I think we can all agree that a great outfit really starts with getting the basics right and that usually means having underwear that fits properly and feels good. When those foundations are sorted, everything else tends to fall into place more easily, and you’re far more likely to feel comfortable and supported throughout the day. Gone are the days of ill-fitting bras or anything less than comfortable pants. In 2026, I’m all about finding underwear that ticks every single one of my boxes and I refuse to settle for less.

Fortunately, there are plenty of places, both online and on the high street, where you can find underwear that looks good and fits well without being overly expensive. Marks & Spencer is one that’s often relied on for exactly that. It’s long been known for its mix of wardrobe staples, accessible trends and everyday essentials (do Percy Pigs count as essentials? I think so), and its underwear offering is no exception.

If you’re like me, though, and haven’t updated your lingerie drawer in years, the prospect of underwear shopping can feel a little overwhelming. So this week, when I was tasked by my Who What Wear colleagues to round up the best M&S underwear available to buy now, I thought—perfect timing. From lingerie and shapewear to simple, everyday pieces—including the new BODY line, which launched earlier this week—there’s a lot to choose from.

To make things easier, I’ve pulled together a selection of the best options to consider right now, pieces that are practical, comfortable and worth having on rotation.

Shop the Best M&S Underwear:

Shop the Best M&S Shapewear:

Shop the Best M&S Bras:

Shop the Best M&S Pants

Shop the Best M&S Lingerie

Whilst ready-to-wear trends frequently come and go, the same can’t be said about lingerie. Underwear has been quietly evolving for quite some time now and is no longer confined to just function; we are now putting more thought into the under layers of our outfits than ever before.

Lingerie is now a lot more considered and reflects the shift in tone of fashion. Georgia Larsen, founder of lingerie brand Dora Larsen, says, "As lingerie continues to blur the line between underwear and self-expression, 2026 is shaping up to be the year where intimacy becomes even more intentional—from expressive colour palettes to reworked silhouettes that celebrate both comfort and confidence." Lingerie has become more polished and refined, accentuating our bodies in a thoughtful approach that appreciates the diverse needs of different women. Whilst comfort remains a pivotal element, that doesn’t mean it has to impact the style and functionality of the set.

However, much like shopping for the perfect pair of jeans, lingerie can feel overwhelming. Finding a style, colour and shape that truly suits you—and makes you feel comfortable—is often a process of trial and error. That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t embrace current trends.

With that in mind, I’ve rounded up the five lingerie trends we’re set to see in 2026 and asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on each one.

The 5 Biggest Lingerie Trends for 2026

1. Soft Structures

Style Notes: Bras have evolved over the last few years and continue to do so. Underwired bras are becoming less popular as women favour a seamless, non-wired style and less structured shape, opting for comfort above all. "Support doesn’t need to feel restrictive. Underwires and shaping return, but reimagined with lighter constructions, flexible materials, and thoughtful engineering. It’s all about wearing pieces that give confidence without reminding you you’re wearing them," explains Larsen.

Shop the Trend:

2. Whimsical Details

Style Notes: For 2026, according to Zoe Price-Smith, Boux Avenue's chief design and product officer, "Plain is out. Boux Avenue is predicting a return to whimsy and decadence, with decorative details galore in the most delicious colour palettes." Think pastel colour palettes in soft pinks, dusky blues and lavenders with intricate detailing and silky fabrics to perfect the trend.

Shop the Trend:

3. Underwear as Outerwear

Style Notes: We’ve seen this trend slowly creeping in for the past few seasons, especially at the end of 2025, with lace-trimmed satin fabrics bringing that underwear element into our everyday wardrobes. Alexandra Cracknell, senior designer at Dorina, says, "Lingerie [is] a staple of your outfit, evolving from worn to be seen into worn to be accessorised. Lace bodies and bras mix lace and sheer elements designed to be accessorised with a blazer or shirt."

Shop the Trend:

4. Go Big or Go Home

Style Notes: There’s nothing quite like a matching lingerie set to make you feel instantly sexy, whether anyone is seeing it or not. Just because it’s the base layer doesn’t mean it has to be lowkey, and sometimes, bolder is better for that surge of confidence. "It’s all about bringing the dramatic, theatrical elegance to life, allowing lingerie to become a masterpiece of art. Think a classic palette of rich reds, timeless black and sweet pinks, but also berry[-ish] purples, which have grown in popularity since A/W 25," Price-Smith says. "[It's about] intricate lingerie designs where detail and texture are key. At Boux Avenue, we’re all about craftsmanship, so we’re using 3D embroideries, floral lace and broderie anglaise."

Shop the Trend:

5. Clashing Colours

Style Notes: With the previous trend in mind, how many of us actually wear a matching set on a daily basis? Larsen’s mindset is, "Women are moving away from the idea that lingerie has to match perfectly. Colour is becoming more personal; it’s about choosing shades that reflect how you feel rather than what’s traditionally 'correct'. In 2026, wearing lingerie is less about coordination and more about emotion. Rather than neat, tonal sets, think unexpected pairings: warm brights offset with grounding neutrals and clashing shades that feel instinctive rather than styled."

Shop the Trend:

I hope you’re all having a fantastic summer! I’ve just returned from a family holiday, and after spending a fortnight wearing the same swimsuit and throw-on kaftan, I’m very ready to get dressed properly again! The autumn season is coming (and I’m already thinking about which trends I might be tempted by—see our full rundown of the runway’s top trends here), but this month’s newsletter is all about timeless, seasonless, clever investments, from the boring to the extravagant! From the comfiest knickers to the most “wow” dress you’ll ever wear, I hope these personal shopping recommendations provide you with solid purchases you’ll appreciate forever more.

Remember, you can ask me anything about style, and I’ll answer as many questions as I can through this newsletter. Simply submit one through Instagram at @whowhatwear.uk or contact me at @hannahalmassi.

Here's What I'm Obsessed With in August

1. I WON’T SHUT UP ABOUT: Vivienne Westwood's Sunday Dress

Style Notes: I think the idea of clothes being described as “flattering” is somewhat archaic, and that you should just wear what you feel great in. However, if there’s one designer that genuinely does amazing things for the female body, no matter your shape, it’s Vivienne Westwood. My fashion friends all agree that everyone—whether slim or curvy—looks fantastic in a Viv dress, and it’s been the same story for decades.

When I arrived at our most recent supper club at The Nest at Wagtail wearing a Westwood burgundy cotton Sunday Dress, the response was phenomenal, not because of how I looked, but because every person in the industry either owns or wants to own one of these classics, and so many of our guests told me as much. Many cool brides choose Westwood for their wedding day (hey, Charli XCX!), and normally, a perfectly constructed Westwood dress would retail for a lot more than mine (think £1k upwards), but this is a lower-cost style that comes in many colours. Either way, it’s not cheap. That said, I have a little black Westwood I bought in my twenties that still looks just as relevant now. That’s the joy of this particular investment: not only do these dresses make you feel smokin’ hot, they never, ever date.

Shop the Vivienne Westwood Sunday Dress:

2. UNDER THE RADAR: Stripe & Stare Knickers

Style Notes: Let’s get real: knickers are quite literally a pain in the butt. It’s taken me decades to find pairs that are comfortable, soft, work under lots of different garments and don’t fall apart or shrink in the wash after a few cycles. So I think it’s important to share my latest find, because if you, like me, want to have a range of silhouettes that you can rely on, feeling assured that you won’t spend all day needing to pull them out of your crack (sorry, there are no other words!), then listen up. Stripe & Stare not only creates what I think are the world’s comfiest knickers (thanks to the Tencel Micro x Modal fabric, which is scientifically proven to be three times softer than cotton), but it’s also a B-Corp certified, female-founded British brand. Win-win.

Shop Stripe & Stare Knickers:

3. ASK HANNAH ANYTHING (about style)

"How should I style loafers right now?"

Hannah says, "Both readers and Who What Wear team members are wondering how to style flat, closed-toe shoes during this in-between weather. If the forecast is dry, I’d recommend opting for a tan or suede loafer with neutral-coloured tailored trousers; either something long and wide-leg or a loose-fit crop. See influencers Chloe Robertson and Louisa Hatt, who always look smart in their slacks-and-flats combos. If it’s a rainy day, I’d suggest leather loafers worn with ankle socks and a cute skirt (either midi or mini, depending on your preference), which is something the street style set loves to do."

Shop My Favourite Loafers:

While ready-to-wear trends may come and go, there's a lot to be said about a great set of lingerie that can live for a lot longer in your wardrobe than any flash-in-the-pan aesthetic. No matter your shape, size or style, the first step in everyones getting ready routine is to build our outfit around a strong foundation, and beautiful, comfortable underwear has the transformative power to help elevate our outfits and boost our confidence, and, even if you're the only one who's going to see it, the right pieces are a wise investment when you consider the cost-per-wear.

Given the effort we put into our daily outfit preparation, it's only right that our underwear should have just as much consideration, and as someone who has a drawer overflowing with threadbare and uncomfortable thongs, my resolution for 2025 is overhauling my lingerie roster. So, where do we begin? I asked an expert and one of the leading names in lingerie, what pieces we should be looking out for over the next 12 months.

"The latest trends speak to the evolving lingerie landscape in 2025," notes Makeda Scille, VP of Design at Hanky Panky, "where comfort, inclusivity, and bold fashion choices are at the forefront. The Hanky Panky team are excited to see how these styles will continue to resonate with customers, and empower them to express their unique style confidently."

Finally! A movement in underwear that champions comfort and freedom for everyone (a signifier for the end of the cheese wire g-string). And as runway influences trickle down through accessories and interiors, we can expect the same for our underwear drawers too, as the move away from "quiet luxury" towards hyper-femininity continues into 2025.

So, if you follow trend reports for an insight into seasonal shifts, it's time to give the same attention to what goes under your clothes too. From the rich, new colour cropping up everywhere, to the dark evolution of last summer's "coquette" aesthetic, here are the five most influential lingerie trends for 2025, as chosen by an expert.

1. Underwear as Outerwear

Style Notes: On the days when you don't know what to wear, don't stress—what is happening beneath your clothes is good enough to showcase on its own suggests Scille (and just ask Kendall Jenner). "We have seen lingerie as outerwear for a while now, and this trend is looking set to continue on strong with pieces like lace long sleeve tops and camisoles becoming statement layers rather than just foundational ones. Often these lace pieces are being styled with blazers, denim, or simply as a second skin, blurring the line between undergarment and outerwear. We love to see how people showcase the beauty and artistry of lingerie in everyday looks."

