Shape up in Seconds with Spanx, Sassybax, Flexees, and Body Wrap!

Valentine’s day is over, and if you have or haven’t nailed down that significant other, date night still leaves you struggling to figure out what to wear that flatters your figure (maybe there are a couple of Christmas pounds still lingering into the New Year despite your resolutions). On a romantic evening champagne will be flowing, chocolate covered strawberries awaiting, and the last thing you want is to disrobe and look less than stunning.

Thank today’s shapewear, it will save you and suck you in for that special evening. Even if you plan on slipping into something sexy for the second half of the evening you don’t want to be checking your gut throughout the decadent dinner you are most likely to be enjoying!

For a knee length dress or longer, for a skintight sweater and jeans I suggest something that smooths from chest to thighs leaving no rolls or bumps in between.

This Spanx Hide-and-Sleek Smoother is an overall great choice, for shaping the tummy and legs together.

For a short dress in the winter months you can get away with wearing leggings and what better than to show off those legs with Sassybax’s leggings.

These shamefully sexy leggings that shape, sculpt and define what you already have will ensure he remembers all the things he has to be thankful for!

If you want something under your dress that looks just as good when revealed, check out this super sexy slip from Flexees. With the right lighting, it could pass as a sexy cocktail number!

Wear this with some sexy hosiery and a slinky dress and you’ll stun him from the dining table to the after dinner fun you’re sure to incite!

If you’re enjoying a more laid back date, nothing could help you pull it off better than shapewear in the guise of a pretty lacy cami!

Try Spanx’s sleek V-neck with lace cami and you can get extra versatility if you switch it up and wear it with a suit or jeans!

It’s been a long time since the 80’s but I say bodysuits need to make a comeback even if just in the bedroom. How sexy is this thong bodysuit from Body Wrap?

It’s sexy coming and going and I can’t imagine what guy wouldn’t see shades of Flashdance when you flash your derrière.

Dim the lights, pour some bubbly into heart shaped glasses, toss red rose petals across the bed, and hang a few g-strings from the lampshade. Enter significant other who finds you nibbling on chocolate covered strawberries, wearing nothing but candy hearts … cue ‘Everything I Do’ by Bryan Adams.

Remind you of last Valentine’s Day? Well I have no idea what gets you in the mood, and now you know what does it for me, but I thought it would be a great idea to pry into the life of some of our worker bees at Freshpair and find out just what gets their hearts pumping.

Meet the Fantastic Four:

	We all know Layla, our resident fit specialist. Also a lingerie designer, Layla sees herself as an entrepreneur, an artist, and an OCD nerd.
	Who could forget, Justin, writing posts from a guy’s point of view. This underwear-topic aficionado enjoys art, yoga, and Bloody Marys. His favorite holiday is Christmas and his favorite color is blue.
	Now meet Jess, a copywriter here at Freshpair. Don’t expect to find Jess anywhere in the city on weekends in the winter. She loves to spend her time snowboarding somewhere, anywhere, just not near the city. Her summer days are spent cruisin’ with friends looking for the best outdoor brunch spots and bars with gardens.
	And finally, I’d like to introduce Carlo. Carlo works in the Marketing Department at Freshpair. He’s currently amusing himself playing basketball, trying to learn Russian, and listening to The Hood Internet. Carlo hopes his girlfriend doesn’t read his posts.

Why not? Well let’s read on and find out…

Me: What do you like to see your guy/girl wear everyday, i.e. around the house, in bed, watching tv?

Layla:
If my apartment weren’t a bazillion degrees all year round (overheating in the winter, too hot in the NYC summers), I would love if my boyfriend wore dark plaid slouchy pjs with a tight fitting white tee! I love that look, it makes me think “classic man”.

Justin:
For around the house I’ve never been one to encourage hanging out in pajama pants and slippers all day. Sunday is a holy day for many, and I like to celebrate by going to yoga (i.e. gay church) with my significant other. After showering, if he can’t be bothered to get dressed again, I let him slide. He’s earned some lounge time. For me, boxer-briefs are kind of like shorts, but tighter! I recommend the C-IN2 Lo No Show Army Trunk. I like the Blue Night color because it’s casual and good for everyday exposure. Matched with a nice white t-shirt and you’re set!

