Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Oh, Underwear, Wherefore Art Thou, Underwear...

The bane of my existence is the visible panty line. And, NO, I will not wear a thong. JUST. CAN'T. DO. IT.

So, because of that, I have spent A LOT of time seeking the best undies to keep me as smooth as possible without making me resort to wearing less than I am comfortable with...

So, ladies (and gents, if you have ideas)...let's hear what you have to say...

Which undergarments (specifically panties, but if you have great ideas for bras, camisoles, or other implements...please do chime in) do you like best for keeping you supported without looking like you are getting support?

Me? I love these and these!

ALSO: THESE ARE PICS OF PANTIES AND CAMIS, so if you are less than inclined to see such things, please, PLEASE don't click on them!!! I am doing this as a public service to one of my dear readers who suggested this as a topic, and I feel like this is something that could benefit a lot of people. :) So let's keep it nice, you all!

20 comments:

tm said...

I kinda feel like an old lady saying this, but I like my Maidenform and Ambrielle panties that I get at JCPenny or Macy's! :) I can't remember the last time I bought undies at VS. Maidenform's non-thong seamless options that I like are the "invisible" and "smooth" bikinis. Ambrielle's seamless is called smooth revolution. Jockey is good, too.

tm said...

Camis, I don't really wear... I usually wear a regualr fitted tee under a sweater or cardigan (but in the spring I will wear camis/tanks under a shirt or cardi). I have a few tanks and plain cami's from JC and old navy, and one jockey.

violet07 said...

What a great topic! The number of searches (in store and online) that I have made for avoiding a visible pantyline (VPL) is insane. Like you, I refuse to wear a thong. I've tried several different styles and brands (even tried the tanga) and hated HATED them. Plus I've read that thongs can be linked to UTIs (b/c of easy spread of bacteria from back to front). Having had UTIs in the past, I never want to have another one. I'm also not comfortable going commando (not for moral or psychological reasons but because of fluctuations in vaginal discharge--SORRY if I offend anyone--this can be a taboo subject for whatever reason).

I mostly wear J. Crew favorite fit pants (khakis and corduroys) and the Saturday pants (I think they called them city-fit twill pants last year). For the favorite fits, I can get away with wearing a Victoria Secret hiphugger style that doesn't have any elastic or banding at the leg holes or waist. Sadly, I found pretty much all other VS styles (even those advertised as NO VPL) DO show a pantyline on me when I am wearing the pants mentioned above.

Sadly, the above mentioned panties do not work for my Saturday pants, which are very comfortable but also very thin. For these pants, I rely on a Vera Wang panty produced for Kohls. It is a very thin, loose material (hiphugger style but loose at the leg holes). Unfortunately, this style is no longer being produced (now she is producing one with a band at the legs). I purchased these last summer for the city-fit twill pants.

In my research, I've determined that KEY factors in avoiding VPL: 1) NO banding/elastic at the leg holes and 2) panties should be made of very thin material.

Summerilla said...

Oh I agree this is a great idea!

I'm actually trying to find the best bra to wear with tee shirts. I also need a company who sells a wide variety of sizes. The last time I was fitted at VS I was a 30B and the SA kindly told me VS doesn't make a 30 so I was out of luck. So I've been wearing 32's for a while now because I can't find a good 30. So I am definitely opened to suggestions.

For underwear I really like VS's microsmooth bikini's but they can be a little pricey usually 3/30 or 3/25. For everyday wear with jeans I go with just VS's cotton string bikini's because they are so comfortable. I'm not a big thong lover either but I will usually do one if it's a must with the outfit.

Unknown said...

Have you browsed Target's lingerie section? Their Gilligan & O'Malley line offers a great selection of styles. The thin lace boy shorts are pretty and don't result in panty lines as far as I can tell, though they're not made for that. I'm sure they have some others that are ...

math teacher said...

I like VS Body Ipex bras - they have no show, which is important to me as I teach high school. Boys. Need I say more? :) For panties, I wear VS cotton bikinis and don't have much trouble with VPL. Even when I'm wearing white pants, I don't have trouble. I also like VS Body bikinis - they're even smoother than the cotton ones.

HeidiG said...

I used to wear only VS cotton undies, but I have started wearing the no-line undie from Soma (company owned by Chicos). They are fantastic! They come in many different cuts from granny panty to bikini. they even have boy shorts, which I get to wear under dresses.

I am still on the look out for the perfect bra. I found 1 at VS that was almost right, but they no longer carry it and my current ones are getting stretchedout so I guess I'll be bra shopping soon.

