Flirty, fun, sweet, sassy, and pink are all words that come to mind when thinking of one of our newest brands here at Freshpair. Betsey Johnson’s cartwheeling definitely makes a statement, and so does her lingerie! It’s mix of textures and playful pink bows are subtle and new takes on classics that you will want to wear everyday, but that can also hold their own for special occasions.

This Bubble mesh set is bound to make you feel a little bubbly and young, its pink trimmed neckline and flattering balconette silhouette are the perfect pick me up:

This Eyelet lace trio definitely brings a fresh twist on classic black and white. The ivory would make a great gift for a young bride, and the black is sweet alternative to an everyday set:

Betsey Johnson Intimates Bubble Mesh Lightly Lined Molded Balconette Bra 723620	Betsey Johnson Intimates Bubble Mesh Girlshort 720620

Betsey Johnson Intimates Eyelet Lace 3-Section Foam Demi 723325	Betsey Johnson Intimates Eyelet Lace Lo-Rise Wide Side Thong 722325	Betsey Johnson Intimates Eyelet Lace Garter Belt 727410

The Zipper Stripe group has an amazing mix of textures and a flattering fit. Both the black and nude offer stylishly seductive alternatives to your boring basics:

Betsey Johnson Intimates Zipper Stripe Lightly Lined Demi Bra 723100	Betsey Johnson Intimates Zipper Stripe Lo-Rise Wide Side Bikini 721100

We get so many requests for great cotton panties, and these definitely fit the bill! Playful lace trim and bows, and fun colors to boot! Loving the Betsey signature cheetah print shown below, pair it with your favorite nude, black, or ivory bra for a fun mix & match look:

Betsey Johnson Intimates Stretch Cotton Wideside Thong 722705

Your mother may have told you to always wear a fresh pair, but I doubt she told you what to wear to impress the ladies (or gentlemen). No matter who you’re showing your undies off to, one thing is for certain: what you wear on the inside can make or break you when it comes to first impressions. Here are a few recommendations from a gal who has seen it all and expects you guys to know better.

	Calvin Klein Steel Micro Low Rise Trunk Not only is this trunk from Calvin Klein super comfortable, but it looks sexy too. The edgy design and low-rise makes it perfect for peeking out the top of skinny jeans. Plus, I love to wear them too!
	Bjorn Borg Fun Stretch Printed Trunk 085-10-2105 This one is a winner boys. Bjorn Borg definitely knows how to use prints and colors so you can show off your fun side. This classic black and white trunk has an allover trophies print that will win you the gold medal of love.
	C-IN2 Bold Stripe Profile Brief 1603B I hope you’re not afraid of color because chicks dig it. This C-IN2 profile brief has a sophisticated cut and print that is bold but not too loud. And the body-conscious fit will guarantee all eyes are on you.
	Emporio Armani 3-Pack Boxer Brief 110869 Don’t you dare attempt to wear boxer shorts around your lady (or man for that matter)! If you insist on undies with longer legs, try this boxer brief from Emporio Armani. It looks classic without a touch of sloppy. And this 3-pack is a great value!
	Ginch Gonch Boys and Toys Bikes Low Rise Brief 1136BTB Having a sense of humor makes you much more fun to be around. What better way to show it off than with these playful Ginch Gonch briefs? All the girls will think you’re super cute! Can you say crush material?
	2xist Essentials No Show Trunk B1033 Be a simple kind of man. Having chic, everyday basics like this 2xist trunk will prove you’re not trying to be more fashionable than she is. Super soft with a body-conscious fit, you’ll have her coming back for more once she sees you in these. Go for sexy in basic black.

Hey ladies. Why get bra recommendations from a fellow female when you can get them from a fellow? Guys know what a woman looks good in (just as well as anyone else); the motives for the choice may be different, but they’re still reliable picks. Plus, in many circumstances, you are trying to impress the man (or significant other) in your life anyway, so why not get his (or my) opinion. Here are the bras I think a woman should have to look sexy, but that are still practical and wearable every day (yes, I said practical, you should still be comfortable).

