Whether wearing pumps, spikes or platforms, some women think the only options underneath are to go with pantyhose or with nothing at all, but fashionistas tell us differently. Now it’s perfectly acceptable to show off socks as cute accessories under boots or heels.

The secret to socks and heels is getting the right socks paired with the right heels. Think texture. Find socks and shoes that have different colours and textures – you never want to be matchy-matchy. If you have a solid black shoe, try a hot pink, striped sock. If you have patterned shoes then try a solid, dark-coloured sock. And don’t forget, those socks have to be thin as it never looks good if your socks bulge out the top of your shoes.

Socks and boots are another hot trend. Some women have always enjoyed this look but it’s recently become a fashion phenomenon. And best of all, this is a look where fashion meets function. A long sock under a boot keeps you warm and dry and looks stylish too.

To pair boots with socks think about length and style. Of course, you have to invest in socks that will hit above the height of your boot. This might mean mid-calf socks for ankle boots or knee-high or even thigh-high socks for taller boots. Some socks can be slouched for a more relaxed look while others must be pulled tight to look put-together. And keep in mind, ankle-high boots tend to cut legs off and make you look shorter, so adding a short slouchy sock on top of that might add weight where you don’t want it.

To find a stylish combination think complimentary and not matching. If you have a fun, patterned sock, pair it with a simple boot without a high heel like a riding boot. If you have a smooth, simple sock feel free to pair it with adorned and heeled boots. And don’t forget fun socks with those wellies for the rainy days.

In all, consider socks a fashion accessory just like any other. Invest in colours, styles and patterns to create either a fun and flirty look or a pulled-together, sophisticated and sexy air.

With a bra, fit is key. With a good fit you get lift and support and look more sleek and youthful. With bad fit you can look older, heavier and bumpy. And this fit is critical for everyone no matter their age or breast type. Everyone needs a good fit to look their best.

And while they may seem conveniet, bra extenders do not help with fit. Some women think that if their band is digging into them, or their breasts are spilling out of the cup, a band extender will solve the problem, but it just isn't so.

Illustration by Chantelle

Have you ever wondered why some bras cost $24.99 and some cost $99.99? It's not just because one is imported from France while other other is not, it's because of the quality. It's because of the design and features found in a $100 bra that will make you look like a million bucks.

Five Reasons to Buy a High-Quality Bra

1. Superior fabric - microfibre bras look great and stand up to the stresses of washing and everyday wear. Not to mention microfibres breathe and wick moisture away from the body.
2. Comfortable underwires - underwires are made of high-quality metal and then are often nylon-wrapped and encased in three layers of foam, keeping them from digging or poking.
3. Better-quality adjusters - strap adjusters are often welded rather than stitched making them less bulky and noticeable under clothing.
4. Better-engineered fit - fabrics are engineered to stretch or stay to provide perfect shape and lift.
5. Exquisite designs - the look and feel of a high-quality bra is head and shoulders above anything seen in an average bra. Each bra can take hours of handcrafted time to create the work of art you see.

Lingerie serves two purposes:

1. To make you look great in your clothes
2. To make you look great out of your clothes

In Feng Shui the closet represents secrets: the Manolo Blahnik fetish you’re hiding; the coat you paid way-too-much for and never wore; the muff made of real fur, even though you tell everyone it’s faux. And nowhere are there more secrets than in an underwear drawer.

We women do love to keep secrets. The two sanctuaries are the purse and the underwear drawer. No one dare go into either without an engraved invitation. Why all the secrecy around the skivvies? Well, it’s hard to say exactly, but in general, we don’t want people to know we’re living in the past...

1. Do underwire bras cause cancer?
2. How do I enhance my curves?
3. How do I cover my nipples?
4. How do I hide my bra straps?
5. How do I wear something strapless and backless?
6. Why can't I machine-wash my lingerie?
7. How can I make bra straps comfortable? How can I stop straps from slipping?

We all want what we don't have. Women with a larger bosom want to minimize their bustlines while our clients with subtler curves are often looking for enhancement.

Some think the only way to manage this is with the number of a plastic surgeon, but before you put silicone into your breasts we recommend trying silicone outside your breasts with Flirt's cleavage enhancers.

When women think of adding to their bustline, awful foam padding or maybe even a tissue box comes to mind. Flirt is completely different. Flirt makes a supple, silicone pad that fits in the bottom of your bra cup, pushing your breast up creating dramatic curves and cleavage.

Flirt's breast enhancers are different because they mold to your body and heat to your body temperature. They are curved and tapered to blend seamlessly with your natural lines so no one outside your lingerie drawer need know why that plunging neckline looks so great.

Bring your date night outfit or your favorite t-shirt and try a pair to see if a good Flirt works for you.

Last week we talked about How to Avoid a Wardrobe Malfunction and this week we're continuing to answer your fashion questions: How Do I Hide My Nipples?

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we have daily proof breasts come in all shapes and sizes. This means each woman has a unique set of challenges when adorning her curves. And some women are very self-conscious about their nipples. Luckily, there's a very simple product designed just for such a concern - nipple covers.