For camis - ON all the way!

Kathy said...

I love the jockey panties, they are all I wear. Though, they do tend to come in odd colors depending on the season!

One is Never Enough said...

Soma invisible line panties -- they are great!

Anonymous said...

I like the Gap super low cut with the lace trim. They are not no pantry line but theya re nice. I have some Hanes nylon type material that work pretty well-- even under white Saturday pants. My daughter just looked up when I clicked the first link and said,
"Oh I love those pink undies!"
The bikini style is pink! LOL You have fans of all ages!

3-Penny Princess said...

My favorite undies - both for look and for fit - are Victoria's Secret Lace Hiphuggers. I swear, they never show under almost anything. I used to wear a thong all the time, but these hiphuggers have all but eliminated the need for a thong.

Vickies also has a bunch of seamless hiphuggers. I have a couple and they are pretty comfy. Here are a lot of the hiphuggers I like:
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/collection/index.cfm?&rfnbr=1925&cgname=OSPTYHIPZZZ&cgnbr=OSPTYHIPZZZ&page=1

Drewablank said...

I have just bought VS Secret Lace Hiphuggers and am looking forward to trying them out. They look quite promising. I also bought Body by Victoria Ultrasmooth seamless hiphuggers.

As for bras, I really like Calvin Klein bras. I used to go straight for the VS bras but found that their sizing isn't always too consistent for me.

I haven't found my go-to for camis yet; unfortunately, the cami that I found to be the most comfy (Gap) discontinued the style that I really liked. Plus I only bought one when they had it. D'oh.

Jemma said...

I swear by Hanky Panky thongs- these are the only underwear I buy. As for Bras, I personally love Marks and Spencer bras, but you don't have this store in the USA unfortunately. Their bras are fantastic and made to last- much better than Victoria's secret in m opinion.

KatyO. said...

I think because my butt is so flat that I get VPL no matter what underwear I wear, bikinis, thongs... and I don't love hiphuggers or boy shorts (maybe I get a size too big, but they always seem to gather and bunch where my leg meets my torso).

For bras, I'm with Stylestance and am all about Target's Gilligan & O'Malley line). They hold up really well and the fit is great.

However, my trick to getting a good fitting bra is that in the past, any time I gained or lost more than 5 lbs, I would get a professional bra fitting (now I have a varied collection which definitely helps when I'm bloated and swollen from PMS, etc. etc.). DO NOT go to VS for a bra fitting. They really don't know what they're doing. My advice is to go to a really nice *upscale* lingerie store, get a fitting, and then splurge on one gorgeous bra. Then go to Target for cheaper bras in the same size.

Beth said...

Hey great to hear from you! I will have to look this over and come up with my answer. I just wanted to say "Hey!"

Anonymous said...

Dina--what a cute post! I like VS hipster cotton underwear...I always luvee to see the new colors and styles VS does...they are usually sooo cute. I do like Jockey underwear too!
As for Bra's I HATE VS bra's...they don't fit me at all!
They seem to be made for people with fake boobs! smile
Dina--check out my post on Heinikin ads--I know your sense of humour will appreciate the closet one!

Tina Z said...

I recently discovered the Spanx "hide n seek" cami. It's the perfect undergarment for flowy silk tanks and dresses- it smooths the bra lines and gives me a virtual boob lift.

CaptainCrew said...

I have two favorite panties, both from Victoria's Secret.

Very Sexy scalloped laser cut bikinis are so light and thin it is like nothing at all and absolutely no VPL. The scalloped line around the leg openings and waist really make a difference. No bands at all, just the panty material with laser-cut edges.

Body By Victoria low-rise hiphugger. They have bands made out of the same fabric as the panty and glued, not sewn on. Very sleek and no VPL.

I think the key is to have the panties hug your body without any tighter parts, like the leg/waist bands. Not an easy task to make them like that and have them stay up. ;-)

dinagideon said...

Hi everyone:

What a great response...hopefully whoever asked that this be a topic has been able to see your choices and will be able to find something that suits her sensibilities!

I think I may have to try a couple of these out myself!!!

Beth: Hi!!! Right back atcha!!! ;)

luvallthingsjcrew: I will definitely check it out! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I am the one who requested the panty poll! Sorry I am late replying to this post. I tried the Caslon tees that were recommended in the other poll and they are *wonderful* -- so I have a feeling I will have good luck trying the suggestions from this panty post! Thanks so much for doing this, Dina!