Shop the Look:

2. Berry Tones

Style Notes: Looking for something more luxe than hot red? Try plum for an expensive-looking colour trend thats gaining traction now. "Following the rise of burgundy tones in accessories and ready-to-wear collections, berry hues are emerging as a key colour family for lingerie," notes Scille. "Our Sugar Plum and Dried Cherry lace pieces offer a fresh, elegant take on this trend, with these rich shades available in iconic styles such as thongs and bras. The beauty of these colours lies in their versatility and ability to evoke both luxury and warmth."

Shop the Trend:

3. The Romantic Gothic Aesthetic

Style Notes: Morticia Addams, Tish Weinstock, Lily Rose Depp in Nosferatu, the entire ensemble cast of The Craft. What do our recent style muses in common? Gothic romance is back, and its the dark evolution of last summer's uber-feminine coquette trend. "As we move into 2025, we’re inspired by the resurgence of Victorian gothic and bohemian styles, particularly influenced by popular TV shows and cinematic releases," adds Scille. "Our ‘Romantique’ print, with its striking floral blooms set against a dramatic black background, capture this fusion of romantic and gothic sensibilities, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a more dramatic yet feminine look."

Shop the Trend:

4. Comfort Without Compromise

Style Notes: Comfort is key when it comes to the difference between what makes good underwear great. But before you think of the Bridget Jones knickers we all have stowed away, the move towards fashionable yet functional pieces means you can have the best of both worlds: softer bras, seamless pieces, breathable cotton and stretch lycra. Performance underwear now looks better than ever, and doesn't go out of style. "Lingerie doesn’t have to sacrifice comfort for style. Our Supima Cotton briefs for example offer a minimalist, chic look with a high-cut leg that elongates the silhouette, perfect for those who prioritise comfort but still want to feel stylish. These styles are ideal for creating a capsule wardrobe that’s both versatile and timeless."

Shop the Look:

5. The ‘Naked Dress’ 

Style Notes: Ever since Carrie Bradshaw stepped out in form fitting shades of nude, the fashion world has been obsessed with the naked illusion dress. Whether it's Rihanna in Swarovski crystals or Bella Hadid in sheer Saint Laurent, these dresses leave nothing to the imagination, so what you wear underneath is of vital importance. "Lingerie is stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight as part of the ‘naked dress’ trend," says Schille. "Our French briefs offer a little more coverage without sacrificing sensuality. This elevated classic shape is perfect for pairing with sheer or body-hugging dresses, offering defined support while maintaining a delicate, elegant aesthetic."

Shop the Trend:

It has to be said: there's something about wearing a great set of lingerie that unlocks a new confidence for the wearer. No matter your shape, size or personal style, slipping into something both beautiful and comfortable has the power to help our clothes sit better and make us walk a little taller, and even if you're the only one who's going to see, it's well worth investing in any piece of clothing that can make you feel quite so good.

Given the amount of thought we give to what we wear daily, it stands to reason that we should do the same with our underwear. As someone who has an embarrassing amount of comfortable but ill-fitting underwear filling my drawers, my resolution for the year is to start from scratch and invest in lingerie good enough to show off. So, where to begin? Naturally, with some expert insight, so I turned to some of the fashion industry's leading names in lingerie to ask them what should be in my underwear drawer in 2024. 

"Lingerie trends for 2024 encapsulate a return to classic femininity through colour, fabrics and details that all radiate elegance," notes Zoe Price-Smith, chief design and product officer at Boux Avenue. "This year reveals a marked change in lingerie trends. Where the past few years have been characterised by bold looks in statement colours and experimental design, 2024 sees a return to romance and a more timeless and elevated look for your lingerie drawer, so you can invest in pieces that you’ll love to wear again and again."

As we saw the same shift towards timelessness and hyper-femininity on the runways in 2023, it's clear that wider fashion trends influence our underwear drawers more than you might think. Often, colours and silhouettes seen on the runways feed directly into lingerie collections, and if we look to the S/S '24 collections to set the tone for the year ahead we can expect a return to classic simplicity over flash-in-the-pan aesthetics. 

So, if you pay attention to which trends are relevant each season, it's time to give the same consideration to what's going on underneath. From the pretty details trending on TikTok to the print trend you may already own, here are the five most influential lingerie trends for 2024, as chosen by the experts.

1. COQUETTE

You may have missed the "coastal grandmother", the "dark academia" and even the "mob wife", but one TikTok trend you're sure to have felt the influence of at the start of the year is the coquette. Part whimsical, part romantic and altogether very girly, this Sofia Coppola-eqsue aesthetic saw an explosion of blush, lace, ribbons and pearls on just about everything, and now it's made our way into our underwear drawers too.

"Taking over the catwalks as a general motif for 2024 is the bow," affirms Price-Smith. "In lingerie, this takes the form of delicate little organza bows adorning beautiful lingerie sets. And you’re sure to notice this 'feminine' detail everywhere now; at the centre and apex of bras and knickers and on suspender belts too."

So, before you declare bows and ribbons "dated", you might want to consider them for the biggest date in the calendar for underwear sales. "The continued popularity of bows is back just in time for Valentine's Day", notes Lucy Litwack, owner and CEO of Coco De Mer. "There is a move away from traditional heart motifs but still in keeping with the 'ultra-feminine' trend. As with bows, ruffles continue the [romance] for the season too. We've seen them everywhere from corsets to nightwear, and sometimes even mixed with rose prints."

SHOP COQUETTE:

2. RED AND PINK

What happens when you take two of the biggest colour trends of 2023 and pit them against each other? A new lingerie trend for 2024, of course. "Red is still a big inspiration for intimates, but often mixed with neutrals or black and grey," notes Litwack. "Pink is still proving popular, but it is more of a softer, paler blush version than the hot pink we saw in the Barbiecore trend last year."

Georgia Larsen, founder of Dora Larsen, agrees that when it comes to pink, we're officially ready to explore the spectrum, and there are no dolls on her mood board. "Pink is a never-ending trend for lingerie, but for me, this year it feels like it’s evolved from last year’s Barbie shades and moved into fuchsia too." 

SHOP RED AND PINK:

3. SPORTY SPICE 

After strictly wearing loungewear for the majority of lockdown, we spent the beginning of the 2020s embarking on a long-term relationship with hoodies and track pants. The good news? Comfort is still very much king. But the bad news? In 2024, it's time to shake off the funk and get active, and our underwear reflects our new go-getter attitude.

"Inspired by the rise of minimalist brands like SKIMS, there is an emerging 'sporty-meets-sexy' trend coming through for 2024," says Larsen. "Think barely-there cuts, clean lines, sporty fabrics and seamless edges. The high-apex neckline is back for 2024 too, but this year it’s emerging in a lower-cut, sweetheart-neckline shape. It feels like the newest way to do a neckline for the new season."

SHOP SPORTS:

4. ELEVATED FETISH

The Fifty Shades of Grey hysteria may have died down, but the fetish subculture has had its own long-established approach to fashion that goes far further back than E. L. James, and is now enjoying mainstream appeal in 2024. "Get used to seeing more leather and metal detailing on intimates but with a more refined and elegant appeal," poses Litwack. Sure, it might not fall into the remit of everyday essentials, but if you're looking for a lingerie trend fashion-forward enough to wear as outerwear, buckle up and strap in. The more hardware, the better. 

SHOP STRAPS, BUCKLES AND LEATHER:

5. STRIPES 

There have been an awful lot of stripes in ready-to-wear trends over the past two years. Pinstripes, rugby stripes and Breton have all enjoyed moments of greatness on the runways and in street style, but as it turns out, the humble stripe is also one of the most popular prints for our undergarments. This season, we're particularly drawn to pastels, candy colours and "boyish" blues. "Stripes are not only a trend for outerwear; bring bold stripes to your underwear drawer and stay on trend no matter what you wear on top," says Tennant. "If loud stripes are not your usual style, then [you can] follow the trend more subtly." Our suggestion? A hint of soft stripe through a white cami or sizing up in a pair of boxer-style shorts to wear with an oversized button-down in summer. 

SHOP STRIPES:

Next Up: The Only Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Trends I'm Bothered About

If I'm being completely honest, my underwear is something I put little to no thought into. As someone who goes for comfort over aesthetic, I stick firmly by my favourite T-shirt bra (Victoria's Secret lightly lined demi, FYI) and a pair of French knickers. It rarely gets much more exciting than that, but for 2024, one of the resolutions I would actually like to stick to is to make more of an effort in this department. Who knows, I may even be wearing a matching sexy set on the daily!

But first things first, I need to remeasure my bra size before I broaden my collection. While you can do this online with the bra size calculator, I'm going to pop into my local Marks and Spencer to have a bra fitting IRL—this is best after not having it done for many years. 

A well-fitting bra is my priority, but I need to also think about amping up the sexy factor. Luckily, everyone from M&S, H&M and Arket to Dora Larsen, Agent Provocateur and Simone Pérèle has stunning styles to choose from. And if you're still writing your Christmas list, why not pop a gorgeous buy comfy underwear set down? Here are my favourites to get you started...

Influencer-Favourite Sexy Bra Brands

Charlotte Kuhrt wearing Chantelle lingerie set. 

Emmanuelle Koffi wearing For Love & Lemons lingerie set. 

Karina Marriott wearing Dora Larsen lingerie set. 

Shop The Best Sexy Bras For Women:

Next Up: 30 Sensational Gowns for Fancy Occasions, as Recommended by a Stylist

After the third person in one week told me that not only were they wearing Skims underwear, but also that it was "the best underwear" they owned, I knew that, like it or loathe it, Kim Kardashian was officially onto a winner. No matter how you feel about the brand's owner and her famous family, it's undeniable that anyone who has actually tried Skims loungewear, shapewear and underwear loves it (albeit sometimes begrudgingly), and whilst the more viral moments aren't always about the most wearable items (ahem, the nipple bra and micro thong), we have to pay attention when a brand gets nothing but positive reviews. 

After conducting a straw poll in the office, I was surprised to find that the majority of team Who What Wear UK had at least one Skims item hanging in their wardrobe or folded in their underwear draw (and believe me, they're a discerning bunch). So if you're on the lookout for some new underwear, shapewear, basics or just a bra that really fits, keep scrolling to see which pieces garnered reviews like "I absolutely love the bra. My mum and I both have it and think it's great." And, "I can’t lie; I feel like a bad B when I wear it". These are our top-reviewed Skims pieces that we wouldn't share with anyone else. 

Where Can I Buy Skims in the UK? 

The Skims website itself does international shipping, but if you're looking for speedy delivery or to try on in-store, you can also shop the brand at NET-A-PORTER, Selfridges and Harrods. 

How Much Do Skims Pieces Cost? 

