Why matching lingerie is one of my style essentials!

I can't imagine not wearing matching underwear now, and yet when I was a teenager and young adult it didn't really occur to me.  Now I insist my daughter does the same, she generally rolls her eyes at me.  But I love pretty a pretty lingerie set, I love it to match and preferably match my outfit too.   

A well fitting bra and a flattering pair of matching briefs are the basic foundations of our wardrobe, not only do they accentuate our shape, ensuring our clothes are shown off to their best, but they make us feel better about ourselves, bringing us the all-important body confidence and helping us feel sexier.  If you need a bit of a mood boost then go treat yourself to some pretty underwear or get your nails done!

Make sure you get measured regularly though.  Our bra sizing changes at different times in our life and pregnancy, menopause, post-surgery and weight changes can all have an impact on our changing shape​.  John Lewis offer a free lingerie fitting service as do many of the smaller independent lingerie shops in your local area.  Just pop in and ask or you can book online in advance with John Lewis.  

I couldn't bear to be seen without a matching set now!  In fitting rooms, in gym changing rooms or even at home with my family!  And it needn't be expensive either.  I tend to buy one bra with two or three matching briefs depending on what offer is available when I am choosing.  I have lots of different colours - I like to avoid just white or black nowadays.  My favourite feel-good lingerie set is red!  My go to colour for daily wear is navy.

With one bra and three pairs of matching briefs it means I don't wash my bra after every wear.  And you don't need to either.  I went to the Good Housekeeping website to check their view on this.  If you wash your bra too often it will start to lose it's shape so once a week is plenty (but I wear a different bra every day) so for me I just wash my bra's after a few wears.  If you like a really lacy style then I would recommend a lingerie bag for the washing machine to protect the delicate fabric - I have this one from Lakeland (via Amazon).

The bra and brief set I am wearing for this blog post was gifted to me from Playtex and is the Flower Elegance set in Intense Blue.  It is available to purchase online from Simply Be here or at Playtex here, the bra retails at £31 and the panties at £16. 

The fuller traditional shape brief is very comfortable (not always easy to find either),  the bra has wider straps offering more support if needed.  It is underwired and non-padded and the full lace cup is flattering but not too sheer and has a pretty romantic feel.

The satin kimono was a sale purchase from John Lewis - similar here or Simply Be have a lovely selection too - take a look here.

And a little note on body confidence ... I don't find doing these photos easy, I may be petite and a size 10 but I still focus on the bits I don't like but I enjoy fine dining and wine too much to ever have abs but I do try to embrace confidence and be grateful for how fortunate I am to have inherited good genes that mean I am still slim and healthy.

Love from
Michelle xx
​

Disclaimer:  the bra and briefs were gifted to me from Playtex/Simply Be - all words and opinions are entirely my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

I link up with:

Mutton Style
#muttonstyemonday

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

Not Dressed as Lamb
#iwillwearwhatilike
#ShareAllLinkUp