 

We live in a fashion age where a wardrobe malfunction can make us the most memorable person in a room. And while for most people this won't involve Superbowl crowds, it might include a blouse with a little too much peek-a-boo for the boardroom.

What most women don't know is there is a secret to keeping every stitch in its perfect place - Body Tape.

Hollywood has been using Body Tape for many years. There's a reason why no strap slips or neckline gapes on the red carpet - they're taped down.

Body Tape is a Canadian made product designed to keep fabric in place. Body Tape is double-sided, hypoallergenic, medical-grade adhesive that can stick fabric-to-fabric or fabric-to-skin.

How to Use Body Tape

There are a myriad uses for Body Tape, but here are a few of our favorites.

1. Prevent gaping on button-up blouses.
2. Use as an instant fix for a fallen hem.
3. Hide bra straps.
4. Keep off-the-shoulder necklines in place.
5. Secure wrap dresses.

• Why can't I machine wash my lingerie?
• How should I care for my lingerie?
• How do I choose the right style of bra for me?
• How do I know if I'm in the wrong bra?
• Are there rules for wearing white lingerie?
• What should I pick for bridal lingerie?
• Do underwire bras cause cancer?

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we pride ourselves on offering a wide variety of fine lingerie, but just because a bra is gorgeous doesn't mean it's the right one for you. Here's how to find the right bra style for you.

• Always wear a bra built for exercise when exercising or you can damage soft breast tissue with the excess movement.
• Make sure to try different moves in the change room. For example, make sure to bend over to make sure your breasts stay in the cups and the straps don't slip.

• Consider a fuller cup for larger breasts.
• A push-up bra is generally a demi-cup (half cup) and creates cleavage by pushing breasts towards the middle as seen in the Empreinte Melody, bottom right. Push-up bras are available in many sizes.
• Some bras come with enhancing inserts built-in.

• A molded cup may provide a small amount of padding.
• A molded cup is generally a full-cup bra to provide a seamless look over the entire breast, like seen left in the Chantelle Africa line.
• For lace bras, try a shirt on over the bra to see how it looks and where any seams may lay.
• If you're buying a bra for a special occasion, make sure to bring your outfit with you.
• Consider the neckline of your clothing, a full cup may show in v-cut shirts.
• Wear a nude-coloured bra if you don't want the bra showing under light clothes.
• Wear a dark bra under dark clothes to avoid discolouration.

Loyal readers and clients know that putting lingerie in the washing machine or, even worse, the dryer, is the biggest faux pas of them all. But some women still want to know: Why can't I machine wash my lingerie?

The answer is simple: spandex.

Spandex is the miracle material in lingerie that allows it to stretch and snap back to its original size. Without spandex, lingerie wouldn't comfortably follow your curves the way it does today.

Spandex is actually made up of many, long polymer fibers entwined into a ball like spaghetti. When the spandex is stretched, these fibers straighten out and once released return back to their entwined shape. This ability to expand and contract repeatedly, the same way each time, is what makes it so useful in lingerie.

Spandex fibers are strong and can remain elastic in garments for years, but spandex doesn't stand up well to heat or an alkaline environment. And guess what's in your washing machine? Yes, you guessed it; your washing machine is a hot alkaline environment. This environment breaks down the spandex fibers making them shorter until eventually they become useless.

Ideally you should wash your garments by hand, in lukewarm water with a pH neutral detergent like Forever New, because once you've invested in lingerie that makes you feel beautiful and sexy, you want to keep it looking its best for a long time to come.


* Thanks to the Hanky Panky blog for both the image and information on Spandex.

After discussing the beauty and romance of white underthings, we thought it would be a great time to share our tips on keeping your luxurious lingerie looking it's best.

1. Save your white lingerie for wear under light-colored clothing. If you wear it under dark-colored clothes, those dark colors can rub off making your whites less than pristine.

2. Always wash your whites with other light colors. Dye can come off in the wash, making your whites look dingy.

3. Always hand-wash your lingerie in lukewarm water. You've invested in your beauty and comfort and hand-washing your underthings every two-to-three wearings will keep them looking their best and prolong their life. It also helps keep stretch fabrics fitting you well, and not becoming stretched out.

Memorial Day is coming up and while for some this means picnics and fireworks, for us at Secret Drawers Lingerie, it means the official emergence* of white lingerie. Just in case you're not a Miss Mannors follower and want to get into your whites early, we thought we'd provide a few tips on wearing white lingerie.

1. White lingerie will show under light-colored clothes. If you're looking to keep things hidden, try a color that's close to your skin tone. Of course, we believe it's perfectly acceptable to show off exquisite lingerie, but we'll leave that up to you.
2. If you are choosing white for bridal, try a molded cup with a skinny strap like the Twist line by Prima Donna, seen right. The smooth cups will give your breasts the boost you want under your dress with straps that are easy to hide. 
3. While you should always look for a good fit, for whites it's particularly important not to have too tight a fit. White can show lumps and bumps more easily than other colors.
4. White looks particularly stunning on people with a darker skin-tone. If you're naturally light-skinned, try some self-tanner.