I haven't bought new underwear for years, where should I buy from?

[Salmiak]

I want to replace ALL my underwear (bras and knickers), as most of it is disgustingly old.

1. how many bras/knickers do I actually need? At the moment my drawers are overflowing with unbearable threadbare stuff. I have around 15 bras, none of which actually fit me properly so live in 3 sports bras

2. which shop should I buy from? I have recently read very trashy American books in which the female protagonist has an account with Victoria secrets. It made their underwear sound amazing but is it any good irl? I have no idea of my true bra size, but am a large cup so need a lot of supportive structuring.

Get yourself to Bravissimo for a fitting, or follow the advice here to get an idea of your size. Bravissimo sell excellent large cup bras, but there are also numerous good website once you know your size.

Don't tough Victoria's secret with a ten foot barge pole. They are utterly clueless about bra fitting. As are most places tbh!

You can also measure yourself to get a bra size - measure around your rib cage just below your boobs, then around just across your nipples. Then, the hard part is figuring out what type of bra you like. I like balconette with support cup/wire built in. Keeps me from looking saggy. You may have to go to a bra store and try on gizillion different styles. Once you know your size and what style you like - then you can order online from there on out, and that really reduces the hassle.

Knickers, there you'll want to figure out what style you like, too - briefs, hipsters, boy cut, bikini, thong. What fabric? Poly, cotton? Do you like a bit of lace on them? Color? Black to match bra? Trouble is - you won't be able to try them on, so maybe buy inexpensive one of each and give them a day out.

So, about a day devoted to research, then afterwards buying online.

StatisticallyChallenged is correct, Victoria's Secret stuff looks pretty, but it is not well made. So unless you are planning to tear it off a lot - try something sturdier like Bali's?

What type of knickers do you like? need?
I tend to the upholstering kind after x 2 c-sections so buy some from M&S, Sloggis and snag some spanx from TK Maxx.

I'd go to John Lewis. My minimum would be 2 black, 1 white, 1 red, 1 impractical sexy. Then I guess depends on what you wear eg do you need strapless etc.

Thanks for the tips, no idea what kind of bra styles I'd like, anything that lifts them back up to where they belong would be my only criteria.

Knickers - I want ones that match my bra. But as to styles and material I haven't given it any thought really. Not a thong is the only thing on my list. Oh, and I think mainly cotton predominantly but maybe with a bit of lace, etc for decoration

"My minimum would be 2 black, 1 white, 1 red, 1 impractical sexy"

I would have thought that would depend on what you wear over them. My minimum would be 4 flesh coloured and one multi-way (flesh coloured). I wear a lot of white and don't like my bra to be "on show".

I wear a lot of dark brown, green and blue tops - so good point about thinking about colours. Maybe 2 brown, 1nude, 1 green and 1 blue.

All my bras from now on will be impracticably sexy. And they will all match my underwear.

If I was starting from scratch I'd want:

One or two white bras and three or four pairs white knickers
3 black bras and at least 7 pairs of black knickers
One nude bra with 2 pairs of matching knickers
2 pretty bras with matching knickers (M&S Rosie silk ones are perfect for this). Here

I think Remus' list is great, it could maybe be 1 white, 1-2 black (or navy), 1 nude, 1 pretty/fun for a start point: as quality bras for a larger bust will likely be in the 30-40£ range - so buying some now & some on sale

Second the idea to research your styles - bravissimo, HOF/Debenhams/JL for a fitting & try styles. Then get the bra name & look it up online to get a good price (eg last year's colour etc...)

You can save a LOT on lingerie buy buying online/sale time/clearance/20% code etc - figleaves.com has a huge selection esp of DD+ bras (also has outlet, and good january sales if you want to start with a capsule & buy more later - often have 20% off weekends eg today). I have often bought 45£ bras for eg £15-20 at dept store clearance section (charnos, fantasie & freya at HOF recently)

Great brands are fantasie, freya,panache, curvy kate, charnos & bravissimo own label - (last 2 are better priced). I'm juding based on shape & durability (these brands would last me 2-3 years in a rotation, M&S or JL own label generally 1). If you try enough bras on you will work out what you like. Not a huge fan of M&S but some of DD range can be worth a try (esp if not the bras you will wear most)

I think you need 2-3 pairs of undies per bra, the matching underwear seems pricey but depending on the brand can wash & last really well (fantasie elodie look brand new after a year). Otherwise if you are just doing a colour match M&S online has reviews of how they have washed/lasted - useful if you are buying lots at once - and VERY variable

If you have at least 4-5 good bras you can make them last by: never wearing 2 days in a row (elastic needs to 'rest' so leave to air after wearing), getting several wears before washing (its what wears them out), and handwashing + air drying (less tedious if several bras at once which is why good to have lots) - go easy on the fabric conditioner too

Thanks for the brand recommendations pdxs and good point about the January sales which are not too far off. I think I'll buy just 2 or 3 different sets now, see which ones are my favourite and then complete my collection when the sales start.

Also remember if you go for the figleaves option, you can buy figleaves vouchers for half of their value from tesco clubcard.

Meaning that you get a £50 voucher for £25 and you can have 20% off too!
I buy all of my undies this way and it means good quality stuff for a great price.

I love triumph bras, the only ones I get that really fit me, and I always buy nude, black or navy and white. I like knickers from Debenhams, the ones that are soft touch.

Madbengal - that is a brilliant tip, thank you!