Posts in category "hanky panky"

Date Night Lingerie: What To Wear On Valentine’s Eve

The year’s biggest date night is almost upon us and if you are one of the many millions of people fretting over the details then you are not alone. Each year many of us face the usual questions: Who will be my Valentine? What will we do to celebrate? What should I wear? And my most frequently asked question: What underwear will I wear?

It can often be a very thoughtful process choosing your lingerie selection for this special evening. Depending on whom you are seeing, what stage you are at in your relationship & where your (and their) tastes lie, you may find yourself with a lingerie quagmire on your hands. While you want to make sure you feel your most confident & comfortable, you also will want to look the part, portraying the image that you believe most adequately represents your personality while illustrating the appropriate kind of message to your partner.

If you have the date & location set but are just stressing over the finishing touches on your ensemble then continue reading for some suggestions on what to wear underneath it all. To be clear, these are not dating tips or suggestions that will work for everyone. All relationships are different & move at their own unique speeds. These ideas are only meant to inspire you to find what works best for you & your needs.

 

Hanky Panky, Elle Macpherson & Honeydew Intimates

The Blind Date
Scenario: You have never met in person before, set up by a mutual acquaintance or an online dating web service.
Concern: Who knows if you will be compatible or even have any kind of mutual attraction?
Lingerie Solution: Stick with something comfortable yet stylish. Chances are you will not be revealing them tonight so comfort is key. Choose pieces in soft fabrics that don’t pinch, pull or poke. But a little fashion detail can go a long way, helping to give you that extra bit of confidence knowing that you still look great under your clothes.
Suggestion: I recommend comfy basics in soft fibers like cotton or modal blends. A touch of lace or a cheeky print will pump up the flirt factor while still remaining no-fuss & relaxed. Try separates from Hanky Panky, Elle Macpherson or Honeydew Intimates like the ones shown here.
Hotness Factor: Lukewarm

 

Spanx, Bali & Fruit Of The Loom

The First Date
Scenario: You have met each other before and are interested. Now it’s time to see how compatible you are together.
Concern: The attraction is there but if all goes well tonight you don’t want to spoil the potential for future dates by getting too intimate too fast.
Lingerie Solution: It may be a good idea to wear something unflattering to help curb any desire you may have to get physical throughout the night. If alcohol is involved it can often cloud our judgment & lead to decisions we wouldn’t usually make. So arm yourself with some granny panties or full coverage, figure-concealing basics to ensure you’ll avoid doing something you may regret.
Suggestion: Steer clear of anything sexy or fashionable so you won’t be tempted to give in to your desires so early in the game. How about a pair of cotton floral print briefs and a basic nude bra? Spanx, Bali & Fruit Of The Loom have all got you covered in this category.
Hotness Factor: Arctic

 

Myla, B.Tempt’d & Claudette

The “Tonight’s The Night” Date
Scenario: You have gone out a few times and things are looking good. You are ready to move on to the next base and now is the time many dates begin to really heat up.
Concern: You’ve built up an attraction to this person & don’t want to ruin the mood. When the time comes you plan on being fully prepared & ready to go!
Lingerie Solution: This is the best time to break out your favorite lingerie. A matching set is always a winner in a seductive fabric that will make you feel sexy and confident. It may be too soon to show off some of the kinky stuff so pick something pretty & stylish that flatters your curves and makes you feel like a million bucks.
Suggestion: Try a coordinating set in sumptuous satin or delicate lace. Keep it sophisticated in black, neutrals, reds or pinks or get playful in hot prints like wild leopard or flirty polka dots. Pieces from Myla, B.Tempt’d & Claudette are sure to make this night a memorable one for you both.
Hotness Factor: Hot

 

Maison Close, Hopeless Lingerie & Atsuko Kudo

The Committed Partner Date
Scenario: Congratulations the two of you have been in a relationship for a while now and things are going well! Now that you are familiar with one another it’s time to get a little more playful in the bedroom and focus on each other’s most intimate fantasies.
Concern: A full understanding of your partner’s wants and desires will allow you to cater to both of your specific needs. Since you have been together for some time you can spend less time worrying about what your partner may think and focus on pushing the envelope a little further.
Lingerie Solution: It’s time to get daring. Always wondered about crotchless panties? Intrigued by bondage? Whatever your usual go-to lingerie style, try switching it up with a completely contradictory look for an unexpected surprise that your partner will not forget.
Suggestion: Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone here. Something bold & salacious from Maison Close, Hopeless Lingerie or Atsuko Kudo may elicit a blush or two initially but will be well worth it in the end.
Hotness Factor: Scorching

