Underclothing: Tops and Bottoms

[Beauty]

Hi there,

I posted a few topics a few weeks ago and so I didn't want to do them all at once. Here's another one that's been on my mind a lot.

Ok, so here's the thing. I've started to notice I have quite an assortment of undies now, but not tops to match. Black or white yes, but I'm starting to notice however I want my floral bottoms, for example, to match a top. Then to take it one step further I've noticed I've started wanting my undies and tops to match what I'm wearing period. (en femme or drabbe)

What's going on? If you search far enough back in the CDDF you'll find I didn't even wear panties (It still weirds me out to say that word and think of myself). I couldn't bring myself to wear them. My wife is the person who got me my first pairs. Now it's a hobby for her.

I'm starting to change the way I look at fashion underneath. I've noticed when I'm dressing now I wear undies that are closer to what I'm going to wear to work and I've even caught myself putting back undies because in my head I was thinking, "Yeah, right? That so doesn't match."

Is it impossible to match them all the time? My wife doesn't seem to care as much, but sometimes she will wear the right undergarments that fit with her wardrobe. Until I had this ephiphany, I thought the only time you worried about color is when you were wearing something white or black and you didn't want your undergarments to show through.

What's the deal? Does anyone else do this? I know there are more CD'rs and SOs here who are more experienced than me with dressing. So is this just a phase? I kind of hope it isn't. It's just that it feels like it came out of nowhere.

Ok, I've babbled enough.

Thanks for reading!

Beauty

[Elizabeth]

Hi Beauty,

Yep, I do it. I not only select color, but style. Some clothes are tighter fitting and so I wear "granny panties" so as not to have panty lines. If I am wearing something sexy, then I wear sexy underwear, maybe something with lace, or those cute little bows on them. And I really like wearing slips and camisoles, and yes those must match too.

I am sure I am quite insane, but these things really are compelling. And all the while, I always have my "favorites" which I have to wash more frequently than the rest of my wardrobe, because I like wearing them more. It's funny but I have panties I don't wear because I have no clothes to wear them under. They don't really go with anything I own. Even though no one will ever see them. Yes, it's totally insane. But it still makes me happy.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[DonnaT]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'tops'. Do you mean, but can't say, bras or camis

Of course panties and bras and camis have to match. I have white, pink, red, blue, fushia and black. Nothing flowery, yet. It just does not feel right to mix and match undies.


Note, however, I don't wear bras and camis to work, only panties, everyday (sometimes panty hose). It wasn't a phase with me.

An I prefer the lacy boy short style panties.

I have more panties and bras than Y fronts and t-shirts, I think.

[Virginia]

It is interesting how we begin to do things withour really thinking about it sometimes, but when I read a post like this I begin to take stock of what I have chosen in the past and what I may currently have on and why I chose that particular ?ensombal? ( sorry drawing a blank on that word).
Anyway, Virginia describes her style as "conservatively sexy" and based on the particular outfit, where she is going and who she is with may determine some of the ammenities, like a thin blouse with a bra that can barely be seen, but have lace that shows. A slip that shows slightly through a slit in the dress. Like Beauty, it is beginning to come naturally - it is so neat!!!
Virginia

[Loretta Ann]

Hi all,

Floral bottoms, that match a top?
"Ooooh that's a nice".

Is it impossible to match them all the time?

To me it is not all that important that I do that all of the time with outer wear but occasionally I do that, and I like a that too.

Love Darlene.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Beauty,

Yes, I do that, too. I underdress sometimes sexy, sometimes "utilitarian," but I usually pick a matching (or very nearly matching) set. The exception is floral or other assorted "print" undies; unless they're actually part of the same set, I won't wear them. Plus, I have this weird thing for not wanting to mix different fabrics. A satin camisole with cotton panties? Uh-unh, I don't think so. Fortunately, bras and camis, like panties and girdles, are very easy to find in a basic range of tones, from black to beige to white. Matching is then a cinch. What I have a bit more trouble with is co-ordinating my undies with my pantyhose or stockings--there's just too much variety in hose to make such a matter simple for me. Go figure.

Love,
CJ

[Beauty]

Wow! Great response.. Thank you!

Donna you're right. ok.. I'll say it.. ummm.. bbb... bra... bras. I can't believe I have had laser hair removal and can't/won't say bra's and panties. Ok? So what's a camisole? Every time I look at a shopping thingy in the mail or search on the web there are so many types. Is there an official camisole?

CJ. That's so cool sis! I never even realized I do that. I don't mix silk and cotton. Is that a social faux pas or fashion faux pas, I mean? I was thinking about hose and panties. I don't mix those too much. Oh no.. more color coordination to worry about!! Oh .. how will I cope? Thanks CJ another cool thing to think about! What kind of problems do you run into matching your hose with your top and bottoms? (sorrry.. I reverted back to not saying the two words again!)

Like Elizabeth I too have my favorite pairs of things that get washed more than others because they get worn more than others.

There was a time when I'd make fun of my wife's floral undies and tops, now I see what she seems in them. I agree with Darlene! They are so cute!!!

Beauty

[Jadeanne]

Ok? So what's a camisole? Every time I look at a shopping thingy in the mail or search on the web there are so many types. Is there an official camisole?

