Matching Bras to Your Outfit

It goes without saying that not every bra should be worn with every outfit. After all, one would look a bit odd wearing a sports bra with a little black dress. While this is an obvious mistake, the matching of bras and outfits is often a more subtle affair.

The first goal of a bra is to provide support to the breasts. The second goal is to provide this support in a comfortable way. The third goal is more subjective - to mold the breast into a certain shape for a certain activity. For example, a sports bra tends to push the breast up and then hold them firmly against the chest wall to minimize the impact of vigorous exercise. Let's take a look at other bras you might wear for a specific look.

The staple bra of your wardrobe should be the full coverage bar. Support is paramount with this bra and it should fit your breasts naturally. This is not a bra used to enhance a specific look, but is the basis upon which your bra collection is built.

The balconette bra should also be a staple of any woman's wardrobe, but it is often overlooked. This bra is perfect for women who are looking for cleavage enhancement that is subtle, but definitive. The balconette bra goes well with low cut tops, but not versions showing a lot of shoulder.

The racerback bra is another overlooked bra. This bra provides a ton of support, but is perfect for sleeveless tops. These seemingly conflicting benefits are achievable because the racerback bra uses a "x" type strap configuration across the back. Instead of the straps rising vertically from the cup area, they angle inwards towards the neck and then cross in the back of the bra. The bra clips closed or is opened in the front between the cups.

An incredibly versatile bra that must be in your collection is the strapless bra. Although called strapless, we are really talking about the version that has clip on straps. You can wear the bra without straps if your evening attire consists of an open shoulder dress. Alternatively, you can add one or both straps at angles as needed to make a bra fit a particular unique outfit.

The sports bra is another bra you need. If you are going to be exercising, make sure you wear it. Vigorous exercise does a number on breasts over time. Breast lifts are expensive and always seem to look a bit odd. Avoid them by protecting your breasts when exercising whether that be at the gym or just going for a hike. As you age, you'll be happy you did so.

Finally, you need a slinky bra. This bra has no purpose other than to be worn for special intimate occasions. The bra you buy is entirely subjective, but see thru, plunging bras and elegant lace bras are a good place to start.

Women's Panties Online - A Guide to Buying Silky Panties

Buying panties has never been easier - there are literally thousands of lingerie and panty sites online, making it a pleasure to browse, comparing panty styles from site to site.

In the UK panties used to be known as knickers but this term is now being less used - the term panties somehow has more 'sexy' connotations as opposed to the more 'sensible' overtones implied by the term 'knickers'.

The following description of types of panty should help you in your purchasing decisions, and this is addressed particularly to men who may well wish to treat the significant woman in their life to some new panties.

Bikini panties

These panties tend to ride low on the hips and usually a bikini brief has a full back, although this can vary.

Full brief

The top of the panty is generally higher, resting on the waist. They achieved humorous notoriety as the panties featured in the Bridget Jones movie. There are a few variants of this design too:

Boy leg

These briefs finish across the legs horizontally, giving the effect of tight-fitting boys' shorts. Generally such designs are created in lacy or sheer materials.

High Cut Panties

These are the opposite to boy leg, in that the sides of the brief are cut in such a way to show more of the top of the thigh - these do look very sexy as they have the effect of accentuating and enhancing the apparent length of the person's legs. They are also known as French cut.

Thong Panties

The thong consists of a waistband connected to a narrow (sometimes little more than a string) at the rear, and a small triangle of fabric at the front.

Very little material goes into a thong - generally the back is very slim, and disappears between the buttock cheeks! Great for wearing under very tight-fitting trousers as it eliminates the visible panty line, often known by the acronym VPL. It is also great when worn under white, as it appears that no panties are being worn at all! The downside is that initially such panties can feel very different; however once you've become used to the different sensation you'll probably find yourself hooked on these! There have been surveys online, and certainly in ladies up to twenty five years old the thong appears to be the most favoured type of underwear. However it must be said that the survey should not be taken too seriously because it only related to a fairly small group of individuals, and was self-selected. It is possible that more thong wearers has chosen to respond, whereas wearers of other types of panties had not responded.

