Lingerie part 2

PANTIES

Yes, there are many studies telling us about wearing the wrong bra. We don't need too much research to know that we wear badly fitting underwear all the time. We are seeing granny panties showing under see-through clothing and low waist jeans. I guess we got "immune" to pantie-lines. When I advised a client about her pantie lines, she told me it's OK: "at least people know that I'm wearing underwear".

Underwear can be the most distracting garment that you wear, if it doesn't fit. Imagine what can it do to your comfort and confidence level.
We only need about 12 to 25 pairs of well fitting underwear.
For panties too, first you need to make sure that you wear the right size. It is very easy (much easier than for your bra) to measure for size.

How to measure for the right size pantie?

To determine the proper size, you only need two measurements:

• waist measurement
• hip measurement

Waist measurement:

Place the measure tape around the natural waist. If you need to locate your natural waist, bend to the side, and the crease will be the location of your natural waist.

Hip measurement:

Place the measure tape around the fullest part of your hip.
When you take these measurements make sure that the tape measure is always parallel to the floor.

There are two types of sizing for underwear:

• by numbers - like 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc.
• by letters - XS, S, M, etc.

The chart below will help finding the right size in both sizing:

Waist measurement	Hip measurement	Panty size	Panty size
23”-24”	33”-34”	4	XS
25”-26”	35”-36”	5	S
27”-28”	37”-38”	6	M
29”-30”	39”-40”	7	L
31”-32”	41”-42”	8	XL
33”-34”	43”-44”	9	2XL
35”-36”	45”-46”	10	3XL
37”-38”	47”-48”	11	4XL
39”40”	49”-50”	12	5XL

Styles to choose from:

1. BIKINI

• The most popular choice. 
• Provides moderate seat coverage. 
• Flattering style with narrow sides. 
• Sits well below the belly button.
• Less visible under clothing.

2.  FRENCH CUT BIKINI

• Features high leg holes, rising just above the widest part of the hip.
• Provides moderate seat coverage.
• Some women prefer this cut as the elastic around the lower leg can be tight and uncomfortable.
• The high leg cut is giving an illusion of longer legs.

3. STRING BIKINI

• Sits inches below the waist.
• Provides moderate coverage. 
• The sides are constructed with thin fabric/elastic strings. 

4. BRIEFS

• Commonly known as "Granny Panties".
• Gives full coverage.
• The waist band sits at the belly button or above.
• Do not wear them with low rise bottoms!
• In recent seasons there is a new revival of the high brief, made of beautiful lace. Worth checking it out!

5. BOY-SHORTS

• They look like hot pants, and they are a very cute solution.
• The ultimate full coverage panties.
• It is a newer panty silhouette.
• The waistband sits below the waist.
• Does not have the obvious panty lines.
• They have fewer tendencies to ride up.
• Look for a style that has gusset crotch design.

6. THONGS

• This style has minimum coverage.
• The waistband sits on the hips.
• Usually has a high-cut leg.
• There is a strip of material/string running up the back of the underwear and flares out into the waistband.
• There is minimal panty line with this style.
• It may look uncomfortable, but if you find the right fit, you might have the most convenient panty in your drawer. 
• Select fun colors, textured fabrics if you know there is a chance they may be seen under low rise jeans.

7. HIPSTER

• This style sits on the hips.
• Features  low leg holes.
• Provides full coverage.
• Excellent choice for conservative women wearing low cut bottoms.

We usually have more underwear than what we need. Please go and try them on and leave only the once that fit and look well. Replenish your pantie stocks every 2-3 months.

Panty fit checklist:

• Waistline should be snug, but not binding.
• If the waistband keeps bunching up or rolling in the front, try a smaller size.
• The right size waistband should stay in place and feel comfortable.
• Leg openings should be snug, but not binding.
• Leg openings should be evenly arched on both legs.
• If you have trouble with snug leg openings, try a style like a French Cut Bikini or  Boy-shorts. 
• Buttocks should be cupped by the fabric evenly.
• Try to choose styles with a cotton crotch insert.
• The crotch should fit naturally against your body.
• The crotch should not have any excessive fabric in the front and/or the back.
• If your underwear is riding up , the elastic might be too loose.
• The proper fit should be balanced, symmetrical. 

Replace underwear that is ill fitting, lost it's elasticity, or it is discolored. I advise a panty drawer check every 2-3 months.

SHAPE-WEAR

Today's shape-wear can change your body as soon as you can put them on.
According to some manufacturers, it may take 5 to 10 minutes to squeeze on one.
You can guess that I'm not the biggest fan of this piece of lingerie. I don't think that we should spend time and money on something that takes such an effort to put on (let's not visualize the taking off part). I can't image it being very comfortable either.
If you have something to "hide", you should deal with it in a different way:

• Eliminate garments that are made of stretch fabrics.
• Choose well constructed garments with seams that shape the piece in the right places.
• Know your body and use clothing  to play off  your best assets.
• Wear a silk slip/camisole/shell under the clothing to smooth and cover lines.
• Find a bodies-suit with a good fitting attached bra.

Generations of women fought against constructive undergarments, millions of ladies burned their corsets and later bras. I don't think their goal was for the modern woman to live in latex shape-wear.

I would like to remind you that your lingerie wardrobe should include lounge-wear and your sleep-wear too. PLEASE make sure these garments get the exact same attention as any other garment that you wear. They should fit well since these are the pieces that you wear when you want to relax. Treat yourself to something luxurious to enjoy the precious "down-time" in your busy day.

Threat yourself as you would be treating the most important person in your life!

What's next? I'll dwell into the closet - how to start cleaning it, organizing, planning for a new and simplified, workable wardrobe that reflects your personality.