Daring Underwear and Outerwear to Bring Out Your Inner Vixen

They say clothes don’t make the woman, but we all know that looking good and feeling good go hand-in-hand. Yet so many women hate their wardrobes and walk around in clothes that make them feel dowdy and unshapely. Why is this?

For one thing, many women wrongly believe that they just don’t have it in them — “it” being sex appeal. They think glamour is for other girls and that they simply don’t have what it takes to pull off a sexy little black dress and a pair of high heels. Not so! No one is born with sex appeal or seductive powers. You have to work at it, and surprisingly, most of the work comes from within. It’s not about having a great body or a perfect hip-to-waist ratio. It’s about embracing your curves and understanding how to make the most of your body.

Here are some tips that can help a woman of any size embrace her inner vixen:

Shop for clothing early in the day. Don’t shop after eating a big lunch. You will feel bloated, greasy, and otherwise uninspired. Eat a light breakfast and hit the stores when you are full of energy and confidence. And, by going early in the day, you will also beat the crowds!

Think and buy outside your comfort zone. Check out your closet before you hit the mall and notice what clothes predominate. Do you have a ton of beige sweaters, or a deluge of jeans and T-shirts? When you hit the stores, try to think outside the box and get something different from your usual style: whether it’s an eye-popping red sweater or a slinky skirt. Take a risk and try it on! You just might find something you love, even if it is not quite “you.”

Discover styles that work for your body. Every woman has a specific style that works well for her. If you have amazing shoulders and a toned back, halter tops might look sexy on you. If you have a full chest, you might consider well-fitted tops that show just a hint of cleavage. If you carry your weight in your stomach, you might look best in empire tops or A-line dresses. Find styles that complement your shape, and most times avoid trends. Not only will they be out of fashion in a few months, but trends often work well only for a particular body type. So if skinny jeans aren’t your thing, pass them up and go for classic denim that suits your frame.

Find the right lingerie. Life is too short for granny panties. There are so many flattering and comfortable brands of lingerie out there; with such a wide variety of colors and styles, there really is something for everyone. Lula Lu specializes in lingerie for petite women, while Eve’s Apples specializes in lingerie for women with small breasts.

Hips & Curves offers a variety of lingerie for curvy and plus-sized women, and Hotmilk offers lingerie for women who are pregnant or nursing. Stores such as Target or Victoria’s Secret also have abundant varieties of undergarments that can satisfy the inner vixen in you. Find the size and style that makes you feel sexy, whether it’s leopard boyshorts, a lacy thong, or a hot-pink pair of cheekys.

And, remember, confidence is the most powerful aphrodisiac, so make sure that you hold your shoulders back. Now, go ahead and strut your stuff!