Big Girl Panties

You've heard the expression, "Pull on your big girl panties," haven't you? It's a call to act like an adult in a given situation, usually directed toward a woman. "Come on, Gretchen," my husband might encourage as we scale a major hill on a bike ride, "pull on your big girl panties and shift into low gear - you can do it!"

Today, however, I mean "big girl panties" in the literal sense. If you're over 16 years old and anywhere past the 125 pound mark on the scale, you need serious foundation garments if you're going to look like an adult with well fitting clothes.

Spanx, Yummie Tummie and Wacoal all make wonderful underwear designed to lift and separate, smooth and shape, and help sort out the junk in the trunk. Regardless of one's size, be it petite, missy or plus, the right foundation garments will add support and give shape to a woman's body.

Ladies, if you're not going to wear control-top hosiery (pantyhose or opaque tights), please consider adding a tad more compression to your bottom line. You'll look a few pounds slimmer, and your clothes will fit better. And who knows, you'll probably take any steep hills you encounter during the day with more skill and confidence, and of course, more elegance.