One year in middle school, I remember that it suddenly became really cool to wear panties with words on them. You know, a brand name (Victoria’s Secret PINK or American Eagle, of course), or a cutesy little slogan. Bonus points if it was a thong that you were hiding from your mom. It was also very cool in my middle school to wear a skirt on top of pants, just to give you an idea of what I was working with here.

At some point, I decided that it was definitely not cool to wear “statement panties.” And that if a guy took off my pants and my underwear had a cheesy slogan on them it would be kind of embarrassing. But judging by the number of statement panties available online, lots of women must still wear them. So I put the question to you, CC readers. Statement panties: hot or not? Here are a few examples to help you decide.

What is my favorite thing about both my roommates going out of town for the weekend? Being naked. Nothing feels better. Oh, I want a glass of water? No, I won’t put on pants for that. Don’t get me wrong, I like fashion as much as the next girl, but my days and nights would be so much easier if I never had to think about clothing again. I don’t like the time (and sometimes the agony) it takes to plan out an outfit, I don’t like that my bra always shifts to the right, and I HATE when I get a wedgie. Living in New York City means never having an opportunity to inconspicuously pull out a wedgie. It’s a real problem. If I could, I’d go commando in nothing but a sundress all the time. I’m not saying to be irresponsible about it! There are a great number of things you can’t do when you’re going fancy free in a dress or skirt–things that would be painful and shameful. Don’t worry, I made you a list. Do not partake in the following activities, and you can enjoy a easy, breezy, beautiful cover girl day in the sun.

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Do you remember the “underwear bomber”? On Christmas Day in 2009, he tried to set off a bomb moments before his Amsterdam to Detroit flight landed. Where did he hide the bomb? In his underwear. Luckily, the bomb malfunctioned and brave passengers held onto him until authorities came to take him away. This attempted bombing is one of the major reasons why full-body scanners are being installed in airports across the country.

The “underwear bomber” was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. We’re glad that no one was harmed in his attempted attack, and that justice was served. But we just have to say – he hid the bomb in his underwear? Ouch! Your bra can be a decent hiding place for some things, like money. But overall, your undergarments are not a great place to store things. Here’s our list of 8 more things we don’t suggest ever hiding in your underwear.

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[Lead image via Yellowj/Shutterstock]

When I was a kid, my friends and I would make jokes about Victoria’s Secret: the bra cups are infused with chemicals that will permanently make your boobs bigger, any male who buys gifts there actually gets an amazing discount, the mysterious “Victoria” is actually a man who is selling his personal lingerie collection.

Well, earlier this week, Victoria’s Secret finally got out. It’s not pretty, it has nothing to do with being sexy, and it’s not even the least bit funny.

On Wednesday, Bloomberg Markets Magazine released an investigative report linking the lingerie company to child labor practices in West Africa: Victoria’s Secret manufactures its cotton underwear in Sri Lanka, using textiles made in factories in India; a portion of those fabrics use cotton picked in the country of Burkina Faso, a landlocked country that was supposed to produce organic, fair trade cotton. Victoria’s Secret originally entered into the production deal in 2007 with the goal of ”improving the lives of some of the world’s poorest women and children through the responsible sourcing of cotton,” yet was unknowingly exploiting children and endorsing the practices they aimed to fight.

The article follows Clarisse, a 13-year-old child laborer who was pulled out of school to work in cotton fields, doing everything from carving plots that span the size of four football fields to fighting away harmful bugs usually controlled by inorganic pesticides, all while barefoot and susceptible to 100-degree heat during the summer planting season. And what happens if Clarisse gets tired and slows down? Let the farmer himself share his genius technique: “I sometimes beat her…This is when I give her work and she doesn’t deliver.”

The parent company Limited Brands released a statement:

“If this allegation is true, it describes behavior that is contrary to our company’s values and the code of labor and sourcing standards that we require all of our suppliers to meet,” the statement said. “These standards expressly prohibit child labor.” CNN reported that the company claimed to have immediately “began working with key stakeholders internally and externally to fully investigate this matter…we are prepared to take swift action to prevent the illegal use of child labor in the fields where we source Fairtrade-certified organic cotton in Burkina Faso.”

Though the news is shocking to those at VS headquarters, the practices are nothing new to farmers and regulators in Burkina Faso. The U.S. Labor Department has repeatedly cited the country for the worst forms of child labor, while the State Department has done the same regarding child trafficking to conventional cotton fields there. Somehow, this flew under the radar; even Fairtrade International, the world’s largest group of its kind, certified that Burkina Faso’s organic crop met its standards.

Some people are saying that though not all of VS’ cotton supply comes from Burkina Faso, the company should be boycotted; Victoria’s Secret should’ve been more aware of their own contracted labor practices, even if fair trade officials weren’t. However, others argue that it’s just another part of American consumerism that we customers blindly support.

