Summer underwear question - YouLookFab Forum

The summer vacation thread reminded me of a question of my own, related to underwear!

What do you all wear under skirts and dresses when it's really hot?

I usually wear synthetic boy shorts three seasons a year, but under pants. These just don't work well under dresses. I do have a pair of higher-waisted synthetic gut-suckers, but they leave funny lines under a dress too.

Spanx - I have those too, but the reality is, in the summer it's just too hot for synthetics - even if they do a good job sucking in everything and minimizing lumps.

Does anyone have a good alternative based on cotton, but that might also give a streamlined effect? Kinda like a Spanx, but in cotton?

Also, what about under skirts and dresses? I think I need "granny" panties... the type that go all the way up to the waist, with full coverage in the rear (or even shorts). Except in lightweight cotton.

I'm actually contemplating buying some boy's cotton boxer shorts!! I suspect they might work under dresses and would keep things well ventilated... has anyone tried this approach?

(Please don't recommend thongs or going commando- I would feel too exposed in a skirt or dress)

This is my conundrum every summer... and I still have yet to solve it!

18 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I would go for boyshorts that were made for girls, stretch cotton material or seamless microfiber, such as:
http://www.barenecessities.com.....1206_,size,.htm
http://www.barenecessities.com.....m40780.htm

I find these styles work well me under skirts/dresses unless it's super-clingy materials, which I would wear for speciall occasions anyway. What makes them not work for you?

shiny

They're too low. This is what I wear with pants and jeans, and that works fine, because the pants or jeans are heavier material and the waistband effectively "locks and loads" my trouble zone.

With a dress, there's no lock-and-load effect. So the flab of my belly puffs out and you see the seam of the waistband. This happens even if the dress isn't super clingy! Because my midsection is a saggy mess... ruined by childbirth; never recovered. (I think it's actually loose, excess skin, not fat - I think they call it the Mother's Apron?).

I think I need this same idea, but in a style that goes right up to the belly button or even the natural waist!

And buying a bigger size doesn't solve the problem, because my hips and butt are small. What's more, a bigger size will then show as lumps on my butt - because of the excess fabric bunching up.

What I do like about the boy short cut is that it eliminates that annoying seam line on the hip - where you get kind of a double-hip lump look. I just wish I could find high-waisted boy shorts.

Ana

(website)

Hey Shiny, what about these? High waisted boy shorts!

http://www.barenecessities.com.....5246_,size,.htm

There are other options for summer if you're mostly concerned with flattening your tummy area. They have lots of waist nippers available that you can wear with whatever underwear you like. I found them here:

http://www.barenecessities.com.....ewAll=true

I would stay away from boys cotton boxer shorts, because they are not made to be seamless. They might show up under light weight summer clothing.

Perfect! I see they have cotton version by Bali. I think that will be perfect!

I see, tough I'm sure the issue is much smaller that it appears to you, based on your pics your tummy looks totally flat to me.
I searched for higher-waisted boyshorts and, you are right, they are surprisingly difficult to find.
Here's some stuff:
just bellow the belly button: http://www.figleaves.com/us/pr.....6096-front
loose-fitting (tap pants?) but with great coverage:
http://www.figleaves.com/us/pr.....8213-front

full coverage
http://www.figleaves.com/us/pr.....0029-front
http://www.figleaves.com/us/pr.....8580-front
http://www.figleaves.com/us/pr.....4632-front
And spanx makes a short version, but it still might be too hot for summer:
http://www.spanx.com/product/i.....age=family

Hooray!

Ooh... I really like those tap pants! They look comfy!

I do want cotton, not microfiber. I find microfiber gets too sweaty in the summer. I'm going to order a variety and see which ones work best.

Spanx = I have these and I do not like them at all. I suspect it's because they fit wrong vertically on me, or I am not sure what it is about them.

And my tummy looks flat in the photos only because I've learned how to be the master of disguise with clothing.

Anonymous

I had the little roll going over my panties also which showed under a clingy top. I bought some Wacoal cotton panties at Nordstrom's recently which have a wide lace waistband that does not cause a roll over the top effect. They are cotton and are also conservative in the rise of the leg opening so I'd say these are the granniest panties I've ever owned but I love that they give a smooth line under clothing. I'm very happy with them. The style number on the tag is 87535.

Patience

Shiny, be sure to report back on what you find that works. I guess my underwear is cut low enough in front that I don't get a line with bulges. But I do have a baby belly so I usually wear camis to help hold it in. I'm wondering if a higher rise underwear would work better. And I prefer cotton too.

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