Your Base Layer

“Underwear is everything because we all know that if we have on the wrong pair of underwear it ruins your day.” Veronica Webb, model, actress, writer.

Underwear is your foundation and the underpinning to your daily dressing, that’s why I call it “Your base layer” and it’s the first thing I talk to a client about when we meet. It's what you reach for first when you get dressed, and your bra and pants really can make a difference to your day. They help you to feel feminine and empower you to be you, your clothes will fall better and enhance your shape.

My career started out as a buyer’s admin assistant on the underwear department at Top Shop, and I loved learning about the technicalities of a bra and how to make sure they fit properly. My friends thought it was hilarious when they called me at work and I answered “Hello Underwear”, “hello pants they would say”.

Here’s a few beckystakeawaytips to get you started.

WELL MEASURED

Retailers and researchers acknowledge that around 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra, it isn’t a guaranteed statistic but it is a figure that many have used for some time to illustrate a point. Get yourself measured professionally by an expert and to do it regularly, our boobs change, whether it’s because of a life changing moment, like pregnancy, or as part of our hormonal changes.

It’s an intimate and personal experience but it’s worth it and a good bra fitter will make you feel at ease, and should be able to tell you what size you are just by looking at you, yes really! I have had a few fitters who have told me my size and there wasn’t a tape measure in sight!

SPEND SAVVY, WASH WELL

It’s worth buying well and spending budget here, find a brand that works for you, don’t rush as it make take some time. If you can, aim to buy two, or even three pairs of pants to each bra you will then get two or three wears from one bra and they can be washed together. I advise not to add your underwear to your machine unless you have to, place in a laundry bag on a short delicate cycle with a very light spin. A hand wash in tepid water with a light rubbing action will do the trick, and I suggest a line dry, or an airer near a radiator in the cooler months.

REPLACE

Underwear loses its shape and you will start to spot the signs of tiredness. I advise a shop for two or three sets at the same time, wear them consistently and replace within 6-12months with another measure. Your bra will need replacing more regularly if it’s a popular choice and you wear more often than the others.

Here are some of my favourite underwear brands to give you some undies inspiration: Araks | Hanro | Chantelle | Simone Perele | Dora Larsen | Truimph | ARQ

If you would like to have a chat about your underwear please get in touch, you can ask me anything.

Your underwear really can be your superpower. Enjoy wearing it.