What to Wear Under Your Wedding Dress

After you select your wedding dress, your attention may shift to your accessories and shoes. Do you want to pair your gown with high heel or a low-slung sandal? Should you don a cathedral-length or birdcage veil? Yet in the midst of these considerations, there’s another important element of your look to plan for: your undergarments. What you wear under your wedding dress can play a crucial role in how your gown appears. Over the course of your fittings (and potentially even in your selection), you’ll want to think about these elements. For example, will you be wearing a bra with your dress, or are sewn-in cups suitable? Do you want to cinch your waist in with a corset? Is your dress so tight that you need to go commando for the night?

You’ll want to answer these questions as soon as possible to ensure your undergarments can be incorporated into your alterations. “Bring your intended day-of undergarments to your bridal gown fitting, so you can test them to see if they’re noticeable under your gown,” says Lesley Brickman, a wedding-gown scholar and founder of The One Gown, a concierge-styling service. “You don’t want to arrive at your wedding venue and have to scramble over a pair of ill-fitting or wrong-colored undies.”

Stuck on the best undergarments to select? Below, Brickman breaks down everything you need to know about these crucial pieces. Read on for more.

The Most Important Undergarments to Remember

Know that, ultimately, the undergarments you wear are entirely up to you. “What a bride chooses to wear on her wedding day is a personal choice, in my opinion, and should be based on what she will be most comfortable and happy wearing,” Brickman says. However, she adds that, at a minimum, most brides opt to wear underwear and a bra. When selecting these pieces for your big day, make sure to look for ones that don’t ride up, bunch, or produce lines.

You may also decide to wear shapewear. “I only recommend women explore shapewear to target any areas that could make them feel less confident on their wedding day,” she says. “If you feel that your tummy needs a little ‘control,’ selecting a pair of higher-waisted underwear that doubles as shapewear is a great option. If your thighs bother you, look for a pair of shapewear shorts that can help smooth that area and allow you to focus on the fun of your big day.”

And while the thigh garter may have been a part of every bride’s ensemble in years past, nowadays, whether or not you wear it is entirely up to you. “It isn’t as popular these days as it was a decade ago, but some brides still enjoy the tradition,” Brickman says. However, if you do choose to wear a garter, know that that no one has to know about it. “You can still wear a garter without having to do the whole ‘hubby removes it from your thigh in front of your whole family’ thing during the reception,” she says. “To each their own!”

What Color Undergarments Should You Wear?

Just like everyday dressing, pay attention to the color of your undergarments. While many wedding gowns have a lining to ensure nothing is see-through, you’ll likely want to avoid wearing any brightly-colored pieces under your dress. “Opt for undergarments that are as close to your natural skin tone as possible, especially if you’re wearing an ivory or white gown,” Brickman says. “Many of the common fabrics we see in bridal gowns are often rather see-through, so leave the neon-colored thongs or the white bra with hot pink flowers at home, or better yet, pack them for your honeymoon!”

Should Brides Skip Underwear Altogether?

If you prefer to dress sans underwear on a regular basis, you may be hesitant to do anything but that on your wedding day. And while this isn’t an inappropriate option, Brickman cautions against it. “I personally would opt for at least a pair of thong underwear, even for the sheerest of wedding gowns, to ensure there are no ‘wardrobe malfunctions’ throughout the event,” she says. “Remember, some fabrics become nearly see-through with flash photography!”

However, know that some modern gowns make it incredible easy to go braless. “Many wedding gowns can have built-in bras, which is a great option for women who need extra support in the bust area,” Brickman says. “Sewn-in cups or built-in corsets can be sufficient for support for larger chested brides if they’re done well. This is where spending money on quality alterations can really pay off. Ask your alterations team about this during your first appointment, so they can plan appropriately to explore all options that will make you feel supported and comfortable, regardless of your bust size or neckline!”

What to Wear Under a Revealing Gown

If you’re wearing a ball gown or an A-line dress, figuring out your undergarments may be relatively simple. However, if you’re donning a more revealing ensemble, it can be much more challenging. If your gown has a very low neckline, cut-outs, or illusion netting around the bust, Brickman recommends working with an alterations team to see if they can sew in cups that give you enough support. “Adhesive bras—including those that can be unhooked and worn separately, such as Perkies or NuBra—can be a great option,” she says. Such a product may also be helpful if your dress has a low back—or is completely backless. However, with such a gown, know that you’ll want to give extra attention to the underwear you select. “It’s crucial to look for underwear that dips low enough to be invisible, so be sure to look for options labeled ‘low rise,'” Brickman says.

What to Consider When Shopping for Your Undergarments

When shopping for your wedding-day undergarments, make sure to keep these expert-endorsed tips in mind.

Avoid Anything With Embellishments

Brickman recommends avoiding rhinestones, large appliqués, and any other similar embellishment that could snag or catch on your wedding gown. Instead, opt for pieces that are simple and reliable.

Buy the Correct Size

While it may seem obvious, this is a common mistake many brides make. Get sized, particularly for your bra, before or during your fittings. “[This] ensures comfort all day and night long, and also helps you avoid lumps, bumps, or gaps between your skin and the garment,” Brickman says.

Consider Bust Support

If you have a larger chest and are concerned about bust support, make sure to think about this early on in the process. “Look for gowns with straps, or strapless gowns with built-in corsets, that offer immediate support without the need for complex and, often costly, alterations,” Brickman says.

Wear Something Familiar

“You don’t have to spend money on new or ‘special’ undergarments for your wedding day,” Brickman says. “If you have a great strapless bra that is comfortable, fits well, and is of the right color, wear it!”

The Best Undergarment Brands for Brides

Stuck on where to shop for your wedding-day undergarments? Brickman has you covered. “Kim Kardashian knew what she was doing when she created SKIMS,” Brickman says. “I love their low-back Shapewear shorts—ideal for those low-slung gowns women are loving lately! And the one-legged Shapewear shorts, perfect for gowns with front slits!”

For comfortable and barely-there panties, she recommends Commando and Cosabella. “They both make wonderful, nearly invisible thongs that are go-to’s for many of my clients (for both comfort and affordability),” she says. And if you want to splurge, she suggests La Perla, which she notes “comes at a higher price point but delivers on both beauty and true luxury feel.” And if you need an adhesive bra, Perkies is the spot. “I recommend these to all of my clients as they appear invisible under even the sheerest of clothing and stay put all day and night long,” she says.