The right lingerie can totally change your dressing game to the next level but on the other hand, the wrong lingerie may cause serious health issues as well. This is exactly why choosing your lingerie wisely is important. Do you want to discover the effects of lingerie mistakes on Health? In this article, we have listed some of the common mistakes women make with lingerie along with the appropriate solutions for them.
Bras Mistakes
Listing the top 4 bra mistakes you should avoid.
1) Mistake- Wearing an ill-fitting bra is one of the major reason for many of the health including,
- Saggy breasts
- Breathlessness
- Backpain
- Skin damage(rashes, skin irritation)
- Increased risk of breast cancer
Solution-
- The bra size differs from brand to brand, therefore make sure to keep an eye on your bra size while buying bras.
- Your breast size may actually fluctuate from time to time, especially during puberty, pregnancy, and breast-feeding. Hence, make sure to measure your bra size before every purchase.
2) Mistake- Bra hygiene is something that plays a major role in your breast health. If you wear the same bra continuously,
- The sweat and dirt deposited in your bra might chafe your skin.
- It might create an unpleasant smell.
Solution- Make sure to wash your bras after every use.
3) Mistake- In case you have sensitive skin washing your bra with harsh detergent may lead to skin irritation. Your bras might not also last longer if detergents with harsh chemicals are used.
Solution-
- Use detergents that are bleach-free and alcohol-free
- If your bras are delicate, using your hands to wash to make them last longer.
4) Mistake- If you have been using your bra for more than eight months, it’s probably time to change it. Most of the bras begin to wear out with time leading to,
- Bra straps falling off your shoulder
- The fabric is not stretchy enough
- Gaping in cups
All these may lead to saggy breasts because of improper support and coverage.
Solution- Replace your bra whenever you feel it needs to be changed or every 6 to 8 months
Panty Mistakes
Your vaginal area tends to be more sensitive than other parts of your body. There are some major panty mistakes that we have been committing unknowingly. Smart underwear habits can definitely help avoid those mistakes. Let’s have an in-depth look at underwear mistakes you should avoid for good health.
1) Problem- Studies suggest that about 40% of people tend to wear the same underwear for more than one day. Re-wearing the same underwear every day increases the risk of vaginal infections due to increased moisture. This may lead to bad odor and acne & skin problems.
Solution- Change your underwear every day.
2) Problem- Wearing too tight underwear can lead to chafing of the skin and vaginal irritation. It can also give an unflattering look with visible bulges. There is also a higher chance that wearing tight underwear can lead to a condition called vulvodynia(a painful condition).
Solution- Make sure you wear the underwear that fits you properly.
3) Mistake- Panties made of silk or synthetic material are not supposed to be worn daily as these are not breathable as cotton panties. Silk or synthetic material tends to trap and retain moisture due to its lower moisture-wicking tendency. It may lead to yeast or bacterial infection.
Solution-
- Avoid wearing silk or synthetic panties.
- If you want to wear silk or synthetic panties every day, make sure the crotch area is made of cotton.
4) Mistake- We all have naturally-occurring microorganisms in our bodies, these may lead to vaginal odor. If you are someone who is more to develop bacterial infections, you can avoid using thongs often. Thongs do not stay in place and tend to slide back and forth easily, hence can easily help the spread of bacteria such as E.coli. Thongs might have more contact with the vaginal and vulval area, therefore leads to discomfort.
Solution- Avoid wearing thongs for a longer period of time. Choose to wear it only for special occasions.
5) Mistake- You are more prone to developing a yeast infection if you tend to sweat a lot, hence you must avoid wearing dirty underwear. A warm and moist place is the perfect environment for yeast to grow.
Solution-
- Always wear a clean pair of panties.
- Use panties made of moisture-wicking fabric.
- Change your underwear twice a day.
6) Mistake- Using cleaning products that are highly scented and of very high concentration. This may cause irritation or infection to your skin.
Solution- Use hypoallergenic cleaning products that are not of very high concentration. Use mild detergents and lukewarm water to wash your lingerie.
Shapewear Mistakes
Who doesn’t love a little extra shaping power under their favourite dress or jeans? Let’s dive into the top shapewear hiccups and simple swaps to keep you smooth, supported and smiling from sunrise to last call.
- Problem – Wearing shapewear that’s too tight can dig into your skin, make it hard to breathe and even cut off circulation, leaving you uncomfortable and red-marked all day.
Solution – Always follow the brand’s size chart and choose the size that gives gentle support, not painful compression. When in doubt, size up. - Problem – Wearing firm-control shapewear all day, every day can weaken your core muscles over time, leave deep waistband lines and cause soreness.
Solution – Reserve strong-compression pieces for special occasions or shorter wear. On regular days, opt for lighter ‘everyday’ styles or slip into a comfortable camisole shaper instead. - Problem – Shapewear made of non-breathable or synthetic materials traps heat and moisture, which can lead to irritation, rashes or yeast infections.
Solution – Look for moisture-wicking blends (like nylon–spandex with a cotton gusset) and mesh-panel designs that promote airflow in high-heat areas. - Problem – Skipping proper wash care breaks down the elastic fibres, so your shapewear loses its smoothing power—and can develop bacteria.
Solution – Hand-wash in lukewarm water with a mild detergent (no fabric softener!), gently squeeze out excess water and lay flat to dry to preserve shape and hygiene. - Problem – Choosing one generic piece means you might get lots of compression in the wrong spots—hips too tight but barely any tummy control, for example.
Solution – Pick styles with targeted support zones: high-waist shorts for midsection smoothing, thigh-slimmers for leg definition or full-body suits for all-over shaping. - Problem – Relying on shapewear as a “magic fix” for weight loss can be demotivating and uncomfortable if it’s your only strategy.
Solution – Treat shapewear as a confidence booster for your outfit, not a substitute for healthy eating and regular exercise. - Problem – Draping a saree over regular shapewear can create visible lines, uneven bulges, or cause the petticoat to slip down, leaving your silhouette anything but smooth.
Solution – Invest in saree-specific shapewear: look for a high-waist, longline brief or leggings with a built-in petticoat that sits snugly at your natural waist and hips. These pieces are cut to follow the saree’s fall, so you get seamless support without any telltale bumps—and your pleats will stay perfectly in place all day.
By avoiding these common pitfalls—too-tight fits, constant wear, poor fabric choices, neglecting care, one-size-fits-all thinking or unrealistic expectations—you’ll enjoy all the smoothing benefits of shapewear without the drawbacks.