If your undergarments are stretched, stained, damaged or otherwise abused, throw them in the garbage… Now. Here’s some tips on scoring the best bra and undergarments.
The Rules
Our bodies change for all sorts of reasons over the course of our lives (age, weight variations, pregnancy, and use of the contraceptive pill). So, if you want to look and feel as good as you deserve to, follow these rules.
Do…
- Get measured for a bra at least twice per year by a professional bra fitter
- Wash your bras in lukewarm water, using a gentle soap like baby detergent,
Ivory Snow, or even baby shampoo - Never, ever, ever place your bras in the dryer
- If you’ve got love handles, always buy briefs (not bikinis) with light
stomach support
- For health reasons, make sure your underwear has a cotton crotch
- Wait at least 1 week after your period before trying and purchasing new
bras
- Always try on bras before purchasing them—you will not wear the same-sized
bra in every bra
- Wash unpacked panties before wearing them (people DO try on the undergarments
before purchasing)
- Rotate your bras every day to extend the life of the bra
- Focus on fit rather than fashion when looking for everyday bras
Don’t
- White pants with bright-colored panties (you know better!)
- Too-tight panties (horror humps)
- Too-tight bra (boob spillage/back bulk)
- Visible panty-line (I see London, I see France…)
- Thongs peeking from the top of jeans- no more muffin top
- Showing more rolls (of flesh) than a Thanksgiving dinner (try a body-shaper)
- Form-fitting top with heavily detailed bra (you can see bra imprint through
top)
- Slip longer than dress or skirt (“the Chicken Little,” a.k.a.
the slip is falling! The slip is falling!)
- Tube top with no bra (and you need one)
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I love these rules, specifically the bra rules. I can’t stand to see bra straps…especially when they are dirty.
Or, just cut to the chase and go to Nordstroms for a fitting. I won’t buy a bra without them. As for underroos—Hanky Panky. No lines, very comfortable.
The Nordstroms ladies told me the same thing about washing undergarments, but my mom had been saying it for years anyway. I put my underthings in a mesh bag, stick them in the washer on gentle, and use Dreft detergent. I also air-dry.
This is a different subject, but if you have lots of boob-age, check out Freya swimwear. I can’t find anything that fits in the stores. Recently I found http://lionslairdesigns.com, who sells Freya Swim, and they are great about returns and sending extra sizes for you to try on.
Does anyone recommend a bra for a SMALL chest? I’m talking 32AA here…
Great post! I agree that undergarments are important…they make everything look better!
Under the don’ts you forgot
Don’t wear white underwear under white pants or skirts, nude or black work much better.
Black underwear under white pants and skirts? I’m confused. I think nude is the best option.
I have “bra fitting” on my new anti-crastination list…have been meaning to go for oh, probably a year now. Thanks for the reminder and the tips!
Lane Bryant also does bra fittings as well. After my current pregnancy, I went down a band size!
women really need to learn to love spanx unless they are super fit. they are my best friend
The rules are right on point. I wish someone had shared these with me when I was younger!
On the subject of bras, does anyone know of a company that produces custom bras? I have heard that there are companies were they measure you and make the bras to fit you.
When I was measured at Victoria Secrets they say I am a 38B. This size is impossible to find. When I do find it, they do not always fit right and I get that gap.
Getting re-fitted for a bra is THE BEST fashion advice anyone can take. I went to Nordstroms too and they gave me great service and a whole torso profile.
Sindy—if you have a Nordstroms, go there instead; they are professionals. I went to VS for years and NEVER got a correct fit, even after they measured me. When I go in for other things (very rare, I’d rather give Nordstroms my business b/c they’ve been so helpful) they STILL try to convince me that their bras will fit, and I wear a 32F in most brands, which they don’t even carry.
If there is a gap, you aren’t wearing the right bra or maybe it’s the wrong size. Certain brands won’t work on me, even if they are the right size. The women at Nordstroms know these things inside and out.
I know I sound like I’m doing a commercial, but the difference they’ve made in the way I look has made me a very loyal customer…I even took my 36G younger cousin in there to get her fitted…I have to pass these secrets on to others!!
I recently found two great bras that work for me, and they’re both 38B. They’re Hanes All Over Comfort bra and Hanes Pure Bliss. I can’t abide an underwire and am always on the lookout for a bra that has some stretch to it. Both of these bras fill the bill. The All Over Comfort bra has some “shaping” to it (not overly padded) and the straps are a bit wider at the top of the shoulder. You can get this bra in underwire if you prefer. The Pure Bliss doesn’t have molded cups, but it’s nice and stretchy and very comfortable also. Both bras are made of microfiber so they breathe. I got mine at good ol’ Wal-Mart for about $9.98 each. Can’t beat a deal like that….
Yech- Spanx are horrible! I’m all for a control short, but Spanx have a really thick seam up the middle that shows when you are wearing and kind of light fabric (silk charmeuse, chiffon, etc). I’m looking for a true seamless option if any of you guys have one….
I heard one story about a very, shall we say daringly demanding customer from a lingerie sales associate of a very upscale department store. She brought in her high priced La Perla bra expecting financial compensation after having put it in the wash and dryer multiple times after wearing it. Needless to say it was completely ruined. This customer came back a year after buying it. Are some people really so dumb when it comes to caring for delicates. They do come with care instruction tags these days. This customer definitely had no shame: she didn’t have a receipt either, not that it mattered anymore. I am so glad I am not in retail!
black is a good optionf or black women under white pants cause fo ryears they didn’t make undergarments to match our skin color
I went in to VS for a bra fitting and they did not give me a correct measurement. I am a B, have always been. The girl told me I was a “DD”! I wish! So I tried it on, because she insisted she was right, and nope Too big!! So I walked out of there with a 38B. Just like I thought. I will go to Nordstrom next time.
For the smaller ladies, try AA Lingerie. Me and my similar sisters shop there.
Sindy… If you have trouble finding a 38B try a 36C with a bra extender. The cup size should be comparable.
I’ve worked at a lingerie shop for 2 years and bra shopping can be a difficult excursion, not all bras are created equal for everyone! It’s always easier when you find a shop that has a helpful and friendly staff.
I can relate to stories about difficult customers and I feel like stopping women on the street and telling them that they can get a better fitting or styled bra to fit thier needs. I HATE standard straps with a halter top or a racerback top!
How or where would I find a 40B or 42B. There are always larger cup sizes in these band sizes and I know that I am not the only one looking for that 40B or 42B bra. Helpful suggestions would be appreciated. To get the cup to fit I have to get a smaller band size and by 4:00 P.M. it feels as if I am being cut in half. Thank you for any help you my have.
ann i guess you could try a bra extender as was suggested above?
Please, VS has their own sizes. I take a 34D in every brand of bra, except VS. There it is a 34DD. I think they think women want to feel they have bigger breast then they do. Definatley, try bras on before buying!