mySimon Clothing Shopping Picks

If companies can sell push-up bras to insecure women, then they can probably sell padded underpants to insecure men. Either one is better than implants, right? Go Softwear's line of padded butt briefs is, to quote the company, "an innovative solution for men who want to enhance their rear view" and "perfect for guys who want to look good both coming and going." Well, at least you no longer have to take that stadium seat cushion to the baseball game...

Lands' End says their Slender Suits will make you look one size smaller, because the suits' "Slendertex" fabric provides "all-over control" and "strategic shirring (that) flatters your shape." That bold claim, plus the cute styles which don't look like they will go out of fashion anytime soon, make us want to try them out. And some of them are on sale too. Now all we need it some time off and some sunscreen. Browse our swimwear department for more brands and styles.

The pool rules say you have to wear a swim cap, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style while doing laps. We like these Speedo retro floral swim caps (especially since retro swimwear is a big trend this summer). Made of soft silicone, they come in blue, purple, green, and pink, and don't rip your hair out by the roots when you take them off. If you want something even more retro, Speedo also makes a louder, more textured version, kinda like the one Grandma used to wear. See all swim caps.

Does Dad's wardrobe need a little jump start? Maybe he'd like one of these Hickey silk ties for Father's Day. In addition to the standard dots, stripes, and plaids, there are a bunch with fun patterns: Battleship (like the board game), skulls and crossbones, hula girls, army men (like the plastic toys), illegal looking leaves, and our favorite, fish bones. The prints are clever but subdued enough to go unnoticed from a distance.

In its annual Editors' Choice awards feature, Backpacker magazine gave the Marmot DriClime Catalyst jacket a "Green Award" because it now comes in a version made from 88% recycled fabric. Other features include wind resistance, stretchy and breathable fabric, a soft lining that wicks away moisture, a sleeve pocket with a headphone port, and (at least compared to other fancy camping jackets) a reasonable price tag. It also packs down really small. The jacket comes in men's and women's sizes and in several different colors.

The Sex and the City movie doesn't come out for a few weeks, but you can start preparing for it now by vacuuming in designer shoes, sipping Cosmos, and wearing the new Sex and the City lingerie collection by Cosabella. Shown here is the eco-friendly "Charlotte" camisole made out of a soft modal and bamboo fabric that wicks away moisture - a thoughtful touch, because you might break into a sweat once you realize you've maxed out your credit cards on Manolos.

In the battle of the sexes, both sides win, thanks to Paul Frank Man Panties (or "manties" for short). Women will be happy the horrible P word no longer applies solely to female underwear, while guys will love these boxer briefs, no matter what you call them. They're made out of soft cotton jersey with some spandex for stretch, and come in three designs: Red Lumberjack, Blue Wild West, and Black Rocker. We're dying to know if Pete Townsend owns a pair. More Paul Frank underwear.

Women's fashion these days is all over the place. One big trend right now is tunics (are they long shirts? short dresses? maternity tops?). Mini dresses are also popular, as long as the wind doesn't blow and you don't have to sit down. At the other extreme is the maxi dress, the definition of which seems to be "a loose-fitting warm-weather dress that comes down to your ankles." Kind of like a muumuu, but less Hawaiian. The one shown here is by Diane von Furstenberg.

Burberry trench coats are (in our humble opinions) overpriced and underexciting. Save your savings for something more important, but protect yourself from spring showers with a Michael Kors trench coat. Available in many different styles and colors - including yellow, this season's "must-have" color - they'll shield you from Mother Nature without breaking the bank. More trench coats for men and women.

Do you remember Chuck Brown's 1978 hit Bustin' Loose? We think that should be the theme song for these BustFree non-bras. We can't really figure them out. They're padded cups that are made of some special material, so that they stay on and provide all the support you need, without any straps, hooks, tape, or adhesive. It sounds way too good to be true. If anyone reading this has had any experience with BustFree products, please tell us about it.

