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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: 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.

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No. 5: Camel Toe
We've all seen it. Maybe we've even had nightmares about it. The unspeakable frontal wedgie. What could be the cause of this catastrophe? As it turns out, the answer is simple: Too little coverage.

According to Cornwell, it can actually be a good idea to go commando or wear a barely there G-string when you'll be donning a fitted dress that would show panty lines no matter what. But in tight jeans and leggings, skimping on underwear altogether is a bad move. "You won't get enough support in the back or coverage in the front," says Cornwell. That's when you run the risk of the calamitous camel toe.

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The Fix: A Little Goes a Long Way
"If you're worried about panty lines showing through leggings or tight jeans, don't go commando," advises Cornwell. Instead, choose a seamless low-rise panty, like the Commando Cotton Low Rise Bikini.

Low-rise panties are also great for preventing your underwear from riding up above the waistline -- you know, that awful thing that happens when you inevitably end up flashing everyone in the room each time you bend over or reach across the table?

Hernandez's favorite low-rise options include the Cosabella Trenta Lowrider Thong and the Hanky Panky Signature Lace Low Rise Thong.

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No. 6: Panty Lines
Likely the most common underwear problem, panty lines happen to the best of us. "Panties trimmed in elastic create the worst panty line," says Hernandez, "They're the worst bulge offenders too."

Bras can create their own versions of panty lines. Celebrity stylist Samantha Brown (of OkMyOutfit) says these obvious lines are caused by wearing bras that are "lacey, embellished or with heavy seaming" under thin and lightweight fabrics.

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The Fix: Go Seamless
Seamless underwear lies flat against the skin, and is typically made from soft, stretchy fabric, sometimes trimmed with lace. Seamless panties range from cheeky cuts to full coverage. Hernandez's favorite seamless picks include Calvin Klein's Invisibles Hipster and Commando's Better Than Nothing classic bikinis, girl shorts and thongs. "With all the seamless options out there, panties with elastic should be extinct," she says.

Brown adds that the Spanx Oh My Posh! High-Waisted Thong is a great seamless option if "you're looking for tummy control but want to avoid full coverage."

For reducing bra lines under light tops, Brown recommends the Spanx Bra-llelujah Soft Touch Underwire Bra. "It's seamless with a smooth back and thick straps that won't dig in," she says. "It isn't sexy but it does the trick!"

BY AMANDA MONTELL | MAY 25, 2016 | SHARES
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