The cheapest pieces on the site are the socks at around £6 per pair, but you can find T-shirts and tanks at £30-£40 and bras from £50, whilst special pieces like the Swarovski collab go all the way up to £800 for the limited-edition crystal body jewellery. All in all, it works out to be a little more expensive than high street but far cheaper than designer—not too bad for basics that you'll be able to wear on repeat. 

SHOP OUR EDITORS' SKIMS PICKS:

FITS EVERYBODY LONG SLEEVED T-SHIRT

CHOSEN BY: SOPHIE COOKSON, INSIGHTS MANAGER

FITS EVERYBODY TRIANGLE BRALETTE

CHOSEN BY: EMILY DAWES, AFFILIATE EDITOR

CHOSEN BY: REMY FARRELL, FASHION EDITOR

STRETCH-COTTON JERSEY T-SHIRT

CHOSEN BY: JOY EJARIA, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

SOFT LOUNGE LONG SLEEVE DRESS

CHOSEN BY: HANNAH ALMASSI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND JOY EJARIA, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR

SEAMLESS SCULPT BODYSUIT

CHOSEN BY: REBECCA RHYS EVANS, BRANDED CONTENT EDITOR

SOFT LOUNGE LONG SLIP DRESS 

CHOSEN BY: GEORGIA SEAGO, COPY EDITOR

SEAMLESS SCULPT STRAPLESS BRA

CHOSEN BY: POPPY NASH, MANAGING EDITOR

FITS EVERYBODY THONG

CHOSEN BY: REMY FARRELL, FASHION EDITOR

Next Up: 22 Shapewear Staples That Come With 5-Star Reviews as Standard

Trust me, you know Camille Charrière. French-born and London-based with an inherently cool sense of style and a class of wit that's rarely found in the social media space, the content creator and all-round fashion icon has carved herself out a niche corner of the internet. An original influencer in every sense of the word, it feels like she's been around since before the term itself. But she's also original in her craft. In a world where algorithms rule and can ultimately make or break a brand—be it a person or a business—Charrière's dedication to her work, her aesthetic and her voice has kept her followers hooked and her authority valued.

With great power comes great responsibility and it's clear this is something Charrière understands. A former lawyer who can articulate her thoughts on current affairs just as succinctly as she talks through her current outfit rotation, Charrière approaches everything with consideration, this much is clear. As such, I imagine that attaching her name, face and body to a cause or campaign isn't a decision she takes lightly. Which makes her rare ambassadorship and bespoke edit for Stripe & Stare so noteworthy. 

Stripe & Stare proclaims to make the world's comfiest knickers. It's a female-founded, British-born and B-corp-certified brand (its knickers are made from Tencel micro modal; a material made sustainably in Austria from Beechwood trees). Where does Charrière come in? Well, she was a fan first—she wore several Stripe & Stare pants during the process of fitting her (nothing short of iconic) sheer lace wedding dress. In fact, she was such a fan that when the brand reached out to her to ask if she'd be interested in working with them on a special edit of underwear, she said yes. And let's not downplay that with 1.4 million followers (and counting) on Instagram alone, Charrière has received many such proposals in her time. Naturally, I wanted to know more. I spoke with Charrière to find out more about Stripe & Stare, the role underwear plays in how she gets dressed, which French-style clichés she believes hold actual weight, what she really thinks of being an influencer and her aspirations to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. 

Of all the brands you could collaborate with (I'm sure you’re asked by many!), why Stripe & Stare?

Stripe & Stare knickers have been my go-to for years now. I have really cute photos of me trying on my lace wedding dress throughout the design process wearing a different pair at each stage. When the team reached out to suggest working together on an edit, I knew I wanted to do more than just curate my favourites. From where I stand, a company that not only talks the talk but truly walks the walk in the sustainable space—which is rife with greenwashing, especially in the clothing sector—is one in a million. Knickers are something that we all use; they are functional but also must be comfy and cute (or sexy, depending on your mood). It’s one of the few items in our closets that we have no choice but to replace throughout our lives. None of us wants to buy second-hand undies, our bodies change and then there is the expected wear and tear, bodily fluids, period stains [and so on]. The brand is also size-inclusive, which was extremely important to me [sizes range from UK 6-22]. It is designed by women, for women. 

What were the objectives of the collaboration? What did you want customers to experience that they maybe haven’t elsewhere?

Making the choice to buy sustainable underwear that is 95% biodegradable feels like a small step in the grand scheme of things, but it has a real impact in terms of our individual carbon footprint. The numbers speak for themselves: the average woman owns 34 pairs of knickers and doctors say you should really change them every 12-24 months. So we all will go through approximately 1000 pairs of knickers throughout our lives, and less than 7% of underwear is sustainably sourced. So, it makes sense to shop for underwear that is as eco-friendly as possible. I hope we can educate consumers without being preachy, by empowering them to know how they can make better choices. The ultimate goal is to encourage women to shop for underwear in a more purposeful and sustainable way. Buy less, buy better—because you cannot buy underwear secondhand!

What is your favourite piece in the collection? How will you be wearing and styling it?

To be honest, I have no favourites. The whole point is that it is simply underwear; you put it on in the morning before going about your day and hopefully, you don’t need to think about it after that. We have too many important decisions to make every day to also be worried about how to style our underwear. The idea was to create lovely, soft pieces that make you feel good. That said, I do have a soft spot for the chocolate brown range and the new thong.

Lingerie and underwear have become more than wardrobe essentials, but style-defining items. How does underwear impact your style today and what role does it play in the act of getting dressed for you? 

It depends on what I'm doing. In my everyday life, my underwear needs to be comfortable and invisible, but also, my knickers and undergarments need to make me happy. It's the first thing that I put on in the morning after my shower, so it's nice to know I don’t have to think about it and can just grab a pair and go. 

What, to you, makes for good underwear?

Comfort is number one, always. It needs to be soft. It needs to be easy. And then the fact it’s pretty is an added bonus that sparks joy, especially on cold winter mornings like these [we're experiencing now].

In fashion, the word "basics” means different things to different people. What do you consider your basics and wardrobe staples to be? 

To me, a basic is something that you will be wearing a lot. Basics are different for everyone because we all have different aesthetics. For me, it's white tees, tank tops and cardis, but also great jeans and a bias-cut dress. 

Which piece of clothing, outfit or trend do you find most liberating to wear, and why? 

Baggy jeans, because I never feel tight in them, but I also love the way they look. If you run into me in Notting Hill, I’ll probably be in denim and a messy bun. 

What’s the most-loved piece in your wardrobe?

I have an insane collection of vintage dresses. I could never pick a favourite; they're all so special to me. [John] Galliano for Dior and Tom Ford for Gucci are my ultimate guilty pleasures.

Do you have any big fashion regrets, like an outfit you remember wearing that you never would now?

I sort of regret anything that was very trend-based. In retrospect, the only outfits I think don’t look like me are the ones where I leaned too far into a trend of the moment. Not that I "regret” it, but I do like to remind myself that those outfits are the ones you question a few months later. It's a good reminder to let trends pass by and only dip in when it feels right. 

Aside from your own outfits, is there a look worn by a celebrity or fellow content creator that lives in your mind rent-free?

I’ve just watched the Beckham documentary and [it’s] every single one of Victoria’s—but also, let's give credit where it's due, his [David Beckham’s] outfits were amazing. I think back then I was brainwashed by the media and my parents into thinking they were "too much", but all I can say is that I would wear any one of those looks now in full and coerce my husband into it, too!

Do you ever feel like you’re in a style rut? If so, how do you snap out of it?

Yes, very often. Whenever it happens, I look at old paparazzi photographs of celebrities in airports. It’s my favourite kind of inspo because it’s back when they didn’t have stylists, so you get a much better sense of how they used to dress. [The looks are] also very easy to re-create, as those outfits were composed of bits that we all have in our closets: jeans, T-shirts, leather jackets, great layering techniques, and so on. My favourites are Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, the Olsen twins and Elizabeth Hurley.

We’ve seen so many unlikely throwback trends come back over the last few years. Is there an "old” trend you don’t think will ever be popular again? 

No. I think everything comes in cycles and one generation’s ick is another generation’s hit.

There are a lot of stereotypes attached to French-girl style. Do you adhere to any of them? 

To me, the best thing about French style is that it’s very personal and consistent. You don’t need to own or buy new things as a status symbol to make an impact. In fact, the opposite is true, and the more you refine your own signature silhouette, the more street cred you will get. It’s something I try to remind myself as soon as I start salivating in front of the latest runway collections.

As a French woman living in London, what do you think the key components of British style are?

British style is one of the best things about living here. People really allow themselves to just exist and wear whatever makes them happy on that day without worrying about what others will think. It’s super freeing. 

You started out your career studying law before you moved into chronicling your style. What advice do you have for someone who wants to change paths in a similar way? 

Work hard, speak to everyone around you about your hopes and dreams, do not write anything off as beneath you, be prepared to learn, change your mind, be wrong, but ultimately trust your instincts and make a leap of faith. 

If someone were to say to you, "I want to become an influencer”, what would you reply? 

Aim instead to create a world and find an audience through your work or your point of view. Becoming an influencer should not be the end goal—it’s not a job in itself. 

Could you see yourself navigating into another career? If so, what would that be? 

Well, I’m currently writing a book, so that means entering a whole new industry, and I really hope that with that will come new opportunities. Time will tell. 

Sustainability continues to be a growing concern in the fashion industry. What steps have you taken to make sure your own fashion choices and work are sustainable? 

I wear my own clothes as much as I can. I shop secondhand and always give myself time to think before buying something new. Ultimately, I'm trying to make sure my Instagram is more of an inspiration board and not a shopping page. 

Fashion often intersects with culture and social issues. How do you use your platform to address important topics or advocate for change? 

I don’t exist in a vacuum and although I work in fashion, I refuse to live in the bubble. I’ve always used my voice and been vocal. It gets harder as you gain more followers because the stakes are higher, but I ultimately believe in being myself and sharing my thoughts as I would in the real world. 

Beyond fashion, what are some of your other passions and interests that people might not know about? 

Music really is the big one for me. Opera, techno, the West End… I know every musical by heart. But I am also a club rat and took my girlfriends to Berlin for my bachelorette. I am never too far from the dance floor on a night out. Music to me is the ultimate language, the thing that links us all. I could not live without it. But my ultimate dream is to get invited to [appear on] Strictly [Come Dancing]. I want to learn how to quickstep like Ginger Rogers. 