	Le Mystere Dream Tisha Lace Bra 965 Why? These bras are one of Oprah’s favorites for a reason – the compliment any woman’s form, while not being too frilly. I love a woman that is feminine but not over the top. This fits the bill.
	Elle Macpherson intimates Procession Contour Bra E72-700 Why? The dainty small ribbon and accents around the cup are really sexy. Wear this and he’ll swoon. Plus the contrasting colors keep it fresh (and him interested).
	Wacoal Luxe Femme Fatale Push-Up Bra 55834 Why? It says it all in the name. This will push-up the girls and knock him out cold.
	Le Mystere Sculptural Strapless Push-Up Bra 2755 Why? A strapless dress on a woman, obviously, shows off more skin and but also lets him know you’re confident about your figure. I say if you have the sex appeal, flaunt it.
	b.tempt’d by Wacoal Sheer Brilliance Underwire Bra 951120 Why? It’s sheer enough to make him have to look more than once, but opaque enough that he never sees anything. He’ll be putty. Plus, it’s designed to wear all-day in total comfort. You win twice over with this one.
	Wacoal Luxe Amazing Lace Push-Up Bra 55847 Why? Growl. Ridiculously hot and flatters your figure like no other.
	Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Tailored Push-Up Bra F3001 Why? You don’t need all the bells & whistles. The clean line & simple styling does the trick.

All-in-all, any bra can give you a surge of confidence while making him weak in the knees. My main word of caution? Be sure you’re wearing the right size – there’s nothing worse than a woman with a bulge. Leave that for him.

Dear Layla,

Ms. Perfect but Pinched

Dear Ms. Perfect,

I have no doubt that your curves are fabulous, so I can’t help but wonder why you are wearing your bra so tight that you’re wrapping yourself like a sausage? Here’s my advice, your curves should be cupped not clenched in, hugged not dug in, and smoothed but not smothered. A properly fitting bra does not bind you so tight that it leaves marks. My guess is that you are tightening the straps or the band to compensate for an ill fitting situation with size.

I recommend making sure you are wearing the right size first. For instructions on how to get the proper fit, visit Freshpair’s Fit and Size Guide for Women.

Will you do an exercise for me? Take a look at yourself in the mirror, do the cups on the bra look like they sit away from your skin when your straps are loosened? If they do you are tightening the straps to compensate for cup size. If not, it might be the style of bra that you are wearing. You need to look at bras that have a wider strap, if the strap is 1/4″ thick and you have anything larger than a C, you’re putting all the weight of those puppies on that one little 1/4″ spot on your shoulder. No wonder they’re not thanking you at the end of the day!

Thicker straps can help alleviate some of the digging as well as clear up any discoloration. If you don’t mind trying bras with a thicker strap, here are some that I suggest:

Awareness Soft Cup Bra 85276 by Wacoal This style from Wacoal features a nice soft cup with no underwire as well as a padded strap.	Beautiful Benefits Minimizer with Lace Details Bra 75-070 by Vanity Fair For more substantial straps, try this style from Vanity Fair with pretty lace detail.
Smoothing Cup Bra 4500 by Fantasie Seamless and supportive, this style by Fantasie might fit the bill for you as far as support. The wider straps along with the proper size should minimize the digging in effect.	Satin Edge Lined Underwire Bra 35089 by Olga For an elegant and understated statement, try this style from Olga. The sleek straps coupled with the soft cup lining won’t irritate the skin or dig into your shoulders.

Here is another exercise I want you to try: can you fit two fingers in between the band and your skin comfortably? If you can fit more than two fingers between you and your band, then your band is too loose. On the other side, if you can’t fit two, you need to loosen it up.

This may also be another reason why you are tightening your straps. If the tension around your body is not strong enough or is too strong you might be throwing the engineering of your bra off balance! It is really important to get the combination right for a proper fit. For more fitting tips and tricks take a look at Freshpair’s Fit and Size Guide.

It really is about finding the right size in combination with a bra that has the right features to support your body and breast type properly. I hope these options work for you! Happy hunting, Ms. Perfect!

xo,
Layla

Sometimes you feel like you’re the only one that has to struggle finding pieces that work. Well we thought it would be great to share our expert advice, because whether we care about fit, fashion, function, or price all we see day in and day out is underwear!

We’ve got a description of everyone’s personality so you can find the Freshpair staffer that matches up to your style, and maybe you’ll find some new styles that are right up your alley!

Here are some of the most popular Freshpair staff favorites:

On the Girls’ Side

	Lindsay, Erin, Courtney, and Michelle picked the classic Hanky Panky thong which is great! It’s made in the USA and has a super wide lace waistband that doesn’t dig in and comes in lots of yummy shades. No wonder it’s so popular among the staff and customers!
	Amy, Amanda, and Layla love the Calvin Klein Modal with Lace Hipster below, it’s comfortable fit and super light and smooth modal make it a pretty everyday pair.
	Lindsay and Erin picked Wacoal’s iBra. Perfect for everyday, this bra is so smooth it feels like second skin.
	Shannon, Erin, and Amanda all seemed to like the Flirt Push-Up Underwire Bra from B.Tempt’d by Wacoal.
	Shannon and Michelle both recommend the Chantelle Africa Shorty. This panty is sure to make you feel sleek and sexy!

