Busting with fashion

Many women don’t think too long about it but experts say that underwear can make a big difference to the appearance of outerwear. The Clare Champion meets Paula Murphy from De Lingerie Boutique in Ennis to find out more
AFTER the joy of finding the right outfit for a special occasion, it is important to put a strong emphasis on matching it with the right underwear. So say the underwear experts but is it really all that important? Lingerie shop owner Paula Murphy believes so.
“For special occasions, everyday briefs won’t do. Instead, you need to consider what you are wearing. If it is a clingy outfit made from slinky material, you need to consider the option of a thong or shorts, this gives the impression of no underwear at all. This solves the VPL or visible panty line problem, thus giving you a smooth, neat look.
“For sport, the ideal underwear needs to be a material that allows your skin to breathe, a good example would be cotton,” suggests Paula.
“With the right underwear, things that used to flop and bulge need not do so anymore. We can wear whatever we want to wear resting in the assurance that our hips, busts and stomach are not in the way of admiring eyes. It is all about making the best of what you already possess,” she continues.
But is the best underwear like the best shoes; does it mean sacrificing comfort for style?
“Personally, my preference for underwear takes into account comfort as the foremost importance. Getting your correct measurements is vital when it comes to underwear. It doesn’t take long and any underwear store will do it for free,” Paula points out.
Indeed while the right style is vital, all women know size is important, especially when it comes to underwear. Wearing the right bra size is necessary for both comfort and support.
According to Paula, women should be checking their bust measurements more regularly because a woman’s bust size can change and not just because of weight fluctuations or pregnancy. If the band size is too small, it will cut into the wearer. If it is too big, breasts will slide out from the bottom and the back will move up.
Getting the appropriate cup size can be a slightly trickier business. Underwires shouldn’t stick into the flesh and there should be no bulges.
Special dresses and tops require specialist bras, says the young businesswoman.
“You won’t get away with wearing the same bra with every type of outfit. The best type of bra for backless tops is stick-on bras. They are usually only sold in sizes A to D, so if you’re bigger than that I wouldn’t recommend wearing a stick-on bra, as you would not have enough support,” Paula advises.
“For strapless tops, spaghetti tops, corset tops and halter neck tops I would recommend a multi-functional bra, which can be worn strapless or with a halter neck or with straps. All you have to do is move the straps to match your outfit,” she claims.
While different styles of dress suit women of different shapes, bras too should be chosen to suit your size.
“The most flattering styles for larger busts are balconettes; side boning gives added control. They tend to bring the bust together as opposed to spreading one out, hence you get a more minimal look,” Paula explains.
“The most flattering styles for medium busts would be moulded bras. They give great shape and support without the padding and for small busts padded, gel-filled or double gel-filled bras are best,” she concludes.