Gransnet forums

Style & beauty

Matching sets of lingerie

(120 Posts)
CanadianGran Thu 24-Oct-19 04:40:55

I follow a fashion blog authored by a middle aged woman, and the topic came up regarding a new line of bras that she had heard were comfortable, but she hadn't tried them because they did not offer matching panties. She only wore matching sets.

Not being of the matching set crowd, this made me curious.

What ratio of bras to panties would one purchase? I don't wash my bra with every wear, so one would either need many sets to make it through the week, or purchase 1 bra to every 5 panties. Is this what is done?

What if you are wearing light trousers and a dark top? Do you break rank?

What about cost? I know I pay quite a bit for a nice bra, but the matching panties tend to be extraordinarily expensive.

I have a few favourite bras, and do my best to colour match with my fav cotton undies. You may, however, find me unmatched if I end up hit by a bus and end up in the hospital.

Thoughts?

maryhoffman37 Fri 25-Oct-19 09:57:21

Good heavens - Gransnet is an eye opener sometimes!

Lewie Fri 25-Oct-19 09:39:38

calendargirl That made me chuckle!

Marmight Fri 25-Oct-19 09:02:00

Good grief. Life is too short although I do have various coloured bras to blend in with strappy tops in summer. Nothing worse than white straps with a coloured top or vv. I can be wearing a blue bra with aubergine pants or whatever happens to be next on the pile in the drawer. They come from Oz in 2 pack colours, the most comfortable ones I’ve ever found. Very occasionally I do match black with black, but I do wear a lot of black.

Marydoll Fri 25-Oct-19 08:50:54

Marks and Spencer have a Lingerie heading on their website. Are you saying they are old fashioned, Monica ?wink

M0nica Fri 25-Oct-19 08:41:05

A bit late in the thread but I notice OP talks of 'lingerie', we all talk of underwear. I think the term 'lingerie' is only used nowadays to describe departments in the more old-fashioned department stores (where they still exist)

Marydoll Fri 25-Oct-19 08:08:36

When I was still working, I even matched my underwear to my outfit. blush.My colleagues used to check my bra strap to see if everything matched.

Nowadays, I just want to be comfortable! grin

Urmstongran Fri 25-Oct-19 08:01:05

Matching, mostly. Not always though.

I love that Anthea Turner ties her sets together! That’s the sort of random piece of info that will lodge in my mind FOREVER now!

And crystaltipps whoever I see your posts on the political threads I shall always think ‘that’s the lady wot makes her own (gorgeous) knickers!’

Purplepoppies Fri 25-Oct-19 07:41:15

Since I started dating again my underwear drawer is fit to burst with beautiful things ?.
I still have my every day undies (I definitely don't have panties, yuck ?) but I now own a lot of mix and match underwear. I rarely buy it together, but I always seem to be able to buy knickers that are similar enough to match up.
I am in awe of the ladies making their own!! I need industrial bras (blooming expensive to buy something nice in my size) so making my own would be amazing!!!

mcem Fri 25-Oct-19 07:39:52

As it if!

mcem Fri 25-Oct-19 07:39:02

As to why - well why not?
Very little faff involved in buying matching colours . Just pick up the bra and 2 pairs of knickers - no more complicated than a pack of 5!
Each set is worn, washed and put away together so where's the problem?
I do agree about vpl but find that's less of a problem than it was as more manufacturers take it into account.
It's almost as it anything other than plain white is faintly immoral!

essjay Fri 25-Oct-19 07:19:10

Same as BlueBelle, whatever comes out of the clean drawer, my bras are either black or white and my undies come in array of colours

janeainsworth Thu 24-Oct-19 21:11:34

Bra:knickers ratio 1:1 ie. clean bra, knickers and socks or tights every day.
Mainly matching sets though I do have some ultra-lightweight, fast-drying knickers from Rohan for travelling, and maximum support sports bras for tennis.

glammagran Thu 24-Oct-19 20:51:50

GrannyGravy I am exactly the same as you. All my underwear comes from M&S and always has. However, I am furious they now do 4 for the price of 3 on matching pants. It’s been 3 for 2 for years. 3 days for a bra is long enough - I don’t want to wear one for 4 days before washing.

CanadianGran Thu 24-Oct-19 19:12:15

How interesting this all is! I'm glad I started the conversation. With my time difference here I have just caught up with reading the replies.

Panties here is common usage and has no connotation to anything sordid.

Kudos to those who can sew their own; I'm impressed. Also I would love a glimpse into some of your dresser drawers for those who are so organized an colour coded!

I tend toward colour matching the very basic beige, pale pink and black. I love Triumph bras but the matching bottoms are too expensive for me, so I will colour match my favourite Jockeys. I buy them in a set of 3. No lace knickers (don't want to offend) for me! Too itchy.

I also don't have any white. I find it stands out too much under pale clothing, so very pale pink is my new-found basic. Even under pale tops it is close enough to my skin tone to look pretty but not show through.

Gma29 Thu 24-Oct-19 18:47:02

I prefer matching, but it’s frustrating that so often the knickers that co-ordinate with the bra don’t have a smooth outline under trousers. Especially the prettier ‘sets’.

I’m far more bothered about my underwear being invisible under clothes than it matching - I hate to see a really obvious ‘knicker line’.

Caro57 Thu 24-Oct-19 18:42:41

Pretty much all flesh coloured and my bras, under wired, are always washed separately by hand and dry in my shower cubicle. Gone are the days of lace and frills- not sure if I’m bothered or not

phoenix Thu 24-Oct-19 18:36:17

DanniRae so glad it's not only me that doesn't like the word "p*nti*s!

Always sounds sort of pervy!

Nannarose Thu 24-Oct-19 18:13:00

Very interesting - an thank you Crystaltipps for the photo!
The thing about 'making your own' in almost anything is whether you enjoy it, and it's worthwhile. I have never tried to make a bra, I doubt it would be worthwhile.
But knickers - I tend to buy lovely remnants, and for about an hour's time and less than £5 I can have comfy, pretty knickers that would cost £25 or more.
Like Mrsdof, I buy very nice bras when on sale, as I know I can 'match' them. I recently got a beautiful Empreinte bra reduced from £70 to £20, and made some knickers to make a nice 'set'.
I quite understand those who think it all a waste of time - I'm sure I think the same about some things that give them pleasure!

Daddima Thu 24-Oct-19 18:06:43

Everything white for me ( except for my one black bra and matching knickers!)

Mrsdof Thu 24-Oct-19 17:36:19

I love wearing matching undies, makes me feel good about myself. I buy 2 pairs of knickers for every bra and love all the bright colours and floral ones. I generally buy them from Bravissimo and usually get them when they have a sale on, so not too expensive.

M0nica Thu 24-Oct-19 17:01:01

Luckygirl Why not?

I lik pretty underwear. I like knowing that I am wearing it, when I see the pretty patterns and colours in the drawer, they are balm to the mind.

Norah Thu 24-Oct-19 16:44:20

Matching

newnanny Thu 24-Oct-19 16:32:38

I buy bras in white, black and nude colours and pants in the same colours. They are not matching sets though just plain cotton pants with lace trim. I do have one matching set but tbh I have put on a few pounds and it looks a bit tight.

Luckygirl Thu 24-Oct-19 16:31:31

mcem - I am intrigued by your undies drawer - mine contains a sort of knicker casserole!

Luckygirl Thu 24-Oct-19 16:30:38

Matching sets!!! Wow!

Why? - just why?!!! smile