The hunt for that gorgeous party dress was tough.
Now, the last thing you want in your painstakingly put-together #ootd is an exposed part of the bra, visible bra straps or – perhaps the worst culprit of all – an unsightly VPL (visible panty line)!
You wouldn't want to ruin a gorgeous dress like this with visible bra straps! Here's the guide you need. | Images: Showbit, Aimer, Zalora, Net-a-porter, La Senza, Marks & Spencer, Uniqlo, Triumph, Zodee, Wacoal, Asos
Here are the 9 types of lingerie that every woman should know about when it comes to party dressing.
1. THONGS / G-STRINGS
Appropriate for: Bodycon dresses and skirts, tight-fitting pants and shorts
Let’s start with the obvious. This is the only way to eliminate the odds of getting a VPL (besides going commando, which is entirely at your own discretion). Do get one that is the right size, because we’ve seen women walking around with a G-string VPL due to a too-tight thong, which I reckon is worse than the average VPL. You do not want to be that woman.
[Clockwise from top left] Aimer low waist T-back, $36 from aimeronline.com; Absorle G-string, $14.90 from zalora.sg; L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Rosalyn flocked tulle thong, $48, from net-a-porter.com; La Senza G-string, $23
2. SEAMLESS PANTIES
Appropriate for: Bodycon dresses and skirts, tight-fitting pants and shorts
If G-strings aren’t your thing because it feels like you have a permanent wedgie, try seamless panties that are exactly like underwear, but without the hard seams. They will “melt” into your skin so they won’t show up (hopefully!) when you’re in tight-fitting clothes.
[Clockwise from top left] Marks & Spencer No VPL knickers, $15.90; Uniqlo ultra seamless shorts, $9.90; Agent Provocateur Sandra lace and tulle briefs, $265, from net-a-porter.com; Calvin Klein Underwear stretch-lace briefs, $52 from net-a-porter.com
3. SHAPEWEAR
Appropriate for: Anything tight-fitting and A-line silhouettes
What’s a woman got to do when there’s feasting and party dressing involved? Use shapewear, of course. It’s the shortcut to preventing that post-meal bump – or ‘food baby’ as many now call it – as shapewear lingerie works like a corset by nipping in the midsection or constricting the upper thighs.
[Top row: L-R] Triumph body contouring corsage, $199; Triumph long leg trimmer, $179 [Bottom row: L-R] Uniqlo body shaper seamless half shorts, $14.90; Marks & Spencer Ultimate Shaping Magic Low Leg Knickers with Magicwear Technology, $99.90; Marks & Spencer Ultimate Shaping Magic Waist Cincher with Magicwear Technology, $99.90
4. STICK-ON OR BACKLESS BRAS
Appropriate for: Dresses or tops with back cut-outs or backless designs
This goes without saying; you don’t want to spoil that perfect ‘backscape’ in your gorgeous backless dress with an unsightly bra strap (or clasp!). If stick-ons aren’t your thing, try going for a bralet which has an interesting back strap design worthy of exposure.
Hollywood reusable strapless backless hidden bra, $33.59, from zodee.sg
5. SEAMLESS BRAS
Appropriate for: Tight-fitting tops and dresses
We’ve all heard of the VPL, but have you heard about her less notorious sister the VBL (visible bra line)? It’s an unsightly strapline or underwire that shows up when you don’t get the right lingerie. Get a seamless or lacey bra and voila, problem solved (plus, you have more cute lingerie!).
[L-R] Wacoal Simply Support wired ¾ seamless bra, $69.90; Calvin Klein convertible push up bra, $69, from net-a-porter.com
6. PUSH-UP BRAS
Appropriate for: Low-cut necklines
Some of us need more support to fill out a low-cut top. There’s no harm giving your bosom buddies an extra boost with push-ups!
[L-R] La Senza Beyond Sexy push-up bra, $95; Wacoal’s “Up By Two Cups!” push up wired lace bra, $89.90
7. LOW-CUT BRAS
Appropriate for: Low-cut necklines
‘Shawty got low! You’re obviously going for a cleavage-baring dress to show off your best assets and you’d better invest in heavy-duty protection.
[Top row: L-R] Triumph party bra, $89.90; Triumph Aqua Deep-V, $99.90 [Bottom row: L-R] Agent Provocateur Yoshie floral-embroidered stretch-tulle underwired bra, $225 from net-a-porter.com; Fine Lines Charlotte low cut strapless bra, $56.02 from zodee.sg
8. NIPPLE TAPE
Appropriate for: Extremely revealing necklines where no bra is possible
To the daredevils when it comes to necklines, sometimes nipple tape is your only option! It works exactly like stickers to prevent nip-slips when you face a wardrobe malfunction.
Fashion Forms nipple tape, $26.68 from asos.com
9. CONVERTIBLE STRAPS
Appropriate for: Halter dresses, toga dresses and low-back dresses
Sometimes we like wearing things with unconventional necklines, but our bras shouldn’t compromise on that front (or back) as some of us really just want that back support for comfort. Try these low back bras and convertible straps for maximum support and zero visible straps.
[L-R] Marks & Spencer ultimate multiway bra, $69.90; Triumph low back convertible straps, $19.90