10 Top Bras and Underwear Every Woman 50+ Should Own

4. High-rise briefs

Most likely you like bikini or hipster panties that lie way beneath your belly button. That's fine if you also wear low- to medium-rise jeans (see number 5). But the trend for high-waist everything — from leggings to joggers — calls for high-waist underwear that's compatible with a high-waist pant. For perfect light coverage, stock up on smooth, stretchy briefs that sit at the waist — such as the Everlane The Invisible High-Rise Hipster ($15, or 3 for $33, everlane.com), Blissful Benefits by Warner's Women's No Muffin Top Seamless Brief 3-Pack ($11, walmart.com) or Wacoal B-Smooth Hi-Cut Brief Style #834175 ($15, barenecessities.com).

(Left to right) Warner’s No Pinching. No Problems. Hipster; Calvin Klein Invisibles Hipster; Maidenform Comfort Devotion Ultra-Light Hipster

Bare Necessities (3)

5. Medium-rise hipster panties

We're not into low-rise thongs or teeny bikini panties that ride up, cause wedgies and need constant adjustments anymore. But for those who do wear a medium-rise jean or pant (and not everyone wears a high rise — or at least not all the time), hip-level panties that match your pant rise are important here, too. You can't wear a high-rise brief that extends two or three inches beyond your jean's waistband. A hipster panty in soft, stretchy microfiber with a soft waistband — like Warner's No Pinching. No Problems. Hipster ($12 or 3 for $30, barenecessities.com), Calvin Klein Invisibles Hipster ($15 or 3 for $35, bareneccessities.com) or Maidenform Comfort Devotion Ultra-Light Hipster ($12 or 3 for $32, barenecessities.com) — is the basic you want. Stock up!

(Left to right) Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shaping Brief in frappe; Bali EasyLite Shaping Brief Panty 2-Pack DFS059 in black; Maidenform Tame Your Tummy Boyshort in black

Soma; HerRoom; Bare Necessities

6. A light shaping brief

We all have days when bloat and tummy bulge get in the way of looking good. Resist taking the usual sledgehammer route of a firm control panty when a low-dose compression brief instantly saves your looks. Choose a super lightweight style — like the Yummie Ultralight Seamless Shaping Brief in frappe or black ($20, soma.com), Bali EasyLite Shaping Brief Panty 2-Pack DFS059 in black or nude ($25 for 2-pack, herroom.com) or Maidenform Tame Your Tummy Boyshort in nude or black ($21, barenecessities.com) — that disappears under clothes (even knits and flowy dresses).

(Left to right) Yummie Shaping Tank in black; Spanx Thinstincts Tank in very black; Jockey TrueFit Promise Camisole in black

Nordstrom; Spanx; Bare Necessities

7. A smoothing tank or camisole

We're so into comfort but not so into muffin tops and torso ripples, so a layering piece like this might be your new best friend. Don't worry about your bra — if the straps of both show you get extra style points now! Choose a supple tank like the Spanx Thinstincts Tank in very black or soft nude ($58, spanx.com) or the Yummie Shaping Tank in black ($34, nordstrom.com), or a silky microfiber camisole with adjustable straps such as the Jockey TrueFit Promise Camisole in black ($28, barenecessities.com). They'll gently smooth out your middle without squeezing or smashing your breasts.

8. A black bodysuit

Bet you never thought of this as underwear, but a black bodysuit is a key base layer to have. It will smooth and elongate your torso and serve as a base layer under casual sweaters or blazers, and also work as a sleek, dressy top with any skirt — day or night. The trick is finding one in a substantial opaque stretchy fabric with a full-coverage bottom (skip thong styles!), as well as, of course, a snap gusset down below. Choose a neckline and sleeve length that suits your needs — a V like the Everlane The Long-Sleeve V-Neck Bodysuit in Bikini Fit in black ($35, everlane.com), a long-sleeve scoop like the DKNY Opaque Long Sleeve Bodysuit in black ($48, bloomingdales.com), an elbow sleeve like the Yummie Ballet-Back Medium Control Bodysuit ($78, bareneccesities.com), or a sleeveless tank like the Spanx The Base Tank Bodysuit in black or soft nude ($58, bareneccessities.com). You'll wear it all year round.

(Left to right) Natori Bliss Perfection All Day Underwire Contour Bra in black; Wacoal Soft Embrace Front Close Underwire Bra 851311 in sand; Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Full Coverage T-Shirt Bra in bare

Bloomingdale's (2); HerRoom

9. A serious underwire bra and matching undies

Back to work away from home? In-person meeting or job interview? Party or festive occasion? Never say never. You may need to slip on a tailored dress or a silk blouse top and real pants ... and then what? A more structured bra makes you feel more confident, polished and pulled together fast. An underwire bra — like the Natori Bliss Perfection All Day Underwire Contour Bra in black ($68, bloomingdales.com); the Wacoal Soft Embrace Front Close Underwire Bra 851311 in black or sand ($52, herroom.com); or Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Full Coverage T-Shirt Bra in bare ($46, bloomingdales.com) — has smooth, light contour cups and adjustable straps that slide under anything. Have one in nude, one in black and a matching color panty on reserve to go with it so you're not scrambling at the last minute.

(Left to right) Wacoal Halo Lace Wireless Bra 811205 in black; Maidenform Sexy Must Haves Lace Cheeky Boyshort Panty DMCLBS in black; Cosabella Plus Never Say Never Curvy Sweetie Soft Bra NEV1310 in black; B.Tempt’D by Wacol B. Bare Hipster in night

HerRoom (3); Bare Necessities

10. “Pretty” black lace bra and panty

Sometimes we just want to feel romantic, sexy or like the divas we are at 50-plus. There are plenty of provocative bras, bodysuits, thongs and panties frilled with lace and mesh that lack the balance of comfort and sauciness we're aiming for now. On the other hand, black lace never fails. Try a stretch lace bra like the Cosabella Plus Never Say Never Curvy Sweetie Soft Bra NEV1310 in black ($65, herroom.com) or a wire-free plunge style like the Wacoal Halo Lace Wireless Bra 811205 in black ($30, herroom.com), as well as stretch lace boy shorts like the Maidenform Sexy Must Haves Lace Cheeky Boyshort Panty DMCLBS in black ($12, or 3 for $30, herroom.com) or a cheeky lace hipster like the B.Tempt'D by Wacol B. Bare Hipster in night ($13, barenecessities.com). Who says we can't have it all?