How To Build A Capsule Lingerie And Shapewear Collection

By Kelly Castillo & Trish Pham

A refined collection of lingerie and shapewear may be much more important than you think. Although this section of your wardrobe is normally “invisible”, it’s the foundation of a great outfit and the building blocks of the perfect capsule wardrobe. If you missed the first part of our Capsule Wardrobe series, you can check it out here where we give you valuable tips for the perfect closet clean out.

If you’re looking for a breakdown of all the lingerie and shapewear pieces you need in your closet, then keep on reading below!

Lingerie

A Supportive Bralette (Wireless/Unlined)

When we say “bralette”, you’re probably thinking of the cute, lacey kinds that offer almost little to no support. As pretty as these pieces are, they often don’t offer the support or coverage you need for it to be considered an essential part of your wardrobe. A supportive bralette is going to be lightly padded, seamless, and wireless that is going to give all bust sizes the perfect amount of coverage and support to be worn everyday. Don’t be fooled by the price, some of the recommendations below are highly-reviewed customer favorites.

Hanes Women’s Oh So Light Comfort Wire Free Bra

$7.98 – SHOP

Hanes Women’s Convertible Seamless Wire Free Bra

$10.50 and up – SHOP

True Body V Neck Bra

$49 – SHOP

T-Shirt Bra (Contour Bra)

Contour bras normally have supportive underwires and padding for a comfortable and flattering fit, especially under a tight t-shirt. These bras are smooth, breathable, and some of them even come with convertible straps. We recommend owning a few of these in different colors (nude, black, white) in full-coverage, demi coverage, and different strap options if you feel it’s necessary.

SPANX Women’s Bra-Llelujah Full Coverage Bra

$40.80 and up – SHOP

Hanes Women’s Ultimate T-Shirt Soft Foam Underwire

$20 and up – SHOP

Natori Women’s Pure Luxe Custom-Coverage Contour Bra

$72 – SHOP

Perfectly Fit Lightly Lined Wirefree Contour Bra

$22 and up – SHOP

Strapless and Backless Bras

Finding a supportive strapless bra may be a bit tricky but we have some great recommendations for you. If you find yourself wearing pieces with unique necklines or sleeveless cuts, strapless and backless bras are absolutely essentials. You’ll want a piece that’s going to provide you with support and stay all day. How annoying is it to have to adjust your bra and lift it up throughout the day to stop it from slipping? Look for a piece with a strong and secure band and a smooth surface like these recommendations below:

Wacoal Women’s Red Carpet Strapless Full Busted Underwire Bra

$44 and up – SHOP

The Flex Underwire Strapless Bra

$40 – SHOP

Aerie Real Sunnie Strapless Lightly Lined Bra

$26.97 – SHOP

Maidenform Women’s Smooth Strapless Extra Coverage

$22 and up – SHOP

NuBra Seamless Adhesive Bra

$35 and up – SHOP

Fine Lines Women’s New Refined Plunge Bustier Bra

$39 and up – SHOP

Push-Up Bra

For some va-va voom, you’ll need a comfortable push-up bra. This might not be an essential for you if you don’t find yourself preferring this kind of look but if you need a little lift when you’re wearing a lower cut top, a push-up bra will help you achieve the look you want. You can also find push-up bras in strapless styles, wireless, thick straps, and just about every style of bra so whatever makes you feel the most confident and comfortable will be essential! Here are our favorites:

Aerie Real Sunnie Wireless Push Up Bra

$29.97 – SHOP

Maidenform Women’s Ultimate Embellished Push Up Bra

$14 and up – SHOP

The All-Day No-Wire Push-Up

$35 – SHOP

Deyllo Women’s Push Up Lace Bra

$21 and up – SHOP

Classic Brief

To start, you’ll need a classic brief. This would be the equivalent of a supportive bralette in your underwear collection. You’ll need a brief in a bikini cut which will be great for every casual wear, and high-waist cut which will give you a bit of smoothing under your garments. The classic brief will offer more coverage than a cheeky underwear, and they’re just so comfortable.

Natori Bliss Cotton Girl Briefs

$20 – SHOP

High-Waist Brief

$38 – SHOP

Bikini Brief

$28 – SHOP

The High-Rise Hipster

$12 – SHOP

Wacoal Bodysuede Lace Trim High Cut Briefs

$19 – SHOP

No-Show

We’re going to group the no-shows with thongs. A no-show panty will offer more support than a thong while giving you a seamless look. We recommend choosing a no-show panty in an ultrasmooth microfiber fabrication (no lace here) for a truly invisible look. Whether you prefer this in a cheeky cut or a brief cut, it’s really up to you and what works best with the garments you wear!

Commando Bikini

$28 – SHOP

5-Pack No-Show Thongs

$30 – SHOP

Commando Low-Rise Thong

$22 – SHOP

Hanky Panky Low Rise Cotton Thong 3 Pack

$60 – SHOP

Parade High-Rise Thong

$10 – SHOP

Shapewear

shapewear

Nude Spandex Briefs or Shorts

These are great for under white skirts and dresses and pretty universal. Gives you extra coverage and usually a little tummy control and a smoother overall look (also helps if your outfit is bodycon and you have cellulite or anything you want to mask). This is THE thing for skinny white jeans- smooth coverage and still sucks everything in. We recommend choosing one in a longer brief cut to smooth the thighs and for extra coverage under dresses.

Assets by Spanx Women’s All Around Smoother Brief

$14 – SHOP

Everyday Shaping Panties Boyshort

$22 – SHOP

Undie-tectable® Brief

$24 – SHOP

Leonisa Women’s Light Control Mesh-Panel Brief

$25 – SHOP

Thinstincts® Girl Short

$52 – SHOP

Shapewear Bodysuit

Often in shorts form — this is an all in one, perfect under jumpsuits, bodycon maxi dresses, anything form fitting. Many women prefer the shorts style slips because they prevent your legs from rubbing together in the dreaded chub rub. Plus these slim everything at once- It’s a one and done. If I’m going out to try on dresses or evening wear, I always wear a strapless bodysuit so I can try things on easily and not worry about modesty or anything in front of the seamstress getting alterations done.