On The Guys’ Side

	Both Michael Kleinmann and Brenton agreed on the Diesel Graphic Trunks, and other than that there are so many styles, prints, colors and brands that the guys all went their own ways!
	The 2xist tops were popular but each guy leaned toward a different style! Like Ben, who recommends the tank version.
	Michael from Customer Care recommends trying out the crew neck t-shirt or the v-neck t-shirt.
	While Matthew leans towards the comfortable Long Sleeve Henley from 2xist.

While these are only a few, there are a lot more recommendations from the knowledgeable staff at Freshpair. Click here to see all of the Freshpair Staff Picks. Keep checking back to see what they recommend for this time of year!

Labor Day has passed, meaning the end of summer is quickly approaching. But there is much to look forward to with the coming of fall. The rich, beautiful colors of autumn foliage, bonfires and lower subway station temperatures help us ease our way out of the carefree summer months. But the most fun fall activity of all is shopping for new, cooler weather threads- and you better believe this includes unmentionables! Check out our top five picks for men’s and women’s fall must-haves.

For Men

	Ginch Gonch Weiner Eaters Reworked Long John 1217WE As the fall winds blow in, lounging around in boxers might get a little drafty. Warm things up with these fun and colorful long johns from Ginch Gonch. How clever would you be wearing these while roasting hot dogs at a fall barbeque?
	Polo Ralph Lauren Kimono Robe RL91 Walking from the shower to your closet wearing merely a towel may feel fine in the summer, but you’ll want something cozier as the temperature starts to drop. Check out this plush, cotton terry robe from Ralph Lauren Polo. The classic design has two convenient front pockets and tie waist for a comfortable fit.
	ADAM Long Sleeve Henley Shirt ABJS28 If you looking for a vintage design that is both sexy and comfortable, this long sleeve Henley from ADAM is a good bet. It is constructed of soft pima cotton and has a slim-cut design, making it perfect for layering or wearing by itself.
	Calvin Klein Bloomfield Stripe Knit Slim Fit Boxer U1029-72509 Why not change your underwear to match the fall leaves? This Calvin Klein boxer short has the perfect orange stripe pattern to complement the changing season. And the slim cut makes these ideal to wear under those new skinny jeans.

For Women

	Ginch Gonch Multiple Trucks Loader Dumper Long John 2217Mt Ginch Gonch has fun printed long johns for the ladies too! Soft stretch cotton keeps you warm whether you’re lounging around on chilly fall weekends or layering for outdoor leaf-jumping. Either way, the cheeky truck print will make you want to show these off!
	P.J. Salvage Comfy Robe MIC-R This ultra-plush robe may be the softest you’ve ever experienced. The shawl collar and longer length are extra cozy for lower temperatures. Two front pockets offer plenty of room for trinkets, and the sash let’s you adjust for a perfect fit.
	ADAM Three Quarter Sleeve Henley Shirt EBJS27 If you’ve never worn a Henley, you need to snag this one for fall. Perfect for layering or wearing alone, this ADAM tee is constructed of soft pima cotton and has a slim cut for a contoured fit. The button neckline can be conservative or sexy to fit your every mood.
	b.tempt’d by Wacoal Teeny Weeny Low Rise Hipster 978150 This hipster is so fun and flirty, you’ll forget the carefree summer months have passed. The sheer stretch mesh fabric is super comfortable and low-rise design is perfect for those new skinny jeans. Plus, the feminine details are too precious to pass up. Fresh Salmon Dots is a bright orange that will rival the foliage.

For Everyone

Wigwam Merino Comfort Hiker Sock F2322 Whether you prefer the city streets or the country trails, these Wigwam hiker socks will keep you warm and comfortable all day long during the chilly fall months. Soft, stretch merino wool is combined with a cushiony construction that hugs the foot for a perfect fit every time.

Are you? For those of you who aren’t familiar with Twitter, it is a social networking site wherein members communicate with their friends with very short (1-2 sentence) updates. Twitter asks users to answer the common question: What are you doing?

Follow Freshpair on Twitter to get the latest underwear updates! You’ll find out when a new article is posted to the blog. The same great advice and recommendations you get from Underwear Observer will be on twitter (just shorter!). Find out about our biggest sales when they happen. One of the most popular questions we’re asked at Freshpair, is “What’s hot now?”. Follow us on Twitter for updates the latest underwear trends and our newest brands. We’ll also put up some posts that are just for fun!

