Know you bra
There is a fair amount of understanding with regard to fashion and style among women folk. What suits ones body and what complements it, most often is the kind of clothes people tend to wear and go back to. With changing trends, women’s fondness for styles swing back and forth and sometimes takes a new turn completely. With all the talk about how to style your outfit and what to wear, most women tend to ignore intimate wear.
There is a lack of knowledge on how to choose and wear lingerie and this ignorance is usually because of the embarrassment attached to buying and speaking about it in the open. “Most women go to the store, ask for their size and quickly buy the pack and walk out. Not much is said and there is an aura of embarrassment coupled with anxiety if you are buying from a male salesman,” says Patricia D’costa, freelance model from Bengaluru.
Different types of lingerie are available in the market, suitable for different occasions and body type. Understanding the difference and picking the right one not only enhances your figure but also helps in maintaining a healthy life. Women are in a bra and panty throughout the day, some women even sleep in it, taking it off only while in the shower as such it is the one wear that you must have full grasp of, says Patricia.
Sheetal Raj, Director - Product, Strawberry Lenceria says, “Comfort though being the paramount requirement while picking up lingerie, it usually isn’t the determining factor. Women buy lingerie to feel good, attractive and it does make you feel sensuous.” Throwing light on how to pick the right brassiere or bra, T. H Krishna Das, Founder and Managing Director, Centaurus Lifestyle Brands Pvt. Ltd. states that it is important to know under what outfit you would be wearing the lingerie and to serve what purpose.
Size
Most women aren’t aware of the right size. Research shows 80 per cent of the women wear wrong bra sizes, says Krishna. This leads to a wrong fit and discomfort that can have health repercussions in the long run.
When you are not comfortable it shows and sometimes, right through your outfit. There is a quick way to know your size and Sheetal elucidates the steps involved, “Start by measuring your underbust with a tape and round off the measurements to its closest number. Since most sizes in the market are only in even numbers, round it off to the closest even number and if you are confused between two, try them both. Once that is out of the way measure your bust, nipple to nipple. Subtract the underbust size from the cup size and that would provide you with the cup size for an accurate fit.” This takes time but saves you from shabby and ill fitting bras.
A right fit would be one, which allows your breast optimal breathing space, without being too tight, or loose.
Wearing your lingerie right
There is a tendency to pay no attention to the right way of wearing a brassiere, as long as it is up and serving the purpose lasses consider themselves ready and set for the day. Patricia states that what one may consider a wrong size may just be a strap needing a fix. If your bra feels loose or feels too cramped, try tightening or loosening the straps respectively. And if that does not solve the issue go for a size down or up depending the kind of discomfort you are facing.
Sheetal states that a right fit is when your breasts sit comfortably in the cup without spilling or suffocating. “Bear in mind that the underwire must not stick out and poke you, neither should the centre of your bra,” she informs.
Colour
Colour is another major factor for the young women while picking bras. Krishna states that daily wear needs to break the monotony of nudes and women too like an array for that very same reason. If you want your lingerie to be just a beautiful support system without being a hindrance by being visible through your outfit, you can choose skin toned bras.
On the other hand if you are wearing solid coloured clothes with a thick fabric then the choice of colours are plenty.
Style
For a T-shirt you would want a folded-cup bra and for one that has a deep neck line, you should go for a demi-cup bra, Sheetal suggests. A convertible bra is another style you could choose if the outfit is a racer-back tank top or something sleeveless. And for those who love an open back or an off shoulder, a strapless bra is the best option. “You don’t want peeking straps ruining your outfit and if they do show, it must add to and complement the overall design,” she advises.
There is also the question of padded vs. non-padded. It depends on the weather and your taste, Patricia states.
The right brassiere to complement your outfit
Delving further into the many styles available in the market and what you can pair it with Sheetal says that a lightly lined cotton bra is the best for causal wear and especially in the summers. It is airy and feels light. Loose cut tank tops are usually paired with a strappy back bra. A sports bra can be worn as an individual piece while in the gym or performing a physically draining activity.
“For someone with small breasts, a strapless bra is an indispensable wardrobe essential. It is also best for the summers and the ones made out of lace are beautiful pieces,” she smiles. Panties too come in different styles, bikini, hipster, seamless panties, thongs, shape wear etc.
There are several different types of lingerie, women have a gamut of options that you can choose from and at affordable rates. Do not let a false sense of shame and embarrassment attached to a piece of clothing that is the most essential in every woman’s wardrobe, take away your freedom of choice and ruin your sense of style. Lingerie shopping is fun and as important as it is to shop for an outfit for the day.