 

3 Wishes, Trashy Lingerie & Victoria’s Secret

The Long Term Date
Scenario: You have been together for a long while now and this is not your first Valentine’s Day together.
Concern: It may be time to spice things up a little. By now you know each other inside and out, including all of your quirks & eccentricities. You may be married or have a family but want to ensure to keep the spark aflame after all this time together.
Lingerie Solution: It may be time to pull out all the stops and try something really unconventional. This is a great occasion to experiment with role-playing & acting out your wildest fantasies. A sexy nurse is always sure to rouse heartbeats while a sexy chambermaid knows her way around the bedroom. Whatever fantasy you choose for you & your partner, make sure to have fun with it and only take it as far as you feel comfortable with.
Suggestion: Sexy, themed costumes from 3 Wishes, Trashy Lingerie & Victoria’s Secret are sure to get things heating up quickly.
Hotness Factor: Sizzling

 

Mary Green, Marika Vera & Oscar De La Renta

The Self Love Date
Scenario: Being dateless on Valentine’s Day is nothing to scoff at! Nearly 50% of the American population is single & what better time to get in touch with your emotions and practice self-appreciation?
Concern: Not having a date on Valentine’s Day does not mean a night of loneliness and self-pity. There are plenty of ways to celebrate this time and treat yourself to an indulgent date night of your own.
Lingerie Solution: Why not wear your favorite, most sensual lingerie today just for yourself? Indulge in a bottle of wine, some chocolates and major pampering for a night that is all about you. Pieces that feel luxurious to the touch are a great way to help you feel sensual & extravagant.
Suggestion: Choose soft & silky styles that hug you in all the right places on this romantic holiday. Mary Green, Marika Vera & Oscar De La Renta are just a few luxury brands that will have you feeling pretty & pampered in no time.
Hotness Factor: Hot

What will you be wearing this Valentines Day? How will you celebrate this year?

Kristina

Kristina

Lingerie Designer specializing in fashion & trend.

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Weekly Lingerie Sales – 5/26/12

Simone Perele

Treacle

Treacle

Lingerie Blogger. Sugar Junkie. Sci-Fi Geek.

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Lingerie as Outerwear for Curvy Women: 6 of My Fave Picks

By: Holly

I’m not exactly a fashion plate kind of woman. I spend lots of time in jeans and t-shirts, or sometimes even less when I’m at home working. I have a pretty great lingerie collection, but my wardrobe is kind of lacking.

I made a resolution a few months ago to try and develop a stronger personal sense of style, which had some ups and downs. One of the high points was my discovery of teddies and bodysuits, which I previously believed only looked good on girls with very few curves. It turns out there are a lot of great lingerie companies making bodysuits that make your curves look phenomenal.

I’ll admit that I still wear lots of jeans, but I’m more likely to toss on a cute teddy or bodysuit than a t-shirt these days. Teddies and bodysuits also look amazing with high waisted skirts or pants if you want to be more formal about that look. There aren’t a lot of people talking about how the underwear as outerwear trend applies to us curvy women, but I promise you it can be done with the right pieces.

Here are a few of my recent favorites to get you started:

 

The Basic Tank Teddy from Hips and Curves:

Okay, to be fair, I haven’t entirely given up tank tops. This teddy represents a step up from my normal jeans and t-shirt routine. It’s a great lingerie and wardrobe basic, and it is guaranteed to make your curves look great. I’m hoping to give up my boxy t-shirts forever and replace them with pieces like this.

 

Ribbon Lace Long Sleeve Bodysuit by Hanky Panky:

I tend to wear lots of tank tops under my sheer bodysuits, so this Hanky Panky bodysuit is right up my alley. I already love Hanky Panky’s thongs and lace underwear, so I’m really excited that they’re expanding into other sorts of lingerie. This bodysuit would go perfectly with jeans or something more formal.

