Throughout history, women have undergone a ritualistic mode of sartorial tinkering, an often painful process that, like the waist-whittling, organ-smashing Victorian era corsets, hasn’t seemed to have improved much with time. (Gotten an eyeful of those Kardashian-beloved waist trainers recently?) A padded bra may have improved a little since the tissue-stuffed days of ’50s sweater girls, and now there are even insertable silicone enhancers to round out one’s rearview, but at the end of the day you’re still writing checks that, quite literally, your ass can’t cash. Let’s shift gears. The first step? Follow the classic quote: Shake what your mama gave you. In other words, why not dress for your assets as they naturally exist, and not contort them into being bigger or smaller for someone else? “You should start investing in pieces that complement you,” says Vogue.com Market Editor Chelsea Zalopany. In other words, toss the triple-stuffed push-up bra and invest in pieces that will accent the beauty of your own silhouette.
First of all, whether you are an apple, pear, ruler, or whatever shape: Shell out for some nice lingerie. Pretty underpinnings have the power of elevating your mood and your outfit—even if no one else can (or will) see them. There’s also the cheek-skimming bracket—in the form of abbreviated sporty short shorts or a silky romper that sails across the upper thigh—for the leggy and proud. But the one thing you need, no matter the cup size? A simple T-shirt is the classic, no-fail, sexy go-to that suits any shape or size—and that proves your confidence is truly the sexiest thing about you.
