+tax for this book at my local bookstore but no regrets (even though Amazon is cheaper, no tax and free shipping) because this book is worth buying!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, February 7, 2007

By	chris (denver, co) - See all my reviews

I stumbled upon this book while looking for something else, and couldn't help but pick it up. This book covers everything, including bras (how a good-fitting one can make you look so much better), panties, slips, hose, teddies, camisoles, you name it. The author explains what to get, how many, how to care for it, and what to wear it with. She covers the practical everyday needs as well as "special" lingerie. The book is beautifully photographed and is a pleasure to look at.

And most importantly, the author, a lingerie shop owner, provides a lot of insight into why women shop for lingerie (and why many do not). She makes a strong case for how what we wear under our clothes is just as important as our clothing, and that it's important for women to treat themselves well. This book totally changed my view on lingerie and gave me permission to buy those nice things I've always wanted!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lingerie Handbook, February 3, 2007

By	Eleanor Eagly (midwest) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was impressed by The Lingerie Handbook because of practicality. The information in this book assisted me in selecting bras that do their job. Finally I have guidance for selecting the right style and size for fit and lift because Apsan reveals the mysteries of selecting style, and cup size selection relative to the band size. I am pleased with the greater comfort and improved appearance of garments purchased following the book's tips. The book pays for itself with information that if followed will eliminate the future purchase of poor fitting bra. The information was a great time saver as I was able to pick out bras to try on that were more likely to fit so I didn't have to try on so many.