Beneath every great look is the right undergarment that fits you like a glove.

WORDS NICKY ADAMS

Underwear shopping generally requires endless patience; hence many of us end up finding a formula that works well enough and sticking with it. What that doesn’t allow for, though, is the way our bodies and wardrobes change over time. The holy grail is a regularly updated core range of pieces that sculpt and smooth on all occasions, and above all make you feel fabulous.

BABY GOT BACK

The hardest working bras in my arsenal are those designed to accommodate fleshier areas (namely my back and underarms). I’m a long-time advocate of Bendon’s Flawless Form Contour bra; with its cross-over double-winged side straps it addresses the ‘problem’ areas. But now there’s a new player in town. Mount brand Hotmilk (known for its maternity underwear) has launched Evolve, a range designed to combat the niggly changes we encounter with age. The Effortless Sculpt T-shirt bra feels as though it fits your body, rather than expecting your body to fit into it. Wider side and smoothing back panels, underarm-shaping panels for squidgy bits – it does exactly what’s needed. The Refined Flexiwire Full Cup bra is pretty but practical – again, a wider side strap and clever engineering. All bras were tried and tested; Hotmilk comes out on top with the Effortless Sculpt-T shirt bra.

YOU BETTER SHAPE UP

Despite the latest fabrics and designs aiming to achieve a streamlined finish, shapewear can be restrictive and simply push your flesh into different areas until you resemble a sausage bursting from its skin. Try a full shaping slip, preferably seamless, with an inbuilt bra. A thicker fabric and higher elasticity can be a secret weapon against visible cellulite. Check out Nancy Ganz and Jockey.

STUCK ON YOU

In my opinion, every home should have an emergency roll of boob tape. For hauling things into place, creating cleavage, and securing nipple covers (another excellent tool, perfect for the perky), plunging necklines and backless numbers, this invisible adhesive tape is the gift that keeps on giving. It can also prove a secret weapon when it comes to securing stick-on bras, which can add volume and cleavage, but also weight, hence the need for additional assistance. Boob tape is the answer! What was once the equivalent of double-sided Sellotape is now available in silicone, different widths and multiple shades. Lingerie shops stock selected brands, while the Warehouse sells Booby Tape, which gets top reviews for being sweatproof.

BAND ON THE RUN

There’s an art to finding the ultimate strapless bra. Noting the trend towards bandeau styles, I tried a Skims version, which, if the price and marketing is anything to go by, should be the cream of the crop. Unfortunately, at one stage during testing, it rolled down to sit around my ribcage, rather than supporting the all-important breast area, so it won’t be my go-to. Instead, I suggest being fitted at a local lingerie shop. Sometimes, finding the right combination of comfort and support takes an expert eye.

STYLE STATUS

Spring things to improve your mood.

NEW OLD FAVOURITES

Spring tends to herald a wardrobe refresh – out with the comforting and practical, in with the light and playful. That said, making space for the new is best achieved by adding pieces that work with your existing aesthetic, as opposed to trying to completely overhaul your image. Colour-wise, if you feel as though you can’t escape butter yellow, it’s because you can’t. One reason it’s still trending is because it works so well trans-seasonally with other shades in the post-winter wardrobe, such as chocolate brown, plum, burgundy and navy. Another spring must-have is capri pants. If that sends an ‘I’ve been here before’ shiver down your spine, calling them pedal pushers won’t help. Reimagining this perennial favourite for 2026 is the name of the game, and I highly recommend looking at this easy-to-wear style with fresh eyes.

IN CONTRASTS

It’s time to shed the winter coat and graduate to a lighter jacket. One with military-esque details and a vintage feel will fit the bill as a statement piece, but word to the wise: although the Napoleon style is chic, try to avoid going full Sergeant Pepper. Contrast the structure of a garment like this with a drapey skirt or some on-trend balloon pants. Another look seen on and off the runway involves juxtaposing garments made from floaty fabrics with a heavier jacket, like a leather bomber or suede blazer. In terms of accessories, as a long-time enthusiast of large suede totes, I’m usually resigned to dealing with their limitations, such as the lack of practicality (dirt and rain being very real hazards), but this season, there are some infinitely more workable options out there. A lightweight nylon bag is a spring-to-summer essential that will take you from the supermarket to the beach.

INDULGE YOUR INNER DIVA

“Wear the outfit, add the sparkle, buy the boots” – so goes the mantra that’s part of what’s known as the ‘Dolly Parton philosophy’. The antithesis of a fashion icon but someone who stayed true to her own aesthetic, the late singer was someone who relished her own personal style. If standing out like a rhinestone cowboy doesn’t appeal to you, there are a plethora of more subtle options that are equally fabulous – although given sequins and heavy embellishments are dominating the spring/ summer looks, everyday shimmer may be hard to avoid. Another firm favourite for the warmer months is the lingerie look. It’s a trend that has gathered momentum; its popularity possibly rooted in the fact that it can be styled in so many ways. Readers who err on the side of conservative could slip a simple lacy camisole under a blazer, while those who want to maximise the effect could go full boudoir with sheer separates, a corset or a satin negligée-style dress.

NEW ROMANCE

Another trend that’s equally resistant to being parked is the bias-cut slip dress or skirt. Also crossing over into the lingerie genre, along with the beloved original ’90s look, there are fresher variations on the theme for spring. One update is the asymmetrical hemline, and the addition of lace in some way, around the waist, along the hem or cutting diagonally across. It might be the versatility that makes a bias-cut slip dress so beloved – worn with chunky boots or flats by day and heels by night, it’s a highly flexible look. For the feet, ballet flats are still a great go-to, some now with a lace-up feature. In my experience, it doesn’t take long for ribbons to unravel and gather unflatteringly around the ankles, but the ballerina vibe is forever beautiful, so if you can get them to stay up, this is a lovely spring look.

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