Sexy, fun and functional thongs, underwear, panties and knickers

by Aly Walansky

"I am commando girl. Why in the world would you want a little thing up your butt when you can go free?" Indeed, why would you? So said American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson after beating out the competition, and then added that she had gone without underwear for the entire duration of the contest.

Are you, too, a commando girl? Technically, the vernacular for girls is actually free-buffing. It's playful, it's mildly exhibitionist (unless you're Britney Spears)... and not very practical. The idea, thus, is to achieve the freedom and mobility of commando life -- and no visible panty lines, aka VPL -- without actually being in the buff. And so, for the rest of us, we have the thong.

Thing a thong

Celebrity wardrobe stylist Susie Esterline says the hottest styles are thongs and G-strings, boy shorts, slinky full backs and seamless undies. Obviously, we all have different body types and shapes to accommodate, but, she says, "I think all women can wear thongs."

Really? "I know some older and/or heavier women prefer a little more support and coverage, but with this comes the dreaded VPL, and I think I'd rather have a little hanging out than a big, thick line exposed through my pants," Esterline says. "Thongs are comfortable, though I know some fear that 'up the butt' feeling, even though full-backs ride up there too! Thongs say, 'I'm sexy and I know it!'"

Relationship expert/vixen Shoshanna Rikon shares her ultimate thong anecdote. "Let's just say that men appreciate it when I decide to wear a thong. I enjoy how sexy and naked they make me feel, even if it's like you're walking around with a permanent wedgie," she laughs. "I recently had a date with an adorable and gorgeous Frenchman... We spent four hours talking outside at a sidewalk café -- Frenchmen are notorious for being able to converse for hours."

To shake things up, Shoshanna took him to a Victoria's Secret store nearby and told him that she wanted to buy some new lingerie. "I spent the next hour teasing him as I modeled all the bras in front of him." She laughs, "He wanted me to try on a thong as well, but I told him it was only a first date and he didn't really deserve that."

Keen on comfort

"For me, as a full-figured woman, I won't compromise on fit and fabric. No scratchy lace -- no matter how pretty -- or stiff fabric that doesn't feel good against the skin. It has to have a certain amount of stretch to be comfortable, and depending on your booty shape, a high, medium or regular cut leg will be your friend. Panty lines are just not cute!" says Dianne M Daniels, a certified member of the Association of Image Consultants International and the current president of the New England chapter.

She says she prefers "a slightly stretchy knit with a wider waistband to discourage rolling and pinching." She also loves cotton for the summer, "especially if you run toward the warm side on the temperature scale."

For those who crave simple cotton comfort, Hanes Perfect Panty has no ride, no lines, no itchy tags and a perfect fit with 360-degree stretch. This underwear may not come from a designer lingerie label, but they are very comfortable and perfect to segue from day to gym to happy hour without any wardrobe complications. The Perfect Panty comes in a variety of styles and colors so it is possible to feel comfortable and look stylish underneath all your clothes. They retail for $7 for a package of two, so they don't break the bank either. (My personal favorite style is the texture bikini. Hey, if they are good enough for Oprah...)

Underwear for two

Sexy mamas is not just a pun -- there are quite a few hot pregnant ladies among us -- but sometimes finding lingerie and pretty panties in the maternity section leaves a little sexiness to be desired. Not anymore, though. Mimi Maternity's Luxury Lace Thong Collection has beautifully intricate feminine lace detail. They have all sorts of styles that make me wish I was expecting. (Well, almost.) Bella Materna also offer some cute lacy maternity thong-ish boy shorts in a pretty plum color.

Knickers for every taste

We all have days we want to be extra sexy. When that's how I'm feeling, my heart belongs to the classic trilogy of Shirley of Hollywood (whose thongs are hot, but so comfortable you feel almost like you are wearing nothing at all), Frederick's of Hollywood (check out their Leopard Bridget Lace Thong -- you'll go gaga), and Victoria's Secret.

Then there are those days we want to be a little extra sassy, and those are the days we must try Spitfire Girl's "Ride'm Cowboy" and "Yee Haw!" undies.

Does all that just whet your appetite? Well, for about 12 bucks, you can get some "candy-laced lingerie" from TastyWear.com to share with your favorite sugar addict. Even Amazon.com stocks a candy G-string -- made of those little candy beads they fashion kids' party bracelets out of.

Panties are the one accessory it's hard to live without (unless we go commando that is), and because of this, we all have opinions. Lucky for us, panties are cheap enough that we can have a wardrobe to fit our every mood.

Not just for the boys

"Boy shorts exude an understated sexiness, while also providing a bit more coverage," says Esterline. Be careful though, because boy shorts can often cut into your leg at a funky angle and will appear to shorten your legs! She suggests trying a boy short with ruffles to make the look more feminine.

"The girl who wears a boy short is showing her sex appeal while hiding her goods. Slinky or lace fullbacks give you more coverage again, but, in my opinion, are a mix between the boy short and a thong," she says. "While the cut on the leg is higher, the butt remains covered, but the sides of the legs, where the side of the panties would hit, is a very sexy part of the body -- where the leg meets the hip. The string draws attention to that area, but a girl can rest easy knowing her butt is covered," Esterline says, and adds, "Also, a lace option is always a sexy option!"

The bottom lines

"Good bikini underwear is a basic, as is a G-string, if you're comfortable in it," says dating advice expert April Masini. "Try out a thong and a G-string to see what is more comfortable for you. Although they are guilty of being the butt of all butt floss jokes, G-strings are also the antidotes to panty lines and the next best thing to going commando."

G-strings, she insists, are also surprisingly comfortable. "If you're experimenting, grab an inexpensive Victoria's Secret or Frederick's of Hollywood G-string and thong and see which works better for you. You want a sleek form-fitting shape and line." She also recommends making sure you have classic whites in your panty/bra wardrobe as well as basic black.

Feeling s-s-s-sexy

I have kept two New Year's resolutions in my entire life. One was to drink only champagne if it was available. The second was to only wear matching bra-and-panty sets. "For me, it doesn't matter if it's a thong, boy shorts, panties... as long as the bra matches, I'm the sexiest thing on two legs," says Mela Kucera.

"What I recommend to women is to wear panties that are pretty, flattering and make them feel sexy. If a G-string is making you walk like you have a disability, don't wear it. If you feel sexy in a thong wear it, but if you feel self-conscious, don't. Self-conscious behavior is not sexy," Masini says. "If you're not sure, have your best friend take a look and give you a brutally honest opinion. Or better yet -- ask your man what he likes to see you in."