I really came to appreciate the "bra" in all it's glory, when recently I got my chest tattooed, and couldn’t wear one for nearly ten days.
Going about my business with free-range boobs was definitely not as liberating as I thought it would be.
Sure, I didn’t have to worry about straps showing, but I just didn’t feel confident, supported or properly put together.
Then, just as my tattoos healed, Nancy Ganz's new empowering lingerie range came up on my feed – it was, frankly, immaculate timing! And, these lingerie pieces are designed in Australia by women, so of course, I had to have them.
By the time the parcel arrived, I was more than ready to hoik those babies back up where they belonged and absolutely slay the day. Gone are the perky titties of youth – I breastfed twins for a year. These girls need all the help they can get. I surveyed the sets and half-jokingly wished them luck – I had an absolutely HUGE week ahead, a packed out calendar of appointments, events and outfit changes.
If my new "capsule" collection of lingerie could work comfortably and seamlessly co-operate with everything I was about to throw at it, well.
I would bow down.
Day one.
I’m going to need a no-nonsense, comfortable set today as I’m going to be mumming, hard.
Thursday is the one day each week that I cannot get the twins in daycare, so I have two five-year-olds to entertain from 6am. It’s also a workday for me, but I’ve given up trying to get anything done while they’re around, so I’ll keep us all busy with various errands and outings, and catch up tonight when they’re asleep.
RESULT:
The obvious choice here was the Revive Kiera Lace Contour Bra and matching Revive Lace Waisted Brief. Comfortable, practical but still looks super cute – love the lace! The briefs are made of super soft fine gauge micro, with power mesh – meaning you get a great feminine shape but with no digging, pinching or riding up.
I had no qualms exposing some midriff which I don’t normally go for!
The bra is completely smooth and seam-free whilst being highly supportive. This is SUCH a good every day set – looks great, feels better and didn’t annoy me while bushwalking with the dogs, climbing to the top of a tree to fish my kid down (eye roll) or any of the other physically taxing stuff I’ve had to do today!
I’ll take a set in each colour, please!
Day two.
I’m asking for some versatility from today’s undergarments, as it’s a busy one!
Daycare run, followed by a yoga class, followed by a lunch meeting, then a quick beauty treatment, before another meeting, and then daycare run again. I need some supportive underwear with almost chameleon-like qualities, it also has to play nicely with semi-smart attire and activewear. No pressure.
RESULT:
The Define Strapless Bodysuit is the absolute MVP here, staying in place all day without straps beneath for a full schedule of appointments!
The smooth contour cups and hidden bonded panels made sure I felt comfortably nipped and tucked in all the right places. I threw the straps, a singlet and some leggings into my handbag and when I got to the gym, I simply popped the straps back on and chucked a singlet and some leggings over the top!
I felt sleek and tailored all day – had the most seamless, curvy silhouette under this clingy slip dress, and loved that it gave firm control without feeling restricted. Any sculpting wear that you can also comfortably do yoga binds in gets a gold star from me!
Day three.
I have a fancy cocktail party to go to today and the dress I’ve chosen is a real challenge.
It’s strapless and in the sunshine a little see through? I mean, how do you even negotiate that?
I require undergarments that give enough coverage that I’m not flashing anyone but are also discreet enough that you can’t tell I’m wearing them. I feel like this is asking the impossible.
RESULT:
I’ve gone with the Define Strapless Contour Bra and Sheer Infinity High Waisted Short and safe to say they absolutely understood the assignment!
The straps can easily be popped off the bra so that you can rock it with an exposed decolletage, while the silicone-free "nano" elastic ensures the bra hugs and holds in all the right places without slipping down.
Really appreciated it on the dance floor, being able to wave my arms around and not unleash a tit.
The shorts make sure my bum is completely covered whilst giving a tight, smooth appearance and the soft, breathable fabric makes them extremely comfortable – a game-changer for shapewear.
Day four.
Make it corporate, but also rock and roll!
I mean business today, so I’m going to be wearing a suit. Well, my version of one, anyway!
These pants are an extremely tailored fit, so I’m going to be opting for some control downstairs so I can feel sleek and slim, and not have to worry about any sneaky peeks of Mum tum. It's popper also opens easily for functionality. I’m going to be rocking the blazer with “nothing” underneath, because the whole point of this is to put the pieces through their paces, right?
Dream scenario would be a nude bra that makes the girls look great whilst also flying completely under the radar. I’m not confident I can pull this one off. We’ll see.
RESULT:
I’ve chosen the X-Factor High Waisted Thong & Sheer Infinity Contour Bra, because the ultra firm control thong which include a popper for functionality, gives me a flawless silhouette and tucks everything in, while also not creating any VPL (visible panty line) on my butt.
The V shaped underwire at the front of the bra means that it can’t be seen with the plunging front of my blazer. I love that the thong gives me everything I want from control underwear, without being thick, tight bicycle shorts!
Feels very minimalist but also absolutely gets the job done. I feel dangerously powerful in this set, like I can absolutely achieve anything!
Verdict.
I’m actually so impressed! If someone told me that just seven pieces of lingerie could work with everything in my wardrobe AND hold the girls up AND make me look trim AND (more importantly) feel confident, comfortable, sexy AND empowered I’d tell them they were dreaming. But… here we are.
I mixed and matched the pieces for the rest of the week, and now all my other underwear and shapewear feel completely redundant, and honestly? I’m not even mad about it.
Shop Nancy Ganz for lingerie pioneered to enhance a woman's self-confidence for every occasion. Enter to win a $500 Nancy Ganz wardrobe here.
Feature Image: Supplied/Mamamia.