For example, if you wear jeans, use eye shadow, or own a pair of gold earrings, you have at least 8.3 slaves working for you — according to Slavery Footprint, a new online campaign launched in collaboration with the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, created to raise awareness of modern day slavery. Here’s another not-so-fun fact: there are more slaves in the world today – an estimated 27 million people – than at any other time in history.

After taking the interactive, online lifestyle survey, it’s clear that it isn’t just our overpriced cotton underwear that’s supporting modern day slavery: it’s everything. Daily essentials like cars and coffee, college staples like smartphones and laptops. Oranges, cocktail shrimp, mascara and mouthwash, the list goes on.

Find out your Slavery Footprint now — college students can enter the Slavery Footprint Campus Challenge for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2012 mtvU Woodie Awards!

Read the full Bloomberg article here and watch the video coverage online.

What’s your Slavery Footprint? Will you continue to shop at Victoria’s Secret? What companies are endorsing these practices, unknowingly or otherwise?

Ashley is a UC San Diego grad who is holding on way too tightly to a potential career in magazines and goes to Vegas all too often. She’s fascinated with celebrities and strawberry beer and doubles as a pathological texter/emailer/blogger. Feed the addiction with tweets @cashleelee. Thanks in advance.

It’s the end of the year and as you start packing up your stuff to head home for the summer, you might notice the effect the dryer has had on your undies. Yes, after a year of industrial dryers your delicates are probably looking a little frayed and a lot tattered.

What better way to refresh your spring wardrobe than with some pretty new underthings?

Underwear is an easy way to incorporate new trends into your wardrobe with minimal expense. You can add stripes and florals, and lots of colors and patterns without breaking the bank. While you might not be showing off your undies to the world, knowing you have pretty things underneath will make you feel prettier, sexier, and overall just better. (And chances are, you are showing them off to somebody, so don’t you want to put your best….ahem….’foot’ forward?)

If I’ve got you convinced that you need to refresh your collection of underwear, I’ve got 15 items to get you thinking, each more beautiful than the one before!

[Click on any item to shop!]

Dear Mr. Thong Inventor,

I would like to preface this letter by saying that your work has made a large yet incredibly skimpy contribution to my adolescent years. And while I do believe in the nobleness of your cause, I am rather puzzled by the method to the madness of such an invention. As I hold up the tiny piece of fabric that is my underwear, several questions come to mind, such as:

Which came first: The thong, or “The Thong Song”?
The first time I heard The Thong Song, I was 11-years-old. Try explaining to a sixth grader, still under-clad with flower-print Hanes granny panties, the concept of a thong. Watching a leprechaun of a man do cartwheels on the beach doesn’t really do that good of a job of explaining the exact science behind the thong. In fact, I’m pretty sure I thought he was singing about summertime footwear up until 2001, when I realized I needed to wear this contraption to be socially acceptable.

Where the devil did you get this genius idea?
Was it a public service project? Did you see one too many VPLs (Visible Panty Lines, for you not-in-the-knows) and proclaim “I’ve had it! I’m inventing buttless underwear!” To you, Mr. Thong Inventor, going commando just wasn’t an option. Now that point I can understand, as I probably have not washed my jeans since the opening night of “Sex and the City.” And who really likes walking around with that, “I’m wearing the pant equivalent of dirty underwear” feeling all day? Yeah, neither do I. So really, Mr. T.I, you were the answer to my laundry-lazy, VPL-phobic prayers.

How the hell did you get it to catch on?
No seriously. It takes pure skill to get a woman to try on a permanent wedgie, let alone make it a long lasting trend in the sexy lingerie industry. Think about it: it’s a tiny scrap of cotton, satin, silk, or pearls (hey, I dunno what kinda stuff you’re into…) that is designed to chill between your butt cheeks all day. But women still go crazy for them! They even tease other women that don’t wear their underwear up their ass.

I remember my friend Emilie was the first of our 8th grade “group” to wear a thong. She finally caved in after much ridicule from her older sister regarding a tragically obvious VPL in a tacky polyester skirt (honestly, can you blame the older sis?). The day of her thong debut, she literally screamed in agony every time she bent down to open her locker. Even after witnessing her shriek six times before the end of third period, I still thought “Man, I gotta get me one of those!”

Even now, as a “mature” college girl, I will not be caught dead touching a pair of grannies, let alone wearing them during a hook up. You didn’t just sell them to the women of the world, you fooled guys into thinking they were the sexiest form of underwear. Yeah, I get the whole “more is better” thing when it comes to women’s asses, but that still doesn’t really explain to me why butt floss is an attractive option. You must have had to have some pretty solid endorsements to sell this baby to the masses. In this case, I think this product would even be a toughie for the OxyClean man (and that’s saying something – that guy could get me to buy anything). Was Sisqo dancing around a few lubed up beach babes really all it took?