Jess:
I’m a big fan of boy shorts on girls and a little color is always nice.

Carlo
She has a thing for my v-neck t-shirts, so I bought her some in her size (though she still steals mine) – she wears those over a pair of Free People boy shorts. It’s cute, but not scandalous (after all, you probably shouldn’t have scandal all day long). Also, she steals my ADAM Henleys for lounging around on winter Sundays.

Me: When it’s time to set the mood, what do you put on to attract your mate?

Layla:
Well, it doesn’t take much, but I love lace, so really I wear lace to put me in the mood. I think underwear or not he’s sort of always in the mood!

Justin:
To get the person currently in my bed, or on my couch, or in my kitchen, excited I’m a big Calvin Klein fan. I find them comfortable, they have great fabrics, and are very sexy, especially in white. The Steel series is sort of amazing. In addition to underwear, I think that chest hair is sexy, so I like to wear something low cut, just so that you can see some skin! DKNY feels like a second skin and is very flattering, no matter what you’re working with.

Jess:
Luckily, she also likes boy shorts on women. But the way to make boy shorts hot is to go for something a little revealing.

Carlo:
Calvin Klein Pro Stretch trunks tend to encourage youthful folly, jubilation and hijinx.

Me: What does your mate wear to attract you? What really gets your motor running?

Layla:
So funny! He’s gonna hate me but I made him buy a pair of Calvin Klein Steel Boyshorts. I love the way they are booty hugging and really have a great sexy shape… he humors me!

Justin:
I’m single, so unfortunately I don’t have the luxury of a partner who knows what I like, so when I meet someone I’m kind of gambling. I can usually tell if he’s going to have nice underwear by his shoes; they always tell a lot about taste and what a person is into. For example: high top vintage Nike’s on a gay man: colorful briefs. Track shoes, loafers or lace ups: boxer briefs. For me, I’m into light-colored briefs in solid colors.

Jess:
Ok, so this is kind-of odd, but she loves to prance around in this leopard print chemise and there’s something about that animal print that just gets me all excited!

Carlo:
Pirate chic, is that a style? I love vintage styles. Not the rib-breaking corset kind (I feel guilty, are you doing that for me?) or the pointed-cup bra kind (I feel terrified, are you doing that for me!?!), so “vintage-inspired” is probably a better description. Chantelle and Wacoal Luxe are my current favorites.

Me: Working with underwear is a daily dose, do you have any underwear pet peeves? It could be on others or yourself…

Layla:
I hate underwear that rides up, bras or panties, I just hate seeing it through clothing when the whole point is that it not be seen!

Justin:
I don’t consider myself too judgemental when it comes to underwear; I mean they’re just going to come off anyway! However, there are always those times when you just kind of cringe at the sight of guys’ thinking that little kids underwear is cute. Like those Christmas boxers with the snowmen from a grandmother, or Power Ranger underwear or underwear with fire trucks or race cars or puppies on them. Not cute. Period.

Jess:
I’m totally totally not into seeing anyone’s underwear on the street. For the ladies that means no thong triangle peeking up out of the jeans. And guys with your rumpled boxers poking out of the top of your pants, pull them up past your mid-thigh and invest in a belt. It’ll help everyone have a nicer day.

Carlo:
Underwear puns. If you must make one, please at least be brief.

Me: What do you think about underwear enhancement, whether it be padding or shaping. Is this cheating?

Layla:
I think whatever makes you look and feel good and that doesn’t interfere with setting the mood. I know some shapewear or pieces can seem cumbersome, but there are some really cute pieces that function out there and it is just a matter of finding something that works.

Justin:
Enhancement is a good thing. We all want to look our best. Buying underwear that is cut to enhance and shape where you want it to is OK, because you’re not really cheating. You’re just working with what you have to the maximum degree without surgery! However, padding is cheating, and it’s a dicey move. Once naked, you are, well, exposed and the truth will prevail!

