The essentials
A guy once told me that the best way to communicate is while wearing nothing but underwear. Thus unclothed, he explained, most of your insecurities are gone because everyone is, well, nearly naked.
I don’t know about that. The advice seemed more like a silly ploy to gain underwear viewing time. But I do know that buying and wearing fun, sassy, or sexy underwear is empowering and rejuvenating.
“Sometimes you just want to put on a scandalous pair of underwear because it makes you feel hot,” said Katie Kwilos, 20, of Auburn.
Buying sexy panties or a sassy new bra isn’t just to impress someone in the bedroom, although a significant other may argue otherwise. Wearing fancy undergarments on the day of a huge presentation is a confidence booster.
“For an interview I might wear something more casual, but if you’re going on a hot date and want to look and feel super cute I’d definitely pick something a little different,” Kwilos said. Katie’s favorites feature thin sides, lace details and anything pink, black, or, occasionally, purple.
I have a favorite red bra from Victoria’s Secret — nothing special about it other than the color — and a favorite pair of panties (they’re leopard print in the front and brown floral lace in the back) from American Eagle Outfitters. Whenever I have a big test or an interview I’m a little nervous about, you can bet that’s what I’ll be wearing underneath my clothes. (That is, if I’m caught up on laundry.) Giving special consideration to underwear gives you that all-over prepared confidence.
Of course, no one has to know what kind of frills, lace, or bows you’re wearing. That’s your secret.
And speaking of secrets, frilly, frou-frou panties don’t have to come from Victoria’s Secret, though it may be your first inclination. The practical recessionista may hunt Belk, or even, dare I say, Wal-Mart. (Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it; sometimes you can find some gems if you take the time to look.) Why spend $60 on a bra and panties when you can walk away with something sassy and near-fabulous for a scanty price.
But, if you want to go big, go big. Betsey Johnson, everyone’s favorite unconventional designer, makes some incredibly interesting undergarments. Try frills. Try cupcakes. Maybe that’s what you need to make you feel great when you have a big presentation at work, or when that cute guy finally suggests you meet for drinks.
Whether you’re having cocktails with the girls or flying to meet a new client on the West Coast, suit up in your sassiest undergarments first. The rest is just the icing on the cake.
Nobody has to know what’s keeping your spirits up. It’ll be our little secret.
Taylor Dungjen is a freelance writer who often covers fashion. Write to her at taylor@lee-magazine.com
