Undies are seriously important. They keep the girls happy, our cheeks uplifted and our curves feeling sexy. So which styles and brands are the best? Thanks to the Undie Awards (it's like the Miss America pageant for panties), you can save time and money by trusting the votes of over 12,000 women across the United States for the best in bras, underwear and more.

While our personal fave, the Victoria Secret low-rise cotton bikini (get 5 for $25!), didn't make the cut, here are four rightful winners from the competition:


Hanky Panky Thongs
"A Fabulous selection of colors in makes this collection a
favorite lingerie piece among celebrities. All day comfort
in a "one size fits most" stretch to fit fabric."

Most available in one size (o/s) and XL
$18 - $60


Barely There Flirtatious Bikini 2546
"This low-rise bikini is made in super-soft flirty lace, and features a "V" style to help hide under low-rise fashions."

Available in sizes 5-8
$9


Wonderbra Gel Satin Push-Up Bra 7234
"Innovative lightweight gel pads which give unbelievable comfort and cleavage."

Available in sizes 32A - 38C
$29.00


Calvin Klein F2540 Perfectly Fit T-Shirt Bra
"Smooth, seamless, contoured shape cups with two-way stretch foam."

Available in sizes 32A-38D
$38

In case you hadn't heard, Kohl's is teaming up with designer Vera Wang to create Very Vera by Vera Wang, thereby bringing her styles to the masses. The brand will be available exclusively in Kohl's stores and on Kohls.com starting in the fall of 2007.

The question is: Will this collaboration tarnish Vera's name? After all, when the preeminent wedding gown designer in the world decides to attach her lofty name to a mid-brow retailer like Kohl's, something's gotta give, right?

Personally, we don't think it's a bad move—after all, we love her personal style and if anyone has the skills to translate their high-end designs to a lower price-point, it's Ms. Wang. Consumers (we hope) will come out ahead. We like the looks we've seen so far (above)...elegant, urban, great colors and even the fabrics look good.

We're just concerned about her reputation as the reigning queen of bridal couture. What princess or A-lister is going to want to wear a Vera Wang dress on their big day if Jane Nobody can pick up something from Very Vera down at the Harlem Irving Plaza Kohl's store?

"Very Vera" can also be seen as an extension of Wang's ever-growing empire—there's her Lavender line and forays into housewares, jewelry, perfume and more. Call it selling out—we call it evolution.

In the oversexed world of fashion, one designer stands out as the real deal when it comes to understanding and delivering unabashed sex-appeal: Roberto Cavalli. The Hollywood set has embraced his wild and glamorous styles for years, and now we can get a piece of the action, too, because Cavalli is the next designer slated to create a collection for H&M!

The "Roberto Cavalli for H&M" collection will be available in some 200 H&M stores worldwide for a limited period beginning on November 8th, and will consist of 20 pieces of menswear and 25 of womenswear, including lingerie and matching accessories.

“I love freedom and challenges—breaking down barriers, experimenting in different directions," the Italian designer says of the collaboration. "H&M is all this for me. I will add a dash of festivity and dreams.”

We're hoping Cavalli's wallet-friendly designs will add not only a dash of "festivity and dreams" but also a sprinkle of sensuality and a pinch of animal prints…his trademark use of leather, feathers and the like would turn on us, too.

OK, maybe not feathers—but we expect nothing less than clothes that rock!

Related Links:
H&M Hearts Kylie, And So Does the Budget Babe!
M for Mundane: Madonna for H&M

It's like they read our minds: Forever21 is expanding business and adding a new affordable "luxury" line called Twelve by Twelve.

Naturally, this is a dream come true. First, because we're happy that they didn't decide to just raise prices on existing merchandise—you know, establish a loyal customer base, then raise prices once we're all hooked (the old bait 'n' switch). Second, because we were always willing to pay a tad more for Forever21 clothing if they could just come out with marginally better quality stuff. Hopefully, Twelve by Twelve will deliver!

Twelve by Twelve is priced about thirty-five percent higher than Forever 21’s usual ensemble, but each piece will cost less than $100.

“Forever 21 is fast fashion, it’s quick-turn, young and fun,” said Betsy Zanjani, vice president of merchandising for the project, “whereas Twelve by Twelve is a grouping of items designed to go together, to be worn together. It will be a little bit more sophisticated, much more luxury.”

Twelve by Twelve will launch its own Web site (twelvebytwelve.com) later this month, followed by 10 to 15 in-store boutiques at already existing Forever 21 stores. A stand-alone Twelve by Twelve shop is set to open by fall at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles.

UPDATE 9/26/07: Twelve By Twelve Now Available in Select Stores and Online!

Glamour salutes the winners of their Top 10 College Women Competition in the June issue, a tradition they began back in 1957. When we heard that Martha Stewart was selected as one of the honorees in 1961, we had to investigate--and we're glad we did.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the competition, Glamour.com put together a snappy slideshow with retro fashion flashbacks and informative anecdotes about how much we women have changed and, in many respects, how we've happily remained the same. A few highlights...

• Originally called “The 10 Best Dressed College Girls,” the contest's winners were chosen for traits such as “impeccable grooming” and “shining, well-kept hair.”


• 1968 winner Katiti Kironde II of Memorial University of Newfoundland made history as the first black woman to appear on the cover of a major women’s magazine.


• In 1969, the contest's focus shifted from fashion to overachieving, er, academics and leadership. In 1977, two honorees modeled the "perfect" college wardrobe—a far-cry from the sweatshirts and flip-flops that so many co-eds toss on today.


• Sheryl Lee Ralph was a 1975 winner who went on to star in the original Dreamgirls on Broadway.


• For the 1996 photo shoot, all the winners wore the present-day pariah of the fashion world: Mom jeans, in all their high-waisted, tapered leg, stone washed (or classic blue) glory.


• Former winner and novelist Heather Cochran shares this advice for younger generations: “Don’t be afraid to fail—well-told tales of spectacular risk and enthusiastic failure make for very good party conversation.”