A Proper Foundation for Feminine Attire

Isn't that just a fancy-schmancy title?  Today I'll be discussing feminine and appropriate undergarments.  Hopefully, in a tasteful and helpful way.  The words used in this post will probably make my blog come up during some very weird (read: kinky) google searches, but oh well....someone has to write about it!

The world of women's undergarments has changed drastically over the course of centuries.  It's hard for me to imagine wearing a full chemise, petticoat and corset on a day like today when the heat index is over 100 degrees....and to think that when they wore all those undergarments, there was no such thing as air conditioning or oscillating fans!  As much as I'd enjoy wearing a corset (just for the experience...and maybe to attain a smaller waist), I'll pass on it during the summer, thank you very much. Women of that era had no choice if they wanted to be considered feminine and appropriate. I'm thankful that in the 21st century we have a bit more choice in what we wear underneath!

I believe every woman should have some utilitarian undergarments and then some fancy ones.  And I'm not talking about the kind of fancy ones you only break out at night for your significant other.  There's something about showing the world your outside (jeans, a tshirt, and ballet flats), yet all the while knowing that underneath your casual exterior you're sporting fire-engine red lacy panties.  It's like a secret pick-me-up for those days when you are feeling less than beautiful.  You can find beautiful undergarments in all shapes and sizes.  Invest in one nice bra/panty set and see how it makes you feel when you put it on, when you glance in the mirror and when you see yourself throughout the day.  You might be surprised at how feminine you feel even if the outward appearance is covered in spit-up, food stains or paint!

Underwear - Did you know that underwear comes in all shapes and sizes?  And there's nothing wrong with any of those shapes and/or sizes?  Do you think that women who wear thongs are floozies?  Do you thing that full-size briefs are only made out of cotton or polyester and only worn by women over the age of 65?  Some of us can be underwear snobs. Do you know why all the different cuts of underwear exist? They exist for women's comfort (a full-size brief is always going to be more comfortable than a thong), for appropriateness (sometimes a thong is the only way to go if you want to avoid visible panty line), and for fun (see the fire-engine red lacy panties in the above paragraph).  I think a women should own some of each. 

Comfort

A woman's level of underwear comfort varies from person to person.  Can you be comfortable in a full-cut brief? Yes.  Can you be comfortable in a low-rise hiphugger cut?  Yes.  Can you be comfortable in a thong. Sometimes.  You need some underwear that you can ride horses in, bend over to clean your kitchen cabinets in, and wear comfortably on your period (just keeping it real here).  These are your comfort undies.  They're usually stretchy and soft. They don't ride up and give you a wedgy.  Just because I say comfortable does not mean I endorse old "holey" underwear.  When it starts to wear out, get a new pair.  No woman feels feminine dressed in worn out, "holey" underwear!

Appropriateness

You also need some underwear that keeps your outfits appropriate.  These are your middle-of-the-road panties.  They may be comfortable, they may not. They may be fun, they may not. But either way, these are necessary.  Nude underwear is a must for light colored bottoms.  A thong may be required under than pencil skirt.  Boy-cut or hiphugger are great for not promoting muffin-top.  You might have to buy a special pair to wear with that one jersey dress that shows VPL (visible panty line) with every other pair of underwear you own.  Make sure that you have some panties that help your outer clothing look appropriate and don't draw attention to yourself.  A final note on this subject - thongs are not evil, they don't always feel like you have floss stuck up your rear and they actually work in the majority of VPL situations.  You may hate them and refuse to wear them....but don't say "never" until you try.  It takes a bit of getting-used-to, but the usefulness far outweighs the discomfort for some of us.

Fun

You need some fun panties that will spice up your life.  Bikinis with teddy bears on them?  If it makes you laugh, go for it.  Black lace with ribbon?  More power to you.  Buy something that makes you feel special, pretty and feminine....and then actually wear it.  I dare you!

Bras - If you read my series on body shapes, I made the point several times that you need to have a professional bra fitting and then invest in bras specifically for your body type.  If you are a DD cup, those pretty lacy bras with no support may be appropriate for the bedroom, but they will look ridiculous underneath a t-shirt.  Bigger busts require support - make sure you're supporting yours properly.  Smaller busted women might enjoy push-up padding; just make sure that you're not so "padded" that it looks unnatural.  You need some workhorse bras in your wardrobe. Those everyday bras that aren't necessarily sexy, but they get the job done and do it right.  Again, buy yourself a nude bra and wear it under your white or light-colored tops.  Racerback bras are great for tank tops, dresses that cut in at the shoulders and some halter tops.  If you have specialty tops or dresses that show your bra strap no matter how hard you try, buy a strapless bra.  No, they're not comfortable, but they're appropriate.  Then when you have several workhorse bras, buy one or two that just make you feel pretty and special.  Wear them on special occasions, or underneath your plain everyday T-shirt.  But always make sure, whether functional or fun, that your bra fits and fits well.  Handwashing helps your bra last longer and keep its shape (however, I'm too lazy for that, so all mine go in the wash...and have to be replaced every 2 years or so due to stretching).

Slips - You need a slip.  Make it a half-slip, a full slip, or petti-pants - but every woman needs a slip.  They help clothing lay smoothly, skim over lumps and bumps and keep people from being able to see through your clothes.  This is something I've never splurged on.  A half-slip usually serves just fine for my needs and it's probably been 5 years since I bought the one I have; however, it's nude (goes underneath anything) and functional and serves its purpose for now.  My new pettipants (mentioned in a previous post) have been a God-send this summer for keeping my legs cool and dry.  Unless you enjoy wearing them for the sake of feeling beautiful (and there are some gorgeous silk and lace slips out there), you don't need an arsenal of slips....but do invest in one or two.

I thought about adding a section on girdles.  Just a brief note. The girdles of today are a far cry from the corsets and contraptions of yore.  Spanx has an entire catalog of lightweight, breathable foundation garments that I'd love to try if I had the money.  There's nothing that will make you feel thinner, stand straighter and smooth over lumps and bumps like a foundation garment.  They can nip in your waist, boost your bust, smooth your thighs, pad your butt and do a million other things.  Just make sure when buying your foundation garments that they appear seamless underneath your clothing.  You don't want people to know you're wearing them. 

And how does all this apply to the pursuit of femininity?  Think about it. Men don't wear panties, don't wear bras, don't need slips.  These are uniquely feminine garments. Designed specifically for women with our special shapes and needs in mind.  It's hard to say that about any other article of clothing (even Scottish men wear skirts!).  Embrace these items made specifically for us. Experiment with what types work for your body, what colors look best against your skin, what workhouse item you need to make that dress fit "just so".  And then revel in the feeling of femininity that you get when you wear them!