EVERYONE I know has a fashion pet peeve: fake designer bags, cheap heels, badly made accessories, unpedicured feet, socks worn with open-toe sandals... and the list goes on.

Some peeves are like emotional red buttons - press it often enough and one can possibly turn into a murderous psychopath.

Although I've not gone over the deep end yet, I would probably get there in my lifetime if sightings of the visible panty line continue to haunt my waking hours and sometimes, my nightmares too.

Yes, the visible panty line, or VPL to most of us.

You know, that ugly line that shows up in the back of some woman's bottom.

Ugly, ugly, ugly.

I can't explain why but that offensive streak peeking through the fabric irritates me as much as rude people.

Although I can probably deal with the latter better than I can an unsightly VPL.

More so when that niggling line is spied on the derriere of a good-looking girl.

I mean, come on ladies. Some of you probably spend a tiny fortune on that hairdo, that manicure and pedicure package and who knows, those special botox and laser treatments. Do something about your innerwear.

Lucky for us all, Singapore's a shopping haven and there's a good selection of local and international brands with prices ranging from affordable to extravagant.

Panties can cost less than $10 to more than $100 depending on the label and quality.

But while quality is important, style and functionality are equally crucial.

You can spend a few hundred dollars on high-end luxury knickers but if you are going to wear that with a tight body-hugging lycra dress and flash your VPL to the world, then you're better off going commando.

So what do you wear under that hot skin-tight second skin?

Let the experts tell you.

Our experts tell you how

1) Wileen Chen, 29, advertising & promotions manager, Triumph International Singapore:

Always stand by these must-haves from our collection: Stretty skinfit seamless range (left, $18.90) or a Comfort on Demand G-string ($29.90) for a barely there effect.

Mix-and-match several panty styles with the outfit if unsure and always check your behind before stepping out.

2) Lim Yan Hua, 33, marketing manager, Pierre Cardin Lingerie:

Either wear a G-string or go seamless with the common mini and boxshorts styles.

We recommend a good quality seamless boxshorts; that goes well under a pair of tight-fitting pants, as well as short party dresses.

Panties promotion
Our signature Skinlite Seamless collection helps achieve that "no vpl" effect under your favourite body-hugging dress. Usual price is at $12 each but now buy two and get one free at all PC Lingerie counters.

3) Joyce Foo, 30, F J Benjamin (Singapore), La Senza brand manager:

Seamless thongs are one of the most common ways to avoid VPL. La Senza carries a seamless panty range called Barely There, and true to its name, you can barely feel it.

La Senza's Barely There Thongs are priced at $18.

For some ladies who are not comfortable wearing thongs, another way to prevent VPL is to wear boy-legs, boy-shorts or Frenchknickers. This works well when you are wearing a tight skirt.

You can also try wearing shapewear which not only hides VPL but also contours your body.

La Senza's Shapewear is of a very smooth texture, clinging to your body like a second skin.

Panties promotion
Cotton panties: Five for $40 ($12 per piece) Luxury panties: Three for $45 ($18 per piece) Ooh la Lace: Three for $39 ($18 per piece)

4) Mikki Seng, 44, trainer, Wacoal Singapore:

Wearing the right underwear can help get rid of unsightly bumps and bulges. G-string is the best bet to avoid VPL, but prolong wearing will result in the buttocks not having ample support,resulting in saggy bums.

5) Tan Shi Ling, brand manager, Calvin Klein Underwear:

When wearing a tight-fitting dress /light coloured bottom, it's best to wear a seamless panty or thong.

A low-rise hipster panty is a must-have to avoid embarrassing peek-a-boo moments when wearing low-rise jeans.

This article was first published in The New Paper.