In case you've missed the larger-than-life billboards of David Beckham for the new line of Emporio Armani underwear, here you go. Fellas, these briefs, boxers, trunks, and thongs probably won't give you a 6-pack, make you a soccer star, or help you find a wife with a pop music, um, "career." But we're willing to bet they're pretty comfortable, especially when the "fashion thong offers the support you need without over-doing it." We're not sure what that means but it sounds pretty good.

"Blue gingham. Trust us." That's the third directive on Esquire magazine's exhaustingly long list of The (New) Laws of Casual Style. We don't agree with all their "laws," but we're definitely pro-gingham (in almost any color), especially in the spring. Gingham oxford shirts look just as good with suits they do with jeans or khakis, everyone from L.L.Bean to Ben Sherman to the Gap makes them, and you can get them for less than $30. See all gingham apparel.

Yes, we know, it's only February. But high school girls are already shopping for prom dresses. We did a little research on prom dress trends this year, and it seems like just about anything goes - long or short, solids or prints, strapless or halters - as long as the dress is G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S (as Fergie would say). If we were still 16-going-on-30 and shopping for prom dresses, we'd choose one of these red-carpet-worthy Mary L. Couture gowns. Many of them are made from jersey fabric, which means they're easy to move around in.

Designed in Miami and made in Italy, Cosabella lingerie is both comfortable and colorful. Taking its name from the Italian word for "pretty thing," Cosabella makes a variety of bras, panties, camisoles, thongs, and chemises that are sexy enough for special occasions yet still comfortable and practical enough for everyday wear. Shop for lingerie by style, brand, and price.

Save money on your heating bills with the Slanket, a gigantic fleece blanket with sleeves. Yes, sleeves. So you can work on your laptop, reach for the remote, or eat a pint of ice cream without your arms getting cold. The sleeves are large and loose, so you don't feel like you're wearing a straightjacket. The Slanket is machine washable and comes in lots of colors, in both adult and kiddie sizes. More fleece blankets.

Ohhh, Canada. We're not even sure what to say about Ginch Gonch, a Canadian company that has launched a "fun protest against boring black and grey underwear." They call it "get lucky, feel lucky underwear." We call it hilarious. And we wonder how many straight-laced Brooks Brothers guys have this kind of party going on in their pants. Shown here is the "Crotch Rockets" sports brief. If that doesn't, um, get your motor running, Ginch Gonch also makes low rise briefs and jock straps, in "Bull Rider," "Feathers of Fire," "Banana Monkey," and other designs.

We've had that song "Low" by Flo-Rida stuck in our heads all week. Sing along with us: "Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur, the whole club was lookin' at her. She hit the flo', next thing you know, shorty got low, low, low, low..." Created by rapper Nelly, Apple Bottoms jeans celebrate the natural curves of a woman's body, whether she's Red Delicious, Granny Smith, Fuji, or Gala. Says Nelly: "It was always about the fit. Now, we have studied all y'all different shapes and sizes... of every origin, race, color, and make up... check em out."

Who are you voting for? Tell the world with a hoodie, t-shirt, tote bag, hat, or (heaven help us) dog t-shirt. Cafe Press can hook you up. They've got a big selection of Barack Obama apparel, including the American Apparel zip-up hoodie shown here. Unhappy with Obamarama? Cafe Press also has tons of (pro- and anti-) Hillary Clinton gear, a few Huckabee items, and lots more. Who says your body can't be a bumper sticker?

Sometimes called "reefer jackets" or "pilot jackets," pea coats aren't just for sailors anymore, judging from the hundreds of styles we've got for men, women, and kids. The traditional pea coat has broad lapels, a double-breasted front, large buttons, and vertical or slash pockets, but some modern designers have taken a few liberties with that template, as seen in the designer Doo.Ri pea coat shown here. But we've got everything from traditional sailor to modern fashionista styles, so you're sure to find something you'll love.