Category: Undergarments

 

Foundation:  the basic groundwork of anything

Just as a building needs a solid foundation, or you use “foundation” to prepare your face for the color accents, your body needs the right foundation garments to best project your outer garments.   Whether a $59 dress from H & M or a $1000 dress from Armani, it will look better when you are wearing the proper foundation garments.

I think we often treat our undergarments a bit like toothpaste – a necessary part of life but we buy replacements by rote.   A closet edit is often where clients realize their foundation items are not working for them.  Since good foundational garments are expensive, it is important to have a knowledgeable sales person guiding you.

A good place to start is with the bra.  I have found that my size has changed over the years so a new fitting is important.  Another nasty little habit manufacturers have is discontinuing a favorite style.  I would recommend having a good fitting at least every five years.   Although lace is beautiful and makes you feel elegant, these bras often show the pattern of the lace through soft knits.  The “T” shirt bra has become a staple in my wardrobe.  Another feature to look for when choosing a bra is the option of crossing the straps in back.  As most of you have discovered, many of the newer summer designs have found creative ways to cut deep into the armhole, thus revealing a bra strap.  I notice many women ignoring this fact and letting their bra straps show.  There is a reason undergarments are called “undergarments”.  Exposed lingerie ruins the whole look of a garment.  After switching to a strapless bra when wearing some of my dresses and tops, I discovered that one of my bras had detachable straps in the back that could be lengthened and crossed.  Voila!  Hidden straps and much more comfortable than a strapless bra.

Spanx, Bali, Miraclesuit, Body Wrap and other manufacturers have added shape wear to their lines.  Spanx, an Atlanta company, seems to take the lead.  You can find lightweight or firm body shapers, depending on your needs.  Whether it is smoothing out through the midriffs, thighs or tummy, there is something for you.  The “frog suit” is a lightweight full body and thigh unit that allows you to wear your own bra so you don’t get a “uni-boob” effect.  Look for panties that do not show a panty line with your slacks.

When you are trying on any shapewear, look for something that will be comfortable.  These are not designed to be like the corsets we have all see in movies from the ‘40s or fashions from the turn of the 20^th century.  Smelling salts are no longer fashioable!  Be sure you move around, make sure they garment doesn’t roll up or cut in.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking a smaller size will minimize as it will be uncomfortable over time.

Choose a store that has staff trained in fitting lingerie.  You don’t want someone that has just been working in the perfume department helping fit your lingerie.

Are You Wearing the Right Undergarments?

Posted on August 3, 2011 by admin

With temperatures soaring into the 90’s on a daily basis, it only follows that ladies are turning to cooler, summer attire. Although this is most appropriate, I am amazed at how many people don’t wear appropriate undergarments.

Last Sunday my husband and I attended the US Open Tennis Championship finals. I noted one lady who was impeccably dressed with black walking shorts, white sleeveless top, Chanel sunglasses and an attractive straw hat. Had we been judging who was the best-dressed spectator for the event, she would have won unanimously. There was only one very big problem. Her deep cut sleeveless top clearly exposed her bra straps. Despite the fact that the straps had cute little daisies on the top of each shoulder, it was still an exposed bra strap!

In the last few weeks, I have noted so many occasions where bra straps are clearly visible in sleeveless attire and often a regular bra will be worn with spaghetti straps. The bras that have clear plastic straps, designed to be “invisible” are even more offensive than regular straps showing. The only invisible straps are no straps showing at all! There is a reason they are called “undergarments”.

Lingerie faux pas are not limited to just bras. Visible panty lines, an exposed “T” of a thong and sheer skirts showing the wearer’s silhouette can all be seen on a trip to the mall. Appropriate lingerie for each of these is available and will make the difference between looking looking your best or missing the mark.

Bras: This is one of the most important undergarment purchases you can make. Statistics show that the majority of women are wearing bras that do not fit correctly. This is especially important for the ladies with fuller bosoms. Saks has an excellent staff of women who are trained to fit a bra correctly. Specialty lingerie shops usually have trained staff as well. Good strap support is very important for a larger bust. Although a strapless bra is a great solution for a variety of more exposed top, it will most likely not give enough support for the larger bust. There are many versions of racerback and convertible straps to be worn with deep-cut sleeves. I really like the T-shirt bra with a slightly molded cup which gives a smooth line. This is flattering for the many soft knits being worn today. There are also camisoles available with a built-in bra to wear under those sheer or semi-sheer tops. If you choose to wear a separate camisole, be careful that the two sets of straps are not obvious. 

