Current Undergarment Favorites
Let’s talk about my current
Undergarment Favorites
Undergarments are the foundation upon which our entire wardrobe is built, yet it rarely takes center stage. They set the foundation for a good outfit and an easier getting-ready experience. Today, I want to re-share a few of my current favorites that I’m wearing the most as I navigate postpartum and a few good reminders to anyone who may be newer around here.
Bras
If you have not been properly fitted, what are you waiting for?! This quick video shares the three signs to determine whether or not your bra is properly fitting. If you’re looking for somewhere to get fitted, I previously shared where to go and what to expect during a bra fitting here. It is recommended to get fitted after major life changes and fluctuations. We are constantly evolving and changing, and our bra sizes do too!
Pre-pregnancy, I shared a few of my most worn bras and where I like to shop for fit-focused brands here. If you’re looking for more on maternity bras and what to expect while pregnant and nursing, check out my most recent guide here and here. Wire-free bras are typically recommended at the end of your pregnancy and early postpartum. Not only for comfort, but wire-free bras are less restrictive on your breast tissue, avoiding pinching or clogging milk ducts. I’m currently in my wire-free era, I need to get refitted, but I was waiting for my milk supply to even out. One of my favorite bras during my third trimester and early postpartum days is the Vanity Fair wire-free back smoothing bra and the Norah wire-free. One of my favorite nursing bras is the Kindred Bravely everyday nursing t-shirt bra, and you can see a few more of my favorites here.
VF WIRE FREE SMOOTHING BACK BRA (XL- RUNS GENEROUSLY)
NURSING & PUMPING BRA (XL- BUSTY) | SHORTS (XXL)
Panties + Shorts
I can’t recommend Soma’s Vanishing Edge panties enough, they have been an absolute game-changer for me. They have a silicone edge that lays completely flat underneath clothes. Don’t believe me? Watch this video of me wearing them underneath thin workout leggings. I also like Chantelle’s SoftStretch panty. They’re one-size (up to 14), which was terrifying at first, but they work! They also come in 1X-4X here. They feel you’re not wearing anything and have a pretty flat seam. During my pregnancy, I discovered these Chantelle panties coming in standard and plus sizing.
When I need maximum support, I look to the OnCore collection (use CARALYN10 on Spanx) for more special occasions. My go-to everyday short is the Thinstincts 2.0, and I wear it as underwear (no undies needed underneath, but you can certainly wear them if you prefer). I haven’t tried these, but I’ve heard fantastic things about them if you’re looking for something non-constricting without any shaping to wear to prevent thigh chafing. May I also suggest Megababe’s Thigh Rescue (anti-chafe balm), when you don’t want to wear shorts. It works wonders and has SAVED my thighs. I shared more underwear favorites and ways to refresh your underwear here!
TOP SHORTS | BOTTOM SHORTS (USE CARALYN10)
RACERBACK BRA STRAP CONVERTER
THINSTINCTS 2.0 MIDTHIGH SHORT (XL- USE CODE CARALYN10)
OUTFIT DETAILS HERE
Caring for your undergarments
Regular washing will actually extend the life of your bras. When cared for properly and worn on rotation, quality bras will last you about 12-18 months. Lower quality bras (think Target, Walmart, Victoria’s Secret) will only last about 4-6 months (or less!) even if you care for them perfectly. High-quality bras, when NOT cared for properly, will not last as long as they should! I previously shared more on why you should wash your bras here!
What you use to wash your bras (and how you wash them) also makes a big difference. Avoid any harsh chemicals that can damage the synthetic fibers (Woolite is a MAJOR no-no). Traditional detergents (All, Tide, etc.) are designed for spun fibers, like cotton. They get the gunk off of the fibers but not out of the pores. Look for a surfactant wash – this technology binds to the gunk in the pores and effectively cleans the fibers – think of it like a Biore pore strip for your bras! I wash my bras and undergarments separately from all other clothing items, often using mesh garment bags, and I always hang dry them on this drying rack. Pro tip: these washes are best for anything with high Lycra contents (bras, panties, hosiery, swimsuits, and workout gear), but they will clean anything! My personal favorite is Forever New, also available in unscented, and this one is for my athleisure-wear and swimwear.
Thanks for reading!
Feeling inspired to update your underwear drawer? Looking for more undergarment posts, be sure to check out more on the blog here! Feel free to leave any questions or suggestions on future posts below.
xx CMK