Vanity Fair  Panties

It may be hard to see the humble panty as a technological innovation, but modern panties are a far cry from the confining girdles or simple step-ins of even a few years ago. Today's panties can give narrow pencil skirts and slacks a smoother fit, rein in hips and bellies, and eliminate visible panty lines without tight elastic or binding lace. New fabrics, stretch laces, and innovative styles go with practically any fashion no matter how clingy. From active wear to evening wear, the right undergarments improve the fit and function of everything that goes over them.

When choosing panties, pick the right fabric for the occasion. A hard day at the gym might call for a cotton blend that combines the comfort of absorbent cotton with the resilience of spandex. These panties will stay cool, comfortable, and in place through any workout. Micro-fiber panties also hold up well under the stress of exercise, combining a sleek, smooth look with great flexibility. For a night on the town, choose something a little more special in stretch satin or lace in breathable, but stretchy synthetics.

Understanding the broad range of styles that Sears offers can help with picking the right design to go with an outfit. Thongs look seamless under even skin-tight clothing; there isn't enough of this barely-there style to leave a visible line of demarcation under clothes. If a thong feels a little bare under a shorter dress, try a tanga panty. This increasingly popular style combines a thong's smooth look with a little more rear coverage. Another possibility with slinky sweater-dresses and clinging knits is the longline brief that covers the body from the waist to the upper thighs. This design stays slimming and seamless under clothing.

Casual styles go well with bikinis and boy shorts or hipsters, both of which tend to ride low on the hips so they stay invisible under low-rise jeans. These styles also feel cool and comfortable without being too revealing, making them ideal for sleepwear as well as daywear. The classic bikini is narrow enough at the hips to accommodate even the shortest shorts, but this popular style also works with day or evening wear depending on the fabric and cut.

Depending on manufacturer, some panties follow the same sizes as pants; others range from XS to 3X, while still others use the traditional system of panty sizing from 5 to 11. Sears carries all these sizes to fit every shape and every occasion.