Panties: Choosing the right panties or briefs has always been a challenge. You want comfort and coverage but you don’t want visible lines. Many people opt for the thong, which avoids panty lines on trousers. However, as I have noted in past blogs, the thong is not a good choice with knit dresses. Many times have I seen a light- weight knit dress glued to the buttocks of someone wearing a thong and no slip. When you sit, the dress will cling to your skin so that it molds to you when you stand up. Most embarrassing!

There are several other options to avoid a panty line in trousers. Pantyhose are a possible option. You can even cut them off just below the knee and get the seam-free line without having to show them on your feet. Several manufacturers make thigh-length panties or longer that will also give you a line-free look. If you like a little control, Spanx is a good choice. They come in different lengths and offer light support.

I think everyone needs a slip just as insurance. Many summer dresses of a cotton or linen-type fabric are not lined. One may not be able to see through it in the dressing room but out in the sun, your silhouette will be obvious. A slip is also a solution for the clinging knit dress.

Another undergarment you might want to consider is something to smooth the midriff. The resurgence of the slim fitting sheath dresses has also brought the problem of a few little rolls exposing themselves. Spanx also has a great line of garments to smooth through the mid section. These are available in most department store lingerie departments.

Enjoy the rest of summer, dressing with Aplomb!

Need some help shopping for the right undergarment? We would love to guide you in choosing the perfect items for your wardrobe and lifestyle. Beryl@StyleWithAplomb.com or call at 404-428-2527.

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Posted on June 30, 2010 by admin 

New York Fashion Week 2007 by Peter Duhon

We attended a large party this weekend where the guest list spanned the gamut in age and style of dress.  As an image consultant, it is always great fun to attend such a party as I get a fascinating peek into a wide cross section of Atlanta.  With temperatures soaring into the 90’s and intensified by the typical high humidity, it is no surprise that many ladies chose sundresses.   Along with sundresses, one could find dressy cocktail dresses, dressy casual and just simply casual.  It wasn’t until people started dancing that the need for  proper under garments became spotlighted.

One of the popular fabrics for summer is a knit or jersey.  These dresses come in different weights but all of them should come with a “caution” label.  One striking young lady wore a heavier jersey dress that fit her beautifully.  She was lovely until she started to dance.  Once on the dance floor, it was quite evident that she was only wearing a thong and the longer she danced; the jersey dress clung even tighter, making the lines of her thong more pronounced.   Jersey has a proclivity to affix itself to skin once the skin is a bit moist with perspiration.  On a recent outing to the symphony, I followed a young lady out after the concert that was also only wearing a thong.  The long, jersey dress she was wearing had adhered itself to her derriere and left nothing to the imagination.  I’m sure none of the ladies wearing a dress of this type have any idea that a dress that looks so attractive from the front could ultimately be such a disaster from the rear.  This is where some under garments would save the dress and the appearance.  A half-slip would help skim over whatever kind of panties the wearer chose and keep a nice, smooth line.  One trick that I use with a garment that shows a panty line is to wear panty hose with the feet cut off.  This allows for a bare sandal look while a providing a line-free undergarment.

Another undergarment error that I observed was a middle-aged lady with salt and pepper grey hair wearing a satin cocktail dress.  The dress was quite modest and appropriate for her build and her age but once on the dance floor, it clearly revealed that she was not wearing a bra.  It did not appear that the cut of the dress would prevent wearing a regular bra but if so, a strapless bra would have been appropriate.  Some very young women can get away without a bra for a while but the majority of women need a bra to keep “the girls” in place and help the dress fit correctly.

The third example of needing help with undergarments (or lack of) was a lady who appeared to be with her 20 something daughter and her boyfriend.  This lady had chosen a cocktail dress that revealed more of her bosom than it covered and had even had a bare area in the middle of the back.  She was much more exposed than her daughter and it seemed to me that she would have been much lovelier in a less revealing dress.  I have talked with many men who have stated that they find a suggestion of sexy far more alluring than revealing so much that nothing is left to the imagination.

Anyone looking for that great summer dress that will work for our hot, humid summers might want to be more thorough in checking out how it will sit, move with you on the dance floor and be perceived by others.  Even though it is not quite as cool as wearing minimal undergarments, taking precautions that you are properly covered can save you embarrassed once you hit the dance floor or spend time sitting.

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