Sam Allister (Whole Hearted Q&A)

November 04, 2019

We could not be more ecstatic to have had the pleasure of chatting with wholesale agent, Samantha Allistair. Sam has worked with some huge lifestyle and fashion brands including Jets, Country Road, T2 and Sass and Bide, making her the perfect person to chat all things ELC, body positivity and of course, fashion with.

What does a typical day look like for you?
No day is the same for me!! I may be in the showroom researching stores, returning emails one day and the next out about on the road pounding pavements and introducing them to my brands (which is my favourite place to be).

Who is your biggest inspiration in life and why? (Can be living or passed)
My mum! She passed away from cancer 18 months ago and while I miss her everyday, I am so GRATEFUL for the amazing relationship we had and not only the impact she had on my life but also my daughters.

What do you see as your biggest achievement in life and why?
I would normally say my daughter (as she is amazing) but I will say my relationship! It is hard to grow with a person everyday and remain close and our relationship has been tested a lot over the years and the fact that we still choose each other every day is a big deal to me.

How did your business come about? A moment of insanity!!
I just decided after SO many years of working for other people that I wanted to design my day! It has certainly come with challenges, but I do love it!

Offering the range of services, you do, how do you create such a unique approach for each of these clients?
It is all relationship focused and tapping into why people created the product they did is a big motivation for me.

What is the most rewarding area of your business?
Seeing amazing women thrive when they create a product, they are passionate about.

We know that along with being a business woman you’re are also a mum, congratulations and how old is your daughter?

She is 8 and the light of my life!

What are the biggest obstacles you face raising a young child and running your own business?
Mum guilt!! I used to panic if I missed any event at school but now, I look at it like I am showing her independence and a great work ethic.

Did you find you changed not only personally but also professional when you had your child?

Yes, it is a learning curve you are never quite prepared for.

What age did you fall in love with your body? What changed or happened in life to make this happen?
It has been an ongoing battle but watching my mum fight cancer definitely changed my opinion of my body yes I have hips and a tummy but I also have vital organs that do their job! My outlook now is very health focused and not weight focused.

What is your favourite body part and why?
My nose!! My daughter and I have the exact same one.

What the biggest piece of advice you want to or have shared with your daughter?
To nourish and love your body!!

What is 1 word you would use to describe yourself?
Grateful

What is your mantra in life?

To treat others in the best possible way! Everyday!

What type of undies are you? Brief, boy leg short or G-string?
Brief!!

Red lipstick or Gloss?
Gloss

Cocktail or Wine?
Cocktail

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Sizing

Trying to find the right underwear size can be difficult due to different companies making different sizes. To make things easier we have created a step by step guide to take the guess work out of the equation.

Below we have measuring instructions with images to assist you.

Finding your size in our Underwear Range:

All you need to do is take a couple of simple measurements; your waist, your lower waist and your hips. The best way to do this is by using a soft measuring tape and a mirror to ensure you are accurate. If possible stand in front of a mirror when taking your measurements to ensure that the measuring tape is also parallel to the floor and is flat.

Measurement 1: Your waist

Your waist is the natural in indentation above your hips or just below your rib cage (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down.

Measurement 2: Your Lower Waist

Your lower waist is approx. 12cm down from your waist. Take your measuring tape and run this down from your waist to 12cm (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around this area firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down.

Measurement 3: Your hips

Now wrap the soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your hips, this is approximately 25cm below your waist (see image). Use the mirror to check that your measuring tape is completely straight and parallel to the floor – write this measurement down.

Finding your size in our Crop Top Bralette Range:

All you need to do is take a couple of simple measurements; your Full Bust and your Lower or under bust. The best way to do this is by using a soft measuring tape and a mirror to ensure you are accurate.

Measurement 1: Your Full Bust

Your Full Bust is the fullest part of your bust (see image). Ensure that the measuring tape is completely straight and parallel to the floor. Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down

Measurement 2: Your Lower or Under Bust

The Lower or Under bust is measured by wrapping the measuring tape around your rib cage directly under your bust (see image). Wrap the soft measuring tape around firmly without pitching your skin together – write this measurement down

ELC Size	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
Full Bust Measurements (cm)	81-87	87-93	93-99	99-105	106-114	115-123	124-130	131-137
Lower or Under Bust Measurement (cm)	61-67	67-73	73-79	80-86	87-39	94-100	100-106	107-113
Waist Measurement (cm)	75	80	85	90	95	100	110	115
Lower Waist Measurement (cm)	90	95	100	105	110	115	120	125
Hip Measurement (cm)	95	100	105	110	115	120	125	130
USA	4 to 6	6 to 8	8 to 10	10 to 12	12 to 14	14 to 16	16 to 18	18 to 20
UK	6 to 8	8 to 10	10 to 12	12 to 14	14 to 16	16 to 18	18 to 20	20 to 22
EUROPE	34 to 36	36 to 38	38 to 40	40 to 42	42 to 44	44 to 46	46 to 48	48 to 50