 

Lace Trim Satin Teddy by Hips and Curves:

This teddy is a perfect example of how sometimes less is more. It comes in two great colors, has amazingly sexy lace details, and feels silky soft. I’m planning to pick one up to laze around home in, but I’m sure you could wear it in place of a tank top with a cardigan just as easily.

 

Shimmer Teddy by Lola Haze:

Lola Haze is an amazing brand designed by my fellow TLA columnist Laura, and she’s been picking up a ton of press lately. This teddy is luxurious, stylish, and bust friendly. The large has a 41” inch chest, which would allow my 34GG self to fit into it. I love the gold stretch mesh, and it’s just begging to be accessorized with some big gold jewelry.

 

Blossom Lace Bodysuit by Sonata Lingerie:

My last two picks are from made to measure designers. Made to measure isn’t talked about much in conjunction with the full-busted lingerie world, which is really a shame. There are lots of great designers out there making things that look great on curvy women! Sonata Lingerie is one such company. I own the navy blue and hot pink version of this teddy, but I love the soft peach color as we look forward to spring. The lace on this bodysuit is soft, and the look goes with everything. I wear mine at least once a week.

 

Anouk Starlight Blue Silk Chiffon Playsuit by La Lilouche:

I adore any sort of blue lingerie, and I’ve fallen in love with this playsuit by La Lilouche. The 30’s look has been a great trend this season, and this playsuit embodies it perfectly. The crystal details on the straps are exquisite, and the ruffles on the back are adorable. This would make a great outerwear piece with the right accessories.

What are some of your favorite lingerie as outerwear pieces? Let’s talk about them in the comments!

Sponsored Post: 12 Super Sexy Lingerie Gifts from Bare Necessities

I’m pretty comfortable with lingerie now, but I remember how intimidating the world of intimates was when I first became interested in it. All those brands…all those prices…all those materials….I had no idea where to start. And I was way too uncomfortable (not to mention way too broke) to stop by my local lingerie boutique.

If this sounds a little bit like you (or even if it doesn’t), Bare Necessities is your one-stop shop for lingerie this holiday season. Not only do they carry tons of brands to fit every body and every budget, they also have one of the easiest return policies in the industry. Don’t like what you ordered? Just send it back…no questions asked.

Below is a list of 12 sets I love this holiday season. With prices ranging from $32 to $345 and sizing options from A cup to G cup, believe me when I say there’s a little something here for everybody.

Escante Lace Babydoll & Coat w/ Matching Panty
$32.00
Falke ‘Embroidery’ Stay Up Thigh High Stockings
$49.00
Jezebel ‘Edgy Girl’ Push Up Bra & Ruffled Boyshorts
$51.00
Felina ‘Germaine’ Contour Bra & Low Rise Thong
$57.00
Parfait by Affinitas Honey Underwire Babydoll
$65.00
Hanky Panky ‘Silky Skin Luxe’ Bralette & Thong
$94.00
Elomi ‘Lara’ Bra & Brief
$100.00
Hanky Panky ‘After Midnight’ High Waist Open Gusset Panty & Peek-a-Boo Bralette
$102.00
Marlies Dekkers ‘Favourites’ Push Up Bra & Thong
$148.00
La Perla Studio ‘Sweet Hearts’ Embroidered Bra & Thong
$185.00
La Perla ‘Smoking’ Lace and Silk Bra & Thong
$288.00
Wolford ‘Roses’ Lace Net Backseam Tights
$345.00

The Look for Less: Eres vs. Hanky Panky

You may have noticed it’s been awhile since the last ‘Look for Less‘ article. That’s because one of my more recent Looks for Less articles (featuring Bordelle & Frederick’s of Hollywood), caused quite a stir–and a lot of great discussion–on my Twitter and Facebook pages.

Gaby, from Hopeless Lingerie, wrote a excellent piece on my blog about some of the issues with lingerie knockoffs ,and though I did one more article shortly afterward featuring Agent Provocateur and ASOS, I realized I needed some time to think about Look for Less features, and if I could go about them in a better way.

So welcome to the relaunch of Look for Less.

