Posts in category "laura"

South of the Border, North of the Bra Strap: Lingerie Shopping in Mexico City

Women’s Secret Bandeau and Shorts

Obviously, the first thing I do after arriving in a gorgeous foreign city is look for lingerie.  As a lingerie designer, I’m naturally fascinated by the stuff and part of this interest is in the way it can reveal so much about a culture.  Some people do food tourism, others music or art, but I am a lingerie tourist.

I left New York for a weeklong bop around Mexico City, where I expected to visit some shops, look at folk art, and generally try to understand what drives Mexican ladies’ negligee choices.  Lingerie choices can say a lot about a culture’s attitudes about what femininity means, the dynamics of flirtation, practical concerns are about proper clothing foundations, female empowerment, individualism, body image–what DOESN’T lingerie have the ability to communicate about?

As tourists, of course we are limited to just a sliver of what’s observable about a place, and it can be presumptuous to try to derive too much insight from passing impressions.  So I didn’t make too much of the nocturnally louche Zona Rosa neighborhood near my hotel, where I seemed to see nothing but adult stores full of the same inflatable mannequins and crotchless underwear you’d find in adult stores everywhere.  Luckily, I ran into a woman who has recently opened a chic boutique in the Roma neighborhood and she gave me the lowdown on shopping, bra choices, and what fashion means to girls like her.

Adult Shop in Zona Rosa

Claudia Gutierrez is a cool girl.  She lived abroad for nine years and her fluency in English as well as her international perspective on fashion made her the perfect interview subject and insight provider.  After working at Nylon Mexico and elsewhere in fashion PR, she opened a fashion forward boutique, Sioux, about 8 months ago.  She didn’t know of any independent lingerie boutiques in Mexico City but was able to shed some (verbal) light on her compatriots’ skivvies.

Claudia Guiterrez and Lakshmi at Sioux, Mexico City

Sioux, Mexico City

Laura Mehlinger: Why did you open Sioux and what does the name mean?

Claudia Gutierrez: In Sioux culture, women make the teepees and choose the ceremonial clothing for everyone.  They play an important role in their communities.  I opened this shop because I want Sioux to bring innovative fashion to the Roma district of Mexico City.  I carry independent brands like APC, BLK denim, and Clu, and some of them are impossible to find here.  I want to give Mexican women more choice in what they wear.

LM: Was it challenging to start your own store?

CG: It was a huge risk but I feel like women have to be the first to change a fashion culture.  This was my dream and I wanted to choose my own career and life.

LM:  How is lingerie perceived in Mexico?

CG: Lingerie is not such a big thing here.  This is a macho culture and people still see lingerie as related to sex and prostitution so everyday women wouldn’t want to wear very sexy lingerie.  It’s mostly just seen as something practical for most women.

LM: Are there big lingerie or nightwear gift-giving holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas?

CG: No, lingerie is not considered appropriate for gift giving

LM: Where do most women in Mexico City buy their lingerie?

CG: We would shop at international stores in big malls, like Women’s Secret or Oysho.  There’s also Victoria’s Secret, which is considered quite sexy.  But I think the culture is changing now a bit.  People are becoming more open minded.  I don’t see lingerie as something to wear to look sexy, but to feel good about myself.  Also there are some new trends that draw attention to lingerie, like sheer tops.  A bright bra under a sheer blouse can be modern and not overly sexy.

LM: What do you like to sleep in?

CG: Usually a t shirt and shorts, but it depends on my mood and the weather — it doesn’t depend on a man!

Based on Claudia’s advice, I visited Women’s Secret and Oysho to check out their lingerie.  Both are Spanish companies with stores worldwide.

Oysho was modern if somewhat antiseptic inside, with white walls and middle of the road designs.  Pastel colors dominated, and I thought were at their most compelling in a ruffled matte pastel swim collection in the window.  There was a focus on soft cup bras and tanga patnies rather than the whole range of underwire and various structured options that American’s might expect.  The boxed basics displayed on a wall appeared to be a strength of the brand, as fashion forward pieces did not have a presence.

Oysho Bra and Panty

Oysho Slip

Women’s Secret was upbeat in mood and fairly similar to Oysho.  Molded cup bras with prints were nice everyday choices.  Like Oysho, there was a good wall of basics, well packaged single bras or panties, and a nearby section of solutions products.  A few quirks of the store: the only “sexy” pieces I could find were a dusty mauve demure bra and panty…but the panty was open crotch and there were garters.   Also there was a huge presence of licensed juvenile graphics, like Disney and Miffi, which to my American eyes jarred against the rest of the store’s lace lingerie.

Women’s Secret Underwired Bra

Women’s Secret Miffi Pajama

I would love to hear from you about your thoughts on Mexican lingerie.  Are you a fan of Oysho and Women’s Secret?  Do you know of any independent lingerie brands?

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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Does This Pearl Front Thong Shock You? My Encounter with Bracli Pearl Thongs

Fantasy Pearl Thong $74.99

Disclosure: I received this item free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

“Those pearls go WHERE?!” I thought.  I had come face to face with an eight foot poster of a panty-clad woman’s torso.  At first glance, the panty seemed like a pretty standard stretch lace affair, but at the same time I was struck with one of those vague what’s-wrong-with-this-picture senses that something was not exactly what it seemed.  Second glance.  Aaah, it is a pearl thong, a pearl FRONT thong.

I immediately dissolved in an inward shocked schoolgirlish giggle.  It was like seeing a car driving backward down the freeway or an executive wearing her bra outside her blouse.  Thongs, which not too long ago were considered scandalous, have become commonplace–even desexualized to the point of being classified as an outfit “solution” to prevent VPL.  But this image of a string dividing a lady’s front?  It seemed TOO sexy, and so unexpected I couldn’t look away.

