People Are Looking!
One of my loyal readers, BW, (thank you, all) recently wrote to me complaining about women who let it all hang out. I agree completely. Most women look better with clothes than without. Our midriffs were not meant to be exposed. Unless a woman is very young and has abs like Sarah Jessica Parker, who probably works out with a trainer daily, don’t expose them.
There are girdles (Remember those quaint things?) and longline bras. They still sell girdles and what they used to call brasalettes. These were longline bras that ended just past the waist. They gave you a smooth line with no lumps or bumps.
While we’re on the subject, a good bra can make you look thinner, taller, and more confident. Every woman should go to a good lingerie shop at least once where she can be fitted for a bra by a professional. It’s expensive, true, but unless you gain or lose a lot of weight, you don’t have to do it again. And you know your proper bra size and what styles look best on you.
When I wear certain dresses, I wear what I call girdles which are actually stretch panties that come to the waist. It gives me confidence knowing that even after a business lunch or dinner I won’t have the dreaded panty lines.
I think women should wear shirts tucked into the waists of their pants or skirts or pulled down over. Of course, some pant are made with such a low rise that it’s almost impossible to find shirts long enough to tuck in. If you’re not certain you have shirts long enough to tuck in or cover, then don’t buy such low-rise pants. People are looking. And when you bend over while wearing low-rise jeans, oh Lord! There is nothing more unattractive.
There are some women who find nothing wrong with it. A few years ago I was with a group of men and another woman. She bent over exposing her naked rear end under her jeans and the men snickered. When we were alone, I told her she might consider wearing a longer shirt and she said, “Oh, that’s all right. It doesn’t bother me.”
Every woman owes it to herself to wear beautiful, feminine lingerie. But it’s called underwear for a reason, so don’t wear a black bra under a white t-shirt. Lingerie is not meant to be seen when you’re walking down the street, neither bra nor panties.
I’ve never been pregnant but if I were I’m sure I would drive myself crazy trying to find loose-fitting maternity clothes. A number of years ago maternity clothing manufacturers decided women should wear skin-tight clothes. I think it looks horrid. A woman’s figure is not at its best when pregnant so why show it off? If she had a huge belly without being pregnant, also known as being fat, would she be so proud of it? I think not.
Being pregnant is a wonderful, glorious time in a woman’s life and she can and should look her best. To my mind that does not include accentuating her huge belly.
Something tells me I’m going to get a lot of mail on this column, both pro and con!
---------------------
Miriam Silverberg is a freelance writer and the owner of a boutique publicity firm in Manhattan, Miriam Silverberg Associates. She can be reached at [email protected]
