For many of us, underwear mainly serves as an afterthought when it comes to compiling an outfit. However, as any woman who takes fashion as seriously as we do will likely tell you, every great ensemble should start with equally impressive lingerie.
Now, that's not to say that every bra and briefs you wear should be of the fancy variety. Of course, lacy styles have a time and a place (as do practical pieces), but the key is having items at your disposal that you can employ at a moment's notice to enhance your outfit.
However, with so many options out there, it's difficult to know the underwear you'll get the most use out of as opposed to the styles that can sit for years on end without an outing.
To help, we've rounded up the items every woman needs in her lingerie capsule wardrobe that not only look good but will also make you feel even more confident in your clothes. And who doesn't deserve a little ego boost once in a while?
T-Shirt Bra
A lingerie staple if there ever was one, a T-shirt bra is unrivaled in comfort and will provide your basic jersey tops with a flawless finish.
Lace Bra
Much like silk lingerie, lace underwear is soft on the skin and will make you feel sexy regardless of what you're wearing on top. Our favorite lace bra accompaniment? A cashmere cardigan.
Nude Bra
A must under white shirting and dresses, find a nude bra that perfectly matches your skin tone, and you'll never have to worry about unsightly shine-through again. We recommend this Savage X Fenty range, which comes in countless hues.
Plunge Bra
For dresses and tops with a low-cut front, a plunge bra is a must. Nude, sculpted cup, strapless… The plunge bra comes in many guises.
Strapless Bra
Find a good strapless bra, and it opens up a world of sartorial possibilities. For bigger busts, we suggest investing in Wonderbra's brilliant option, but if you're an A–D cup, this Bodas style is as chic as they come.
Soft-Cup Bra
After a working week of wearing structured undergarments, there's nothing we love more than slipping on a soft-cup, unwired bra on the weekends. Wear under a loosely buttoned shirt tucked into cigarette trousers for a gorgeous after-dark look.
Jersey Thong
If your thong-wearing days are behind you, we suggest reinstating at least one into your lingerie drawer. In our experience, they're the only pair of underwear that actually offers the no-seam look, making them the perfect underpants to wear under slip skirts or dresses that are cut close to the body.
High-Waisted Knickers
Unlike Bridget Jones, we wear our high-waisted knickers like a badge of honor. Look for luxe textures or cool prints to banish any frumpy connotations.
Boy Shorts
Akin to a hoodie or joggers, short underwear is ideal for days when comfort is required above all else.
Hipster Briefs
For day-to-day wear, hipster briefs are our go-tos—mainly because the VPL effect is minimal and you're still provided ample coverage.
Silk Camisole
No stylish woman's lingerie drawer is complete without a silk camisole. Olivia Palermo has said time and time again that she wears one underneath every outfit for extra warmth. It's also ideal for layering underneath wool sweaters, which are notorious for being itchy on bare skin.
Lace-Trim Slip Skirt
Slip skirts might be one this winter 2018's biggest trends, but we're also fans of the lingerie number. We always have one on standby for dresses that come up slightly sheer upon wear whilst lace-trimmed styles look chic peeking out from underneath short hemlines.
Slip Dress
Much like its skirt counterpart, the slip dress is essential for layering under sheer fabrics. If you dare, wear it as a garment in its own right—perhaps with a silk blouse or a chic blazer.
Bodysuit
Bodysuits are more popular than ever, with many brands creating top versions, too. However, as far as lingerie goes, we love nothing more than wearing lacy or mesh styles under unassuming garments, like jeans and roll-necks.
Sculpting Briefs
If desired, a pair of sculpting briefs will enhance your natural shape while giving you additional support than traditional undergarments.
Streamline Shapewear
Give your silhouette a smooth-over with this firm slip. Unlike slinky styles, this dress fits neatly on your frame, making it more suitable for wearing underneath tighter frocks.
Tights
Tights trends come and go, but black opaques are for life. This pair offers ample coverage without looking too blocky on your legs, but boasts a chic matte finish.
Fancy Socks
Much like with tights, we could discuss socks at length. Be they sneaker, ankle, or knee-high socks, we recommend investing in cotton pairs. More breathable than synthetics, you'll find they last significantly longer, too.
Luxe Robe
Okay, so we know it's not technically lingerie, but we believe every woman needs a luxe robe in her life. Sling it on over your underwear to enjoy your morning coffee, and then wear it once again in the evening as you start your nighttime skincare regimen.
Now that you're all clued up on your lingerie, it's time to choose your perfect party dress to wear over the top…
Opening Image: @adenorah
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.
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