Lingerie: Uncovering How to Feel Good About Yourself

Costa Rica wakes you up with zip-lines, gallery strolls and ceviche sunsets — and tucked beneath every outfit is the quiet spark that sets the tone for all of it. Lingerie isn’t a costume for rare occasions; it’s the mood you slip on first and the whisper you take off last. Treat it the way you treat shoes: chosen to suit the day, comfortable enough to forget, elegant enough to change your posture before you’ve had your first coffee.

Think of a small, clever wardrobe that works as hard as you do. A strapless bra earns its place the moment you pull on an off-shoulder linen dress for a beach wedding in Flamingo; it stays put without peeking. A smooth T-shirt bra disappears under a cotton tee or crisp office blouse in San José, keeping lines clean and your mind on the meeting. On slower days, a non-padded lace bra gives that natural, effortlessly romantic shape beneath a loose linen shirt — the kind of beauty that’s more felt than seen. When you want architecture, a push-up brings lift and symmetry, turning a simple wrap dress into a stand-tall moment. Down below, bikini briefs are the faithful everyday partners; thongs vanish beneath silk trousers when you need total discretion; boyshorts are the cheeky, comfy option for lazy Sundays with oversized tees and mango slices.

The trends worth your time are the ones that flex. Bralettes are having their victory lap because they read both sweet and self-assured. Picture a ribbed or lace bralette under a semi-sheer blouse for dinner in Nosara — just a suggestion of texture when the light hits — or worn solo with high-waisted denim shorts when the afternoon turns into a spontaneous beach detour. Bodysuits are the sleek magician’s trick: a perfect “tucked-in” look that never rides up. Pair one with wide-leg trousers and sandals for a rooftop bar in Escazú; later, when the trousers come off, you’re still beautifully dressed.

Fit is a love language. Bodies shift with seasons and surf sessions, so measuring once a year keeps everything supportive without strangling. The band should sit level and steady on the loosest hook — firm enough to hug, never to pinch. Cups should hold without spillage or gaping; adjust straps last, like the final tie on a perfectly wrapped tamal. Fabrics matter in this climate: breathable mesh and modal keep you cool when the humidity rolls in, while silk and microfibre glide under satin or tailored pieces. Wash on cold in a mesh bag, then air-dry — heat is the enemy of elastic, and elastic is the heartbeat of good fit.

And yes, the “What do men think?” question. The honest answer: most adore seeing you feel like a goddess. They notice variety — the burgundy lace set that appears on a Tuesday just because, the longline bralette with wider straps that looks strong and feminine — but what really lands is your energy. Lingerie is a love letter to yourself that others are lucky to read.

If “sexy” feels like a word borrowed from someone else’s script, aim for powerful, creative and feminine. Start with one piece that makes you smile in the mirror: perhaps a soft lace bralette in a skin-flattering cocoa or almond; maybe a midnight-blue bodysuit that doubles as an evening top. Build a capsule deliberately: one nude-for-you and one black T-shirt bra for invisibility and polish; a strapless for sundresses and holiday parties; a lace set for days you want romance without padding. Give each bra its own companions — a bikini, a thong and a boyshort — so you always have a matching option that suits the outfit. Add a playful bralette for weekends and a bodysuit for nights out. Suddenly, dressing feels like a reassurance rather than a rummage.

Make it Costa Rica-ready. Choose light meshes and cotton blends for afternoon heat, then switch to silkier microfibres when you need a seamless line beneath a fitted dress. Keep your palette practical — almond, cacao and black for daily duty — and let mood colours do the flirting: guava pink, ocean teal, volcanic ash. Support local when you can; boutiques stocking Latin American designers often blend sustainability with that unmistakable “made-for-the-tropics” ease. Every season, edit your drawer: retire the stretched-out veterans, elevate the MVPs to the front, and leave a little space for one piece that simply delights you.

You’ll hear a few common worries. “Will lace itch in humid weather?” Not if you choose the modern kind lined with soft mesh; it breathes, moves and behaves. “Can I machine-wash?” You can, on cold, in a mesh bag — then air-dry flat. “What colour works with everything?” The shade closest to your skin tone is the chameleon; black is your forever classic; one bold colour is your spirit lift. “Are bralettes only for smaller busts?” Not anymore. Look for longline bands, wider straps and lined cups — they deliver support without padding or wires that dig.

This is about how you feel walking out the door to scout a new listing, rolling back in after a jungle hike, or sliding into a seat at a gallery opening. When your base layer honours your body and your plans, the rest of the day rearranges itself around your confidence. Let lingerie become your private celebration of ordinary moments — the beautiful secret that travels with you from sunrise coffee to moonlit salsa.

#howlermag #howlermagazine