Here is the official definition from the Lane Bryant fashion glossary:

Camisole/Cami - A fitted top with spaghetti straps that can be worn alone or as a layering piece.

I would amend the definition a bit to read:

A fitted sleeveless top (sometimes with spaghetti straps) that can be worn alone or as a layering piece.

Another way of looking at a camisole is that it's the top half of a full slip that's left after the skirt portion is removed to become a half slip.

My own personal distinction between a camisole and a tank top is the fabric - a camisole is made from a lingerie type of fabric.

I believe a more technical term for "shopping thingy in the mail" is catalog

Jadeanne

[Loretta Ann]

Here you are Beauty,

http://herroom.com/Camisoles,015,7.cfm

http://herroom.com/dosearch.cfm?Cat=003&Keywords=60

http://herroom.com/

Love Darlene.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Beauty,

When I think about it ( ), I don't coordinate my legwear with my undies so much as I coordinate it with my outer wear (or try to, anyway ). When I wear pantyhose or stockings (which I always do, when dressed en femme), I usually go for shades that are either neutral or related... earth tones with earth tones, pastels with pastels, etc. Still, I'll wear a light shade of pantyhose more with, say, white or beige or pastel floral panties than I will with ones that are a darker shade (say, deep emerald green). Having said this, I think there are combinations of, as you say, tops and bottoms, that complement each other well, even though they don't match. A good example is ruby red satin panties with a black longline bra or bustier (all-sheer pantyhose, in smoke or charcoal shades work well with this combo).

In the end, I guess all this matching and coordination stuff is highly personal. If you're artistically inclined, a colour wheel (such as the one below) can help you find a combination that "moves" you. Happy coordinating!

Love,
CJ

[Kersten Lee]

Beauty,

I think it is just blooming sofistication. Way back I was happy to wear anything feminine. Now, I too, find I must match colors, materials, undies, shoes, purse and make-up. More often now I shop with a thought in mind of what I need to be presentable and above average in appearance. I shop more to match things that I have and already love.

I'll guess many of us know the feeling of seeing a woman in the mall or grocery store that has it all together and the feelings that surface. For me it is all ages. Any age woman can look beautiful with a little adornment whether dressed up or down. Some times I am so amazed to see the perfect look. Every detail is just so right. It takes a lot of work and an eye for the beautiful to complete such ensembles. I would guarantee that the undies are beautiful too. Yes?

Just last week I saw a 70 something woman and she was the vision of a queen. I could see that she felt as a queen. As male it is almost impossible to realize these feelings. It is kind of like my therapist telling me to practice smiling. It seems so stupid to me who has had a natural frown all my life. It's no different for me. Dressing to look and feel good about myself is circular. I am happy to dress and feel pretty when dressed. Only if pretending, it ends up reality. If I see myself as a queen at times, I am that happy beautiful woman. The other amazing thing is that most others see that happiness in me and see me as a woman too.

As male I am good also, knowing that I can be the queen when I want. The happiness is two ways. Strangers react so much friendlier with me as my happiness and openness has grown.

In conclusion, you better match panties and bras, at least on those special occasions or you will be getting a scolding from me!

Hugs and Kisses on this beautiful Easter day,
Kersten

[Pauline]

Hia Ladies

I have always (since i started dressing en femme) colour co-ordinated mine automatically.. (i have been told i have a natural artistic part of me), and it has even recently gone into when i am in my drab clothes..

i do find myself also going "no that will not go together"..and chuck them back into the draw and get one's that do match up... even when ordering the lingure i have tried to match them up (not that their are many colours to choose from most of the time) and i have one set that matches (bought as a match).. in champaign colour.. one of my fav's..

whether a full or half slip.. i have made sure all of my undergarments are of the same colour to what i am going to wear, skirt or dress if poss.. black goes with anything.. white goes with anything.. red and black i find is a good match.. after that.. oooh the choices... i do find when looking at clothes i am thinking of "which lingure will match"..lol

Pauline

[Joanna_S]

I try to make my underwear match as precisely as possible. If I´m wearing a white bra with some lace decoration, my panties must have the same kind of decoration. Most of my half slips and cami tops are also matching pairs. I agree with Pauline; red and black look very nice together. One of my favourite outfits is a black tight sweater, a red short skirt, black pantyhose with ankle rose decoration.

Joanna

[Wendy]

As for lingerie goes, I do try my best to colour coordinate. I try to pick up styles that have very little lace, just plain styling is best as I find it is the easiest to match. If it does have lace, I try to pick a style with the least amount of lace on it.

As for colour, I try to pick black. I find black lingerie goes well with almost any other outer clothing. In fact, the only piece of lingerie I have that isn't black is a long legged girdle, as the store only had white or biege.

As for outer clothing, I do try to match and colour coordinate as best as possible.

[Conie Sue]

hi i,ve too have been having the same effect on my brain, when i get dressed everyday , when i open my lingerie drawer i stand there for a good ten minutes and try and choose what panties i'm going to wear and what bra and cami , my drawer is so full , the trouble i had was when i was shopping i would buy anything that looked cute on the hanger and when it came time to wear them i had nothing to match, so there i go on a quest to find the missing pieces and to come home with more off color pieces. oh well it's a hard job somebody has to do it i'm gald it's me connie