WARDROBE MUST-HAVES
Lingerie
The naked truth about lingerie
Are your lingerie drawers neatly organized, or are they packed full of bras so old they could be relics? Lingerie items are our foundational garments. Before we put on our clothes, we must choose the right lingerie.
You may think a bra is a bra. But the truth is, you need many different bras to cover your various needs. Likewise, you need different styles of panties and hosiery. You even need a few shapewear pieces for those times when you want to wear clingy clothes or fit into a smaller size.
So what lingerie do we need to have in our drawers?
You can probably recall the all-too-common experience of buying a great new outfit only to discover you don’t have the right bra to wear with it. To keep this dilemma from occurring, your complete lingerie wardrobe should include bras for many different types of clothes.
PUSH-UPS
If you’re wearing a knit scoopneck shirt, you’ll probably want to show some cleavage. In this case, a push-up bra will do the trick. Push-up bras are often (but not always) padded.
T-SHIRT
If you’re wearing a knit scoopneck shirt, you’ll probably want to show some cleavage. In this case, a push-up bra will do the trick. Push-up bras are often (but not always) padded.
BASICS
Your essential wardrobe should contain at least three basic bras. This will be your collection of go-to bras that you draw from for everyday wear.
The key feature to focus on here is comfort. You will naturally reach for your most comfortable bra every morning, anyway. Look for soft fabrics that naturally wick moisture, such as cotton.
CONVERTIBLES
A convertible bra is also very handy to have in your lingerie wardrobe. This kind of bra features convertible removeable straps that may be worn in several different styles such as crossback, halter, one-shoulder, strapless and classic.
Want to wear that trendy backless or low-back top or dress? Some convertible bras come with a low back strap, so you can wear these fashionable styles. Strapless bras that have a clear back (made of clear plastic) are also handy.
SPORTS
If you engage in any physical activity at all, you need several sports bras to prevent breast bounce, which causes sagging.
Sports bras are available in different impact levels based on your level of activity, including high impact, medium impact and low impact.
If your panties don’t fit right, you’re uncomfortable all day. So, invest in well-made panties! You should have a one to two week supply of everyday panties in your bare essentials wardrobe. You can wear whatever style of panty you prefer. Here are some basics.
BIKINI
The bikini style of panty is one of the most popular. This style of panty has a waistband that rests below the navel and provides moderate rear coverage.
BOY SHORT
This borrowed from the boys style is a favorite with anyone who values comfort and coverage, but still modern and fun. Great if you have a flat backside, as it will give the illusion of more shape.
THONG
Once relegated to "sexy" underwear, the thong has become a wardrobe staple for many women. With minimal rear coverage, it's the best way to eliminate the dreaded visible panty line.
BRIEF
The brief offers the best coverage of any style. If you have a rounder bottom shape, look for elastic in the legs to keep the panty from riding up.
BIKE SHORT
Bike shorts are an excellent modest option if you want extra coverage under breezy skirts and dresses.
If you’ve ever worn a clingy top or special occasion dress, you know how important shapewear is. Many of today’s party dresses are made with a fairly high percentage of spandex for a slinky, stretchy fit. This presents a challenge to even the thinnest among us.
When you want to eliminate thigh bulges, hide cellulite and whittle your waist, shapewear can come to the rescue.
CONTROL BRIEF
One of the bare essentials of shapewear is the control brief, which is a brief with a built-in tummy panel that slims your midriff. A control brief is a great solution when your jeans feel a little tight.
BIKER SHORT
If you want to smooth your body from your bust to your thighs, a high-waisted biker short shaper is the answer. Instead of a waistband that cuts into your stomach, this garment features a waistband that extends to just under your bust.
The high-waisted biker short slims you from your torso to your thighs, providing the perfect foundation for a clingy dress that hugs your curves!
CAMISOLE
Another important shapewear piece is the shaping camisole. This clever garment is designed to look like a typical camisole while secretly shaping and slimming your tummy and back. The shaper camisole is the perfect layering piece.
SHAPING THONG
Looking for a more natural look in the rear area? Try a thong shaper. This shapewear slims your tummy and waist while leaving your buttocks exposed.
BODY SHAPERS
Whether you're wearing a body-hugging dress, clingy knit top or other formfitting clothing, sometimes you want all-over shaping. A body shaper will give you the right amount of control in all the right places.
A good pair of stockings or pantyhose can shape your legs and minimize skin flaws. Many pantyhose and stockings are flesh-colored, so your skin is still slightly visible - yet any imperfections are smoothed away by the hosiery.
CONTROL TOP PANTYHOSE
Control top pantyhose is shapewear and hosiery all in one garment. Designed to shape your waist, hips and sometimes thighs, control top hosiery is offered in a variety of colors and patterns.
TIGHTS
With coverage from your feet to your waist, tights come in sheer, semi-opaque and opaque materials. Offered in a variety of colors and prints, tights are great for adding a touch of fun to any outfit. They can feature control top, a knit-in crotch, and seamed toes for added durability.
PANTYHOSE
Sheer tights that can be worn to cover your feet and legs, ending at your waist. Pantyhose are also available in footless styles. Worn for modesty and smooth looking legs, pantyhose give you a finished look.
THIGH-HIGHS
Usually made out of sheer nylon that covers your leg to your mid-to-upper thigh, thigh highs usually feature a silicone gripper to stay in place.
TROUSER SOCKS
Typically longer than a crew sock, but do not cover your entire calf. Trouser socks are usually made of thinner material that can be worn under dress pants. Come in sheer, semi-opaque and opaque fabrics. They're available in basic colors, skin tones and shades of black and grey and patterns.
KNEE-HIGH SOCKS
Cover your entire calf and stop just below your knee. Knee high socks can be made of thinner fabrics that can be worn under dress pants as well as thicker materials that can be worn under boots.
ANKLETS
Short socks that stop at the ankles. Available in athletic ankle socks as well as trendy anklet socks that come in a variety of sheer, semi-opaque or opaque materials. These can also feature lace, fishnet or pattern details.
NO SHOW & FOOT LINERS
Worn to prevent your feet from sweating without being seen outside of your shoes. These socks are made in a variety of fabrics, so they can be worn as athletic socks or with dress shoes.
STOCKINGS & GARTERS
Stockings are usually made out of sheer nylon that covers your leg up to your mid to upper thigh and must be held up with garters. Stockings are a great third and forth piece to your favorite sexy set.
