Top 5 Lingerie Drawer
Essentials:
- Well-Fitting
Bras: 2 tee-shirt bras in your skin color & 1 structured bra. Add bralette for lounging.
- Non-VPL* panties: At least 7, including 3
thongs in your skin color.
- Full-Body Slip:
At least 1 in your skin color.
- Hosiery
- Opaque tights or nude hose if you wear skirts
- Knee-his if you wear trousers
- High-waisted panty to camo tummy
- Shaping
camisole to camo back bulge
*VPL = visible panty lines  
LE MYSTERE CAMI BRA ($78, ON SALE $62): If you love the coverage of a cami in front, but can't stand all the layers, try this
bra! Sizes 32C-40G. Available in black and ivory. Buy
the matching thong panty ($20).
 
BARELY THERE BREATHE BRALETTE ($19, ON SALE $14.25) This is the comfy version of the bra.
Wear it at home under your loungewear. Made from breatheable microfiber
to keep you cool and comfortable. How many? One. Buy the matching boy short ($9.50) for fun.
 
HOSIERY: Hosiery finishes your look.
This season it's all about opaques, which means tights -- and much more comfort for you. Whether it's knee-his with
a little texture or Spanx tights to wear with your skirt suit, having the right hosiery in your wardrobe will help you look
complete.
- Nude smoothing hose (Donna Karan, $20), Maternity hose (Spanx, $28). Wear for a finished, barely-there look under party dresses. Make sure you have an invisible toe
with strappy sandals.
- Opaque tights (DKNY, 2 for $20). For shaping, try Spanx tights ($26) in 9 great colors!!
- Knee-his (Hue, 3 for $16). Wear with pants and pumps for a finished, wear-to-work look. Available in 3 dark neutral
colors.
 
THE HALF-SLIP ($31): If you ever wear full or A-line skirts that are not fully lined, you must have
a half-slip. A skirt should fall flat and smooth when you walk, rather than wrap between your legs. This simple 17" half-slip from Farr West does the trick. Misses sizes S-XL. Available in black or ivory. Alternatively, there is
a stretch version ($35) available in black and blush that is anti-static and should work with more body-conscious clothing.
Plus size 23" slip ($43), sized 1X-3X, is available in 3 colors.
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THE ESSENTIAL TEE SHIRT BRA ($74): This bra from Chantelle works under sweaters, tees and silk blouses -- any top that is sheer enough
to show any detailing on a bra. You want a soft, molded cup with an underwire. This bra is available in 30C-40E
in 4 colors. Amazing support and wonderful shape. How many? Start with two: at least one shold be
the color of your skin. - DO: Use
Febreze to refresh your bras
- DON'T:
Wash your bras after every use.
- DO:
Close the strap of your bra before putting it into a lingerie bag to wash. Wash on gentle cycle with gentle detergent.
- DON'T: Put them in the
dryer. Instead, hang to dry.
- DO:
Buy a bra to match your skin to wear under white tops. For African-American women, try a brown or dark beige bra.
For Caucasian, Latino or Asian women, try the beige closest to your skin tone.
- DON'T: Note that if you wear a white bra under a white top, it's like putting your brights
on -- all anyone will see is the bra.
 
THE FREYA STRUCTURED BRA ($60; RED ON SALE $34): Let's face it: bras are more than underwear. Sometime you want something
sexy, pretty or powerful -- even if it's just you who is going to see it. You'll be happy to know that structured bras
are also practical -- because they are stitched together, they last longer than molded bras. The thing I love about
this bra is the incredible size range it has. Pretty is not just for average sizes!! Available in black or red
in sizes 28DD-38J. How many? Start with one.  
PANTIES: A well-constructed
panty is essential. If you wear skirts or trousers close to your bum, you must wear them with a thong
to avoid visible panty lines (VPL). Some women love thongs, some hate them. I used to hate them, too, but now
I swear by Hanky Panky: - Hanky Panky thong ($20 each, set of 5 for $90). Available in 16 colors in Misses or 11 colors in Plus ($22). How many? At least three.
Buy at least 2 close to the color of your skin to wear with whites.
- Hanky Panky boyshort ($29 ea). Available in 15 colors. Also available in Plus size ($35) in 7 colors.
 
COMMANDO STYLING TAPE ($10): I use these matchsticks of double-sided tape to affix bra straps or stick low necklines in place. That way, you can be sure you're showing exactly what YOU want to show. Carry
them in your handbag for fashion emergencies on the go. Also available in dots.
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SHAPING SLIP? If you wear dresses,
you need a full slip. If you want shaping, you can go either way: wear your shapewear with a simple slip like
the one below or wear a shaping slip. Try both approaches and see which is more comfortable for you: Structured slip (Va Bien, $79, ON SALE $63) has a built-in bra with moderate padding and adjustable straps. 32C-38E. Available
in black or putty.
Seamless
slip (Spanx, $76) is seamless, won't cling and provides a smooth line. Sizes S-XL. Also available in plus sizes ($80), 1X-3X. Available in black or putty.
Strapless bra slip with shaping from (TC Intimates, $72, ON SALE $54). 34B-40C. Available in black or putty.
 
 
SHAPEWEAR: If you're about to put on a
pencil skirt or a sweater dress, you may want some shapewear. There is a variety of options these days -- whether you
want to control your mid-section or just your tummy.
Back Back and torso Bali smoothing camisole, built-in bra with slight padding ($48, ON SALE $36). 34C-42DD. - Back and torso, Bali torsette ($38). Works with your own bra. M-XXL. Black or Putty.
Tummy Tummy Body Wrap high-waisted
undies, shown above ($44, ON SALE $33). Misses sizes S-XL or Plus 1X-4X. Black or putty.
Tummy Cass Luxury Shapewear high-waisted
thong ($38). S/M-L/XL. Black or putty.
- Tummy. Hanky Panky High-Waisted Silky Panty ($38). S-XL. 3 colors.
 
THE FULL-SLIP ($40): If you wear dresses, you need to wear a full slip underneath to
create a smooth line. I love this new version which works strapless or with straps. It should improve upon the
issue of your slip riding up when you wear more body-conscious dresses. Sizes S-XL. Available in black or putty.
DO: Try on any formal wear prior
to the event and check to see if you need a slip or shapewear. DON'T: Go without. You want people looking at the overall effect,
not at the sun shining between your legs as you walk.
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