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Matching bra and underpants

Gigi

Veteran

I recently read a book called "Forever Chic," which I thought was very good. It was written by an American journalist who became a fashion correspondent in Paris. She writes about what she learned about French women's mindsets when it comes to fashion and overall appearance.

One of the things she mentioned is that French women enjoy matching their bra and underwear. Even if the two items come from separate sets, the women try to match at least the color.

I like the idea of matching the color, but I am having some practical difficulty with it. When I get dressed for the day, I am often unsure of what exactly I want to wear. I might decide to wear a certain pair of jeans but then end up trying on a few different tops before settling on one. If I put on a dark pair of underwear with the jeans and then decide to wear a light-colored top, I will have to change my underwear since the light-colored top will show a dark bra underneath. And I really don't want to be putting underwear back in the drawer once I have had it on...but it's definitely not dirty enough that it needs to be laundered.

For those of you who enjoy matching your underwear, how do you avoid second-guessing yourself as you're getting dressed?

Dressing

28 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Jane

Veteran

I start with my top, because if that needs a lighter colour bra then that defines the bottoms.

I’m a fan of broadly matching / toning sets.

Anonymous

GIGI-First I want to say that I loved Tish Jett’s book “Forever Chic”. In fact I used it as a comparison in my first book review post on this sight about a month ago. I thought it was the most real of the whole overdone “ French Chic” genre. I thought it was like sitting around a French countryside table and listening to sage advice over a refreshing drink. How aboutYou?
I remember back in younger days when I bought a lot of VIctorias Secret matching sets. I always had some problem with the print and pattern showing through that always frustrated me. Sometimes the sets were way to wild color or print for my taste.
Now I make purchases through the online store- HerRoom. I make sure I have enough nudes to get me through wash day. But I also buy some separates that work as sets for those days I care about feeling pretty and not care about getting stares from folks if it shows through.
I start by picking out my outfit to determine if anything is so light that it will nix a pattern or color set.
Thanks for fun post.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I can’t tell you how much I love discovering I am not alone with these sorts of frustrations! I have similar trouble with coordinating outfit and hair/makeup— one has to come first but then if something changes halfway through (the shirt I wanted is in the laundry, I can’t find the bright red lipstick) it throws the whole thing off kilter...
Lately I’m struggling to find underwear that is high-cut enough for my high-waist jeans. Otherwise I get an elastic dent at my hips.

LaPed

Veteran

I don't worry about colour first; I definitely go with what fits best/looks best under what I'm wearing -- so length of rise for bottoms, how deep the neckline is for tops, etc. I have a preponderance of black undies since most of my clothes are dark (and black underwear make me happier than all the other colours), with a smattering of nudes and brights. I often end up with a black/black or nude/nude match, just due to the nature of my outfit, but if it's more practical I don't hesitate to mix and match. I never buy bright or printed underwear intentionally, but often end up with weird random colours because they were on sale (my underwear drawer is my wardrobe's last bastion of opportunistic sales shopping!).

Toban

Veteran

I have two bras from Soma in different styles but the same neutral color (mochaccino) and multiple (both plain and lacy) underwear in that color so I often look like I am wearing sets. It makes me feel pulled together. I like that Soma has their colorways in a variety of styles so I can choose both my bra and bottom style preference.

cindysmith

Veteran

I always figure out the outfit first, then I worry about the foundation garments. I'm the kind of person who lays out tomorrow's outfit tonight (or at least plans it in my head), so it's easier for me to get dressed while staggering around scratching my head sipping coffee wondering "who am I & why am I here?" LOL

Molly Mac

Veteran

Jessikams-check out Hanky Panky's Retro V hi brief. They are the perfect cut with high waist jeans without looking or feeling like "granny panties". I am in the same camp as LaP. I pay more attention to what works best with the needs of my outer layer than whether or not my bras match my underwear. I do try to only buy pretty well fitting pieces so that I always feel good from the inner layer to the outer.

Thistle

Veteran

I never really thought about it.

I choose light or dark colored bras based on my top, then grab from my stash of all cotton undergarments.

Interesting idea, though!

Anonymous

I decide what I'll be wearing and then pick underwear out accordingly. Nudes for light coloured clothes and blacks for darks. Easy And I cannot imagine wearing matching sets every day. I love the idea of it as it sounds so luxurious, but I have never found the panties that match the bras I wear to be wearable.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I wear colour matched bras and underpants. At the moment I have nude, black, dark grey, and fuchsia. Enough nude and black underpants for a full week each and fewer of the other tones.

And I do what LisaP does. Figure out my outfit and then put on my underwear accordingly. Nude with light colours, darker with darker colours. If by chance I discover a problem (a previously unnoticed stain on a top or bottom I'd planned to wear, for example) then I will change underwear if necessary.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Exactly what Lisa said. By the time I actually find bras that are available in my odd size and work for me, it's beyond a miracle to find matching panties that aren't either ridiculously full cut or teeny tiny little thongs (not my thing). I generally go for "not clashing" when pairing up my underwear. One reason why I like black so much.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the idea of wearing matching underwear but rarely actually do it. I like my underwear to match my bottoms (black underwear with black pants) and my bra to match my top (nude bra with white top) so unless I'm wearing all darks or all lights, a matching set won't work.

Sisi

Veteran

I only have one matching set (fuchsia), therefore when I want to wear it I already know I will have to avoid light-coloured tops. I think it is almost impossible to avoid second-guessing. If it happens I suggest to toss the underwear in the laundry basket without thinking too much about it, or put the underwear in a plastic bag and back into the drawer, or change the bra and let the underwear as it is.

Marilyn

Veteran

Like others said, outfit first and undergarments after that. My bras and undies always match but don't have to be matched sets.