The thong, or the tanga as it is known in Brazil, has a number of variants:

G-string, V-string and T-back vary the amount of material attaching to the waistband at the back. Some authorities assert that the G-string owes its derivation to strippers' underwear, and there does seem to be a blurring of how these items are described from country to country.

Crotchless panties (also known as open-crotch)

This design of panty is self-explanatory; generally a well-received choice for bedroom wear, for obvious reasons!

Panty sizes

However the biggest problem when buying panties online tends to be the sizing. The prime issue is that many countries all have their own method of specifying sizing. In a 'bricks and mortar' shop you can inspect the panties whereas online you will be dependent on the accuracy of descriptions. Some companies on the Internet will provide sizing charts that allow conversion from say continental Europe to UK, to Australian sizes. Even in Europe sizes can vary, so conversion charts will be needed between for example France and Italy. Unfortunately the most awkward sizes to convert to and from are those of panties from USA.

It is strange that with probably more American lingerie outlets online than those from other countries that they have made it difficult for those living in other countries to actually buy from them with confidence, based on sizing!

Materials used for panties

As with other lingerie there are a variety of materials, ranging from lace to satin to nylon. Certainly in the USA it is common to find that the gusset has an inbuilt cotton crotch. Indeed it is probably more difficult to find panties without the cotton crotch although in the UK there are companies who are now making retro copies of fifties sheer nylon designs. They may not be suitable for everyday wear but such designs are intended to drive the man in your life wild! Interestingly, the materials and designs that have resulted in consistently regular 're-orders' from the sites I am involved with are the conventional classic designs in satin finish. The material, with its sexy glossy finish, looks great on, and feels very silky to wear. These are the panties that I wear for preference (sorry guys - no thongs for me!) However I have searched the world for suppliers and there are very few manufacturers that use this soft satin material.

So next time you are thinking of adding to your lingerie drawer, do what so many busy women do, and let your PC help you search out the most comfortable sexy panties from he comfort of your own home!

An Easy Way to Get Your Husband's Attention

The honeymoon isn't going to last forever. You had to have known this from the beginning.

When you were dating or first got married he couldn't keep his eyes or hands off you. When he came home for work he was thinking about you. You two had sex at least once everyday on a bad week. You both went out to eat and talked and while you both were talking he was undressing you with his eyes. It was great. The man you loved couldn't get enough of you.

That's a memory now.

After going to work, paying bills, maybe having kids, and dealing with the 100s of little problems every married couple will eventually have the fire has been blown out. Not only blown out, I might add, but the candle that the fire was in has been dunked in water so that the next time you try to light the fire it's double the effort.

Now that we have identified the problem what are you going to do about it?

Here's a valuable marriage that I highly recommend you try.

Change your panties.

I know it sounds weird. I know you might be saying "that's it." "That's all you're going to tell me?"

And I say yes.

Add something different. He's been seeing the same thing every night and the thrill is gone. He loves you but at the same time he knows he has you. He's not chasing you anymore. And seeing you in regular plain cotton underwear will get old.

Put some red or black satin panties on and see if your husband doesn't notice. Maybe add a see through white flowing robe/nightgown to the mix.

Have you tried lycra. Its stretches and is very appealing to the eyes. (Word of caution though, please do not use lycra if you are prone to yeast infections.)

Have you tried leopard skin panties? If no, then why not? Have you considered wearing a thong? A G-string? Bikini cut style panties?

I've heard woman say that those styles of panties just are not comfortable. That entirely not true. You will get what you pay for. I can show you some lace satin panties that feel just as or more comfortable that Hanes Cotton Panties. You just have to experiment. Be creative. There are so many choices out there. Try Victoria's Secret. They have fabulous items.

