10 Steps to Overhauling Your Undergarments

In a fantasy world (the same one where cellulite is easily removed), we'd all look like the models in lingerie ads underneath our clothes. Each morning, we'd gracefully slip into a perfectly matched bra-and-panty set made of lace that, miraculously, never itched or bunched up beneath our clothes. Reali ty, of course, more likely involves hopping out of the shower and hastily tugging on whichever undergarments will simply get us through another workday without peekaboo straps and visible panty lines (or bulges). But it is possible to arrive at a happy in-between place, where your underwear is like your makeup routine: More than just a mundane chore or a way to cover things up, it helps you look and feel your most beautiful. Our easy 10-step underwear makeover will help make that fantasy a reality.

Step 1: Get ruthless with that underwear drawer

First, set aside an hour or two to make sense of the tangled knot that is your underwear collection. Neatly organize all the bras and panties that you know are comfortable and in good condition, and toss all the saggy, scratchy, pudge-pinching and otherwise ill-fitting items, plus any that are faded or unraveling. By finally purging these, you'll get a clearer sense of what you have and which new items you need to shop for. To further declutter your drawer, consider moving special-occasion lingerie to a separate location where you won't have to rifle through them to locate your everyday staples. Store them inside one of your suitcases if you're short on space (you could even keep a sachet in there so your fancy things smell extra-nice).

Step 2: Determine whether your bras still (or ever did) fit

Bras lose elasticity over time, so that old workhorse you've relied on since the '90s probably isn't doing your cleavage any favors these days. "It's easy to get in a rut, but once you put on a new bra with proper support, you'll see what you've been missing," says Tomima Edmark, owner of online lingerie boutique HerRoom. Here's what to look for: A bra that fits properly should have a snug enough band that if you nudge off the shoulder straps, the cups stay up. The band should cross right beneath your shoulder blades, not ride up in the back. Underwires should rest in the breasts' natural creases, and shoulder straps should be tight, but loose enough to slip a finger underneath. Finally, do a cup check to ensure there's no gap at the top and no spillage at the sides or bottom. "The right bra centers the bustline and lifts it at least one inch, making a woman look taller and thinner," says bra-fit specialist Susan Nethero, owner of Intimacy lingerie stores.

Step 3: Get an expert opinion

Even if you usually buy bras at discount or department stores, consider visiting a nice lingerie boutique just this once. Most offer bra fittings and even alterations completely free of charge-a priceless perk that most women never take advantage of. "Our research shows that over 85% of women are wearing the wrong size bra and that 65% of us have never had a professional fitting," says Nethero. A professional's advice will also help you establish which bras (demi vs. full coverage, padded vs. lined) are most flattering to your shape, and which assortment will work best with the kinds of clothes you wear. Aft

er all, you can always apply what you learn to less expensive bras next time you need replacements (though you might be impressed at how nicer ones hold up over time).

Step 4: Get in touch with your panty personality

In the days right after all the laundry's done, which pairs of panties do you always wear first? The ones you instinctively go for initially are probably the styles that are both most flattering to and comfortable for your body. Resolve to stick to these and resist impulse purchases of trendy cuts and fabrics, even when faced with a colorful clearance bin at the mall. The only safe bet for most everyone: 100% cotton briefs with a high-cut leg.

Step 5: Add these new must-haves to your under-wardrobe

One thing no woman should be without: a pair of panties that won't show, no matter how slinky the dress. Even if you don't consider yourself the thong type, new hip-hugger versions made from extra-pliant stretch lace might surprise you; the ones from Hanky Panky are so comfy, they've developed a cult following, and they eliminate not only panty lines but side-pinch, too. If you prefer more coverage, try seamless panties with laser-cut edges, which lay extra-flat against your skin for low visibility; a popular style is the CYA panty from Commando. Another life-changer: a skin-colored T-shirt bra made from body-contouring foam, like the Reflex Memory Pad bra by Natori. It'll give you a totally seamless finish beneath tees and snug sweaters, without adding volume and mega-cleavage like padding or stiff sculpted cups can.

Step 6: Make shapewear your secret weapon

You probably own some shapewear already. Today's equivalent of old-fashioned corsets are designed to suck you in and smooth you out while enhancing your womanly curves-but not all shapewear is created equal. Don't assume that more Lycra content is better; it's more important to try on the garment to see if it's knit more snugly in the areas where you need more control, while loose enough elsewhere to keep you comfortable. The best shapewear has "gripper" edges that prevent the garments from rolling or creeping up, says Edmark, who likes the Body Wrap brand. If you're looking to add rather than subtract, especially in the posterior, try padded bottoms that give flat behinds a boost; you'd be surprised how believable they appear, especially underneath jeans.

Step 7: Learn to accessorize

There's no shame in giving your "girls" a little extra help to look their best. Companies are now making all sorts of enhancers that you can slip into your bra cups, including popular silicone pads. You can use these in whatever bra you want, they're made to last for many years, and they feel more natural than bulky layers of push-up padding. Another in-bra accessory to consider: stick-on nipple-minimizing pads like Breast Petals, which let you wear your favorite unlined bras and swimsuits without revealing too much.

Step 8: Put an end to "bra fatigue"

After you buy new bras, resist the urge to wear your favorite for days on end. Giving a bra two days of "rest" after each wear helps it bounce back to its original shape. You should also replace frequently worn bras (and panties) after about a year, since the elastic loses its resistance. "Most women associate comfort with looseness, but a bra that's too big around the body is unstable, which can cause underwire pain, back fat bulges and straps that dig into shoulders," Nethero explains. When you buy bras, keep in mind that more than 90% of a bra's support comes from the band around the bodice, which should fit firmly when you clasp the outermost hooks; the inner hooks are there so you can begin to tighten the bra months down the line, as the fabric stretches.

Step 9: Choose a signature color scheme

If you manage to match your bra and panties every day, consider us impressed. If not, here's an easier routine to keep up: Choose a two- or three-color "palette" for your daily undergarments. If most of the things in your drawer are nude, black and pink, for instance, it's easy to mix-and-match a set that looks put-together, even when you're in a rush (whereas a turquoise bra/red striped panty combo would only add to your frazzled energy). "Women often tell me how wearing a matching bra and panty set can empower them and make them feel pretty-even when nobody else knows they have them on," Edmark says. If you do buy exact-matched sets, it's a good idea to purchase two bottoms for every bra, since you wash the former more often and their elastic wears out more quickly.

Step 10: Show your lingerie a little love

Our intimate apparel tends to be treated less than gently-worn over and over, only to be crammed into a drawer or tossed thoughtlessly into the laundry at day's end. To extend the life of your favorite underwear, use these care tips from Edmark: Never wash dainty bras and panties with jeans or towels, as heavier fabrics cause too much friction against delicate fabrics, leading to pilling and pulls. Hand-wash bras if you can; otherwise, make sure they are hooked before laundering them on the delicate cycle inside a mesh lingerie bag. Afterward, reshape the cups and let air-dry. Avoid using hot water or a dryer, which can shrink fabrics, leading to fit issues or deterioration (such as the underwire slipping out of bras). Store bras with the straps folded inside the cups, and tuck each bra's cups into the next; this helps maintain their shape and makes it easier to see what's what.

For more style tips, check out WomansDay.com.