My mother in law grew up in Paris. When I cleaned out her underwear drawer for her move to assisted living absolutely everything was either black or white. Parisian women don't like nude bras.

Anonymous

I like wearing matching sets...at least in color, but have had the same frustrations that you do, more often in warm weather as clothing is lighter and underwear more likely to show through. As I usually wear a tank over the bra, it is less likely to show, but matching under layers would also be nice. I usually do what Cindy does and plan ahead as I often must be dressed soon after getting up. Marilyn, It is interesting that French women prefer white to nude. I am the opposite as white tends to show much more. however, when nude does show, as in bra straps, it tends to look dingy.

Carla

Veteran

Bras and panties are either nude or black, although different brands and the nudes are not always a perfect bra-to-panties match. A few years back I actually found a white, nude, black pattern panty. I pick my outfit, then match undergarments. I wear white jeans often and once mistakenly donned black panties under. They didn't show through! A testament to the thickness of the white Jean material.

Anonymous

I don't wear matching sets. I wish I did though and intend to move in that direction as part of future purchases.

My tops define the undergarments I select (dark versus nude bra; lace versus tee shirt bra). I am one of those that lays out the entire ensemble the evening before. I don't have time in the morning to do much beyond dress and go.

The problem you raise is real though if you are someone that makes decisions that morning. Jane's solution of deciding on the top and then building from there makes the most sense to me. Good luck.

Gigi

Veteran

Thank you, all!

efbgen, maybe it was your post about "Forever Chic" that made me request the book from the library. I remembered that it was someone on here who talked about it, but I couldn't remember who. I really enjoyed the book and thought that it was full of wise advice. I should probably post a book review on YLF, and then you could contribute more of your feelings about the book in case anyone else would like to read it.

Lisa p and Janet, I don't have any proper matching sets of bras and undies for the same reason you state: generally the undies don't fit me right, even though the bra is amazing. So I am creating my own sets based on similar style and color. Black is of course the easiest. If I have a black lacy bra, I will look for black lacy underwear and then call that a set.

Marilyn, I have read that about French women not liking nude bras. I have recently tried wearing dark bras or white bras under white tops, and depending on the opacity of the material, sometimes the effect is subtle and stylish and suitable to wear during the day (other looks would be date night only). I do think that in America at least sometimes nude is really what works best, so I plan to find myself some pretty nude bras and underthings to mitigate the utilitarian vibe of nude underwear.

Hmm, it sounds like I will have to be vigilant about deciding on a top before I get dressed, at least if I want to try matching sets. That is hard for me, as I like to start with my bottom first, put it on, and then work on the top. Baby steps.

Sal

Veteran

I usually decide what to wear then choose underwear. Sometimes it is a proper set, sometimes it is an almost set, and sometimes it is quite random. I do like pretty lingerie sets and have several but there are days when I mix it up. I quite like a bright blue lace bra worn with blue and white floral knickers and I also wear bright knickers with black bras. I have been wearing blush rather than nude but it still does get a bit greige. Black definitely lasts the best!!

Daisy Avalin

Because I have large boobs and dislike lace knickers/thongs intensely, I tend to buy bras and knickers separately, thus I seldom have perfectly matching sets. What I tend to do is buy white/black bras, and then sets of patterned knickers in either white or black base. Thus I have complementary sets rather than matching!

Aida

Veteran

I'm very boring for underthings. None have colors or prints, they're basically all black, nude or red and made of similar materials (mostly lace or sheer fabrics). I don't try to "match" sets but they all "go" together well enough; I just pick whatever is best suited to that half of a given outfit. If I were going to match but didn't have an idea of what to wear yet I'd probably opt for a nude set because it wouldn't be visible regardless of what I chose to wear. As for making nude things feel prettier, lace works well!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Thx MollyMac for undies recommendation!

anne

Veteran

There's no way I could manage matching underwear! I'm limited enough be the fact that I often change my knickers at night after a shower, and then the next morning I just have to find a "bottom" that will go. Which means if they are black then I need to wear "dark".

Ultimately my plan is to have ONLY nude knickers, since they'll go under anything.

Anonymous

I wear lighter colors in the warm weather and darker when it's cool, and always matched or at least coordinated colorwise

This winter I wore black and intense shades of blue and this spring and into summer, ivory, because white is so difficult to find, especially in a style I like, and nude, which I doubt I'll ever really like as much.

Stephmonster

I have nude T-shirt bras and black T-shirt bras in various configurations (normal, halter, strapless). As far as panties go, they HAVE to match the outfit or it just doesn't feel right. I have them rolled up in rainbow order in my underwear drawer. They're all either Hanky Panky original rise lace thongs, or the more-affordable Soma Allover Lace Thong.

The only exceptions to this 'rule' are my boring nude opaque thongs for when I'm wearing cream or white trousers/jeans...and cheapie black cotton G-strings for exercising in.

I used to have a huge array of matching sets, but now I'm down to only a handful because they just aren't practical for the way I dress.

bj1111

Veteran

like many of the responders, i have nude and black bras only. spanx racer backs as i have strap slippage problems. i have also segued into hanes all cotton granny pants with the wide waist band in fun colors like gray and navy. not matching but i can't be bothered. non-negotiable, they have to make what i wear over them look spectacular.

3style

Veteran

Never occurred to me to match. I often wear three pairs of panties during a 24 hour period when it is warm outside: 1 for daytime, 1 for exercise and 1 for sleeping. I can’t imagine keeping track of anything except what works for the stated purpose.

RobinF

Veteran

Nope, no matching for me. I’m super picky about my underwear. Bottoms have to be mostly cotton with a medium rise and leg. The color depends on what pants I’m wearing. And I’m fairly large busted so bras have to feel very supportive. When I find ones I like I get 1 white, 1 black and 2 nude. And pray they don’t discontinue them before I need more.