See Camille Charrière's Edit for Stripe & Stare:

Browse Pieces Inspired by Camille Charrière's Wardrobe: 

Next Up: The Winter 2023/2024 Fashion Trends That Really Matter

We often talk about the foundational pieces that great wardrobes are built upon, and one of the most important pillars is lingerie. Finding the right size bra is not only important for maintaining healthy breast tissue, but ill-fitting underwear can change your whole silhouette. So whether you're on the hunt for an everyday T-shirt bra or indulging in a fancier style, finding the perfect fit couldn't be easier thanks to the experts at Marks & Spencer.

Marks & Spencer is one of the most versatile stores on the high street. We find ourselves turning to the brand for everything from timeless classics to trending styles to expensive-looking basics to lingerie. For over 95 years, M&S has led the way in providing well-fitting lingerie styles ranging from everyday comforts to those extra-special sets. Finding the perfect fit is just as essential as finding the perfect style. Thankfully, you can go to the store or book a virtual appointment to find the ultimate fit. As underwear is such an essential, Marks & Spencer has ensured its selection of lingerie works for everyone—and all at an affordable price point.

Marks & Spencer is on a mission to provide bras for everyone. With post-surgery bras, nursing bras and first bras in its affordable lingerie selection, it's one of the most diverse lingerie offerings on the market, and that's precisely what we like to see.

Keep scrolling to explore our edit of the best bras at Marks & Spencer right now.

EVERYDAY BRAS

When it comes to everyday underwear, comfort is key. Thankfully, M&S has an array of comfortable yet stylish bras that provide all the support you need and won't show under your clothing.

BRAS FOR A FULLER BUST

In all its clothing categories, Marks & Spencer works to ensure that every size is accounted for, and lingerie is no exception. For those with more to work with, M&S offers every iteration from everyday to strapless and from plain to beautifully detailed, all with extra support for a fuller bust.

STRAPLESS BRAS

With spring days just around the corner, a strapless bra becomes even more essential. For off-the-shoulder tops or racerback styles, these strapless bras will provide all of the support.

LACE BRAS

If you fancy something a little more, well, fancy, then a lace bra is a great place to start. You'll find plenty of beautiful styles at affordable prices, making your indulgent bra purse-friendly, too. 

POST-SURGERY BRAS

M&S has created a range of specially designed post-surgery bras to provide comfort and support when you need it most. The soft fabrics are gentle on scar tissue, and the insert pockets allow for prosthesis to be added.

NURSING BRAS

Specialised nursing bras are designed with adjustable clasps to make feeding easy and comfortable. The smooth and structured finish allows them to be worn discreetly under clothing.

UNDERWEAR

Although we've focused on the brilliant bra selection of M&S, we'd be amiss to overlook the strong underwear selection. 

Up next, Welcome to Who What Wear UK's Spring 2023 Issue

Wearing a killer set of lingerie underneath layers of clothing feels like having a secret superpower. Starting the day by slipping into something sexy and comfortable is just about the best thing you can do for your confidence, even if you're the only one who's going to see it. I'm the first to admit that picking out underwear is too often a rushed decision, with the real thought going into my outfit. But in reality, it shouldn't be an afterthought.

Changing trends influence what lingerie is available each season more than you might think. Often, colours and silhouettes on the catwalk feed directly into underwear collections—and that's when the bras aren't explicitly on display, as was the case at Fashion Month SS23. Fendi, Sandy Liang and Bally fully embraced brassieres during their shows, in some cases making them the focus of the look.

So, if you pay attention to which clothing items are relevant each season, why not give the same consideration to what's going on underneath? I spoke to CEO and Founder of Nudea, Priya Downes, about which lingerie trends will dominate 2023. As the figurehead of a brand which celebrates inclusivity and upholds sustainable practices, Priya is ahead of the curve and skilled at predicting what's next in the underwear game. Naturally, she seemed like the right person to ask. Will lace-adorned styles be filling the rails, or are minimalist cupped designs set to rule? Keep reading to find out.

1. Colour & Texture

"As in 2021 and 2022, dopamine dressing looks like it’s here to stay", says Downes."After the Barbiecore trend sparked last year, the popularity of hot pink isn’t showing any signs of slowing down across all fashion sectors including underwear. In 2022, we launched a number of pink collections and these are proving to be some of our best-sellers. Our focus is on fit, premium materials and products that are built to last, so ensuring colours are seasonless is really important to us. We’ve added Burnt Orange, French Navy, Merlot, Olive and Storm Grey to our collections, all shades which we likely wouldn’t have seen a few years ago and we’ll continue to add more colour throughout 2023.”

"In addition, we’re continuing to introduce elements of texture across our collections including our exclusive Monogram Mesh which is a sheer fabric featuring our logo, our geometric Sheer Deco sheer jacquard, as well as our Tencel seamless which feels soft like cashmere but is derived from birch pulp.”

Shop the trend:

2. Comfortable Underwiring

"With the wave of lockdowns firmly behind us and customers now finally back to wearing a fuller wardrobe than just sweatpants and T-shirts, we predict the comeback of wired options. Nudea’s bras are all designed with comfort first in mind, whether you prefer wired or non-wired. 

For those who’ve shifted to non-wired permanently, Nudea offers styles for all sizes. Loungewear-inspired underwear, such as our Tencel seamless bralette and brief set, is proving to be hugely popular for everyday comfort that you can wear anywhere. In the same vein, we’ve also just launched our first sleepwear collection, Nudea Sleep. Created in all natural materials including 100% organic cotton, it’s all supremely soft for the sweetest of slumbers.”

Shop the trend:

3. Underwear as Outerwear 

"We spotted this trend starting towards the end of 2021, with a lot of bras poking out under blazers for Christmas party season. Personally, I think that wearing underwear as outerwear is really empowering and with the new trending colours, it’s certainly something that needs to be seen. For 2023, we’ll be seeing bras, bralettes and bodies as tops under blazers and shirts unbuttoned to the waist.”

Shop the trend:

4. Sustainability

"We became a B Corp-certified company in 2022 and a lot of our customers are really interested in where their underwear came from and what it’s made of. Unlike other categories, underwear cannot be donated, rented or re-sold and with the average British woman owning 16 bras yet only regularly wearing four, it’s little wonder that a whopping 19 million bras end up going into UK landfill every year. 

Leading the charge, we have a sustainable-first ethos, with thoughtfully-made products designed to last longer, responsibly manufactured out of premium fabrics crafted from recycled yarns. Our commitment to sustainability includes providing easy-to-use fitting tools, crafting out designs from recycled fabric and yarns, a bra recycling programme ‘Bra-Cycle’, a partnership with responsible suppliers paid fair living wages, all delivered in recycled and recyclable packaging with a sustainable delivery option in major cities.”

Shop the trend:

Next Up: Spring/Summer 2023 Fashion Trends: The 21 Looks You Need to Know About

When most people put on a bra each day, they do so reluctantly. All of us bra wearers have had to go through a stage where we eliminate options that just don't work. Do underwired lacy styles, though pretty, fill you with dread every time you reach for your underwear drawer? Every body is unique, and finding the right shape, cup size and fabrication is largely a process of trial and error.

There's one key quality you should be aiming for when choosing your everyday bra type: invisibility. Not literal invisibility, obviously, but the right bra should look and feel like it doesn't exist once you're finished getting dressed. Ideally, you'll forget about it within seconds of hooking its clasp or slipping it over your head, but it will still offer the right amount of support.

This is where great seamless bras come in. Free from the frills and frustrations that come with intricate lingerie and overly structured silhouettes, when done right, this barely-there brassiere should provide support without making you suffer for it. And as a bonus, its smooth and streamlined nature means it'll disappear underneath your outfits no matter how fine that silk shirt or white tee might be. Awkward bumpy finishes, be gone!

We've trawled through the internet, consulting real customer reviews along the way, to identify the very best seamless bras that are proven to do what they say they will. Keep scrolling and click your way through to a whole new level of comfort.

SHOP THE BEST SEAMLESS BRAS

Next up: These Are the Best-Reviewed Backless Bras on the Internet Right Now

Opening image: @isabellecoheen

This post was previously published and has since been updated.

Michelle here again to report the latest underwear trend to catch my eye. As I jokingly pointed out last month, hunting down the newest and (sometimes confusing) styles in the lingerie world has recently become my not-so-hidden talent. Some of my favourite undergarment updates include the return of string underwear, a little trend Victoria’s Secret coined "keyhole” underwear, and this complicated yet intriguing style you can spot in every top lingerie line’s collection.

Today I’m adding to the list and sharing another common trend I’ve seen among brands like Fleur du Mal and Agent Provocateur. I’m referring to all the "flashy” details on thongs, briefs, and bikini styles. Waistbands with sparkly rhinestones? Victoria’s Secret has you covered. Flashy metallic appliqués? Coco de Mer is your go-to. Shiny metal hardware? You’ll find what you need at Mexico-based brand Marika Vera and Free People’s intimates department. While this blinged-out look isn’t for everyone, if you are looking for something to make your undergarment drawer sparkle, the below options will be right up your alley. If not, perhaps the next trend I spot will fit your style. Shop all the underwear with glitzy-details below. Until next time, lingerie lovers.

Up next, 3 Beautiful Lingerie Trends Everyone Will Wear in 2022. 

Finding lingerie and shapewear that fits so well that you barely feel like you're wearing anything is something we all wish for. For those moments, we turn to a selection of the best bra brands—those that make underwear you're excited to put on. From independent labels like Fruity Booty, who make sustainable intimates from deadstock materials and with a designer eye, to more established powerhouses like Skims, these names are doing the heavy lifting to create pieces that support and lift in style.

But much like finding the perfect-fit jeans, the search for a great bra can be a tricky task when you don't know what you're looking for. With so many gorgeous styles out there now, though, we no longer have to just rely on basic one-size-fits-all underwire pieces that constrict, tighten and leave red marks across your shoulders and rib cage after a few hours. And don't even get us started on the brands that think having larger breasts means you have to hide them away in plain-looking and full-coverage styles once you pass a certain cup size.

Instead, there are so many amazing brands creating comfy and pretty bras for everybody. And we wanted to tell you about the ones we go to for certain styles. "Underwear is really personal, and each woman will want something different according to what her day looks like," explains Amy Wigmore, a garment technician at Dorina*, a London-based lingerie brand.

Founded in 1968, Dorina* has been helping dress women for over 50 years, and Wigmore, who has worked in the industry for 15 years herself, explains, "a common misconception of finding the right bra is that women think a fitting is a one-and-done experience". "We often hear women say they have taken one particular bra and have stuck with it for years," she continues.

If you think you're someone who does this, consider this an invitation to throw out old habits and invest in a bra that's right for you. If you love a joyful, colourful style to uplift your mood, then Dora Larsen is the destination. When it comes to the high street, of course, M&S is a forever favourite for everyday lingerie drawer additions, and Boux Avenue is the place to go for backless bras.

