When I was in my '20s, lingerie was chosen for its cute factor (or sexy factor). I had a drawer full of lacy frothy bras and slips of underwear, often in candy colors. As I have gotten older and my body has gotten softer, my lingerie drawer may not be as exciting, but I love it even more. Great underpinnings can really transform a figure, make clothing hang better, and give you a boost of confidence. Below are my favorite underpinnings - bras, shapewear, hosiery, and underwear of all styles.
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This is where I again tell you to get a professional bra fitting! Even with a tape measure and a friend, it's better to put your girls in the hands of a pro who will not only give an accurate fitting but know which type of bra that would best flatter and support your specific figure. I always wore traditional bras of half satin or another fabric, half lace. They were pretty and they were what my mom wore when I was little and what I bought when I finally developed breasts. When my bust grew, I bought a lot of bras that were made of stretchy seamless lace or satin to have them invisible under knits. I never considered molded cups because I figured they'd make me look bigger but a salesperson suggested one, I tried it, and I never looked back. With weight gain and loss, over two years of breastfeeding, and a large cup size, a molded cup gives me a round perky shape without looking larger or fake. Molded cups also hide "headlights" and usually disappear under knits and light-colored tops.
In the summer heat and humidity, molded cups can feel like encasing your breasts in sponges. Not hot. This is when I switch to more traditional of bras, and look for ones with thinner straps that won't look as frumptastic if it peeks out from a tank top. Not only is this bra comfortable and flattering, but it's sexy looking too (I have the matching panties to wear for special occasions). Check out places like Amazon and Bare Necessities where they often have discontinued colors for cheap.
Sports Bra - Still Looking!
I have this one from Wacoal and for now it gets the job done, but it takes 20 years for it to get on and the straps unhook really easily, especially while I'm in some yoga-like position trying to get this thing on in the dark early in the morning. But so far it's the best I have found, I don't jiggle and I don't have monoboob.
I have no desire to make myself look or feel like a stuffed sausage or try to pour myself into a smaller size dress, but I do like wearing shapewear, especially under dresses for a smoother line and to have things hang better. For transparency, I do sometimes double up my shapewear for outfit posts but if you see me around town I'll be softer.
These control panties don't suck me in as much as smooth everything out. I regularly wear these under dress pants because they don't give me VPL (visible panty line), no muffin top, no gas pain, just a smooth look. They're also super cute and have a vintage vibe, which is nice. These do stretch out after a few months, almost always has them part of their sales and you can often find them on sale at Amazon.
I have small hips, a round booty, and a "mama pooch" so I look for styles that won't roll under my belly, won't segment my cheeks, and hopefully won't give me VPL all while looking relatively pretty.
This panty also has a higher front, so it doesn't roll under my belly and the full back really fits my rear and never gives me wedgies. However with the v-front and full lace design it's still a darn cute pair of undies. Even though they have a standard edge, I don't get mega VPL with them. These are summer favorites as they're cool and breathable but substantial enough to wear under sundresses.
Pretty Undies- Variety
I go up a size to prevent rolling and riding and buy designer brands on clearance. Since most of my bras are black or nude, I usually choose a black based style so it coordinates. Bikinis are often too skimpy, briefs are usually too full of coverage, I do best with a really general term of "panty" for underwear that is usually designed to coordinate with a bra that usually doesn't come in a cup size big enough for me. I also have success with what some brands call a "bikini brief" and snag those when I find them on sale.
A good pair of tights are a gamechanger. I like them really opaque, with a matte finish, and a high waist that won't dig in, segment, or give me muffin top. No sagging, no bagging, and no defined foot since that is always too big for me.
I'm a big fan of these tights. Though I never wear the non-black color, the reversible version of these tights are nice and thick and hold their shape really well. I can walk on concrete, scrape against a brick wall, have them accidentally go in the dryer and they hold up. Usually I have to replace because the crotch has fallen apart, not because of a run or snag.
I bought these on Nordstrom but since then I can only find them on UK-based sites or Oroblu's online boutique. They are the only fleece tights I have found that aren't too long, too short, too saggy, not stretchy enough, don't pill, and don't stretch out. They're a matte black finish and super opaque and unless you're right on top of them you can't tell they're not normal tights. However they're super warm.
I'm picky with socks. Even though I wear a size 8 shoe which is pretty average, most socks are too big for me. I have short toes and a seam always seems to be pressing on the pads of them. I have thick ankles and wide shins so many socks dig into my legs leaving marks and being uncomfortable. And my feet sweat, so I want a sock that breathes a bit, absorbs, but still looks professional enough to peek out between ankle bootie and trouser or disappear when wearing black pants and shoes. These accomplish all of that, and they're often on sale.
These socks are awesome. They keep your feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter, if you size correctly (I wear a medium and I am a size 8) they don't slide around and they're low profile enough to not be seen under my oxfords and brogues. In the winter I sometimes wear them under taller socks for an extra bit of warmth and I wear them over tights when I wear slim-fitting knee high boots. They're not cheap, but they're awesome.
Things to add opacity, to prevent chafing, and complete a look. These are usually the things you don't think you need until the situation arises and you wish you had!
This slip has adjustable straps, is thin and airy and free of adornment so it disappears under clothing. I have it in nude and in black. They're great for adding an extra layer in the winter - really great for wind protection! However, it's not too sweat-inducing for sheer summer dresses.
Camisole - Random H&M Purchase
Now I'd love to hear from you! What are your must-have underpinnings? What has transformed your body or your wardrobe and you can't live without?I know, very vague but I bought it at the Annapolis Mall H&M when Emerson was an infant. It's essentially the same fabric as my Calvin Klein slip, has adjustable straps and is really long so it doesn't ride up or slip out when tucked in. I don't recall what department I got it from but I bet it wasn't lingerie. I don't like those stretchy body-hugging camis because they roll up on me and usually are too tight to work with my bra; before I had this I used a synthetic cami from Express. Though this may be considered clothing and not lingerie, I only use it as a camisole and keep it in my lingerie drawer.
These don't suck you in, they are just made to keep a smooth line under clothes and prevent chafing. And they work, read my story in this post or this post. I've tried a variety of the Skimmies and prefer the original version the most. If unsure size down, they do stretch out with wear.
