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What lies underneath your outfits largely depends on the clothes you wear. While some outfits require lingerie that sculpts the body, other looks require lingerie that remains hidden. Then there are looks that play with hints of lingerie for a flirtatious touch. Without sticking to the lingerie rules, you risk making serious fashion faux pas no stylish girl should ever make -- just think of hideous VPLs (visible panty lines), bra seams and bulges. Consider the three Fs -- function, form and flirting -- to get it right every time.
Sculpting Lingerie
If you're going to work a sultry figure-hugging outfit, you should play close attention to the lingerie you wear. Pulling off a body- conscious look requires body-shaping lingerie to streamline your silhouette, accentuate your assets and control any lumps and bumps. Look for shapewear and uplifting bras including corsets, girdles and slimming bodysuits to get total body confidence. Even curvaceous Kim Kardashian, ever the fan of fitted dresses, tells Instyle.com her secret lies in Spanx and firm control panties.
Disappearing Lingerie
Visible lingerie (unless a loungerie style statement) is a crime against fashion. If you're caught guilty, you need to get style savvy and avoid repeating the shame. VPLs, bra straps or seams ... no one wants to see your spotty thong through white linen pants, bra cups poking out of your shirt or even worse, bra straps with your backless number. This is where you choose flesh tones, seamless panties, multi-way and smooth T-shirt bras to work with your clothes.
Extrovert Lingerie
When fashion meets lingerie you get loungerie -- that's lingerie you show off. So stylish lingerie needs to be seen, either underneath sheer fabrics, peeking through splits or out of necklines. Bras have a cute pattern or ruffle detail to draw attention to your cleavage. Bra straps are encrusted in diamantes or an on trend vibrant color to pop next to a simple strappy tank. Bralets and panties add a flirtatious touch to see-through dresses and shirts with dramatic side splits.
Warming Lingerie
If you've ever been chilled right through to your bones, you know it's all about wearing layers to beat the cold. That first layer, however, should always be thermal underwear, which regulates your body temperature and keeps you warm in the winter. Old-school versions and grandma long johns tended to be prim and chunky; they could only be worn underneath sweaters. Nowadays, there are thinner options including tanks, panties and bralets, although Triumph's super furry and microwavable bra is probably best under multiple layers.
