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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: Get Snug, Get Smooth
Hernandez says the band in the back of your bra should fit "snug and stationed in place below the shoulder blades and parallel to the floor." She guarantees that securing the back band of your bra just like this should solve most of the issue.

However, if you've still got problem areas, the expert recommends looking into shapewear camisoles and slips such as the Commando Classic Control V-Tank, Spanx Trust Your Thinstincts Tank Full Slip and Yummie Tummie Lena Tank. "Opt for light to medium support for a nice subtle smooth-out and for everyday comfort," she says.

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No. 2: Uniboob
Unibrows, uniboobs... there's just something off-putting about a two-piece body part that only looks like one. When it comes to the reviled uniboob, Susan Nethero -- founder of upscale lingerie boutique, Intimacy Bra Fit Stylists -- says there are a few clear causes.

The first? Minimizer bras. "These bras are commonly worn by women with larger breasts," says Nethero, with the hopes that they'll downplay large cup sizes. The problem is that minimizer bras "actually bind and compress breast tissue, resulting in a loss of firmness." In other words, you're left with a completely unsupported look.

Seamless t-shirt bras can also be unexpected perpetrators. "Seamless bras are comfortable and look great under your tight tops," says Nethero, "but wearing them daily is a bad idea. They don't keep their shape as long as seamed bras do, which can also result in the uniboob look."

Wearing sports bras on the daily, though comfortable, can have the same unfortunate effect.

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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.

BY AMANDA MONTELL | MAY 25, 2016 | SHARES
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