By Style Matters-Judy Schwartz and Evelinda Urman

Judie: I used to be paranoid about showing my panty line. (Especially as Evelinda is the first to point out that my panty line is showing. Thank you very much.) Then I read that men find the panty line alluring as it is suggestive of what is underneath.

Evelinda: Wrong! You’ve been talking to guys who haven’t seen a panty in a while. To avoid the dreaded panty line, I spent years cutting off the legs of cheap pantyhose to wear under clothes. Several years ago I got brave and tried a thong. It was not easy, and I must have bought about two dozen pairs in a variety of price ranges and styles before I hit gold! But now I am a thong lover: "Nothing comes between me and my thong."

Judie: I was shocked when I found out that thongs are supposed to, you know, slide in there. Besides, if you are showing a panty line, the problem is not with your underwear. The problem is your slacks or skirt are too tight. Who want’s to walk around with a permanent "wedgie?"

Evelinda: You are in the minority! The lingerie experts say that thongs are consistently top sellers. At Neiman Marcus they rave about their Italian Cosabella line (about $19). At Victoria’s Secret thongs by Body by Victoria are flying out the door (5 for $25). Hanky Pankys are de rigeur for any fashionista and Commandos ($22 at lingerie stores and boutiques) are for those women who love to wear tight knits. Why, thongs are so popular that manufacturers have come out with tummy control thongs.

Judie: You mean women whose tushes hang out have tightly bound-in tummies? The thought boggles the mind.

Evelinda: You just haven’t found the right thong. Experts say the key to a comfortable fit is the fabric. Look for a soft fabric that stretches comfortably and is wide and long enough in the rise. And for those who love their g-string thongs, there are many to choose from.

Judie: This from a woman who closes her eyes at R rated movies. However, in deference to you I wore a thong for a day.

Evelinda: I am so proud of you. Did you feel sexier and more empowered? Thong lovers often talk about the liberating feeling they get when they wear thongs.

Judie: Let me tell you what was liberating. Ripping that lace rubber band off my ... tail bone at the end of the day. That was liberating.

Evelinda: You just didn’t give it enough time. As a Victoria’s Secret manager said: Your underwear ends up there anyway, so why not start there?

Judie: My underwear stays put, thank you very much. And by the way, did you return all those thongs you tried on? Wait, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. By the way, now I know what to do with all the old panty hose lying around my dresser drawers.

Bottom line: If you are a first time thong wearer, work with a thong specialist to find one that is comfortable for you. And plan to spend a lot of time wriggling around on chairs and backing into corners for discrete adjustments. Our favorite: Hanky Panky, expensive but worth it. (About $18, at lingerie stores and boutiques)

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Second edition of a Fashion-Lover's Guide to the Best Shopping in Denver and Beyond" is now in bookstores, at selected boutiques and at stylematters.us

Judie and Evelinda also present seminars on professional image and high style at low prices.