https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:40:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2161172 Sun, 20 Dec 2020 14:13:08 +0000 cat2 2161172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>During the pandemic I acquired a couple of bralettes. They don’t leave the house, but do provide a nice break from the underpinnings I usually wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2161168 Sun, 20 Dec 2020 11:51:38 +0000 Emma Benitez 2161168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been a fairly frequent wearer of suspender (garter) belts and stockings for the last four or five year and I have to say I don't regret the move.&nbsp; I was just surprised at just how little I 'invested' in my underthings each year and so decided to do something about it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Life is far too short to wear mediocre underwear... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149250 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:23:33 +0000 Jessikams 2149250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fashintern, sleepwear the same as before you were born! Too funny. My hubs is the same: a naked babe at bedtime </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149145 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:25:44 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2149145@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nemosmom. The way you wear them, the basics are smart, and saving up that decision-making energy is clever indeed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149136 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 15:34:29 +0000 nemosmom 2149136@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am afraid I am of no help.&nbsp; I duplicate my boring basics and wear the same thing every day.&nbsp; It's comforting to me to not have to put any thinking in it - one less decision I need to make at the beginning of the day. I do wish you luck, though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149115 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 14:06:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2149115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jessikams, I was hoping you’d chime in. I remember your post a while back when you were looking for some new ideas because you’d btdt with most lingerie looks, so I know you know about them. To answer your question though, my sleep”wear” is extremely minimal, still the same as before I was born. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149111 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 13:32:46 +0000 Jessikams 2149111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Are you thinking sleepwear too? I’ve been interested in the appearance of “rompers” for sleep. Like a teddy but less sexy more playful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149098 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 12:13:50 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2149098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bella, thanks for that! I was a little worried people would think I was being weird &amp; lewd, so “following with interest” is much appreciated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149097 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 11:24:33 +0000 bella 2149097@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>&nbsp;"I want the everyday to be the “other” stuff. "<br />This is a great goal. Unfortunately, I don't have any useful info for you, but I am following with interest and I hope you find some pieces that work.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149096 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 10:55:27 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2149096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bella, “life is too short to wear basic underwear” is great! Just what I was thinking. And it’s funny you mention jeans and T, because I was thinking of saying that they are like bra+panty. They work, there are lots of variations of both pieces, you can make some great outfits, but if that’s all you ever wore, you’d get tired of it. Some people like to break out of the everyday once in a while; I want the everyday to be the “other” stuff. Not to push the analogy too far, but I only have a couple pairs of jeans in my closet, so even when I do decide to wear them, it’s a choice. That’s what I want the “inside” layer to be too—a choice. You lok. great in yours and seem to enjoy wearing them. That’s great too.</p> <p>ETA: pushing that analogy even further, my numbers question is like if someone who literally only ever wore jeans &amp; T-shirt started wearing dresses &amp; skirts. The way dresses cover top &amp; bottom and skirts sort of cover bottom but your legs might get cold makes the wardrobe math a little more complicated. I’m having fun looking at all these gorgeous things, but when it’s time to put the money down, I want a mix of things that works. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149085 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 07:33:43 +0000 bella 2149085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, I just followed some of the links and they are beautiful. Makes me think that life is too short to wear basic underwear. On the other hand, I work from home in jeans and a t-shirt...sigh... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149079 Mon, 19 Oct 2020 05:41:05 +0000 Gigi 2149079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I have seen "bras" that are very low-cut demis, such that they support the breast but leave the nipple exposed. Maybe buy one of those and wear it beneath a loosely fitting silk cami, under a blazer?