You have the perfect dress on. It’s clingy in all the right places. You’ll be the belle of the ball. But right as you walk out the door you spy it…a sheer spot in the fabric where your legs and tush make an appearance. If only you had a half-slip stuffed into your lingerie drawer! These days, the perfect bra and panty set aren’t the only essentials you need! The Glamour Shrink, Amanda Horan Kennedy, shares the top ten undergarments every gal's gotta own. Stock up on these staples, and you’ll be prepared for daytime and playtime!
1.) The “Go-To” Bra: None of us should ever be without at least 3 WHB’s - ‘workhorse’ bras- in our lingerie drawer. You’ll need a fresh one every 2 days. The seventh day, you can rest in your bralette…more on that later.
Workhorse bras are your everyday, go-to underthings. Purchase a WHB that is comfortable for long periods of time. It should be the best bra for your shape, size and everyday wardrobe. Compare it to your mid- heel pump: not too high and not too flat, the “just right” heel that you can wear anywhere. Aim for two workhorse bras in nude and one in black.
My personal favorites are Freya’s and Chantelle’s 3-part-cup bras. The multi-part cup is designed to direct the breast tissue forward, instead of letting it spread to the sides. And because there is no padding, it provides a perky shape. As for the strategically placed seams, they provide ultimate lift and won’t peek through your clothes.
Chantelle Rive Gauche Bra ($88)
2.) Panties: Next must have item: panties (and plenty of them). I personally can’t have enough. Go for nude in black in all styles. Here’s the inventory list:
- Bikinis and/or Boy Shorts: Perfect for below the waist skirts.
- Thongs: For jeans and clingy knits.
- Briefs (to the waist): For your high-waisted skirts or pants.
- An assortment of colored panties (for fun)
3.) Bralette: A bralette is an unlined, soft cup bra. This is your leisure bra/sleep bra. Some bralettes are lacy, just meant for fashion, and provide minimal support, like the Hanky Panky Signature Lace Crossover Bralette ($46). Others are quite supportive and can even double as a low impact sports bras for busts up to a small C cup.
4.) Shapewear: A great piece of shapewear is also a must-have, and you can wear one with just about anything! Plan on having at least one go-to control bottom and control top. Sassybax has a one-piece shaper that covers all the bases: midriff, tummy, thigh and butt. It’s known as the BYOB (bring your own bra) shaper because you wear your own lingerie with it.
Sassybax Hi-Rise Body Shaper, $82
5.) Half Slip:A half-slip will come in handy when your dress is a tad too sheer. It also provides that extra layer of modesty many women are looking for. I like the Commando Half-Slip ($45).
6.) Lingerie Bag: If you don’t hand wash, lingerie bags are a necessity! They’ll preserve your unmentionables. Try the Berry Ball & Bag ($13.99). Use the ball to keep your bras intact in the washing machine (say buh-bye to scrubbing in the sink!). Use the bag to keep your undies & hosiery from stretching, tangling, or otherwise becoming destroyed.
7.) T-Shirt Bra: T- shirt bras are invisible under the thinnest material, and create a totally smooth look under knits and clingy fabrics. Yes, a white lace bra showing through a crisp white shirt is feminine and sexy in the most ladylike of ways. However, certain fabrics call for a smooth operator. I love the Chantelle C-Chic T-Shirt Bra ($68).
8.) Full Slip: A great lingerie drawer also contains a full slip. Whether it has a built in bra or not, it’s an item that can come in handy. I like the Slimming Slip ($78) from Sassybax The Pretty Collection. Not only does it have built in support, it really helps minimize bulges.
9.) Sexy Lingerie: Sexy lingerie is that naughty corner of the drawer reserved for playtime with your guy. Try the Affinitas Helen Skirted Thong ($18). It has removable garters and minimal rear coverage. It’s so sexy, it should be illegal!
10.) Everyone thinks a strapless bra is a must, but I can’t stand the way they don’t stay up! If you have a special occasion dress that requires a strapless bra, I prefer a long line bustier bra. The best one is by VaBien #1503 ($75). The bustier on the torso holds the bra up and the tummy in. It also shapes the waist and back for a perfect hourglass figure. Plus, it has convertible, removable clear straps and garters.
Amanda Horan Kennedy's background in the fashion world started at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. She was 14 years old and was asked to model for a line of their cards. Fashion modeling came next at 16, followed by being crowned Miss Dallas and Miss Texas USA and becoming an actress. She starred in such TV shows as Cheers, Remington Steele, Hart to Hart, TJ Hooker, Dallas, as well as 200 national commercials.
Amanda is also a therapist, with a BA in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology. At GlamourShrink.com, her goal is to help women become the confident, glamorous creatures she believes they can be. She has also created Sassybax Shapewear as a way of helping women look and feel more confident and comfortable in the fashions they love.