As you know, we love underwear at Freshpair, but we also love to keep people up on emerging trends. We teamed up with Marie Claire to get the inside scoop on upcoming it styles - they are forecasting black & white to be the rage. To help a lucky person update their wardrobe for this Fall’s must-have recommendation, Freshpair & Marie Claire are offering the chance to win a complete black and white underwear wardrobe.

Free stuff rocks. Check it out!

Make Mom happy by joining in the festivities. We’re celebrating National Underwear Day all month with special offers and exclusive contests from your favorite brands!

In order to let the fun giveaways reach beyond the borders of Times Square, we are taking National Underwear Day to where its home began—on the web. It’s the call of our national following that prompted Freshpair President Michael Kleinmann to expand the reach of National Underwear Day.

So this year the festivities are not just one day, but one month long! National Underwear Day is officially August 5th, but the fun times, stories, and giveaways are even longer. A whole cornucopia of promotions is being rolled out on the website in honor of this special occasion!

With the theme of a Fun Fair or Carnival, we’re bringing you “The Greatest Deals on Earth”. Promotions ranging from a complimentary Stila Lipgloss with your Spanx purchases, to a Free Lingerie bag along with purchasing Body Wrap’s shapewear, and Complimentary Lingerie Wash with every Chantelle purchase. That doesn’t even count all the 10- 25% discounts on a lot of our most popular brands!

All of the promos above are no strings attached, all you have to do is shop! But for the less faint of heart, for those willing to go the extra mile to prove their fearlessness there are a couple of big prizes to be won! Be warned, the faint of heart should not proceed…

For the truly daring, Freshpair invites you to send in a video of why you think you need an underwear makeover. Ladies, this may be the time to pin down your man in his worn tighty whities and plead for mercy. Only the most deserving of entries shall win and the show should most definitely prove interesting! Get your camera and start rolling! Click here to submit your video or check out other entries, and enter to win an underwear makeover from Freshpair!

For those of you who have a way with words, Calvin Klein invites you to profess your love to everything and anything Calvin Klein. Dandies, dreamers, seducers, lovers, and players are all invited to join in the fun. We’ve heard it all before, but don’t mind hearing it again. However, only the most loyal and loving to Calvin Klein will receive a $250 Calvin Klein wardrobe. Don’t despair, a lucky two who were close to the prize will each receive a $100 wardrobe as well. So enter now and tell us why you love Calvin Klein underwear!

Want to show yourself off in your favorite pair but too shy to take a video of yourself? Then, this contest is definitely one you don’t want to pass up. Take a picture of you in your favorite Diesel’s and you could win a trip for two to Miami! You and a lucky guest will get a free trip to Miami to attend the Diesel :U: Music Event. So grab a camera, get into your favorite pair of Diesel’s and snap away! Click here to submit your picture and enter to win a trip for two to Miami from Diesel.

Want to win a pair of Natori Underneath Panties? Do you have an email address? Well that’s all you need to enter Natori’s Panty-A-Day-Giveaway! Everyday for the entire month of August, Natori will select one lucky entry to win a pair of Natori Underneath Panties. If you don’t win today, there’s always tomorrow! Enter now to win your free pair of Natori Underneath Panties!

Do you have a 2(x)ist t-shirt you love and wear all the time? Wish you could tell the world how great your favorite pair of 2(x)ist underwear are? Well now is your chance to do just that and win an underwear wardrobe from 2(x)ist! Select any 2(x)ist product, submit a verified review anytime during the entire month of August, and that’s it! You’ll be automatically entered to win a $400 2(x)ist underwear wardrobe and a personalized poster. It doesn’t get any easier than this - start writing those reviews!

Winning a Wacoal wardrobe couldn’t be any easier! This contest from Wacoal gets even better, not only is the prize worth $400, your wardrobe is specially chosen for you by Wacoal’s very own National Fit Expert, Liz Smith. All you have to do is submit at least one verified Wacoal product review anytime during the entire month of August to be automatically entered. Don’t miss out, start writing those reviews for any Wacoal product here! Just make sure to enter your email address after you’ve written the review to become a verified reviewer.

So what are you waiting for? Start celebrating National Underwear Day with Freshpair and enter to win some great prizes and save some serious cash!