My point, mix it up with your panties selection. Men are very visual and will without a doubt recognize you in your new black panties you are wearing. It will turn them on. You will be different woman in their eyes. You've morphed from wife to bombshell vixen.

So give it a try. That's something small that you can do on your end. That will not solve everything by any means but its the little things you do that make a marriage work.

So what are you waiting for. Do it today. Go to the department store or start surfing the net for some new panties. Make his friend jealous that he has you.

Lycra Panties

Lycra and nylon panties are in right now. They should be a great addition to your panties selection in the future. Read on and you will see why.

One of the biggest benefits to Lycra, which is oftentimes blended with nylon, is that is stretches. The unique microfiber stretches in every direction so these panties mold and contour to your body beautifully. This can especially be useful if you are a plus size woman or if you are pregnant. If you are expecting your panties will be able to stretch a lot more than other fabrics as your body does as well. Some benefits to contouring to your body's shape include giving you a more slender look as well as giving you a lessor chance of getting that dreaded panty line under your clothing. This is a major plus to any woman who usually wears dress slacks to work.

Lycra panties also feel very lightweight. The fabric of Lycra will feel like it weighs almost 2x less than your average cotton panties. And because of this you can expect Lycra panties to be a lot more comfortable than cotton or satin panties.

Comfort, lightweight, stretchable, appealing. These are the four words that I would use to describe Lycra undergarments. If you like any of those things I would suggest getting a pair.

I feel that it is necessary to note one drawback to Lycra panties. Because Lycra and nylon are made from synthetic fibers they may trap air and create a breeding ground for yeast. Those woman prone to yeast infections should avoid these types of panties and stick with panties made of cotton. But if you do not have that probelm I cannot think of any other negative attribute.

Start thinking about which color you want before you start looking for a pair. Black Lycra panties look phenomenal. Tastes will vary. You will have to do a trial and error to see which one works best for you.

Women's Panty Styles - From Itty Bitty to Full Coverage

For all the discussion of women's clothing, it is somewhat surprising that underwear doesn't get more mention. It is, after all, the first piece of clothing most of us put on.

Women's panty styles are surprisingly varied. You can wear anything from pieces that provide lots of coverage to versions so small that one could argue they hardly qualify as much more than a piece of string. The "best choice" is highly subjective, but each panty style has benefits and drawbacks. Let's take a closer look.

The full brief panty is our staple women's underwear piece. It rides naturally around the waistline with coverage down the buttock area. The full brief panty is known for also having a fuller coverage area on the side of the hips. Material rides from the waistline down to the lower derriere on the hips, which makes sliding and slipping issues non-existent.

The bikini panty is our second style of women's underwear. It is very popular. As the name suggests, the piece rides like a traditional full bikini one would wear to a day out by the water. The bikini panty is perfect for low rise pants and is generally considered more feminine then the full brief panty.

The thong panty is often misunderstood. When one says "thong", most women tend to envision a g-string. A g-string is a type of thong, but there are versions with more comfort. Most women technically where thongs and don't realize it. This is because one form of thong panty is one with coverage in the front and back, but minimal material running high up over the hip, often in the form of string like materials.

And then there is the g-string. It drives men crazy in a good way, but most women find it an acquired taste. How so? A classic g-string has coverage in the front, and a tiny string running front to back between the legs. It is a physical sensation that is "unique" to say the least. Most women find it very uncomfortable. The advantage of a g-string, however, is obviously the fact there are no panty lines which makes it a perfect form of underwear for many looks.

The boy short has become very popular in recent years. Men have boxer shorts and boy shorts are the equivalent for us gals. They ride a little lower than full brief panties on the waistline, but provide a snug fit over the buttocks and down the legs about an inch or so below the groin area. Personally, I find them to be very comfortable. They are not exactly sexy, so you'll have to choose between comfort and sexiness.

Women's underwear has come a long way. From itty bitty g-strings to full brief panties, there is something for everyone and every occasion.