Why it's important to buy the perfect underwear to suit your exact body shape

A startling percentage of women don’t wear the right underwear for their body shape – or they pull a Britney. Liezel Morkel, owner of Lady Chatterley’s Chamber Lingerie Boutique, has some useful tips to ensure you always make the right choices.

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Classic and high-cut briefs

Pro: Full coverage and moderate support for sagging tums and bums.

Cons: Can’t be worn under low-rise pants. Gynaecologist Dr Salema Nosarka warns against control panels. Tight undies can lead to indigestion and bloating.

cotton briefs

Cotton Brief part of pack, R140, Woolworths

high waist brazilians

Lace & Mesh High Waist Brazillians, R150, Woolworths

High waist lace trim cheeky brief - tan

Cotton on high waist mesh tan underwear R119, Superbalist.com

Lace High Waist Brasiliano Brief

Jojo all over mesh high waist, R119, Cotton On.

Boyshorts and hipsters

Pros: Prevent visible panty lines (VPLs), and smooth out lumps and bumps on your hips and upper thighs.

Con: If you have a bit of a belly, wearing boy shorts or hipsters will result in a muffin top.

boylegs

Boylegs part of pack, R70, Mr Price  

hipster pants

Dorina Hipster, R129, Superbalist.com

boylegs blue

JT One Boylegs, R120, Woolworths

hipster pants

Dorina Hipster, R179, Superbalist.com

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Thongs and G-strings

Pros: Make you feel sexy and eliminate VPLs. Great for women with small bums.

Con: These may look sexy, but the health effects aren’t. Women prone to vaginal infections or chronic cystitis should avoid them, says Nosarka.

thong

Thong, R150, Woolworths 

floral thong

Floral thong, R50, Mr Price

black t-string

Women's t-string , R149, Zando

blue g-string

Women’s Secret, R199, Zando

This article was originally published on Women's Health.