Three Lingerie Myths and Truths

Many myths are handed down from our grandmothers and mothers. For example, white is not an acceptable colour before the Easter holiday. And white is never worn in winter. But times have changed and attitudes change even though some of the old myths still linger. So here is a quick summary of undergarment myths and the truths or solutions to fix the problem.

MYTH 1 – White underpants are best under summer white pants and skirts.
TRUTH 1 – A nude or beige colour fades under the white pants.

While it seems logical that white under white would be the best choice, the reality is that white is a poor choice as underwear. In fact, when one wears crisp white panties under a stark white skirt or pair of dress pants, the area that displays the underwear is so bright and pronounced, it looks ridiculous. Skin tones, nudes and beige coloured panties are best if you want to divert the attention away from your undergarments.

MYTH 2 – Bras that are uncomfortable in the back are too small.
TRUTH 2 – Bras that are too big can cause discomfort.

While we tend to think that an uncomfortable bra in the back area means that the bra is too small, the opposite is generally the case. When a bra is too big, it causes the front to move around and the cups are therefore not in a supportive position. What happens is the weight of the breasts drag the bra down in the front causing the back to ride up making you think the back is too small. If the back was tightened, it would hold the front in place keeping you comfortable.

MYTH 3 – Any bra will work when exercising.
TRUTH 3 – A properly supportive sports or exercise bra should be used when running, participating in aerobics, and any other activities where there is excessive stress on the body.

Sports bras are made to restrict movement. The actual cause of bra pain when exercising comes from several factors. First, the breasts bouncing up and down will make them tender and sore. Second, as the bra rubs on the skin creating friction, it causes sores, welts and burns that are painful and take some time to heal. Third, regular bras are more flimsy than sports bras. Athletic bras generally have wide straps, good back support and the better designs use materials with wicking properties to keep you dry and prevent chafing.