HOW TO - CHOOSE WHAT TO WEAR UNDER THERE

Even the most expensive gown will be ruined by the wrong underwear.

VPL's (Visible Panty Lines), chicken fillets, corsets, girdles ... it's so easy to get it wrong.

Here's some tips to get it right:
- Know your dress style and what fabric it's made of. If you have a pic or the dress itself, take it with you when you are looking for your undies.
- Ask the experts to fit you. Usually underwear sales staff have been fitting gals forever - those ladies know their stuff. If you're nervous, ask for the senior fitter. Don't freak out; just remember they've seen it all before.  Not only will you get advice on what style/shape/colour suits you and your dress – it could be the end of those ‘bra pains’ forever.
- Control a specific area with shaper knickers for butt and tummy troubles or every chicks secret weapon - the bodysuit. This sucks everything in. Gotta love that!
- If you have to wear a g-string under your dress, go up a size. Forget your vanity; undies that are too small make you look much bigger than you are. (Editor's note: "and a tight g-string just hurts!")
- Forget the frills and go for seamless underwear and make sure it's a nude colour.
- Don't go too over the top when it comes to cleavage. Too much just makes you look like you are a celebritart instead of a celebrity (in other words, a try hard). You could go a push-up bra or 'chicken fillets' for the more chest-challenged!  They are silicon wedges that you slip into your bra to boost your natural assets. You'd be surprised which celebs use them!
- Good underwear can be expensive but like your dress, you will wear it for years to come. Buy what you can afford and if you see what you want on special - grab it!

Jada Pinkett Smith has a secret weapon: "I wear one of those elastic waist cinchers sometimes. You would not believe how small these dresses are!"

Sienna recently admitted that her Spanx keep everything wobbly "hidden and squashed!" (Editor's note: "we should all embrace the fact that even Sienna Miller has wobbly bits!!!").

Finding the right underwear for your formal dress is really important.

There’s nothing like a bad strapless bra to ruin an elegant neckline, or a dodgy pair of knickers giving you trouble on the dance floor!

Remember, the dress always reigns supreme.

There’s no point having fancy underwear if it makes you look like you’ve got lumpy porridge for boobs.

The general rule is: slinky dress, slinky bra and knickers. Go for micro-fibers that mould to your body and won’t create static. If you’re wearing a lacy or multi-layered dress, go crazy with any lace or colour you like - you should be able to get away with most styles.

Most of all don’t be embarrassed! Just relax and enjoy another great reason to shop!