Your underwear matters as much as your outerwear. Wearing the right lingerie can make you feel sexy and confident and also make your clothes hang better. Get it wrong, and your intimates will have the opposite effect. Here are some unflattering lingerie styles that might be undermining your confidence and need to be retired from your underwear drawer immediately.
1. Ill-Fitting Bras
Wearing a bra that doesn’t fit properly is not only hugely uncomfortable but also creates an unflattering silhouette. Whether it’s too tight or too loose, it can make your clothes look less polished, your girls unsupported, and leave you feeling self-conscious. Getting professionally fitted can change your entire look and make your figure even more alluring. It’s said that 50 percent of women are walking around in the wrong bra size.
2. Granny Panties
While comfortable, oversized, full-coverage panties can make you feel frumpy rather than fabulous. When you feel frumpy, you’re most likely not putting your best foot forward. Choose underwear that is both comfortable and stylish, such as cotton high-waisted lace briefs. These will have you looking and feeling good, and they breathe better.
3. Cheap Scratchy Lace
Lingerie made from low-quality lace can irritate the skin and create a less-than-smooth look under clothing. This is particularly true with bras, where cheap lace can show through thin layers of clothing and attract unwanted attention. Investing in high-quality lace can make a big difference in how you feel and look.
4. Bulky Shapewear
While shapewear is meant to smooth and contour, overly bulky pieces can do the opposite. These pieces will make you feel constricted and uncomfortable. Avoid knitted, thick, and bulky shapewear and instead choose lightweight, seamless shapewear that provides support without adding bulk.
5. Unpadded Wireless Bras
For those who prefer more coverage or a fuller look, unpadded bras can leave you feeling less supported and less confident. A little extra padding can smooth out the bust and add a layer of confidence to your whole outfit. Whereas an unpadded bra, especially if it doesn’t have underwire support, can make your bust look droopy, and you will feel less than sexy.
6. High-Waisted Briefs
High-waisted briefs can be a great style, but if they’re too tight or poorly made, they can create unflattering bulges and make you feel self-conscious. Always make sure to check how your high-waisted briefs look underneath your outfits to avoid going out in public with unsightly bulges and an unflattering silhouette.
7. G-String Thongs
While some people love them, G-strings can be uncomfortable and leave you feeling exposed rather than empowered. If you’re not comfortable with this style, your discomfort will be visible to all those around you and will chip away at your confidence. If they’re not your style, don’t feel pressured to wear them—confidence is the name of the game when it comes to lingerie.
8. Oversized Childish Sleepwear
Though pajamas are meant to be comfortable, baggy, oversized sleepwear may be cozy, and it can make you feel childish and less attractive. There’s no confidence booster like wearing chic, cute sleepwear like a fitted pajama set or a silky nightgown. This doesn’t mean you can’t sleep in the occasional band shirt, but everyone should have one or two sets of stylish pajamas on hand, too.
9. Clunky Padded Bras
While padding can enhance your bust, too much padding can feel unnatural and uncomfortable, making you feel less confident in your own skin. This is especially true if you naturally have a larger bust; adding too much padding can only enhance your bust and draw unwanted attention. Choose bras with moderate padding for a more natural, flattering look.
10. Embellished Irritating Fabrics
Lingerie made from scratchy, uncomfortable materials can irritate your skin and distract you from feeling confident. Though they may be cheaper, it’s essential (and healthier) to shop for natural fibers like cotton or silk when it comes to lingerie. Always choose soft, breathable fabrics that feel good against your skin.
11. Silky Lace Negligees
Silky negligees feel dated and tacky, especially in rich gem shades like red, green, or purple. Not only do they leave little to the imagination, but they are also unflattering on the body, particularly shorter skimpy styles, as they cut off at a weird length. They can also take you into stripper territory. A much more sophisticated style is a simple satin or silk slip in a midi or maxi length or a cute kimono-style robe.
12. Super Sheer Styles
While sheer lingerie can be sexy, if it’s too revealing, it might make you feel more exposed than confident. You need to find the fine line between sexy lingerie and undergarments that make you feel secure and confident. When in doubt, opt for sheer pieces that have strategic coverage to maintain a balance between sexy and secure.
13. Fussy Complicated Designs
Lingerie with too many straps, hooks, and intricate designs can be frustrating to wear and might leave you feeling more stressed than sexy. Not only this, but these overly intricate styles can cause bulges and impressions on the skin that aren’t sexy. There’s nothing wrong with going with understated lingerie; in fact, simpler designs can be just as alluring and much easier to manage.
14. Uncomfortable Impractical Bodysuits
Bodysuits can be fun and sexy to wear; they add a touch of allure to normal lingerie. However, bodysuits that don’t flatter your body shape can make you feel self-conscious. You may also want to rethink your choice when it comes time to pee. Choose bodysuits that enhance your natural curves and provide the support you need.
15. Worn-Out Lingerie
Lingerie can be expensive, so naturally, you’ll want to wear your investment pieces for years. However, old, worn-out lingerie can make you feel less than your best. It also doesn’t give off sexy and confident vibes to be wearing lingerie riddled with holes, pilling fabric, and loose elastics. Regularly update your lingerie drawer with fresh pieces that make you feel confident and beautiful.