Go backless or strapless

Like a superior man, a superior bra can be tough to find. So many women practice bra monogamy: They find a close-fitting brassiere, buy duplicates and rely on that single brand and style to work with everything. But special occasions and outfits, like the shoulder-baring halters and spaghetti-strap camisoles that are so hot this season, call for special undergarments, said Shellie Schwartz of Schwartz's Intimate Apparel in Wilmette.

She and Sara Tervo, Victoria's Secret spokeswoman, decided to be matchmakers for WomanNews, helping to pair form-fitting, sheer or revealing summer fashions with suitable undergarments.

A caveat on color: To ensure undergarment invisibility, skin-toned bras and panties work best beneath most colors, including white. But for black outfits, black bras and panties are best, Schwartz said.