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7 Underwear Mistakes You Don't Know You're Making

Recover from all your under-the-surface woes with this lesson in bras, panties and shapewear
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The Fix: Lift and Separate
To stave off the uniboob forever, Nethero advises voluptuous women to "stick with bras that lift and center the bust line." These will help you "appear taller, smaller-breasted and even pounds slimmer." She recommends the Madison Full Cup Bra by Prima Donna for larger busts. For average busts, Marie Jo's Avero bra should do the trick.

Whether you're interested in downplaying your cup size or not, Nethero also says to "give your girls the support they need with a seamed bra, and avoid wearing your t-shirt bras daily, so they'll keep their shape."

Need a sports bra? Go for one that that offers shape and support, like the Anita Sports Bra Light & Firm or Panache Sports Bra.

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No. 3: Saggy Breasts
Here's a problem that needs no introduction. Though with the right bra fit, gravity should be no match for your well-supported bust.

For saggy breasts, a loose back band is once again the typical culprit. "The back band of your bra provides 90 percent of the support, so the ideal fit should be firm yet comfortable," says Nethero. "When your band is too loose, the back of the bra rises up, causing breasts to sag." Sound familiar?

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The Fix: Bring in the Backup
"Lifting the bustline will instantly make every woman look more proportionate, taller and slimmer," explains Nethero. How do we achieve this, you ask?

Our guru says that a good bra "should lift the breasts to midway between the elbow and shoulder. The bra support from the straps should be only 10 percent." The rest of the support should come from the back band. On that note, Hernandez suggests trying a band size smaller and a cup size bigger than you're used to.

Ideally, breasts should be positioned "inside the body frame and centered on your chest wall," Nethero says. For the best shape and definition, there should be a 1-inch space between them. Sound complicated? Take a field trip to your nearest lingerie shop for a complimentary bra fitting, and ask your stylist to walk you through.

In the meantime, recommended sag-fighting bras include the Freya Gem bra, Panache Porcelain bra and Chantelle Merci 2-Part Cup Underwire Bra.

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No. 4: Muffin Top
Here's another issue that comes up not because there's something wrong with your body, but because your ill-fitting undies are doing you zero justice.

"Unwanted bulges occur when panties fit too small," says Hernandez. "There isn't a universal sizing system for brands. It's almost impossible to grab your size and go without trying it on first. I've seen mediums that fit like extra smalls." Try to squeeze into a too-tight pair, even if they're marked your size, and you'll be rewarded with copious muffin top.

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The Fix: Size It Up
To combat muffin top, hit the dressing room when you go underwear shopping. "Slide a pair of panties over the pair you're already wearing for sanitation/hygiene purposes. And remember to fit your body, not the number or size on the tag," says Hernandez.

Translation: Don't be afraid to go a size up. It doesn't mean you've gained weight or need to panic -- it simply means that brand's sizing system is different.

If you want to eliminate any hint of muffin top while wearing something very fitted, celebrity stylist James Cornwell recommends investing in a pair of Spanx Power Panties.

"They really contour the love handles, while controlling the tummy and thighs at the same time," says the stylist, whose client list includes the likes of Jessica Alba and Patricia Arquette. On that note, Cornwell also cautions against buying a too-tight pair of Spanx. "I think people tend to make that mistake because they think they really need to squeeze in the love handles, squeeze in the tummy, but that's not going to work. You're not going to get a better shape." The moral of the story? Smaller underwear does not equal better underwear.

BY AMANDA MONTELL | MAY 25, 2016 | SHARES
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