Keep scrolling to find out the 11 best bra brands that look as good as they feel.

The 11 Best Bra Brands of 2025

• Best Bra Brand for Matching Your Skin Tone: Skims
• Best High Street Bra Brand: M&S
• Best Luxury Bra Brand: Eres
• Best Bra Brand for Bigger Cup Sizes: Bravissimo
• Best Bra Brand for Joyful Colours: Dora Larsen

1. Dora Larsen

Style Notes: Proof that bras don't have to be basic, Dora Larsen is known for its sheer bras that are worn to be seen. The brand was founded in 2016 by Georgia Larsen, a former buyer who worked in Topshop's lingerie department. After seeing firsthand how practical bra styles can be, Larsen founded her own company with the mission of designing fashion staples that were contemporary, feminine and incredibly elevated. The brand prioritises producing responsibly, with the highest grade of fit and durability and is revered for delicate shapes made with high-octane hues.

2. Skims

Style Notes: Kim Kardashian's juggernaut brand Skims might have begun as a way to revolutionise the shapewear industry. But in less than a decade in operation, it's expanded its reach far beyond compression solutions, becoming one of the best bra brands in the process. Offering upwards of 20 different styles—including the beloved 'Fits Everybody' range, made up of best-selling, buttery fabrics—across ten different shades, Skims truly has something for everyone. (Yes, even a bra with a built-in nipple piercing!)

3. Dorina*

Style Notes: With half a century under its belt, Dorina* has carved a niche as one of the best bra brands designing styles with a trend-forward lens. Fabric like satin and lace harkens back to the brand's rich heritage, with these materials allowing Dorina* to create styles that are equally romantic and functional. "Dorina* has something for every woman, at all stages of her adult life, while keeping consistency in the bra sizes on offer," Wigmore adds.

4. Fruity Booty

Style Notes: For underwear with a purpose, look no further than female-founded and slow fashion bra brand, Fruity Booty. Of course, if you're one of the English-Australian label's acolytes, you'll know there's more to this brand than vintage-inspired shapes crafted with contemporary prints. From swimwear inspired by the awnings littering the Italian seaside to tops emblazoned with recipes for clams in white wine sauce—which are co-designed with Melbourne-based chef and cookbook author Ellie Bouhadana—everything the brand produces is a future heirloom in the making. Naturally, this aesthetic is also derived from the use of sustainable fabrics, including recycled and ethically sourced materials.

5. Spanx

Style Notes: Worn by Bridget Jones and Addison Rae alike, Spanx is the original pioneer of high-performing and cutting-edge underwear. What began as a prototype using shredded pantyhose has blossomed into a globally-renowned and incredibly lucrative business selling supportive, secure and intelligently-designed bras for all occasions.

6. Eres

Style Notes: Eres is a French fashion brand specialising in underwear, athletic garments and swimwear rooted in Parisian tastes. Never dictated by trends, the pieces are imbued with a sense of bliss and occasion, making them a constant presence on European Summer hotspots like the Côte d'Azur, all the way from Cannes down to Saint-Tropez.

7. Coco Der Mer

Style Notes: Bras were once something to hide, rather than show off. And when they were seen, it was often the case that the designs pandered to the male gaze, rather than uplifting the woman wearing it. Coco De Mar rejects this altogether, putting female desires and interests at the forefront. "Since 2001, Coco de Mer has been creating and curating a unique collection of luxury lingerie and erotica," the brand explains. Styles are unabashedly sexy, meaning Coco De Mar's shapes are something you can proudly wear both in and out of the boudoir.

8. M&S

Style Notes: I'd wager that there isn't a woman in Britain who doesn't have an M&S bra currently sitting in the top drawer of her dresser. A true high-street staple, the beloved brand "develops lingerie and shapewear for different body types and style preferences, helping customers to look and feel their best for everyday wear and special occasions," as Soozie Jenkinson, head of M&S lingerie design, explains.

9. Boux Avenue

Style Notes: Launched in 2011, Boux Avenue is another British high-street favourite making affordable underwear, loungewear, nightwear and swimwear. As for the brand's bras, however, Boux Avenue can be relied upon for a mix of racier lace styles and classic microfibre fits across a wide range of sizes.

10. Understatement

Style Notes: Liberating, unrestrictive and unapologetic are the guiding principles of Understatement. The bra brand doesn't shy away from the female form by creating designs that cater to the tastes of all women. Irrespective of your definition of sexy, you can feel empowered in Understatement's design thanks to the incredible representation in their campaign and brand imagery, whip-smart copywriting and flattering silhouettes.

11. Bravissimo

Style Notes: Sick of bras that are just scaled up to fit larger chest sizes and not designed with those body types in mind? Bravissimo's designs are specifically catered to those with bigger breasts, prioritising support and coverage without the dowdy designs that were typically associated with anything bigger than a D cup size.

How to Find the Right Bra Size?

Despite bras being the first item we dress ourselves in every day, the fact it gets hidden away underneath other layers means we don’t often prioritise fit and form. Staying true to the phrase ‘out of sight, out of mind’, the concealment of our underwear often enables us to wear bras that are well past their prime for much longer than we could any other item of clothing. (You know, the ones that you still wear despite them being purchased in high school?) Resolving this is as simple as using our handy bra size calculator. “Women’s bodies change and fluctuate due to their cycles, time of life and many other factors,” Wigmore explains. “The best practice is to get refitted every six months to truly make sure the bras always fit correctly, she adds.

Georgia Larsen, founder and designer of Dora Larsen, also recommends fitting yourself in person to find the right bra size. “You can measure yourself with a tape measure, but this doesn’t always provide the most accurate result. I’d recommend trying a few similar sizes from a brand and wearing each on to see which fits the most comfortably,” she suggests. Going to a department store or online multi-retailer is best for this as you can sample a whole host of designs and shapes at once. “When you understand how a bra should really fit, it means you can look out for the signs of when to reach for a different size,” says Wigmore.

How to Tell if Your Bra Fits Correctly?

So, how to tell if your bra is fitting correctly? There are several tell-tale signs. Namely, the band, the clasp and the cups. "The underband of the bra should sit firmly on the body if it is fitting correctly. It should not be too tight or too loose," Wigmore explains. "If the underband is lifting and riding up her back, the bra is the wrong size and the breasts are not supported as they should be."

"Your band should feel firm, but not uncomfortably tight," Larsen adds. "Remember, the band will always loosen over time, so it’s best to start on the last hook, tightening the claps as the bra ages and as the elastic becomes less firm with time."

As for the cups, remember that the breast needs to sit neatly inside the bra without any spilling. "If you can’t fit all the breast in the cup, this means it is too small," Wigmore says. "The entire breast tissue needs to fit in the cup to be the right size. You don’t want the edge to dig into the breasts as it means they are unsupported, will be painful and also will have a visible ‘double boob’ look." Wigmore also advises that bras with underwire need to sit on the ribcage rather than the breast tissue. "This breast tissue needs to be fully in the cup for the correct fit. Therefore, if the wire is not sitting flush on the body and is lifting away, the cup is most probably too small."

How to Tell if Your Bra is Good Quality?

"For me, a good bra is one that is comfortable enough that I forget I’m wearing it, enhances my silhouette under clothes, uses high-quality materials, and is cut and designed in a way that not only boosts my mood, but makes me feel confident to take on the day," Larsen explains.

More practically, Wigmore adds that the qualities of a good bra mean it has a comfortable fit and supportive structure". As for fabrics, "they should be breathable fabrics that move with your body, and hold their shape and elasticity over time and wear."

How Many Bras Should a Person Own?

If you grew up in the early 2000s, you would've heard of the "three bra rule". For the uninitiated, this directive suggests that you need to own three bras: one for you to wear, a spare to have in your drawer and one that's in the wash. (More on that later.) After speaking to both Larsen and Wigmore, I've come to learn that the experts no longer follow this guideline, but with a few caveats.

"The three bra rule is still a practical rule to follow; however, the advice now leans towards owning between five and seven bras. This allows more breaks between wears to prolong the lifespan of each bra," Wigmore advises. Both experts agree that having multiple bras allows for more styling flexibility. "There’s a risk in owning too many – they can get lost in your lingerie drawer and just never see the light of day," Larsen admits.

"Personally, I choose bras based on how easy they are to wear with outfits. So I’ll always make sure I have a basic black one, some colourful options that can cheer me up, a strapless bra, a padded bra, a style that’s good for low-cut tops and a comfy bra for wearing around the house," she says. Wigmore echoes this sentiment: "Owning five to seven bras means a woman can have dedicated bras for everyday, sports, and special occasions."

How to Properly Take Care of a Bra?

"Looking after your bras effectively is the best way to maintain a bra," Wigmore says. To properly take care of your bras, there are several cardinal rules to follow. Wigmore advises that you should hand wash as opposed to machine wash, use a gentle detergent, avoid any fabric softeners—"as these can break down the elastic fibres"—leaving bras to air dry and ensuring to rotate your bras through so you're not wearing one specific style for multiple days at a time. Larsen also recommends washing your bra in a laundry bag to avoid snagging the fabric.

What Lingerie Styles are Trending in 2025?

Interestingly, Larsen tells me that bras with underwire are trending in 2025. "We have seen our customers gravitating more towards underwired bras more than bralettes, especially styles with sweetheart or balconette necklines," she explains. Both Larsen and Wigmore have noticed an uptick in vintage styles, too, with lace, embroidery, satin and tulle on the rise, along with '50s-style high leg knickers and '90s-esque thongs.

Why Trust Us?

At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.

We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.

As underwear or outerwear, there's plenty of ways to get use out of a bra top. 

Let's be honest: Traditional underwired bras aren't the most comfortable thing to wear. After a long day, the first thing most of us do after getting home is whip off our bra—it signals the start of relaxation time and feels like genuine relief. And with crazy-hot days upon us, wearing one of your typical bras can seem even less inviting than normal. Thankfully, bra tops offer the support of a bra without the constricting feel, and since the pandemic (when comfort became the number one priority above all other fashion matters), the options have really open up. So much so that I've found plenty of styles that look genuinely cute, feel great on and don't seem like a lazy or less considered alternative to a regular bra.

There are various of bra top styles to choose from right now—you can find lacy bralette styles that offer a little more va-va-voom whilst higher-coverage cropped bra tops take on the idea of a simple sports bra form without the restrictive design and extreme support required for a workout. What's more, fashion people have proven that the bra top is more versatile than just a comfortable lingerie alternative. Wearing underwear as outerwear is still a firm favourite for the fashion set, especially with a blazer or oversized shirt over the top to add a sophisticated feel. There's also the opportunity to flex your comfy bra with a sheer top for an evening look, or for a cosy leisure ensemble, opt for a soft knit crop top and cardigan. As for me, I'm styling mine with a linen shorts-and-shirt set for these hot summer days. 

