By Elizabeth Tigar
Ladies, let’s face it. We’re all guilty of holding on to things for years. That favorite shirt. That pair of jeans you KNOW you’ll be able to fit into again. A beloved dress. And the same holds true for our skivvies. We just can’t let go of that favorite pair. While some things in our closet can count as “classics,” your lingerie isn’t one of them. Consider this an intervention. Vintage t-shirts are one thing, but vintage undies? Oh. No. Chances are you’re hanging onto pieces that are way past prime, and your lingerie drawer could use some freshening. Here are some helpful hints to help you upgrade your underwear without totally breaking the bank.
Lingerie on Life Support: Your bras and panties have a lifespan, and it’s shorter than you might think. How do you know if your collection needs resuscitation? Get out those bras. If you need more than one hand to count how many years old it is, toss it. Bras stretch out, lose their shape and as they do, your silhouette suffers. Once you’ve weeded out the ancient ones, assess your collection. You should really have two you can wear everyday, under nearly everything. Plus one strapless for evening. I also seriously advocate having at least one bra and panty set that reads “total hotness” for special occasions (or just an everyday treat). That’s four bras. Nothing crazy. Just a tried and true arsenal.
Le Mystere Strapless Push-Up Bra, $62
The same holds true for your bottoms. If they’re more than five years old, they DEFINITELY have to go. Take a good look at what you have. Holes, pilling, and discoloration are a total no-no. If you’d be embarrassed to have someone lay eyes on you in any pair, it’s time to go. No exceptions. (Shapewear notwithstanding). A bare essentials collection (for those diligent about laundry) would include five to seven pair of basics that you can wear under non-clinging clothing, two pair of a seamless style for avoiding VPL, plus your “hotness” pair (mentioned above).
Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong, $18
The Size Issue: You’ve all heard the statistic: 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. While we think that’s a little overblown, it is certainly true that many, many women are indeed rocking incorrectly sized bras. How do you know if you’re one of the guilty ones? Get yourself measured! A good lingerie department, or a specialty boutique will have bra fitting specialists for you. Or go the D.I.Y. route with this at-home guide to getting you in the right size. Measure yourself often because bra size, like pant size, can change over time. Gaining or losing more than 10 lbs, having a baby, starting or ceasing birth control can all affect breast size. Your bras should change accordingly. Some people may even change size depending on what time of the month it is. If that’s the case, you should have bras that fit correctly for any time.
The Budget Plan: You needn’t spend a fortune to update your collection. Assess where you are now and what pieces you need. Invest carefully, spending the most on the pieces you will wear the most. You’ll find the lifespan and comfort of a slightly more expensive basic will far make up for the extra dollars on the price tag. One sure-fire way to stretch your dollar is proper care and maintenance of your lingerie. Bras and panties should always be washed separately and on a delicate cycle (for the die-hards, hand washing is great too). A less harsh detergent will also extend the life of all of your skivvies. Specialty brands like Soak are worth the investment. For the budget shopper, Woolite will also work. Honestly though, the number one thing that will make your lingerie last is to NEVER EVER put it in the dryer. That high, dry heat is an enemy to all fabrics, especially those with elastic or spandex. Take the time and space to air dry. You won’t regret it.
Elizabeth Tigar is the owner of Austin, TX, lingerie boutique Underwear. Visit www.shop-underwear.com to check out the latest styles.
Tags: lingerie
One comment
Posted by: John Wilder on December 12, 2011 at 8:47 am
As a man, I too say get rid of panties that are the plain white virginal panties or worse yet cotton panties. Cotton panties should only be worn by little old ladies and little girs. You are a woman, you need to dress like it for your main 0r potential man. It will make you feel prettier adn sexier and change your outlook. Please ladies check out the lacy red bra and panties. This is what men like or do you want to jut continue being single?
John Wilder