Jess:
I have one friend who has no butt. And I’m not exaggerating. Literally, it looks like it got shaved off in a horrible accident. When we were younger, she used to wear two pairs of pants to make up for it. But now she wears those butt pad underwear (and yes, she wears the guys pair). I figure, if she’s happier with the way she looks, I’m happy. And it’s not really cheating, because anyone who goes home with her is going to find out anyway. It’s not like she can cheat those right into bed with her.

Carlo:
I don’t know what it feels like to be shaped or padded, but I do know what it’s like to be lifted and have my “profile enhanced” (to get a sense, replace the word “sling” with “noose”). Cheating or not, anyone willing to put themselves through that has already received their punishment.

Me: Does your significant other find it weird that you work in underwear?

Layla:
Can I tell you how many times I have to tell people what I do and cringe inside?! I have to prepare myself for either a gawk eyed sort of reaction or something skeevy. Thank God when I met my boyfriend he really avoided all the normal male reactions which intrigued me. I love that he sees it as a job and a passion, but for me I have realized when you work with models, underwear/bras, and say crotch, breast, and boob on a daily basis you really do become desensitized to things that make most people giggle!

Justin:
Again, I don’t have a significant other so it’s not the first thing that comes out when I meet a new guy. However, if he sticks around long enough to see my underwear drawer, then he starts to ask questions. This usually leads to stealing of my underwear and subsequent breakup.

Jess:
She LOVES it! It means we both have the hottest underwear collections of any of our friends!

Carlo:
She had a tough time accepting it until I explained that while I work in underwear, I’m always fully dressed. I’m not allowed to make bad underwear jokes anymore.

Me: Thank you, everyone! That was great. Now get back to work.

Want to see some suggestions from our distinguished panel on what to get for your significant other?

Well, here’s what Layla suggests getting for your guy:

Diesel Emanuel Flannel Lounge Pant 00C9YRQKN	2xist Pima Cotton Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt 2905	Calvin Klein Steel Cotton Gripper Trunk U2707

Justin thinks these are the best gifts to get your guy:

C-IN2 Blue Night Lo No Show Army Trunk 1823-BLN	Calvin Klein Steel Micro Hip Brief U2715	DKNY 3-Pack Classic Cotton V-Neck T-Shirt 53131

Jess already picked up some of these cute pieces for her girl:

Free People Geo Floral Boyshort F897W307	Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit All Day Lace Boy Short F2861	P.J. Salvage Safari Chemise SAF-CE

And Carlo suggests any of these for your girl:

Wacoal Luxe Amazing Lace Push Up Bra 55847	Chantelle Africa Shorty 2694	ADAM Long Sleeve Henley Shirt ABJS28

This one is for the straight males floating through freshpair.com. I know you’re there! Just a friendly reminder that Valentine’s Day is coming up, and if you’re here you probably already thought of that, and maybe you stopped by looking for some naughty outfit that your girlfriend will look at and then look at you with the “what were you thinking?” look, you know that one.

Well somehow you made your way here and whether you realize it or not, that is the best thing that happened to you today. Today I’m going to try to give you an insight into how your girlfriend’s personality can help you pick the right set for V-day, and not your visceral reaction to how it looks on the girl in the picture!

Think about it, girls want to feel understood, and fashion being the language many speak, it’s the perfect way to show her you get it! Even a girl who is anti-fashion still expresses herself through clothing, we all do. For instance as a guy you think its appropriate to pop your collar or you don’t, it is a very clear line and that’s based on your personality!

Here’s a couple of the “types” your girlfriend might fit into, you’re on your own after this because if you are scratching your head and thinking which is she…well I can’t help you there!

The Young at Heart

If you’re not dating this girl now, you definitely have dated her or met her. She doesn’t want to grow up; she’s into video games or books that take her back. It’s a girl that rocks and parties and no matter what her age has that wild carefree nature about her. Don’t try to tie her down with sophisticated fashion, she’s beyond that. Try PJ Salvage or Paul Frank for that sweet young at heart look.