Scroll on for the 25 most comfortable bra tops to wear as underwear or outerwear—up to you!

SHOP THE BEST BRA TOPS

Up Next, The Only Bra Size Calculator You Need: How to Find Your Real Cup Size

I feel as though you’re on one of two bra teams: either you stick to one comfortable style and buy it on repeat or you have a lingerie drawer bursting with every colour, cut and design out there. I have the same classic T-shirt bra in black, white and beige, a backless bra and a strapless iteration. My sensible bra collection, however, is about to get a playful new addition thanks to all the sheer styles I’ve been spotting on Instagram. The delicate, see-through lace and mesh designs springing up everywhere on my feed are just too pretty to pass up. And want to know where to get them? Some of the best bra brands such as French lingerie specialist Simone Péreèle and London label Dora Larsen are providing multiple sheer choices.

Ali Tate Cutler in For Love and Lemons underwear.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to snap up these gorgeous sheer styles, though, as high-street brands including Arket and & Other Stories have so many expensive-looking sheer bras. If you’re a fan of un-padded styles, then these are for you, and seeing as they’re so intricately made, they’re worth showing off under oversized shirts, blazers and slip dresses. Keep scrolling to shop 15 sheer bras that’ll make you become a lingerie enthusiast.

1. Dora Larsen 

2. Simone Pérèle 

3. Arket

4. Bluebella

5. & Other Stories 

Next up, the six brands French women swear by.

Being a fashion editor, I’m usually the first person my friends come to with their style dilemmas, and right now, the question that keeps cropping up is, "Which bra would look good with this outfit?” With occasion season in full swing, many of us are now faced with working out which underwear (if any!) works with the outfit we have planned.

I’ve been quietly observing the trends coming through, and with lots of backless, strapless and plunging pieces on offer, there’s more emphasis on getting your underwear right than ever before. I myself spent inordinate amounts of time trying to find a backless bra to suit 1) the dress I had in mind and 2) my 32G cup size. It was an effort, but the reward of being comfortable enough to wear a dress style I previously never thought I’d be able to was so worth it. So today, I’m focused on helping you find your perfect plunge-bra solution. 

Ali Tate Cutler wears a plunging top with jeans and sandals. 

Depending on your wants and needs, finding the best plunge bras can be tricky. My experience with them varies drastically—I have one I love and have bought in every colour it comes in (more about this style later). However, others have left me feeling unsupported and dealing with four-boob overspill. Not the look you want when you’re wearing a silk slip dress, let me tell you.

Identifying the needs of your plunge bra is crucial in choosing the correct one. Do you want it to smooth, to support, to look pretty or, the holy trinity, to do all three? Do you also need it to be strapless or backless? That presents another challenge. Fortunately for you, I love a challenge.

Allison Ho styles a plunge bra with a striped blazer and shorts co-ord.

Below, I’ve hand-picked what I believe to be the best plunge bras on the market right now with my rationale for each. Scroll on to see them, and hopefully, you’ll find your perfect plunge-bra match. 

Shop the Best Plunge Bras

Next Up: These 15 Strapless Bras Have the Best Reviews and Sell Like Crazy

Let's face it: Dressing for summer has its pros and cons. While it's exciting to be able to pull out the pretty clothing we had stored at the back of our wardrobes and retire our wool coats for the season, the reality of a heatwave can be a very different matter. Thinner fabrics and soaring temperatures can make for a hot and sticky commute, and planning what to wear in the morning is harder when you have to judge what will be comfortable for all-day wear. But we might have a solution for your wardrobe woes.

Whatever your experience (if any) with shapewear, Heist builds its pieces differently. Its shapewear is lightweight and breathable, with plenty of smoothing power. The brand's aim is to banish sagging tights, suffocating shapewear and digging bras and change the way you think about foundationwear. In fact, some of the styles are so good you'll be happy to wear them as tops.

With that in mind, we've found the perfect shapewear to pair with all of your summer favourites, so before you shelve the idea of that slightly sheer white dress or clingy skirt, keep scrolling for the right foundationwear to help you feel your best.

1. Summer Dress + Sculpting Bodysuit 

As the temperatures rise, we naturally lean towards lighter fabrics. When you want to slip into an airy, light summer dress, there's nothing worse than that dress clinging to you. And while we love dresses for their ease (and ventilation), you shouldn't have to contend with fabric so sheer that it shows your underwear. Enter the Outer Body.

Designed to contour the waist and stomach while supporting the bust, this sculpting bodysuit is the ideal foundation layer underneath dresses. Not only does it stretch and hold to create a smoother silhouette, but it comes in three colours, so you can find the best option to go undetected under your favourite summer dress.

2. Midi Skirt + Anti-Chafe Shorts

Humidity can be unbearable, and the only thing worse than the toll it can take on your hair is the inevitable chafing. Between the thighs, around the waistband or wherever it might be, sticky skin deserves a silky-soft touch. To get that "stepping into summer" feeling, wear the Highlight Short under your midi skirt for the smoothest wear possible.

3. High-Waisted Shorts + Waist-Enhancing Briefs

It's shorts season! But the freedom of a bare leg can come with some bunching around the waistband. As impossibly chic as a high-waisted pair of shorts or trousers can be, tucking in a top can look bulky. Built to draw in and draw attention to your waist, the High Waist briefs are one of the best-kept secrets in shapewear.

These are not your average control pants. The fabric is breathable, and there's a flexible waist so they won't be uncomfortably digging in. Targeting the stomach and the waist to gently compress, they even aid posture to help you feel your most confident and walk a little taller. The length makes them great under shorts and trousers, but they're also the perfect foundation pieces for wedding dresses, eveningwear or everyday tailoring.

4. Bare Legs + The Nude Tights 

Okay, summer might not scream tights, but it is the best time to wear shorter skirts and dresses. If you want to get the best bare-legged feeling without having to bare all, the Nude tights offer a bare illusion, starting at a light 18 denier to let your skin breathe.

Created with a sample group of 100,000 women, these tights come in seven shades, so you're sure to find a match for your natural skin tone. (There's even a shade-finder quiz if you need a helping hand.) Time to show off those legs.

Main Promo image courtesy of Sandra Semburg. 

I’m going to make a bold claim: Finding the best wedding underwear to wear with your wedding dress is just as important as choosing the dress itself. Admittedly, it might not be the most exciting aspect of planning your nuptials, but I firmly believe that your clothes only look as good as the underwear you wear underneath them—and this is positively true when it comes to wedding underwear. 

Choosing the best wedding underwear for your bridal look should be high on your list of pre-nuptial priorities.

I was a very laid-back bride, practically horizontal. So much so, it was only the morning before my wedding that I realized I hadn’t bought nor thought about the briefs I’d be wearing on my wedding day. My bra was decided upon before I even found my dress—I am a 32G, and choices were (and, let’s face it, can still be) pretty limited in terms of lingerie for women of that size or above. So I had already invested in the perfect bra long before my big day. My pants, however? They completely slipped my mind. So, it came down to making a last-minute dash to a supermarket to pick up a pair of no VPL undies to wear underneath my formfitting dress. They were never going to be the chicest thing I own, but eight years on, I’ve kept them for sentimental value. My bra, on the other hand, was deeply integral to my wedding look. Without it, it simply wouldn’t have been possible to wear the dress I chose or, at the very least, feel comfortable in doing so.

As such, I cannot stress the importance of getting these foundation pieces right, especially on a day as important as your wedding day. 

Camille Charriere’s wedding underwear was even more integrated to her bridal aesthetic, as she opted for beautiful array of sheer dresses. 

Even the most camera-shy bride can expect to be photographed from every angle, which means the stakes for finding the best wedding underwear are even higher—they need to perform in 360 motion. Although looking good might appear to be the priority here, feeling good should be your utmost concern. The last thing you want is an ill-fitting bra or an uncomfortable pair of knickers, as pretty as they may be, to distract you from the occasion, cause your wedding dress or outfit to look less polished, or cast even the slightest shadow on your confidence. And I'm certainly not the only one who will attest to this. Allow me to introduce you to underwear expert and Managing Director of lingerie hotspot The Pantry Underwear, Eloise Rigby. In her role of Pantrepreneur, it is her job, and that of her knowledgeable team, to help brides-to-be in finding their perfect wedding underwear. And now, she’s here to help you, too. 

Why is selecting the correct wedding underwear so important?

"We don't wear white or ivory as an entire outfit very often, so aren't necessarily aware of the challenges it can present,” Rigby from The Pantry Underwear explains. "Ivory silk, for example, shows every line and shadow. On this day of all days, as center stage, you'll want the focus to be on your beautiful outerwear—the right underwear, creating the optimum silhouette for you under your dress or outfit will ensure it looks its absolute best, and with no focus on the underwear from those viewing from the outside. For example, a visible VPL from behind when walking down the aisle, would probably want to be avoided. If you’re not concerned about that, however, more power to you!."

What makes for the best wedding underwear? It’s all down to whether it provides your desired support and silhouette. 

What should we consider when shopping for wedding underwear?

We wear underwear each and every day, so it’s easy to understand that many brides feel as if they already know which lingerie is going to work for them. But then again, you don’t wear a wedding dress every day, do you? Rigby’s advice? "Enlist some expert help. There are so many options that exist that a bride might not think or even know of! At The Pantry Underwear, we host bridal underwear fittings in person and virtually, which offer a range of solutions to form the foundations for an outfit. These specialist products almost always have variable sizing because they are constructed differently to typical underwear products, so our product and fit specialists can help to navigate sizing and make fit adjustments. Fit and comfort should be your priority—if you’re already feeling uneasy in the underwear at the try-on stage, just think how you’ll feel three hours in on the day that it matters most on. Try and keep an open mind and be willing to compromise—different bust sizes present different challenges, but it’s nothing we can’t sort together."

Although many wedding dresses are crafted with built-in lingerie and support, Rigby advises you still explore all your underwear options. "Unless you are going for the braless look, wear a bra or lift solution to offer the shape and support you are looking for. Most dresses with bras built-in won't offer adequate support for wearing all day and night, and, of course, for dancing to the small hours in. Built-in cups can move with the dress through the day, rather than with you, and therefore the breast tissue can become dislodged and misshapen.” 

What are the most common types of wedding underwear?

While the best wedding underwear will need to be catered for each individual look, there are a handful of styles which Rigby swears by. 

