No Hiding Allowed – What Lies Beneath

Before putting up any kind of building, builders have to put together a solid foundation for it. Otherwise, the building will fall apart. We don’t see the foundation but we know how important it is. Similarly, our outfits need a strong foundation. 

No matter what, every woman needs at least two bras and a bunch of panties. If you live in a climate with some cold weather, you need some hose and tights too. And all of these things have to be right. These things are often referred to as “foundation garments” and for good reason. The right underwear will make you and your outfits look and feel better. The wrong underwear will not only make even good clothes look bad but it might show things that you don’t want seen.

For panties, it’s not that difficult. You need panties that fit smoothly over your bottom area without pulling or bunching. The crotch MUST be 100% cotton because the cotton wicks away moisture and allows that sensitive area to “breathe.” I prefer when the entire panty is made of cotton with a little lycra because that gives a nice smooth fit but as long as the crotch is all cotton, the rest is a matter of preference. A smooth fit is essential to avoid visible panty lines. The shape depends on what is most comfortable for you. Some women love thongs because they give a smooth look with no lines and others find briefs to be more comfortable.   

As for color, it depends. Those of us who observe Taharat HaMishpachah (the Jewish laws of Family Purity) need some plain white panties along with some black or colored panties. For those who don’t observe Taharat HaMishpachah, it’s fine to wear any color you want. Just make sure that your outer bottoms are opaque enough that no one should be able to see any color of panties underneath. If you are wearing a light colored skirt or dress, a thin “slip” will often be enough to prevent anything showing through. 

With bras, it’s more technical. The right bra has to give you fit, coverage, shaping, and support. It’s supposed to give you a womanly silhouette without showing anything. If the bra doesn’t fit, then not only will it not give you the shape you need but it will be uncomfortable and can cause problems for your back, shoulders or breasts. A

bra should not be uncomfortable. If it’s brand new, it might feel like a presence for the first wearing but that presence should wear off before that first wearing is over. And the right fit doesn’t stay the same. Women’s bodies change over time and it’s important to get fitted for a new bra if you’ve had weight gain or loss, gotten pregnant, had a baby, or hit menopause. Even without all of these, you need to get fitted about every two years or so. 

The style of the bra makes a difference in the coverage, shaping, and support. In general, your breasts should be mostly covered. There are demi-bra styles that cover half the breast and those can work for some women as long as the fit is perfect so that the breasts sit neatly in the cups with no squeezing. If you have a small bust, you might want to try bras with padding. Push-up bras can work but again, the fit has to be perfect so that the breasts sit neatly and don’t look like they’re being squeezed out of the cups. If you have a larger bust, you’ll need to focus on support. No matter what, the bra needs to get the breasts off the torso and up onto the chest to give you that womanly silhouette without flattening you out. 

The band of the bra is supposed to do most of the heavy lifting and it’s supposed to go around the chest either in a perfect horizontal line or very slightly angled downward in back to lift the front. It should be snug but not tight. If it’s tight, it will squeeze your flesh and you’ll have bulges above and below the band. Also, the band must not sit on the breast tissue itself. Good straps can help but they have to fit properly without digging into your shoulders or slipping off. 

The best way to put on a bra is to put the band around the chest below the breasts, fasten it, and then bend down and “scoop” the breasts into the cups. This gives lift and support without flattening the breasts. When trying on a bra with two or three hook fastenings, always try it on the loosest one. Over time, the band will stretch and you’ll need to tighten it.   

If you live in a year-round warm climate, then hose and tights may not be necessary. But if you have any cold weather at all, then you need hose and tights. For hose, it’s best to go with sheer nude to match your skin. If you wear a lot of dark