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Today, reader J has an interesting question that kind of reminds us of David Lat’s first blog, Underneath Their Robes…
I’d love to hear what the gals are wearing under all these fabulous dresses and suits. I love my Spanx hide & sleek full slip for wearing under dresses to keep them from clinging, and have noticed my clothes fit better after I recently went in for a bra fitting and bought some new ones. I’d love to hear about new brands or other tips for pulling the outfit together from underneath it all.
Spanx came up on our Twitter chat this morning, and it strikes us as a great question, and one we’ll throw to the readers. So, readers: What bra do you have in multiples, it’s so comfortable? What brands of shapewear do you like? Thong, boyshort, or other? Let’s talk brands, type, and more!
Psst: Below, some of our favorite no-show women’s underwear as of 2021 — if you’re definitely looking for thongs try Commando, Hanky Panky, or Under Armour! Pictured: one / two / three / four (not pictured but also: Soma!)
(Tip: if you’re talking bra, please post your bra size — there can be a big difference in comfort to someone who’s 30G and someone who’s 36A.)
These are all the bestselling bras that readers love:
Psst: As of 2022, some of our favorite foundational garments include this line of waist-shapers, these comfy shorts to prevent chafing while wearing skirts without hose, this full slip for wrap dresses and shirt dresses, this half-slip to prevent clinging, these pantyhose, and this bra.
* As I’m no longer anonymous, I think we have come to the border of TMI — but I’ll chime in in comments.
2020 Update: Looking for the most comfortable bras for working from home? These are some of my favorites, as noted in our roundup of the most comfortable bras for working from home:
CJ in CA
OK, it sounds like a lot of people here where Spanx a lot more often than I do. I have some terribly personal questions for you before I expand my Spanx wearing.
1) Do you wear regular underwear under them?
2) If not, you must wash them every time right? If so, maybe not? Hand wash or machine?
3) So, how many pairs do you have? I probably have more than 30 pairs of underwear, so I don’t have to wash laundry every week. You can’t have that many Spanx at almost $50 each, right?
4) I am actually fat, so my Higher Power is awesome, but when you wear one with a lower waist does it give you muffin top or is that only if it’s too small?
Selia
They make Spanx and Assets with a cotton crotch so that they can specifically be worn as underwear, so definitely don’t wear an additional pair of underpants or it sort of ruins the effect (i.e., pantylines). So…here is my opinion, as a Spanx-wearer:
1. Definitely don’t wear regular underwear with them;
2. I do wash them after each wearing – thrown into a lingerie bag on delicate, hang dry;
3. I probably have at least 15-20 Spanx (in various versions) and wear them depending on what my attire is, taking weather also into consideration (i.e., Power Panty, footless, tights, hose, etc.). Assets (same maker) are cheaper than Spanx and you can get them at Target – also good, but not quite as “firm”. Also, Nordstrom Rack generally has Spanx, too, in limited varieties for about $10 for the footless.
4. Spanx/Assets now makes a high-waist version, too. But, the lower waisted ones shouldn’t creat a “muffin top” either – however, my “body issue” is not around my middle – I deal more with the “saddle bags” :) so I am not too much help on this one!
dee
i wear underwear underneath, handwash every 3-4 wearings (or more often if it’s really hot and i walked a lot). i may have lower hygiene standards than most though :)
dee
oh and as for muffin top – my problem area is definitely my middle, and no muffin-top for me
dee
one more: i’ve found that when i wear spanx with underwear, there are absolutely no visible panty lines
afl
Anyone else who has had a breast reduction? Ever since then, I can’t find a bra that fits. Yes, I’ve been fitted (multiple times), but still ever bra has straps that slip and never is just right. I think it’s because my shape is different – anyone have the same issue and any suggestions?
Sara
I wear “Barely There” bras to work every day. Comfortable, soft, no tags, no hardware, but gives a bit of extra shape (34A). Every single day.
Undies- I wear all cotton, all the time- anything else can make you more prone to yeast infections, if you are somewhere warm/moist. If you haven’t had this problem- lucky you! If you had- cotton helps a lot. The smoothest ones I’ve found are Bali 100% at a Hanes outlet. And the basic Hanes ones are fine for thicker clothes in a sporty cut and bikini style.
housecounsel
I sometimes wear Spanx with undies (no VPL) but wash my Spanx in the washing machine after every wearing no matter what. I own at least 20 pairs in different models. I don’t recommend the Assets brand, but Hanes Smooth Illusions (available at onehanesplace.com!) are a good substitute for Spanx.
I don’t notice the muffin top problem with Spanx, but my problems are below the waist, too. Don’t buy Spanx in too small of a size. If they fit, they shouldn’t give you muffin top.
Wendy
To the poster who asked the questions about Spanx and was brave enough (bless you, sister) to acknowledge that she is fat (no euphemisms…I love you, girl)…from one fabulous, fashionable fat gal to another…that’s what happens with Spanx no matter what size you buy when you buy the ones that hit you at your waist if you’re not using them to just smooth out a few extra pounds or some cellulite you’d rather the world not see. For truly full-figured gals, you have to go high-waisted to avoid muffin top, so I decided awhile ago, to reserve them for special occasions and avoid control top pantyhose/tights the rest of the time.
Instead, I focus on the fit of my clothes and also do a camisole on top of a bra if I feel like I need a little extra smoothing (also solves the “too much cleavage at work” problem) — but just a regular cami with a little stretch in it, not a shapewear one. Bottom line — no shapewear is going to magically turn me from a size 16/18 into a size 8. So, I make sure all my clothes fit well (even if it means going up a size for manufacturers that don’t “get it”) and have spent years figuring out the styles/shapes that work best for my body. A confident, comfortable me is going to project a far better image walking down the street or into a conference room than one who is feeling like her Spanx are going to roll down at any moment. That’s my $0.02 (or more like $0.04 given the length).
A
A great video about fit can be found here:
http://www.theholyfit.com/#/getting_fitted/
It is by my favorite bra company. Being a 30FF fit is incredibly important so I have explored a lot and thought about my bras a lot, and this is a great company. They are a family of companies, fantasie, freya and a few others from England that has a great range of size for medium to large boobs. The bands start at a 28 and go up to atleast a 40. The cups start at a B so this brand doesn’t work for everyone (but A’s have lots of other selections, I remember the ease of bra shopping from that time), and goes up to a J. The bras also are cute and don’t all look like they are some industrial contraption that belong in a factory, though still are not as delicate looking as the cute lacy bras made for A’s. All in all a great brand.
It can be found at Nordstroms where they are great and will size you. They know their stuff. They are so helpful. Since not many bras are carried in my size I always go directly to the sales lady to ask them to asist me and show me which fantasie freya styles were ordered in my size. They are always very helpful.
Leigh
Live by the Supermodel™ No-show hiphugger from Victoria’s Secret.