Please find time in your busy pants-dropping schedule to get back to me as soon as possible. Seriously, we need to talk. I have a great idea for an invisible lingerie line that could really use a boost…

Yours truly,
Miss Thong Investor

[This story was originally posted by Elizabeth - UC Berkeley]

Likey? Don’t worry, there are plenty more faves where this came from.

Since you ladies loved our history of the bra so much, our friends from OnlineDating.org went ahead and made a visual representation of the history of the thong. You know, so,  you could have a complete two-piece set. Or at least finally know who to blame for inventing this torture system.

Pay attention – you might be tested on this one day.

Ok, here’s the deal. While many people might disagree, I stand firm in my belief that lace should not be confined to the contents of your underwear drawer.  Although it looks to die for on a pair of panties, it also looks beloved with just about any outfit.  It’s romantic. It’s Grace Kelly. It’s classy. It’s classic.

And it’s under $20 dollars (at least on this URL).

So let’s get shopping, shall we?

Subtle and sexy this top is as great in the front as it is the back.  It would be perfect for a date night and a great addition with a soft bun in your hair.  This top is a perfect example of how classy lace can really be.

Need a wonderful remedy for a bad hair day? Slip on a hip and  feminine headband, of course!  The soft cream color and thick hem would be great to throw on before class for an easy fix-up. And at $4.99, I’m dying to click ‘Add to Shopping Cart.’

This Lucca Couture top is great because it’s so versatile.  You could layer it over any colored shirt, with a high waisted skirt, under a vest. . .the list goes on and on.  Getting creative is key.  I love it because it is so romantic and Grace Kelly.

Perfect for your upcoming fall wardrobe with its deep, yummy, purple tint [also comes in cream and black].  Loose and flowy, this top is breathable and would look great tucked in to a skirt or tucked out of some skinny jeans.

With the off the shoulder, flirty style and lace fabric this top has some serious character. And pizazz. And style. And fierce-itude. And that’s why I like it.  With some simple jewelery and flats I promise a few double-takes. Damn girl!

Getting past the fact that I probably had these when I dressed as Minnie Mouse for Halloween (age 5) these are so adorable!  Stick them in your hair for some sweet and innocent style – all for only $2.50.

Sweet, dainty and flirty, this is such a fun look, and at such a steal (only $8.00) how could you pass it up!?  I just bought a pair of cute booties like the ones in the picture and I can’t wait to add some lacy socks for the perfect flirty look for fall.  But I’m not quite done. If you like stripes, try this.

This little beauty might be my favorite in the bunch. Key Reason: It comes in Ivory, Black, Soft Pink, Pastel Aqua, and it’s 2 for $20.  Is it Christmas?! Nah, just our lucky day.

Gosh, I’m tired. I guess that’s what happens when you stay up late watching Bode Miller/eating a tray of brownies and then you’re so wired from the excitement/insane amount of sugar you just ingested, you can’t fall asleep until 3am. And then you wake up and discover there’s still one brownie left so you eat it, feel great for about 30 minutes, and then completely crash.

Ugh, and there’s still two more days to go this week?

I’m going to need some major coffee just to get out of bed, and then a few 5 Hour Energy’s to get to the gym to work off the brownie binge. But before I go into a caffeine rage (similar to ‘roid rage, only with many more trips to the bathroom), let me take a moment to myself to consider the following disturbing scenario.

Would you rather walk in on your boyfriend trying on your underwear OR be forced to watch a one hour long video of your sibling/parent having sex?

Things to consider: your boyfriend in a lacy thong, your boyshorts getting stretched out, your parents having sex.

Vote and share your reasoning (if you can even think about this without getting physically ill) in the comments!

At the beginning of the previous semester, I dedicated a post to the top 5 bras every college girl should own. These bras, I noted, were essentials that could totally make or break your look.

In order to create the perfect foundation for your outfit, the panties you choose are equally important! If your lingerie drawer is in need of an upgrade, if you’re unsure of what to wear under that new dress, or if you simply consider yourself a lingerie junkie like I do, read on! These five styles should be staples in every college girl’s wardrobe.

1. Boy Shorts/Booty Shorts

Why they’re a must-own:

Boy shorts are surprisingly great under skirts and dresses, or anything with a more flowy construction. A great pair of boy shorts won’t show any traditional panty lines, so you can wear them underneath fairly tight pieces, too. Another reason they’re great? Coverage. If you’re wearing a skirt on a windy day, wouldn’t you rather be wearing booty shorts than anything smaller?!

When buying boy shorts, make sure you pick pairs that are snug enough to hug your body, but not tight enough to cause the dreaded muffin top. Don’t go too loose either, though! There is nothing worse than a saggy, baggy pair of boy shorts!

Top Picks:

Product Information: Sheer Lace Boyshort, Forever 21. Lace Striped Boyshort Panties, Charlotte Russe. Aerie Ultimate Tanga, American Eagle. Ruffle Mesh Boyshort Panties, Charlotte Russe.

What other undies do you need in your arsenal? Read the rest CollegeFashion.net!