What to Choose: A Comprehensive Explanation of the Differences Between Petticoats, Flare Pants, Drawers, and Girdles!
2020.03.04 published
What to Wear Under a Wedding Dress?
When wearing a wedding dress, it is common to wear "bridal innerwear"*
The role of bridal innerwear is to shape the body so that the dress looks beautiful♡
The innerwear is typically divided into two parts, with the upper body usually wearing a corset type.
It's a good idea to try on products from various brands and choose what looks good on your body♩
When selecting innerwear, many brides find themselves wondering "I don't know which one to buy....", especially when it comes to lower body innerwear.
This is because there are actually four main types of lower body bridal innerwear:
☑ Flare Pants
☑ Petticoat
☑ Drawers
☑ Girdle
Each has its own distinct function...!!!
So, what exactly do they each do??
Is it sufficient to wear just one? Should they be used in combination?
Here, I’ll explain some basics about the [lower body bridal innerwear]*.
About Lower Body Wedding Dress Innerwear① What are Flare Pants?
First, let me introduce flare pants*
Flare pants are lightweight pants worn under the dress. They are also known as culottes or tap pants, and the standard length is above the knee to around the knee♩
Flare pants come in many cute designs and are often included with bridal innerwear, making them the most common type of innerwear♡
Here are the functions of flare pants◎
☑ Improves the skirt's slide
Wedding dresses can stick to the legs quite a bit when worn bare. Without flare pants, the skirt can cling to the legs, making it difficult to walk, or the petticoat may rub directly against the legs and cause discomfort.
Thus, flare pants are necessary to enhance the slide of the skirt*
☑ Protects the dress from sweat stains
The area underneath a wedding dress can get quite hot and sweaty due to warmth and movement, like walking, standing, and sitting during the wedding.
If sweat stains develop on an expensive wedding dress, you may be charged for cleaning. Flare pants are important for preventing such stains*
The typical price range for flare pants is around 3,000 to 6,000 yen◎
➡ Search for Flare Pants on Rakuten*
About Lower Body Wedding Dress Innerwear② What is a Petticoat?
A petticoat is a lightweight skirt worn under the dress.
It is the skirt version of flare pants◎. The standard length is also from above the knee to around the knee, similar to flare pants.
A petticoat serves the same functions as flare pants*
☑ Improves the skirt's slide
☑ Protects the dress from sweat stains
Since a petticoat is thin, it can be worn under any dress and it is easier to go to the bathroom than flare pants♩
However, because it is skirt type, it can shift around, so brides who are concerned about this may want to choose flare pants instead◎
The typical price range for a petticoat is around 3,000 to 6,000 yen*
➡ Search for Petticoat on Rakuten*
About Lower Body Wedding Dress Innerwear③ What are Drawers?
Next, I will introduce a type called "drawers."
Drawers are long pants-style innerwear that extend down to just below the knee♩
The functions of drawers are as follows*
☑ Improves leg movement
The length of drawers and their puffy design (similar to puffy shorts) allows for excellent leg movement.
Their air-filled design prevents any stickiness, making the area under the skirt significantly more comfortable.
☑ Protects the dress from sweat stains
Drawers also serve to protect the dress from sweat stains.
As they typically come in a longer knee-length style, brides prone to sweating might prefer longer drawers over flare pants or petticoats♩
Prices range from around 4,000 to 8,000 yen*
➡ Search for Drawers on Rakuten*
About Lower Body Wedding Dress Innerwear④ What is a Girdle?
Finally, we will introduce girdles. Unlike flare pants, petticoats, and drawers, girdles are primarily focused on body shaping.
The functions of a girdle are as follows*
☑ Hip line correction
Girdles help create a beautiful hip line◎
Achieving a nicely lifted and beautiful hip line is attractive, right?♡ They are recommended for brides choosing dresses with mermaid or slender silhouettes that accentuate the hip line*
☑ Posture correction
A girdle guides the pelvis into the correct shape which helps create an elegant posture for the upper body◎
When the foundation of the lower body is solid, it naturally enhances the beauty of the upper body♡
The typical price range for girdles is around 5,000 to 10,000 yen◎
➡ Search for Girdle on Rakuten*
So, which type of innerwear should you choose?
So, which type of bridal innerwear is best to choose?
Here are some suggestions♡
・If you're wearing a princess type, A-line, or empire dress
・Standard basic underwear is fine
・You want to save costs
・The fabric of the wedding dress is thin
➡ Flare Pants or Petticoat
・If you're wearing a princess type, A-line, or empire dress
・You tend to sweat
・You want to pay attention to cuteness underneath your dress
・You want to walk beautifully
➡ Drawers
・If you're wearing a mermaid or slender dress
・You want to improve your posture
・You want to show off a beautiful hip line
➡ Girdle
What about "pants"? Is it okay to just wear pants?
You must always wear pants under flare pants, petticoats, drawers, or girdles◎
Any kind of pants will suffice, but it would be nice to prepare a pure white pair that matches your wedding dress♡
Some might think that wearing just innerwear is fine, but that may lead to difficulties in movement and the potential for sweat marks, so always ensure you wear something underneath.
Additionally, if only pants are worn, your attendant will have to see you changing in just pants and stockings.
This can be embarrassing for both you and your attendant, so be sure to wear flare pants or drawers, for example.
Incidentally, it's common to see brides in other countries wearing sexy bridal lingerie. This is because bridesmaids often help each other change.
Since they are close friends, this is not a problem, but in Japan, the attendant will assist with changes, and wearing sexy lingerie may surprise them…!
It seems that ordinary bridal innerwear is more popular among Japanese brides◎
Let’s Think About What to Wear Under Your Wedding Dress*
☑ Flare Pants
☑ Petticoat
☑ Drawers
☑ Girdle
Have you decided which type of lower body innerwear to wear under your wedding dress?
Many brides think about bridal innerwear (upper half) but not what to wear underneath, so make sure to think about this early on♩
Choose the most suitable innerwear to match your dress◎
➡ For the stocking issue, click here!
➡ For a complete list of bridal innerwear articles, click here*