By Funmi
Do you have a special drawer for your lingerie? How are they organized? Or are they cram-packed with bras so old you are ashamed for anyone to even accidentally open your drawer? Lingerie items are our foundational garments: They are the bare essentials of our wardrobe. Before we put our clothes on, we must choose the right lingerie. Not only does it enhance the way our clothes look on us, it also boosts our confidence and walk subconsciously.
You may think a bra is a bra. The truth is, you need many different bras to cover your many different needs. Likewise, you need different styles of panties and you may even need a few shape-wear 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? Here are some essentials I think every woman must own.
Bras
You’ve probably had the experience of buying a great new outfit and discovering with dismay that you didn’t have the right bra to wear with it. You need bras for many different types of clothes.
For example, if you’re wearing a low V-neck top, you’ll probably want to boost your cleavage. In this case, a push-up bra will do the trick. Push-up bras are often padded, but not always.
If you’re wearing a T-shirt, you’ll need to wear a Contour bra (or T-shirt bra). A contour bra has cups that hold their shape, even when not being worn. The cups are seamless, molded and shaped with foam to prevent nipple show-through. Also it will not show under your tee shirt.
A Convertible bra is also very handy to have in your lingerie wardrobe of bare essentials. This kind of bra features convertible straps that may be worn in several different styles such as cross-back, halter, one-shoulder, strapless and classic.
Your wardrobe should contain at least three everyday basic bras. These are a collection of 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.
Finally, if you engage in any physical activity at all, you need several sports bras to prevent breast bounce, which causes sagging. So all you gym rats need to invest in a good firm sports bra
Panties
If your panties don’t fit right, you will definitely be uncomfortable all day. So, invest in well-made panties! You should have a one to two week supply of everyday panties in your wardrobe. You can wear whatever style of panty you prefer. Here are some basics.
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.
The boy-short is quickly replacing the thong as the emerging panty silhouette. A boy-short is similar in appearance to men’s underwear, with wide sides that usually cover the top portion of the thighs.
Traditionally, boy-shorts provide full rear coverage; however, the newer ‘cheeky’ boy short may provide moderate to minimal rear coverage since part of the buttocks is exposed.
Of course, you’ve heard about the thong. Much-loved by the men, a thong only has a thin piece of fabric that slides between the cheeks of your derriere, exposing the rear.
The advantage of the thong is minimal panty lines. The disadvantage is many women say they are not as comfortable as a brief, bikini or boy-short.
You may also want to have a few briefs in your bare essentials lingerie drawer. Briefs are sometimes referred to as ‘granny panties’ because they’re considered ‘un-cool’ if you’re under age 60.
Actually, women of all ages wear brief panties because they are very comfortable. The fit tends to be roomier, allowing you more room to breathe. And since briefs usually provide full rear coverage, they won’t ride up in the back.
Shape Wear
If you’ve ever worn a clingy top or tight dress, you know how important shape-wear 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, shape-wear can come to the rescue. My favourite type of shape-wear is the ones made by ‘Spanx’. They range in different styles, from tummy slimming, to hips firming etc.
Another important shape-wear 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.
Looking for a more natural look in the rear area? Try a thong shaper. This shape-wear slims your tummy and waist while leaving your buttocks exposed.
Ladies, how up to date is your lingerie drawer? Let’s hear from you.