Here are some of my suggestions:

P.J. Salvage Heart Breaker Nightshirt - HEA-NS	P.J. Salvage Safari Chemise - SAF-CE	P.J. Salvage Smiley Velour Thermal Leggings - SMI-TSK
Paul Frank Maddox Intimate Set 239058039	Paul Frank Michaels Picot Thong 3-Pack 239054055	Paul Frank Monroe Intimate Set 239058041

The Green Queen

Your girlfriend might have been born in the 60’s, she screams flower child and she’s definitely your new age hippie. She loves colors most people don’t wear like olive, purple, and orange in combo. For this free spirit pick things that are out of the box, because she wouldn’t be caught dead in something that fits in with the crowd. Go for fun prints, colors, and maybe a lace and micro combo in colors that look unique. A good brand to look at for her: Free People

Some suggestions for your Green Queen:

Free People Luxe Boho Leopard Chemise F888N990	Free People Animal Print TankF907F953	Free People Striped French Terry Lace Up Short F893L931

The Hipster

You know what hipster means right? You don’t? How do you not know? Come on, hipsters are not hippies, they are “hip”, conscious of fashion and they definitely create their own style with unique mix and match pieces that are nowhere near as earthy or out there as a true hippie, but that definitely not at that worldly feel. Look for pieces that mimic her daily style. If she’s hip try something like yoga or harem pants for around the house paired with a cute cami. ADAM carries a lot of styles that would work great for hipsters out there.

Try any of these for your Hipster gal:

ADAM Traveling-Gym Pant E05S635	ADAM Runners Short EFBPC18	ADAM Three Quarter Sleeve Henley Shirt EBJS27

The Sophisticate

Who knows what colors she wears, maybe she goes with black or pale pink and pearls, but whatever it is she has a signature color (that you can bet is different than all her friends!) She hangs with a crowd that lives and dies by fashion, and they never want to look like they tried, but you can tell she has a style all her own. They tend to lean more towards minimalist in the accessories end it’s a clean pulled together look this girl goes for. If she’s a little bit more feminine than hipster try something sophisticated and clean like On Gossamer or Calvin Klein.

Suggestions for the Sophisticate:

OnGossamer Mesh Bump It Up Push-Up Bra 3201	OnGossamer Lace Low Rise Thong	OnGossamer Biscayne Lace V-Plunge Bra 013401
Calvin Klein Black Steel Hibiscus Hipster D3178-1025	Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit with Lace Push Up Bra F2597	Calvin Klein Essentials with Lace Chemise S1324

The Stepford

She cooks, she bakes, and she wears pearls and cashmere sweaters. She loves all things Martha, but she definitely has a style all her own that reminds you of the good old days you might not even have lived through. She’s attracted to delicate things that remind her of herself, because she makes every effort to be attractive, pulled together, yet delicate herself! Try anything lace, embroidered, and pastel. Elle Macpherson Intimates gets the combination of delicate and feminine right for this queen of the home.

Suggestions for the Stepford:

Elle Macpherson Intimates Sheer Ribbons Underwire Bra E72-328	Elle Macpherson Intimates Dentelle Contour Bra E72-261	Elle Macpherson Intimates Coranto Thong E16-164

The Glamazon

She is hot, she wears skin tight clothing and loves her body although not hard like the athletic is definitely attractive to you, the opposite sex. She’s a modern Marilyn, a flirt and sexy are words that come to mind. She probably likes colors that rev your engine like red and hot pink, and a little bling even if they’re not diamonds always helps make this girl feel at home. Check out anything Wacoal luxe.

Suggestions for the Glamazon

Wacoal Luxe Amazing Lace Underwire Bra	Wacoal Luxe Isnt It Rich Underwire Bra	Wacoal Luxe Isnt It Rich Boy Leg

The Athletic

She is not afraid of a good game, a good beer, or a good workout! She’s still a girl and you know and love this about her, but she can definitely hang with the guys doing whatever. She needs underwear that moves with her, and if you pick right you’ll appreciate eying her physique in them as well, because this girl no doubt has a rocking body! This girl will love Bjorn Borg that will flatter her physique and love of sports, as well as Diesel’s girlfriend friendly boyish style.

Try these styles for the Athlete:

Diesel Fresh and Bright Cotton Stretch Angurimax Thong 00AEEWLWA	Diesel Modal Stretch Sexy Bikini 00AEEJAVE	Bjorn Borg Fun Satin Brief 085-7-2012