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2149009 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 18:50:14 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2149009@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Annagybe, great minds think alike, and I appreciate you thinking this through with me. I just found that blog and posted a link from it above. I really like the perspective—not at all “oh, this is hawt”. It’s about finding good quality lingerie that you enjoy wearing. So far I’ve only seen one Berlin maker mentioned on it, Fraulein Kink. It isn’t my style and is way beyond my budget, but if I get my nerve up to go there or to DTSM &amp; ask, they might lead me to other local producers that I like/can afford. On sewing your own lingerie, in the interview I linked to above, the Lingerie Addict says most bras have about 30 pieces! Also, I’m wishing I was still in touch with my old neighbor from when I lived here in the 90s. She worked from home designing girdles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148990 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 16:51:39 +0000 annagybe 2148990@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I thought of trying to find more specific brand examples, but I found this blog that has tons of information.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.thelingerieaddict.com/">https://www.thelingerieaddict.com/</a></p> <p>ETA well over a decade ago I followed a Canadian fashion blogger who switched over to sewing her own lingerie. The amount of work that goes into a bra is staggering. It’s one of the few items that really has to fit well to work, and not much room for error.</p> <p>ETA 2, one of Angie’s rules is to get a regular bra fitting, so I’d recommend that as well</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148933 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 03:08:28 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2148933@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Phoebe, any specific pieces in particular? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148913 Sun, 18 Oct 2020 00:15:34 +0000 Anonymous 2148913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Annagybe, those are beautiful </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148890 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 20:34:15 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2148890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Annagybe, yes, I’m spoiled for choice here in Berlin. I need help deciding from all the riches here. The main questions are price/quality and what items to get. I don’t think I’m “having trouble” any more than anyone else is with any other question asked on the forum, but appreciate insights from others. </p> <p>Good quality is worth a higher price. I need basic info on what to look for as signs of quality—double stitching, sturdy fabric and rivets might work for jeans, but not here—and how to recognize a fair price. Getting the least expensive items I can find probably means pollution, underpaid workers, uncomfortable fabrics, and more. Paying too much is too much. Of course I can look for things like straight seams, but what other features are worth paying more for? </p> <p>The other question seems more fun to me. But as tired I am of the bra+panties equation (no clue if others are also), it does have the advantage of familiarity and easy computation of wardrobe needs. If I’m wearing baby dolls, teddies, and stockings with merrywidows and garter belts, how many of each do I need? Do I still need 14 pairs of underpants, or should I count a teddy as undies and bra? That’s a more personal question, as it depends in part on what else I’m wearing (because, unlike bra + panty, these can’t be universally swapped out under different clothing) but still, someone might have advice from their own experience. I assume the advice I’d get in shops would be “buy more”.</p> <p>ETA: one of the brands you recommended has a tool to help determine best type of bra for a person’s individual shape. I haven’t tried it yet, but will look into it. <a href="https://www.marliesdekkers.com/en-de/fitting-room.html" rel="nofollow">https://www.marliesdekkers.com.....-room.html</a><br /> 1 hr later: Aaaaaaaaaaand their size chart says I don’t exist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148874 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 18:26:42 +0000 annagybe 2148874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Didn’t realize that a bra &amp; panties is a tired formula<br /> Agent Provocateur is high end lingerie, but you might get some inspiration<br /> Marlies Dekkers does some really cool stuff, I own some of her stuff<br /> And honestly just get out into your city and look at shops. Given what I know about the Berlin scene, I’m surprised you’re having trouble </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148863 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 16:26:24 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2148863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Thanks Bijou. My newest bra is Calvin Klein, and is very comfortable, but not as "fancy" as I'm looking for. I didn't realize Heidi Klum had a lingerie line--so many pretty things! Funny thing about looking them up--it slipped my mind temporarily that "slip" is the German word for underpants. (When I found them, using the word "Unterkleid", they were on a website that translated that phrase directly into English "underdress"). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I know most of the vocab for what I'm looking for, and can likely get other words in shops where I'm looking/trying things on. I haven't figured out the words for teddy or merrywidow yet (other than Korsett or Mieder, which to my mind are corset and girdle, ie, shapewear), but am sure I'll be able to find examples to ask about, so it's just a matter of finding a sales person who would like to be helpful. This is a very short cheat sheet, in case anyone is interested. "Straps" are garters (the straps of a dress or bra are "Trä<u>g</u>er" literally "carriers"), and a "String" is a thong. Just for fun <a rel="nofollow" href="https://miederkoenigin.de/produkte/">https://miederkoenigin.de/produkte/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>ETA Exploring this topic online, I came across an article that might interest YLF readers, as it discusses diversity, including large sizes and cup sizes, fair pricing for the labor in making bras, and suggests several "different" lingerie makers <a