These days, underwear is about more than just pants. Here’s everything else you should slip between skin and clothes.
Undershirt
This isn’t necessary all the time, but an undershirt prevents sweat stains and means your dress shirts need washing less so last longer.
Go for a V-neck – few things kill your look like a crew neck behind an open collar – in breathable cotton. Look for tight fits in light to mid grey – it’s less visible under a white shirt than white. Vests also create visible lines on your shoulders, so stick to T-shirts.
Socks
White socks are streetwear’s current obsession, but if you’re not in a hoodie, stick to classic black or navy. Your socks should be long enough to show no skin when you cross your legs, unless you’re after mankles. In which case, invisible socks let you flash yours without stinking out your shoes.
Underwear Rules
Clear Your Drawers Out Regularly
No matter how well you treat your underwear, eventually those tighty whities will turn to grubby grundies. Make sure that you have a regular check-in with your collection of underwear (about every three months or so) and dispose of anything that you’d be embarrassed to be seen in by a significant other.
Pick Your Fabrics Wisely
In most cases, cotton underwear is a great option because it’s natural, breathable and will absorb a degree of unwanted moisture down below – it’s basically your best bet for every day. But if you’re exerting yourself, things get a little more, ahem, steamy, so you’ll need to look for fabrics that bolster cotton’s natural assets by wicking away moisture. A cotton-spandex blend is ideal for gymwear and won’t need to be wringed out after you’ve achieved a PB on leg day.
Size Yourself Up Properly
For reasons which we won’t go into, trying on underwear in shops isn’t good form. Having an awareness of your core size and sticking to a certain brand when you’ve found the perfect fit is crucial for comfort, however.
Underwear which comes up too large will have you shifting around in your seat all day, while anything that’s smaller than it should be will cut off your circulation rather than boost your package. Size matters.

It may surprise you to hear that you could have been wearing the wrong bra size all your life.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, up to 80% of us may be making the mistake of wearing a bra that actually doesn’t fit us properly. Those stats might sound quite dramatic, but it’s not the end of the world – and wearing the wrong size is easily done.
For a lot of women, it’s hard to find a high street underwear shop that sells their size anyway, so many of us simply make do with the closest fit.
Bras can be a pain at the best of times, let alone when they’re not properly fitted. Here is the definitive guide to knowing if you’re wearing the wrong size, and how to measure yourself easily at home so you can check.
This is a tricky question. It’s certain that wearing an ill-fitting bra can create an overall unflattering shape, but is wearing the wrong size actually bad for you?
Some sources have published articles, like this one from The Conversation, whose headline outwardly condemns the ill-fitted bra as a cause of serious health issues. On closer inspection, these end up being lists of symptoms many of us will encounter on a day-to-day basis – grooves in the shoulder, raw skin, and back pain to name a few.
There is little evidence showing that wearing either the wrong size bra size, or no bra at all, is seriously bad for your long term health. However, the physical and psychological effects of ongoing discomfort shouldn’t be disregarded, as they themselves can lead to further health issues down the line.
One of the reported problems associated with wearing the wrong bra size is an increased desire for breast reduction surgery, implying that the issue can contribute to body-dysmorphic thoughts. Another is that, over time, posture can be affected if breasts aren’t supported properly.
Typically, women wear a cup size that is too small, and a band size that is too big. Avoid wearing the wrong size bra, and get yourself measured – or do it yourself at home.
How to Measure Your Bra Size
Measuring your own bra size is very simple, and it can make the world of difference to your everyday comfort. It can also transform underwear shopping from a frustrating experience into an enjoyable one.
You need just two things to measure your bra size:

• An unpadded bra – the best-fitting one you own
• – A soft dressmaker’s tape measure
  Step 1: Band Size
  Measure around your torso directly under the bust line, keeping the measuring tape snug against the skin, and level. Make note of the number in inches, and take a look at the band size table on this page to see what your correlating band size is.
  Step 2: Bust Size
  Make sure you’re wearing a non-padded bra, and measure the distance around the fullest part of your breast, keeping the tape measure level, and being careful not to pull it too tight.
  Step 3: Calculate Your Bra Size
  Your bra size is made up of your band size and your cup size. Calculate your cup size by subtracting your band size from your bust size, and use the table on this page to see which alphabetical UK cup size you are. You can also use an bra size online calculator to work out your size.
  Remember that your bra size will likely fluctuate and change over time. This is due to a range of factors such as hormones, weight changes and pregnancy, so it’s important to re-measure your breasts every year or so to make sure you’re still wearing the correct bra.
  Your bra, if you choose to wear one, should be fundamentally comfortable and supportive. From lacy lingerie to shapewear, never settle for anything less than great quality underwear that is designed from a deep understanding of what your body needs.