Introduction
Selecting the right lingerie can make that outfit with just the right touch and fit. It´s a real challenge for Indian women who wear cultural attire like sarees and lehengas to find lingerie that offers the right support as well as an invisible look under the sheer fabric.
If you are an Indian woman, this entire buying guide comprehensively covers everything you need to know about choosing the most ideal undergarments.
By following this guide, you’ll be prepared to go shopping for lingerie that fits your needs as an Indian woman.
Choosing By Body Type
An ill-fitting bra or panty can ruin the look of an outfit. When shopping for lingerie, the first consideration should be your body type. Here are some tips:
● Pear shaped bodies, carrying more weight on the bottom: Opt for padded or contoured bras to balance your top half. Boyshort or high waist panty styles will avoid pinching at the waist.
● Apple shaped bodies that carry more weight up top: Look for molded, wireless t-shirt bras to prevent extra bulk. Choose mid or low-rise panty cuts, avoiding anything too tight across the tummy.
● Slender or athletic builds: Go for delicate bralettes and thongs made from seamless fabrics that disappear under clothing. Racerback bras work well under sarees or backless outfits.
● Full busts and plus sizes: Choose full coverage bras with wide bands and padded straps for support. Briefs and boyshorts provide ample rear coverage without cutting in.
Consider Climate and Fabric
India’s tropical climate means looking for lightweight, breathable lingerie fabrics like cotton, microfiber, powernet, and lace. Sweating underneath silk or chiffon sarees can ruin the delicate fabrics, so choose moisture wicking fabrics. When it comes to lace or embroidered lingerie, be sure the stitching lays flat so texture doesn’t show through clothing.
For colder mountainous regions, look for silk long underwear or woolen thermals to retain heat. Lace trimmed merino wool or cashmere bralettes paired with matching briefs make a luxurious base layer.
Matching Outfits
Match lingerie to outerwear fabrics when wearing light-colored or sheer clothing. For example, choose nude or beige shades under white outfits. Match black lingerie under darker colors. With embellished outfits like heavily embroidered and sequined lehengas or printed sarees, keep undergarments skin-toned and simple.
Staying invisible under these ornate Indian garments is key. Flesh-toned strapless bras work well under halters, tube tops, and backless cholis. Adhesive cups act like invisible bras under plunging necklines when paired with v-string panties. For added modesty under revealing slits or low open backs, high-cut briefs cover more.
Finding Your True Bra Size
The majority of women wear incorrectly sized bras resulting in a lack of support and comfort. Use these tips to find your best fit:
Measure Underbust
Wrap a soft tape measure around your ribcage, just below the breast tissue. Round to the nearest whole inch. This gives your band size.
Measure the Fullest Part of Busts
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the bust. If uneven, measure the larger breast. Round up to the nearest whole inch for your cup size.
Calculate Cup Size
Subtract band size from bust measurement. Each inch difference equals one cup size. Band sizes over 36” increase by 2” per cup instead of 1”. Check a bra size chart if needed.
Try Bras On Properly
Put bras on backwards to check band tightness without cups interfering. Cups should lay flat, without overflowing or gapping. Underwire should anchor to breast bone, not on tissue. Straps should have about 2 finger widths of stretch when pulled out.
Common Lingerie Fabrics
From cooling moisture wicking performance fabrics to sumptuous silk, today’s lingerie utilizes high tech textiles. Here’s an overview of some top options:
● Cotton – Natural softness breathes well, especially in hot climates. Needs careful laundering.
● Microfiber – Light, smooth stretch fabric that wicks moisture. Great for everyday wear.
● Silk – Luxurious with a sensuous drape. Requires gentle care and hand washing.
● Cashmere – Rare wool fiber makes exceptionally soft knits. Expensive but warming.
● Lace – Delicate woven add femininity. Stretch lace works well for larger bust support.
● Powernet – Sheer, lightweight slimming fabric. Makes a great strapless bra base.
● Merino Wool – Soft, breathable wool makes temperature regulating base layers.
Wearing Lingerie Under Indian Outfits
No matter what styles you choose, wearing properly fitting lingerie under traditional Indian attire takes some special considerations. Here’s how to pick the right undergarments for popular Indian outfits.
With Sarees
Under the elegant drapes of silk or chiffon sarees, full coverage is a must. Flesh toned shapewear like high waist briefs or shorts create a streamlined look. Full cup underwire bras prevent spillage when sarees wrap tightly across the bust. Convertible and multiway bras allow customized wear under saree blouses.
With Lehengas
Lehengas stay firmly in place unlike sarees, but may have elaborate sheer fabrics, beading, and embroidery. Minimize lines with discreet thongs and seamless compression bras. Add pretty but hard to detect bralettes under cholis. If your lehenga is backless, use silicone cups or strapless shapewear.
Under Anarkali Suits
The volume of anarkalis allows flexibility in lingerie choices. Opt for everyday t-shirt or contour cup bras. Boyshorts offer moderate coverage compatible with Anarkali pants. Complete the look with shapewear like lightweight control top pantyhose to smooth the waist and hips.
With Ghagra Cholis
Traditional Ghagra skirt outfits require minimal lingerie. Strapless bras work well under short choli tops and tube blouses. Add fashion with jeweled lingerie like crystal embroidered bra straps or rhinestone underwire cups sparkling from an open back blouse.
Mixing Lingerie and Indian Jewelry
Traditional kundan jewelry dazzles best against bare skin. Make a statement by intentionally showing lingerie peeking from necklines or cutouts. Pair gemstone lingerie like emerald green bras or ruby red panties with coordinating jewelry. Kundan chokers encrusted with uncut diamonds transform simple bustiers into jewelry themselves.
Alternatively, conceal body jewelry like midriff chains or waist bands with shapewear briefs to avoid discomfort against skin. Look for strapless shapewear or slimming slips with pockets or loops to securely hold belly chains inside while keeping lines invisible.
Conclusion
We hope this comprehensive lingerie buying guide will be useful to help you choose pieces that will be best suited to your needs as an Indian woman. If you choose to wear undergarments, take time to find well-fitting ones in breathable fabrics that complement your traditional clothing, not compete with it.
As an elegant basis for showing off extravagant Indian dress, nothing beats luxurious lingerie: feathers, lace, crystals, and shiny textures that will make you feel like a Bollywood diva. When investing in these rather intimate wardrobe essentials, remember they should always be of excellent fit and quality.