rel="nofollow" href="https://jezebel.com/the-lingerie-addicts-cora-harrington-on-labor-bra-size-1830084264">https://jezebel.com/the-linger.....1830084264</a><br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148841 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 10:00:23 +0000 Bijou 2148841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am pretty useless because I really like wearing bras and underpants and pantyhose too! Calvin Klein is my go to brand as they make pretty and comfortable underwear. If I want to spice things up, Heidi Klum has some gorgeous silk slips that I wear over my underwear and they work brilliantly if a dress or top is a bit sheer and double as a pretty summer night dress. Keeping my underwear up to date is important to me as bras lose their support and structure over time. Fabrics are important too. I have some pretty lace bras, but need to be careful when wearing knits because the texture can show through the knit. I do have coloured sets which I wear under my similar coloured clothing, so that is how I add a bit of excitement to what is otherwise a conservative underwear drawer. My Heidi Klum hot pink silk slip is my favourite piece. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148797 Sat, 17 Oct 2020 00:00:14 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2148797@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy, I will certainly be checking them out! I do need support up there, way more than back in the day. I might be looking to use the merchandise differently than intended by wearing it for so many hours, iykwim. So something that they would tell me is comfortable/ supportive/ generally good might not perform that well at all when I try to make it go the distance. I do know that I find thongs really comfortable—much better than a wad of fabric getting bunched up back there, lol. Crotchless is only something I’d wear with pants, sort of pseudo-commando. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148788 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 21:50:34 +0000 Anonymous 2148788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOL! Maybe you should check out the merchandise at some of those local shops for ideas.<br /> Do the “girls” need support? If not, you may want to try bralets (spelling?}<br /> Maybe something soft and lacy without lining. Thongs or crotchless undies? Lace camisoles? Lace boy shorts? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/making-pretty-work#post-2148762 Fri, 16 Oct 2020 17:54:27 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2148762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>On Bijou’s recent WIW post, Joy gave her the following advice on how to resolve her preference for dressing up with the pragmatics of WFH: <i> for your dressy side, wear perfume and fancy silk undergarments...things that gave you a boost but don’t show...</i></p> <p>I am not a fan of the feeling of pantyhose around my middle. Once things are thick enough to be cozy tights, they’re fine, but for dress-up, I used to dread pantyhose. Then I discovered stockings and garter belts. Not the utilitarian white ones my grandma wore—Victoria’s Secret’s was expanding in Ohio. So I had a black lace garterbelt and eventually one in champagne beige. Why not get bras and panties to match? I did. The champagne set was standard under the pale pink shell I wore with my interview suit. Then I saw tap pants in the store. They were useless in daily life but still fun to have....</p> <p>These days, I need new underthings. Not only have I only purchased one bra since we arrived here two years ago, some of the undies that are falling apart now were purchased before we moved to Florida a decade ago. In the meantime I’ve gained 50 lbs and lost more than that. It really is time for a clean out. </p> <p>My style theme for the coming year will be experimenting with shapes—cropped and knee-length cardigans, back to pleated midis, maybe a very big coat. I want to do the same with underthings. I’m really bored with the basic bra+panties equation. The standard styles work; that’s why they are standard. Natori is nice, their Feathers bra isn’t ugly and my briefs from there are favorites, but I want to find other things that work too. It’s been a year since I posted about bra tops. I still want/need to get some, and now I’m adding the demand that they be attractive as well; why shouldn’t they be? Instead of a bra and garter belt, why not get something that combines them, like this? <a href="https://www.escora-dessous.de/de/exklusives-torselett-in-rot-schwarz-escora-dessous-shop" rel="nofollow">https://www.escora-dessous.de/.....ssous-shop</a> Wouldn’t a mesh body stocking, provided it was not scratchy, work just as well as standard long johns or tights? (That last one is something I actually had &amp; enjoyed quite a bit back in the day; with a skirt or dress, it looked just like tights, but it kept me warm on top and was just fun to wear (I wore cute underpants over it, because that felt more hygienic to me.))</p> <p>I live in, I think, one of the most sex-positive cities in the world. There must be hundreds of lingerie shops, including dozens that produce their own wares locally, at least in part, in addition to the standard mall stores. I could spend anywhere from 5€ to hundreds per item (for example <a href="https://www.dstm.co/lingerie" rel="nofollow">https://www.dstm.co/lingerie</a> is on the way to the LC pool). I’m spoiled for choice here. </p> <p>So this is my question: <b>what types and shapes of lingerie/underwear/first layers work well all day long and are fun to wear because they break out of that tired bra+panties formula? </b> A related question is what kinds of fabrics are comfortable. Silk, which Joy mentioned, is wonderful, but I doubt I’ll be able to build up a day-to-day supply entirely of silk. I wear a lot of cotton now, but I’m looking for more vavavoom than that. I notice a lot of polymide in my browsing; is it comfortable to wear, both in terms of itch and breathability? Any other suggestions on building up a foundation of sexy &amp; fun underthings would be appreciated.</p> <p>ETA: For a fun but true warning, I wanted a pic of bright red letters, maybe outlined, that said “XXX”. I do not advise searching for said letters. </p>