Every year, around this time, I remind you all to have a good root through your underwear, a really good honest look. You might be able to get away with less-than-perfect underwear during the colder months but this is not so easy as layers of clothing are shed. This is when underwear comes into its own. Lighter tops and dresses or trousers mean that good fitting and enhancing underwear is critical. Do not allow underwear to be an ‘afterthought’, it makes such a difference to your shape in clothes.
Immediately let go of ‘gone-off-white’ bras and knickers – you are simply not allowed to keep them until next Winter. There is a psychology to style and looking good and how you feel in your clothes, and imperfect underwear is a perfect example of something that will stop you from holding yourself straighter and taller and being more confident. A good foundation is key whereas a thrown-together one will result in a far-from-good finished product- –no matter what you try to do to cover it up!
The bottom line is that, whatever age we’re at, our bodies are constantly changing. We lose a little, we gain a little, or our weight stays the same, but our shape can change somewhat, which can really affect how you feel about yourself. While we can work at changing some things, other things just have to be accepted.
Plan a little shopping trip for underwear only. Falling under the ‘self care’ category, it is always sure to put a smile on your face. I have mixed feelings about support knickers, as they work for some and not for others, so you will need to put the work in here and research the best type for your body shape. If you find a great pair, buy two or three in case you have a series of events to attend. You don’t need to wear support knickers everyday, in fact, I highly disagree with the idea that you should. Keep them for that special ‘controlled’ feeling and look for special events so that you feel set apart from the everyday humdrum!
Make sure that your bras fit you properly and are comfortable. Comfort is always key because our bodies are always changing. It might mean that you need to overhaul what you have and get measured and then replace. The band can get stretchy from wear, the cups can and do sag. If you wear underwire bras, the wire can eventually poke or dig in, indicating a loss of structure. If the straps keep falling down then they have been stretched beyond their elastic limit so it’s ‘bye-bye time.
There is an ongoing debate about how often you should change your bra but the bottom line is that you should change your bra regularly. It’s good for the bra too, it gives it a chance to rest, as some bras have a heavy load to support…ye lucky ducks!
While we all will have a stock of ‘cheap and cheerful’ underwear, it’s nice to have some really quality underwear also for special occasions. That said, I believe that every day is a special occasion and we should never take tomorrow for granted so wear the lovely underwear as often as you so desire. Let it be the treat that you give yourself and go buy lots more ‘special occasion’ knickers and bras.The variety of colours and colour mixes available is sure to cheer you up. Gone are the days of plain old cotton knickers, there are some gorgeous organic cotton styles out there. Read up on the best material to wear closest to your body and seek it out – heavily processed means a lot of chemicals are added and we now know that some materials have been proven to be hormone disruptors.
Shopping local is very important in West Cork, we need to support the boutiques and jewellery shops and shoe shops and we have some beautiful shops all around us. That said, re-using and recycling clothes is something that also needs to be considered. With costs rising everywhere and a surplus of waste in the world, more and more women are re-wearing outfits many times over. Swap parties among groups of friends have taken off and charity shops are another great way to find a cheaper item. ‘Vinted’ has become the new ‘go-to’ for so many, particularly crews of women who have four or five weddings to attend a year. Many are buying a gorgeous pre-owned dress on Vinted (sometimes with the tags still on) wearing the dress for an occasion, washing or dry cleaning and selling it on again on Vinted. It is a great way to buy designer gear at a fraction of the cost and with buyer protection, you are guaranteed a quality piece. It’s a great way to clear out your wardrobe, a seamless process where the buyer pays postage and your Vinted balance goes up. You can translate the money to your bank account, but why do that when you can have loads of fun buying something else. So a bit late to the game, I finally downloaded the app and sold quite a few Karen Millen dresses and coats…and lots of other coats!
So did I buy anything on Vinted? I was so shocked and pleasantly surprised to buy two pairs of Francis Brennan PJs, with tags still on, for €10 each: Retailing at €40 each in Dunnes Stores, the quality of these pyjamas is top notch, so that was a real win for me.
So get cracking on clearing out your underwear – your body and mind will thank you for it.that smile that creeps across your face when you find something to wear that you absolutely love … and that loves you back by looking heavenly on your body!