There were a lot of calls for me to get rid of this feature entirely, but I decided against it because, as a consumer on a budget, I understand that expensive lingerie is out of the reach of many people. And I truly believe that women shouldn’t be sentenced to a lifetime of bland, boring underwear just because they don’t have a luxury budget.

That said, I also understand the difficult position some of my Look for Less features put the industry in, especially independent lingerie designers. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be to spend months designing the perfect undergarment only to see your efforts oliberated by a multi-million dollar company with designers, factories, and advertising dollars to spare.

So though today marks the return of Look for Less, it also marks the beginning of what I hope is a more ethical version of Look for Less. We’ll be talking less about seam-for-seam knockoffs and more about how you can get the look and feel of designer pieces even if you don’t have a designer budget.

Today’s feature compares Eres’ Pandora lace (pictured left here and in all other photos) range with Hanky Panky’s signature lace range (pictured right here and in all other photos). I first found out about the Pandora range through Frou Frou Fashionista, and I immediately fell in love with the design. Lace is such a classic lingerie material, and it makes even the most basic patterns look luxurious.

Sadly, I was less enamored of Eres’ price tag. With briefs starting at $190 and bras at $355, I’d need to eat an unhealthy amount of Ramen to afford their lingerie.

Fortunately, you can get a similar allover lace look from Hanky Panky for a lot less money. The pieces featured here start at $32, and I can personally attest to their comfort, durability, and yes, sexiness.

What do you think of Eres’ Pandora line and Hanky Panky’s Signature Lace? Purchase…or pass?

Ask the Addict: Comfortable Lingerie for Everyday

Today’s Ask the Addict feature is inspired by a question from longtime reader Orilonise, who asked via Facebook, “I love lingerie, but usually keep it to my more professional or formal attire. How do you suggest women wear lingerie with casual clothes like jeans?”

What a great question! Though I often write about the sexy stuff here on the blog, the honest truth is I spend a lot of my time in casual lingerie. And when I’m buying lingerie for everyday, I want these 3 things:

  • comfort
  • easy to care for
  • seamless

Comfort matters because when you’re wearing a piece of lingerie all day underneath your casual clothes, you don’t want to think about it.  When it comes to casual lingerie, I firmly believe that it’s okay to be a little less fashionable and a little more comfortable.

Being easy to care for matters because you tend to wear your basics frequently.  Most of my everyday lingerie is machine washable; I use a lingerie bag, put the machine on delicate cycle/cold wash, then hang to dry overnight.

Finally, seamless lingerie matters because there are new things less fashionable than visible panty lines (or visible bra lines for that matter).  Unless your lingerie is meant to be seen, it should remain invisible…in every way.

With that in mind, here are a three of my favorite everyday brands:

Hanky Panky–I tried Hanky Panky for the very first time about a month ago, and I’m a convert.  Their lace lingerie is not only comfortable, it’s easy to care for, and incredibly cute.  Though this brand is most famous for their thongs, I’m a big fan of their bikinis.  Best of all, they sell plus-sized panties that fit up to a size 20W.

Commando–I first heard of Commando at last year’s CurveNY when I was introduced to their seamless tights. Since then, I’ve had opportunity to try out their boyshorts, and I quite like the results.  Commando also produces girlshorts, thongs, and bikinis. The only drawback? They don’t go beyond a size L which (based on how they fit me) accommodates a maximum 40″ hip.

Le Mystere–The first two brands I talked about specialize in panties. This one specializes in bras. And they are among the most comfortable bras I own.  I’ve heard some people complain about how boring they are, and that may be true. But take it from someone who knows, when you want a bra that makes you forget you’re wearing a bra, Le Mystere is the way to go.

Look for Less: Hanky Panky Lace Bodysuit

It’s time for another Lingerie Battle Royale!

In the left corner, we’ve got the Hanky Panky Ariel Lace Bodysuit.  Retailing for $75 at BareNecessities.com, this sheer bodysuit is constructed of luxurious black lace complete with scalloped trim and subtle ruching on the backside.

In the right corner, we have the ASOS Boudoir All Over Lace Bodysuit.  Selling for a mere $31.03 at ASOS.com, this sheer floral lace bodysuit has a scooped neckline with a low back, and is composed of a 90/10 nylon/spandex blend. 

So, dear readers, what do you think?  Purchase…or pass?