1. Bra-less lift solutions

"A The Pantry Underwear best-seller, not just for brides, but anyone who is looking for occasionwear lingerie, the bra-less lift solution enables the wearer to confidently style completely backless dresses and tops. Often it'll be worn underneath a backless garment such as a bodysuit to offer further support. It's also commonly worn with wedding dresses that have cups built in, to provide the uplift, support, and security required throughout the day. Contrary to expectation, this is a really comfy product to wear. Nipple petals are provided to avoid nipple factor seen through a dress—if the intention is to conceal them that is! There is a trend for visible wedding lingerie, after all, and we can always advise on that if that’s the desired aesthetic."

The Pantry Underwear recommends:

2. Bodysuits

"Bodysuits offer an all-in-one solution involving shapewear and typical bra cups, though it is worth bearing in mind that backless styles, such as our best-seller from Ivette, cannot offer the same support as your everyday t-shirt bra though as they are essentially missing half the bra. To counter this, some brides underpin them with the solution above. The cups, however, offer a smooth and rounded shape under clothes, proving the wearer with a beautiful silhouette.” 

If your dress has a higher back, then you’ll be able to consider bodysuits with the back support in place. Like any other garment, bodysuits can often be tailored to suit your specific requirements, so if you’re in any doubt, why book an appointment with a local tailor specialising in lingerie and bridal alterations who can discuss the possibilities with you in greater detail. 

The Pantry Underwear recommends:

More bodysuits:

3. Strapless bras

"This may seem obvious, but finding the right strapless bra is really important if the dress silhouette allows—many brides opt for strapless or asymmetric dresses and jumpsuits, so this is a lingerie solution we commonly use. Many of us will have had the Wonderbra strapless bra growing up with the magic hand structure, and although it certainly delivers in support, it does have a prominent shelf underneath the cups that can be restrictive to the rib cage if you have further corsetry or structure on the top, and that can show through more simple outfits, too. At The Pantry Underwear, we’re big fans of Panache’s perfect plunge-shape strapless bra, as it avoids the shelf like and squished shape many strapless bras have a reputation for giving. Standing from the side, it'll create an uplifted t-shirt bra style shape—a look many brides want to replicate for their wedding days.” 

The Pantry Underwear recommends:

More strapless bras:

4. Invisible shorts

"More than 90% of our brides end up with shorts or a short section as part of their foundations. Not only do they offer smoothing attributes (your bum tissue is generally the softest on your body) and ensure no lines, they're also really comfy to wear and are breathable so as not to make you feel hot. Many of our brides also like the additional support of shaping shorts. Regardless of what you choose, an invisible short is extremely useful for future lingerie needs, too.” 

The Pantry Underwear recommends:

More shorts:

What type of underwear should we wear to initially try on bridal outfits?

"Chances are you’ll choose or, at the very least, have a very good idea of your wedding look before you get around to considering your underwear, and this is normal. For initial try-ons, I recommend wearing neutral and smooth underwear—a strapless bra and pair of invisible control shorts for example. 

When should we source our wedding underwear? 

"You should have your wedding lingerie locked in by the time you have your first fitting, but it never hurts to be prepared as soon as you’ve found your dress or outfit—or know what style you’ve got your heart set on. We usually see our bridal clients a couple of weeks before the first alterations fitting. Alterations should only begin when the bride has sourced the foundations and is happy with the silhouette as the dress will be tailored to that silhouette.” 

The best wedding lingerie isn’t always the prettiest lingerie—often, it’s about how it makes you feel and your outfit on top of it look. 

Which brands create the best wedding underwear?

"We have invested heavily in solutions products to create a range that is inclusive alongside our completely free expert advice. We are partnered with many bridal brands and stores that are confident in sending brides who have purchased from them to us for their foundations, including Andrea Hawkes, Angelica Bridal, Bon Bride, Bustle and Bow, Charlie Brear, Morgan Davies, The Own Studio, Rita Colson, and Rixo, to name but a few. To call out specific lingerie brands would be misrepresentative of our knowledge as not all products from those brands are as effective or suited to bridal requirements as others. for anyone looking for their best wedding underwear match, I’d direct them to our fitting service and general solutions edit for them to explore the cherry-picked tried and tested products for themselves. Brands we do stock, however, and may recommend from our bespoke fitting appointments include Panache, Ivette, Wonderbra, Nueda, and Spanx, again to name a mere few.” 

How can we be certain we're selecting the best wedding underwear?

"As we’ve discussed, comfort and confidence should be the goal of any bride embarking on her wedding underwear journey. I truly believe the best chance of finding your lingerie soul mate is to enlist the help of an expert. The Pantry Underwear offer free and informal advice to support women in navigating the Wild Wild West that is bra shopping.

"A virtual bridal fitting involves a general size review carried out via secure video call, from the comfort of your own home. We’ll then discuss whether or not that bra size and shape is right for the wearer, then, in regards to wedding lingerie or lingerie that is being selected for a specific garment, the fitter will review pictures of the dress and recommend specific products to go with it. Once the items are delivered, we offer a fit-check service and review whether they have worked as expected or the size or product selection needs tweaking. We also have stores in London and Cambridge, which regularly host bridal underwear fittings should our brides want to sort by for a real-life appointment. We’re here to make the experience as enjoyable for our brides as possible—if she leaves her appointment with more confidence and assurance than she walked in with, then it's a job well done.”

Next Up, The Wedding Wardrobe: A Fantasy Capsule for All Brides-to-Be

Do you follow Andrea Cheong on Instagram or TikTok? If you don't, you should! She has become the trusted and approachable authority in an arena that many find daunting to step into: sustainable fashion. Breaking it down into bite-size pieces of information one can easily digest and use for more sensible shopping tactics in the future, Andrea's Mindful Monday Method is an absolute must-view if you want to be a more conscious consumer of fashion. With her wealth of knowledge and very good taste, it's no wonder we had to knock on her virtual door. Join Andrea each Friday on Who What Wear UK's TikTok channel (@whowhatwear.uk), where she'll be dissecting the latest trends and shopping phenomena. Last week, she showed you a more sustainable Lunar New Year shopping list. This week, she brings you a conscious guide to Valentine's date outfits.

I don’t know about you, but I sense that there’s a (much-appreciated) culture shift when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Gone is the Sex and the City era where it's "just a typical Friday night waiting for some guy to call." Now, it’s whatever we want it to be. Another date, albeit with restaurants jacking up their prices. Or an opportunity to go out with friends. Perhaps a night in with your pet rabbit polishing off a family-sized takeaway from your local Thai. Is the last one acceptable? I’m asking for a friend. 

Whatever the plans or no plans are, these are my five love-themed outfits for the 14th of February, all chosen with conscious and sustainable values in mind.

1. For the Classic Romantic

If your idea of a great Valentine’s date involves some vino and white tablecloths, then please meet your match: Me+Em’s silk pleated maxi dress. I am enamoured by the simple yet impactful things, like how all the pleats line up. Oh, and in pink, it is the dream!

However, don’t just take my word for it. Ask yourself: Do I have something similar already? If I could never take a photo in this, would I still want it? And finally, would my sister/friend/partner want to borrow it for that wedding in July? Because sharing is caring, especially when it comes to investment pieces.

2. For the Expert Self-Gifter

I’m a firm believer that lingerie is bought for ourselves. And let me tell you finding consciously made and ridiculously cute underwear was a labour of love from me to you. Fruity Booty, which I encourage you to say aloud many times in a row and as quickly as possible, is a British brand that creates beautiful, limited-edition sets. Love Bug (£70) could be the perfect treat.

3. For the All-or-Nothing Celebrator

If your plan is to "go out out," then you may already be thinking about your outfit. Occasionwear can be pricey, mainly as these garments tend to be far more detailed, which is more time-consuming and therefore increases the cost to make. For example, impressive balloon shoulders, embellishments and cut-outs—aka all the fancy things we love to see. I will always be an advocate for outfit repeating, but not everyone finds it easy to style and restyle themselves. Rental fashion is a brilliant option in this scenario. My Wardrobe HQ has partnered with Harrods, so its selection of evening wear is unparalleled. Think The Attico, Mary Katrantzou and Lisou available to borrow for £10 to £30 a night. And if you realise that it’s a marriage made in sartorial heaven, you can make the commitment to buy at a lower price than the traditional RRP.

Why it’s a sustainable buy: Renting your wardrobe is a small part of circular fashion. This term refers to designing and keeping a garment in use for as long as possible to reduce waste. This is a great alternative to traditional shopping because occasionwear is often made of synthetics that are not biodegradable, and as mentioned, they can be quite expensive.

4. For the Flirty Texter

Check your most-used emoji because if that winky face with a heart is one of them, then I’m setting you up with Omnes’s Riviera Midi Dress. Name a more suitable companion for you than that black dress with kitsch lipstick illustrations. I’ll wait. The adjustable back helps to tailor the fit and the slip looks great with a knit thrown over.

5. For the Homebody

The homebody knows how to invest in fancy pyjamas. This set is from the Ethical Silk Company, and the shirt can be dressed up with gold jewellery and jeans. That’s only if your friends manage to lure you from the comfort of your sofa.

While we will always make time for extroverted outerwear and statement-making accessories, when it comes to basics, less is often more. Just think of base layers like leggings, underwear and hoodies: More often than not, you just want these items to do their jobs with minimal fuss. Of course, we still want a nod to good design, but it has to be paired with functionality. Gilly Hicks is totally on-point in this regard, delivering hard-working staples season after season in versatile silhouettes and appealing colourways.

Perhaps some of you are working at home, or maybe you're simply looking forward to living in elasticated trousers from the evening of 24 December onwards. Essentially, we all need some comfort in our lives this time of year, so we've rounded up the Gilly Hicks basics that we think might just fulfill those needs.

The three key categories that come to mind are loungewear, activewear and underwear—essentially all items of clothing that will be invaluable in the coming months and that Gilly Hicks really knows how to deliver. We also recommend wearing the below buys with more polished pieces to extend their cost per wear. For example, try pairing black leggings with a white shirt and leather knee-high boots, or add a long-sleeved top to smart, wide-leg tailored trousers. Now that's what we call versatility. Ready? Scroll down to see and shop our Gilly Hicks basics edit.

1. Cosy Loungewear

Whether you're looking for colourful co-ords or fuzzy textured hoodies, Gilly Hicks is the place to go for wintry loungewear.

2. Versatile Activewear

I'm in love with the flattering colourways in the brand's activewear offering. At the top of my list is the Go Cooldown pullover in grey-blue. 

