A weak economy affects everything, from homes, cars, and groceries all the way down to our undies. And lingerie retailers are feeling it, noting that even affluent customers are scaling way back on their panty purchases. Sales of big-ticket, upscale bra and panty sets (priced around $120) are falling, while sales of basic t-shirt bras and seamless panties are actually seeing increases.Actually, it's not only functional undies that are selling well -- cutesy character undies, with pictures of Tweety and Tinkerbell, are selling because "they represent happier times." Sorry, but we don't think cartoon character undies have ever contributed to our happy times, at least not on occasions when we intend for someone else to see our panties.

Is functionality outweighing fashion in your lingerie department? Are you passing up the matching panties when you purchase a bra? Let us know if your underwear drawer is feeling the crunch in the comments.