Dear Layla,

Desperately Seeking Shaping

Dear Desperate,

As you may know there is no miracle fix, but today’s shapewear has a lot of options for creating a more toned appearance. It won’t give you biceps where there aren’t any, it won’t create a washboard stomach, and it won’t turn your thighs into that of a supermodel, but if you’re realistic and you’re looking for a smoother cleaner shape you can find items that give you that. There is also your comfort level to keep in mind, because as with any clothing that restricts or controls (which is what shapewear does, duh!) you will have a certain level of discomfort. If you need to loose a couple of inches then you will need firmer control shapewear and that will definitely suck you in, which is usually a little bit of a wrestle to get on.

Since you didn’t specify what area’s you want to tone up, I thought I’d give them all a shot!

Tummy:

Plus Size Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise Panty 141 by Spanx If you’re going for tummy shaping just make sure that the shaping extends up to your ribs like on this Spanx style below. That way you don’t get any unsightly rolls where it ends. It also extends below the waist unlike some of those “cincher” styles, which eliminates any “muffin” effect in the back as well!

Inner/Outer Thighs:

	Hide and Sleek Mid-Thigh Smoother 064 by Spanx It’s no surprise that yet again here is another Spanx product that you might want if you want thigh control, their focus is on shaping and toning without the fuss of a gym, so take advantage of these with slacks to work, jeans out to play, and skirts that hit close to the knee.
	Get in Shape Long Leg Brief 805123 by Wacoal This style by Wacoal has the goods to keep your inner/outer thighs in control while also providing a control panel for your lower stomach.

Booty:

A lot of the thigh shaping styles will also give your behind a really great shape, so think of those as double duty, but as an example of great shaping specific to the behind check oout this style from Spanx:

Slim Cognito Shaping Mid-Thigh Bodysuit 067 by Spanx I love the back shaping of this style by Spanx. It also has a really great feature in the front which allows it to attach to any bra in your wardrobe, this also makes it an MVP since it not only shapes your thighs, tummy, and rear, but it also gets along with everything else in your wardrobe as well!

Back:

	Got Your Back Shaping Tank Top 4246 by Barely There This high backed style by Barely There is the type of style you should look for if you have back fat or even just some rolls that you want to smooth out. You don’t get a fabulous curvaceous figure without some bumps here and there, and if you’ve seen anything different in the fashion magazines it’s been retouched!
	Torso Trim with Underwire UTT07 by Sassybax This Sassybax style also has a pretty generous back that will give you a nice smooth appearance under clothes. Keep in mind if you want firmer control you need to consult the sizing recommendations because these will suck you in!

Arms:

Capilene 2 V-Neck Long Sleeve 44831 by Patagonia This is a tough one; I had to mention it because there really isn’t anything in the shapewear department. Here I would look into some workout styles, or in this case some long sleeve T’s layered can eliminate the appearance of loose skin under the arms. I like this simple V-neck style by Patagonia.

Legs/calves:

	Footless Bodyshaping Pantyhose with Super Control 034 by Spanx These super control leg shaping leggings from Spanx will give you fabulous legs without all the miles of running. Make sure if you’re wearing these under slacks to get a color that will not show through, so nude to match your skin. Black might even be a great option instead of a regular legging during the day, just make sure your tunic is mid thigh length or longer if you decide to wear it that way!
	High Waist All The Way Up Full Length Pantyhose 131 by Spanx Some other styles from Spanx but this time with coverage all the way up to your bra line!
	Under the Heel Tight-End Tights 039 by Spanx This one is perfect pair to a dress, tunic length tops, and as a replacement for those everyday tights that don’t do anything to shape your figure!

The MVP all stars of Shapewear

	Hide and Sleek Hi-Rise Smoother 096 by Spanx This style from Spanx can be called the MVP of shapewear… it will tighten thighs, tone your buttocks, and tame your tummy! A real wardrobe staple, you could wear this with outfits for work, jeans and sweaters out, or under an evening dress. You might need to buy more than one!
	Body Accent Long Leg Brief 80501 by Wacoal You can see the shaping on this style by Wacoal! See the different textures that point out areas that have different levels of control, these will mold your body into the perfect silhouette! Thighs, tummy, and behind all in line, this style definitely warrants an MVP mark.
	Full Figure Underwire Shaping Camisole 45630 by Body Wrap Another MVP style, this time from Body Wrap, this one is an all in one solution, bra/waist/thigh slimmer. It eliminates the gap between your bra and your shapewear and keeps it all in line. The difficulty in fitting a piece like this is getting the proper cup size and also body shape all in one. If you want an allover solution with no seams in between, this is your best bet!

I hope you find the trouble spot you are looking to tame and that you will hopefully find some great toning solutions from this!

xo,
Layla