3. Comfy Underwear

When it comes to lingerie, we tend to find that simplicity is key. Case in point: Gilly Hicks's bralettes and underwear multipacks offer comfort without compromising on design.

Let’s face it: We spend so much time putting our everyday outfits together and reading up on and shopping the latest fashion trends that lingerie seldom gets a look in. When you’re pushed for time in a morning, those final five minutes before you rush out the door (or to your home office if that’s still the case for you) are typically dedicated to final applications of makeup or choosing which shoes go best with the rest of your ensemble. More often than not, underwear is an afterthought. But that shouldn’t be the case. 

Like with every other garment or accessory we wear, there are trends worth paying attention to. After all, as satisfying as it is to know that you’re killing it in the outfit department, isn’t it even more satisfying to secretly know that your underwear is equally on point? That underneath your clothes, your foundations make you feel great about yourself? We certainly think so, which is why we took it upon ourselves to reach out to lingerie experts to find out which lingerie trends think will be big news in 2022. Our impressive line-up included Nudea CEO and founder Priya Downes, Dora Larsen founder Georgia Larsen, and Womanhood head buyer Ella Brewer, and we were pleasantly surprised at how in sync they were with their predictions.

So whether you’re looking to refresh your underwear drawer or are keen to start the new season on a confident high, scroll on to see the lingerie trends to bookmark in 2022.

1. COMFORT, COMFORT, COMFORT

"One thing I would hope for in 2022 is that women and brands would see that comfort and sexy aren’t at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to lingerie and realise they can go hand in hand,” says Brewer. "I think the rise of mesh lingerie is showing that women and brands are realising this. Day-to-night dressing is something you can do with your work clothes but also with your underwear, guys!” Larsen shares this sentiment, as she has noticed comfort has become a key consideration for her stylish clientele. "For the current season, we’ve seen a massive uplift in customers wanting natural fabrics, notably organic cotton,” enlightens Larsen. "People aren’t willing to sacrifice comfort anymore and are specifically after styles that look good, flatter and are in comfortable, natural fabrics."

"Comfort is key,” reiterates Downes. "The trend for non-wired support continues to grow in popularity and is no longer restricted to smaller busts—we’re seeing bralette styles for all. We launched Nudea's fuller-bust bralette, The Easy Does It F+ (£42), this year in response to customer demand for larger sizes of our best seller.”

2. BOLD COLOURS

"Based on what I have seen for 2022 so far, I would say that the appetite for fun and colourful lingerie is still growing,” says Brewer. "This is especially with our customer, as we find black bras stay in stock for much longer than their colourful counterparts. I think brands are realising that women want to be bold and experiment with all of their wardrobe, including their underwear drawer.”

Colour plays a huge role in the Dora Larsen design process, but Larsen says she’s noticing new patterns emerge. "Colour-wise, we noticed a huge demand for bright green, which is interesting, as you wouldn’t normally consider green a typical colour for lingerie—it’s not obviously feminine in the same way that pink or berry are,” says Larsen. "Customers are looking to be more experimental with their colour choices and looking for colours you can’t typically find everywhere. The classic look you would typically expect from lingerie has gone out the window—people want to be dressing for themselves these days, in comfortable, experimental, different and unique choices.”

3. RETRO SILHOUETTES

"Something our customer loves and something I always look for when buying is the 'reinvented classic,'" shares Brewer. "This is basically a bra that fits into a classic shape or style but has something different about it such as an interesting fabric, a design detail or a bold colour. Brands that do this well are Else, especially with their bare range; Skarlett Blue, who are typically a very traditional brand but have introduced a large mesh range for A/W 22; and Attollo, who cater to a larger bust but use delicate lace and satin, which is not usually available in the sizes they stock.”

Larsen agrees and says, "We're also seeing more customers opt for knicker shapes that offer something a bit different to the usual low-rise bikini shape. High-waist knickers and thongs are really making a resurgence, for example, as we’ve never seen such a strong popularity for these shapes. It definitely feels like knickers aren’t an afterthought anymore—people are specifically looking for a set that either offers a really cool, '80s-cut high-leg thong, or a 1950s-style silhouette from a high-waist knicker."

Next Up: 8 Beautiful Lingerie Brands That'll Make You Want to Forgo Clothes

This post was previously published and has since been updated.

For the longest time, my lingerie drawer consisted of black bras, big knickers and very little else. I’ll be honest. I never really bought into the whole pretty-lingerie thing, even when I was a teen and La Senza was at its peak. Being a size 32G, my options are already limited. When I did buy anything remotely fancy, I found it seriously lacked in support and shape. That, however, has long since changed. Now, there are plenty of brands creating beautiful bra-and-underwear sets that cater to every size out there and are encouraging me to breathe new life into my lingerie collection. 

Of course, there are lots of gorgeous bra-and-underwear sets out there for those of you who don’t fall into the same DD+ range as I do. From delicate triangle bralettes decorated with lace to unwired cups in bold hues, all with matching briefs, you needn’t restrict yourself to dull T-shirt bras.

Below, I’ve rounded up some of the most impressive bra-and-underwear sets you can buy right now, some from brands that you’ll have heard of, while others I’m sure will be new to your radar. Whether you opt for classic white cotton or saturated satin, these sets will not only look great, but they’ll also make you feel great inside. Scroll on to shop them.

SHOP BEAUTIFUL BRA SETS

Next Up: No Lingerie Collection Is Complete Without These 7 Staples

There may be areas of our bodies that we would like a bit of extra control on, whether it's a bit of lift in the bust or butt or a little added support in our hips and thigh area. There's certainly nothing wrong, either, with turning to a pair of Spanx or shaping shorts when you're in need of a little oomph—celebs do it all the time, especially when walking the red carpet.

If you’re considering shapewear, we’ve found the best pieces out there, as told by the people who have actually worn them.

Luckily, the market is chock-full of great shapewear that promises to smooth out any lumps or bumps where you want to. Today, we're honing in on all the best tummy-control shapewear that we think is 100% worth the investment. These are pieces you can wear whenever you feel the need to trim your tummy, shape your waistline and support your back. Ready to see our finds? Read on to shop the shorts, briefs and bodysuits that offer ultimate tummy control without sacrificing comfort plus the reviews that have us convinced.

Shop the Best Tummy-Control Shapewear:

1. Best Shapewear Shorts: Wolford Tulle Control Shorts, £95
2. Best Bodysuit: Spanx Stretch Bodysuit, £92
3. Best Control Shorts: Spanx Oncore Control Shorts, £66
4. Best Waist Cincher: Miraclesuit Back Magic Waist Cincher, £46
5. Best Shapewear Slip: Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip, £1016. Best Seamfree Briefs: John Lewis & Partners Seamfree High Waist Briefs, £16
7. Best Leg-Shaping Shorts: Spanx OnCore High-Waist Shaper Shorts, £74
8. Best Figure Flattering Bodysuit: Commando Luxe Control Stretch Mesh-Trimmed Tech-Jersey Bodysuit, £147
9. Best Compression Shorts: Spanx Higher High-Rise Mid-Thigh Shorts, £68
10. Best Body-Slimming Bodysuit: Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit, £70

1. Best Shapewear Shorts: Wolford Tulle Control Shorts

2. Best Bodysuit: Spanx Stretch Bodysuit

3. Best Bodysuit for Sculpting: Klayd Klay Collection Square Body

4. Best Control Shorts: Spanx Oncore Control Shorts

5. Best Waist Cincher: Miraclesuit Back Magic Waist Cincher

6. Best Shapewear Slip: Commando Two-Faced Tech Control Full Slip

7. Best Shapewear Thong: Commando Control Top Thong

8. Best for Body Contouring: Marks & Spencer Magic Shaping High Waisted Leggings

9. Best Seamfree Briefs: John Lewis & Partners Seamfree High Waist Briefs

10. Best Leg-Shaping Shorts: Spanx OnCore High-Waist Shaper Shorts

11. Best Figure Flattering Bodysuit: Commando Luxe Control stretch mesh-trimmed tech-jersey bodysuit

12. Best Compression Shorts: Spanx Higher High-Rise Mid-Thigh Shorts

13. Best Body-Slimming Bodysuit: Skims Seamless Sculpt Brief Bodysuit

14. Best Supporting Tights: Commando Ultimate Opaque Control Top Tights

15. Best for Slimming: Miraclesuit High Waist Thigh Slimming Shorts

16. Best High Waist Shorts: Wacoal High Waist Long Leg Shaper

17. Best Firm Slip Dress: John Lewis & Partners Rae Firm Control Slip in Black

18. Best Under-Skirt: Miraclesuit High Waisted Slip

19. Best for Waist Shaping: Triumph True Shape Sensation

20. Best Smooth Thong: Yummie Shaper Thong

21. Best Shapewear Camisole: Yummie 3 in 1 Shaping Cami

22. Best Postpartum Shorts: Belly Bandit Mother Tucker Compression Shorts

23. Best for Under Dresses: Miraclesuit Tummy Tuck Wear Your Own Bra Bike Short Bodysuit

24. Best Soft Bodysuit: Chantelle Soft Stretch Body

25. Best High Waist Underwear: M&S Firm Control High Leg Knickers

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

If you haven't tried Heist’s lingerie, shapewear or tights before, you haven’t lived. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but seriously, if you wear underwear and don’t know about Heist, where have you been? All we can say is that you’re about to be incredibly thankful that we brought this "foundation-wear” brand into your life. And if you’re already a big fan, then you know what we’re talking about. 

Our editors have been recommending Heist’s no-sag, no-roll, very-hard-to-ladder hosiery since the brand launched in 2015 with just a few perfectly formed pairs on offer. The tight edit (get it?) was aimed at disrupting a rather uninspiring industry, and since then, Heist has been taking the same approach to lingerie and shapewear with great success. It’s now expanded its collection to make sure everything is technologically perfect, and it includes functional and beautiful undergarments that embrace the female body rather than striving to change it. 

In our opinion, the brand’s crowning glory is one of its best-selling lines: the Sheer Silhouettes collection. It launched last year and is comprised of eight key silhouettes, including the ever-popular bralettes and four different knicker shapes. The silky-soft designs are spliced with artfully placed sheer accents and excellent built-in support using HeroPanels™ (no underwiring here) to create some of the most comfortable and good-looking underwear we’ve ever tried. 

The collection first launched in black, white and blush colourways, but the brand has just introduced the rather chic navy and berry colours across its signature styles for autumn. They work perfectly under everything from partywear to your favourite layered weekend attire, elevating every day with ease. Trust us—You only need to try Heist once to be converted. 

Keep scrolling to see and shop the whole sheer collection, including the brand new navy and berry colourways.

Shop the Sheer Silhouettes Collection