Top Ten; Men's and women's underwear around pounds 12

1. Swiss girls seem to have no trouble pulling - could it be their underwear? White Swiss-style lattice underwired bra, pounds 12, by Marks and Spencer, 458 Oxford St, London W1 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0171- 935 4422.

2. Purr-fectly soft purple Tactel knickers with lace overlay for playful kittens, pounds 8, by La Senza's Little Luxuries range, 485 Oxford Circus, London W1, enquiries 0171 831 1000.

3. Now discovered by almost everyone, these classic cotton camisoles in packs of three are best worn with combat trousers, available in white, grey or black, pounds 14.50, from Muji, 26 Great Marlborough Street, London W1, enquiries 0171 323 2208.

4. If you're feeling like a bit of animal attraction this bra set is perfect for you. Leopard-print bra and brief set (pictured, top) pounds 12.99, by George at Asda, branches nationwide, enquiries 0500-100 055.

5. Calvin Klein bought to the masses by our favourite catalogue friends Freemans. In the latest Autumn/ Winter catalogue there is a double-page spread of Calvin's essentials. Cotton classic soft-cup bra in white or black with essential logo elastic, pounds 11, by Calvin Klein, from Freemans mail order catalogue, enquiries 0345 900 100.

6. Do not attempt to wear a pineapple on your head while wearing your gold Brazilian-cut high-leg thong - stick to the dirty dancing, pounds 7.95, by Exotica from Brazil, 15 The Arcade, Liverpool St, London EC2, enquiries 0171 929 2669.

7. Pick a card, any card - from the new Agent Provocateur mail order collection (above). Choose from rather risque peek-a-boo bras to frilly knickers. Sexy candy-pink-stripe thong with black trim, pounds 15, by Agent Provocateur, 6 Broadwick Street, London W1, mail order and enquiries 01483 268 888.

8. Crack the whip in Lycra sports rib trunks, pounds 11, by Jockey, available from John Lewis, Oxford St, London W1 and branches nationwide, enquiries 0191 491 0088.

9. Nutty Scandinavian company Bjorn Borg actually has nothing to do with the sexy Seventies tennis star, which is a shame because many women might like to see him in a pair of these rather small undies. Best-buy women's pieces include low-cut sport top and sport tanga both in white cotton. White sport tops, pounds 18.95; white sport hip knickers, pounds 10.95, men's classic shorts, pounds 17.95 (pictured below); men's orange sport briefs, pounds 12.95. All by Bjorn Borg, 70 Sloane Avenue, London SW3, enquiries 0171 581 0150.

10. If flowers and chocolate are the way to a woman's heart cut to the chase with a chocolate-coloured, tulip-printed chiffon underwired bra - and for instant reaction present it along with a bottle of bubbly, pounds 16, by Knickerbox, 28 Sloane Square, London SW1; Unit Y1, Halle Mall, Arndale Centre, Manchester, enquiries 0171 284 1744n

Holly Davies