So, let’s talk basics. And by basics I mean what we wear underneath our clothes.
Your underwear can make or break your outfit. It can make it look expensive, or it can make it look cheap.
Underwear can also make you feel attractive, sexy and good about yourself, or it can make you feel dowdy, lumpy and frumpy! It is an important part of our self-care and makes you feel good about yourself.
Firstly though, to look good in your clothes, leave the sexy underwear for the bedroom. Lots of straps, lace, and bows or buckles, will show and make your outerwear hang incorrectly, or pull in the wrong place. A smooth line is what we are looking for.
A pair of Spanks or similar under trousers, skirts or dresses, will turn an ordinary outfit into something that looks like a designer outfit. To make any outfit look really classy and put together, the fit is of paramount importance, as any Italian will tell you and the under-pinning, i.e. your underwear, will enhance that fit.
Shapewear is a good choice for every body type as it smooths the lines and adds a bit of rigidity to an outfit, so even if you don’t need “holding in”, it will create a smooth and supported line.
Body suits are another good choice as they take away the lines caused by the top of knickers and the lower edges of bras. Go for simple smooth designs, without too much lace and strapping to keep the things smooth.
Be careful when you wear tights (pantyhose) too, as these can cause another line to appear above your knicker line.
Panties
One of my pet hates is a VPL (visible panty line). So many people don’t bother to look at their rear view in a mirror and a VPL will absolutely ruin any outfit you put on.
Nobody (except perhaps your partner) should be able to see what type of underwear you have on!
If your panties cut across your bottom they will cause another line, which ruins the outline of your outfit. If they fit snuggly under your buttocks they will create a pleasing line and will lift your buttocks slightly.
Thongs, in my opinion (please don’t shout me down for this!), should also be worn with caution. Whilst they undoubtedly solve the problem of a VPL, they do then leave the buttock hanging free and uncovered, so unless you have a tight, toned tush, wearing a thong will show every lump, bump and sag.
Don’t get me wrong! I am all about embracing your body whatever the size, lumps and all. There are very few of us who have perfect bodies (whatever that is!), and we must dress how we like, but I am also a very strong believer in dressing appropriately – and I don’t mean age appropriately.
If you really thought about it, would you want the whole world looking at your backside as you walk along the street? Is it really appropriate that there is very little left to the imagination with a lot of modern outfits? Everyday dressing now includes very tight, figure-hugging, sportswear, which not only contours every line of your body, it also enhances in lots of cases, with the way the print is positioned. Appropriate maybe for the gym – the high street, not so much!
The trouble is that most people forget that we are three-dimensional and when they look in the mirror, they just look at the front, forgetting, or not wanting to remember, that they have a rear view!
Bras
To keep your clothes looking stylish and put together, the other area you need to pay attention to is your bra.
A whopping 81% of women wear the wrong size bra and not only is this extremely bad for your boobs, it is also bad for your outfit. The wrong size bra will create all sorts of bulges and lines, even if you are small-breasted and will make your tops hang in completely the wrong way.
I have seen time and time again with my clients how a simple bra fit completely changes the way their body shape looks and how they view their clothes on them.
So, get yourself down to your local underwear shop – I thoroughly recommend Marks and Spencer for this and all the pictures here are current M&S designs – and get measured for a new bra and invest in some full and supportive panties. They don’t have to be grey and boring - there are plenty of styles out there that are pretty and elegant. They also don’t have to be un-sexy. But if you want something more seductive then leave this for the bedroom!
Colour
So, let’s talk colour.
I love coloured or black underwear, but this can only really be worn under dark colours or jumpers, etc, that are of a thicker material.
Otherwise go for white or, better still, a nude colour. Although nude is not a seductive colour, it IS the best colour to wear under any clothes, especially white, as white panties and bras can show through white clothes like a beacon, weirdly!
I find, for a normal week, if I wear a nude body, then it doesn’t matter how many times I change my clothes, I am always wearing underwear that will work. There is nothing more annoying than finding an outfit doesn’t work, you are in a hurry and the underwear you have on will only go with what you were hoping to wear!
If you would like to have a copy of my bra-fitting guide, then please email me at info@elinorsalter.com
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