Lingerie invisibly shapes our body-line underneath the clothes we wear. Selecting the correct bra style ensures you get the look you want, with the support you need. This alone can make the difference between looking basic or breathless.

• To create a defined waistline and this way hide the signs of a big stomach you can wear a belted swimsuit, a piece with vertical stripes or any type of gathering around the belly. A single-piece swimsuit with a tummy control panel will also flatten your midsection.
• For a bigger bust you need to provide great support. Opt for bathing suits with wide straps and adequate underwire or a halter top to achieve this effect. To make a big bust look smaller opt for V-neck and other deep neckline cuts.
• If you have a small breast and want to create the illusion of a bigger one, go for lighter than your bottom’s color. You can try ruching and frills as well.
• To cover up a bigger rear, wear a skirted bottom.
• Broad shoulders can be downplayed by a swimsuit with patterns on the bottom part.
• Short legs can look longer if you wear a swimsuit that is high cut to the thigh.

A few more rules to follow if you are looking for a lovely plus-size swimsuit:

• The best time to buy a plus-size swimsuit is the beginning of a season- end of May and early June- when variety of swimwear is huge.
• Try every swimsuit you think can look great on you and buy the one that really makes you look incredible. If you have doubts about one or another piece, don’t buy it. You will find the better.
• Don’t shop for swimsuits during your menstrual cycle or after eating a big meal.
• Light fabrics should be avoided not only because they can add volume to your look but also because when they get wet they can become sheer or too tight.

On Top: Sports Bras.
For exercise like aerobics or running, and even for Pilates and yoga, the sports bra is a better choice. They give a lot of support and coverage, yet they move well and are smooth under tight fitting tops and tanks. Sports bras have come a long way over the years and you can find them in just about any style you need to accommodate your shape and the cut of your tops. You can also find sports bras made of the new, breathable materials, which are great for those who get overheated.

On Bottom: Comfort and No Lines
Panty lines kill the look of a great pair of exercise pants so the thong rules when it comes to underwear for fitness. But many women are not so comfortable with the “thong thing” yet. Here is the solution.

1) Forget the thong and go for whatever is smooth and lets you move well. Avoid panty lines with panty line free underwear. Yes, there is such a thing and Jockey seems to be leading the pack in that technology.

2) Hanky Panky. A little more lingerie than sports oriented, Hanky Panky is the brand name for what are widely claimed to be the most comfortable thongs on the market. Their main feature is that the waist band is thicker than that of most thongs, making them more comfortable and less revealing when pants ride down — which invariably happens from time to time in exercise class.

1. Read carefully the laundering instructions on panty’s label. If the label says “Dry Clean Only”, then do not launder your panties by hand or throw them into a washing machine, as such kind of methods could destroy or shrink your underwear.

2. If the delicate panties could be washed by hand, cold water is the optimal method. Panties are easy to shrink in size if using hot water.

3. If you wash your panties with other delicate garments, then you should use one cup of white distilled vinegar along with a mild detergent in each wash load to prevent lint from clinging to your designer panties.

4. To remove blood stains from your panties before you wash them, soak the bloodstained area in cold water that you have added salt to. If an outline of the bloodstained area remains, then saturate the stain with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, using an eyedropper.

5. If your home or apartment uses well water, and you don’t want your delicates to turn orange, use Borax, or take your designer panties to a Laundromat to wash them.

6. Do not place your panties in the dryer since they will definitely shrink, and using a dryer will reduce the longevity of your undergarments’ elastic.

7. Do not hand-wring your delicate lingerie, since it causes creases and wrinkles that may not be easy to remove. It’s best to squeeze your undergarments gently in your hands to remove any excess water.

8. In addition, you can place your panties between dry towels to absorb any excess water, and then hang your panties on a clothesline to dry, or drape them over your shower rod to dry naturally.

9. If the label on your panties recommends machine washing, choose a delicate cycle, and if available, place your panties in a mesh laundry bag.

10. Finally, be sure to wash colored panties separate from white or light-colored panties, and do not use bleach.

Find out if he/she would like a lingerie gift. She might not be comfortable with you buying lingerie for her but might still want it. In this case, pick a gift card to a lingerie store or website in lieu of lingerie itself.

Know what his size is before you leave the house to go shopping. Your spouse’s size has probably changed since you were dating. Visit your bedroom and look at the labels in his clothing and underwear to learn his size.

Seek help by browsing online at stores such as Wal-Mart and Victoria’s Secret. Shop online if you are uncomfortable going into stores.

Ask a salesperson for help. Retailers will gladly help a man pick lingerie for his spouse. Salespeople can make suggestions, explain your options and ask questions that will help you think about what to buy for your wife.

Choose what kind. Maybe she is out of stockings or all of her pantyhose have runs in them. Perhaps she has more bras than panties. Maybe she has too many nightgowns and you both think it’s time for a teddy.

Think about what she needs if you are going for a more practical gift. If all her panties have holes in them and her bras are worn thin, you have your answer.

Try something new if you want to spice up your sex life. If you think your wife would like it, opt for something sexy that she doesn’t already own, like a corset or a babydoll.

Decide whether to buy something you’ll both drool over, something for everyday or sleepwear. You might choose something that’s seductive enough to wear for intimate moments and comfortable enough to sleep in, such as a chemise or sheer gown.