Undercover Magic - Advice and Tips on getting your underwear right
If Trinny and Susannah taught us anything it’s that it’s what you wear under your clothes that's the lynchpin of confident dressing!
You can now buy some amazing underwear to pull in, push up and everything in between. Even the stunning Katie Holmes has been known to grab a little help from her Spanx! Get your foundations right and you’ll be on course to look and feel fab-ulous. Get it wrong and it doesn’t matter how great the top layer. So come on girls, forget about the diet and exercise regime, dash out and invest in some fabulous foundations…..
Bountiful Bosoms
A well-lifted bosom is one of the keystones of a great figure. Cleverly chosen bras can work wonders for your body. And it’s not just about the aesthetics! An ill-fitting bra on a large bust could lead to postural and back problems.
For anyone over a D cup a well-fitted bra is the most important item in her wardrobe. It pays to splash out on this important staple. Spend three times as much as you would expect and you really won’t regret it! If you can only afford one new bra, make sure it’s made from a smooth fabric. Avoid all lace and decoration to broaden the bra's versatility. Underwiring is essential as it will push the breasts forwards as well as upwards. The ‘jutting’ action alone will make you visibly lose pounds! Take advice from a professional fitter. Jenners have very well trained fitters and a superb selection of bras.
Bra-Buying Top Tips
When looking at bra sizes, the ‘number’ is your back width and the letter(s) your cup size.
Take a top you wear regularly to check you like the overall shape the bra gives.
Look for fit, comfort, support, and suitability for your normal clothing.
The back clasp should be tightest on it’s widest setting. As the elastic loosens you can tighten it.
Bras have a life span of just 6 months!
Take advice from a professional fitter if - on the size you’re considering – the straps are loose or the back strap is loose on the tightest setting.
If your bra rides up at the back it’s too big across the back. Go down a number (e.g. from a 38 to a 36).
If you’re suffering from the infamous ‘double boob’, move up a cup size.
Remember - all bras are different. Never assume your ideal size on one style of bra will be the same on another – always try bras on.
Smooth bras are best as an everyday bra or for wearing with thinner fabric tops.
Black and nude bras are the best colour for your bra, not a white bra as it can be seen even under a white top!
The best allover bra for the small-breasted woman has to be the Wonderbra. With the ability to increase or decrease internal padding with ‘chicken fillets’ and the ability to control the tightness of the cleavage with its cowboy-string device, this bra will make the best of the flattest of the flats!
If you have a podgy back - and let's face it, many of us do - you need a wide strap that will distribute the pulling power over a wider area, thus reducing the flesh-digging capabilities.
For Larger cups - try Bravissimo bras, or shop in a specialist shop like Rigby and Peller.
For small cups - gel filled bras can be a godsend. Triumph bras have an excellent range. These can be bought at littlewomen.co.uk or figleaves.com
Types of bras
Plunge: gives eye-popping cleavage - good for v-neck tops.
Balconet – pushes the breasts upwards - good for scoop necks and empire lines. Ooh, Mr. D’Arcy….
Full natural cup - good for t-shirts and knitwear.
Strapless – You can get ‘stick-ons’ up to a D cup – you can get these from most JML stockists. From DD cup upwards you’ll need a proper strapless bra. – We love the Fantasie range, available from Jenners and Figleaves.
In general, the Triumph website has some fantastic information on bras. You might want to turn down the awful background music though!
Briefs
G-string - buy a size larger than your normal size and look for a larger gusset for maximum comfort. Avoid a tiny elastic to prevent that Michelin-man effect!
Hipster and boy pants - great for avoiding VPL!
Control Pants - You just can’t beat Spanx – as sported by the aforementioned Katie Holmes! Get yours from Figleaves and John Lewis. They have a great range of sizes and shapes.Don’t be fooled into buying smaller. Get pants in your actual size to give you the support you really need.
A half slip is excellent under skirts, though they can be worn with trousers to smooth out cellulite and general lumps and bumps.
The ultimate solution to a saggy bottom is a pair of contouring support pants which have built-in lift. OK - any thoughts of seduction should leave your mind but the silhouette on offer in a pair of these will give a new lease of life to those dresses and skirts you’ve banished to the back of the wardrobe! (Should your luck change there’s always the possibility of slipping them off in the bathroom……)
For the pear shaped woman invest in a bum and thigh knicker with extra-thick lycra (they look bit like cycling shorts). These redistribute the flesh around the bum and thigh area and create the illusion hat you’[re thinner and more toned. And not a treadmill in sight!
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