It takes a lot to shock and intrigue a lingerie trade show regular.  But Bracli did it.

After some time sidling up to the poster and then examining the actual garment pictured, my surprise turned to awe.  I became enamored of this lacy, pearly panty.  I spent a long time considering it and asking myself how something so overtly sexual, with foreign, rigid components in THAT area could still seem elegant.  As a lingerie designer, I think a lot about what good taste is; how do you define something that is context-based, inchoate, emotional, and personal?  And how come classic looking components can sometimes coalesce into something tacky when misconstructed or misused (think red lipstick and decolletage at a funeral), while on the other hand a pearl front thong like this one from Bracli can flirt with scandal but ultimately land on the side of elegant good taste?

In this case it has to do with the fine quality of the materials as well as the whole brand concept, which together elevate each product to a higher realm of sensuality, mystery and luxury.  According to its US representative, Bracli exclusively uses pearls from Mallorca, Spain and Spanish-made lace (launching in 2014, lace from Calais, France, and limited edition fresh water pearls–ooh, bumpy!)

And what about the name?  It’s a creative word compounded of two Spanish ones: BRAga and CLItoris (underwear and clitoris).  According to its website, “Bracli is the result of combining intimate clothing with the subtle stimulation of the most sensitive parts of a woman’s body.”  Luis Alvarez, Bracli’s inventor who patented the design in 1996, writes, “However, there is a stimulus that is more important than just the physical, more intense than the soft rubbing of the pearls, which is that Bracli stimulates the imagination and invites you to imagine. It is an invitation that is extended not only to the woman who wears Bracli, but also to whoever wants to share this experience as an accomplice, as a confidant… The excitement is contagious to all who participate in this pleasureful experience.”

My own participation in this pleasureful experience began when a Bracli Body Pearl Thong ($84) arrived in the mail.  The glossy scented black box hinted at sensual delights contained inside, and beckoned irresistibly for me to open it and try it on immediately.  I can’t remember the last time I was so excited to try on lingerie.  I felt like I was entering mini-outer space, thrilled to be experimenting in a new realm and maybe a little nervous about the physical sensation that might accompany it.  Even in my fugly home glasses and linty socks, I felt totally transformed.

I think the most important job of lingerie is to make its wearer FEEL sexy, followed secondarily by helping her look sexy.  Bracli is incredible because not only does the novelty of it delight its wearer into imagining herself differently in it, but also, physically, Bracli thongs do not let her forget she’s wearing it.  Some thongs are sexy; Bracli is sex.

Bracli Body Pearl Thong $84.99

Okay, so we know I’m a fan, but I would be remiss in this review if I didn’t mention a few things about Bracli that I think have great potential for improvement.  My bodysuit fit perfectly from the hips down, but the placement of the stretch lace straps caused gapping at the waist on me as it does on the model in the photo.  It might be a more flattering garment if the points of connection between the straps and panty portion were adjusted–though I’ll also add that “flattery” is not the main concern of this garment, and any eyes on a woman wearing it would probably not be bothered by this fit issue.

If one were wearing a thong instead of the Bodysuit, this fit problem would be a nonissue.  Bracli’s strength, I think, is in its mastery of the pearl thong, which can be bought individually in several styles and colors or with a matching bra.  I did not try any bras on, but the cuts and fits of these appear in photos not necessarily the strength of the collection.   In the future, I would love to see a broader range of silhouettes from this brand, since it has so much power and appeal.

Classic Bra and Thong Set $134.99

There’s also a menswear section!  I would love to hear your thoughts on Bracli’s pearl thong — are you as excited as I am about this innovation?  Would you wear it?  What do you think of it on a man?  For more information, visit www.bracli.us

Perlseo Pearl Thong for Men $69.99

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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The Longline Bra is Reborn: 8 Favorite Picks!

I was at a dinner party recently when a svelte professor friend of mine pulled me aside conspiratorially.  It was Oscar season and everyone had been gossiping about their picks.  What could this woman want to confide in me, I wondered?  But as a lingerie designer I’m pretty used to being sought out for quiet talks about skivvies and other generally private matters.

She leaned in and said, “I am obsessed with longline bras.”  I asked why, and she said they fit her small rib cage and bust in a way that lent support while not causing any digging or discomfort.  She also thought the appearance was more flattering, since there was more fabric in the silhouette and this had an effect of making the area appear larger.  I asked to see (for professional reasons!) and she dartingly looked around at the room full of wine-soaked women and gay men and then lifted her shirt to show me her adorable longline bra from independent brand Fortnight.

The longline bra trend has been going on for a few seasons, and it’s nice to see a reinterpretation of an old silhouette that has been neglected for many years.

Longline bras are those that extend a few inches below the bottom of the cup, over the ribcage and sometimes as far as just above the navel.  Sometimes they are structured like bustiers and have shaping properties.

The longline bra had its heyday in the midcentury, when dresses fit tightly over the rib cage and waist.  A longline bra did the all-in-one job of supporting and shaping the bust as well as slimming the rib cage.  A girdle or structured slip might take over shaping from the rib cage through the waist and hips.  Longline bras were especially good foundations under the popular strapless dresses of the 1950′s since their length allowed them to fit the body more securely without requiring straps in order to stay in place.  They were the functional foundation for the bombshell silhouette of the era–though they were not necessarily considered especially sexy or fashionable pieces as standalone lingerie. 

During the more minimalist lingerie eras of the 60′s and 70′s they all but disappeared in favor of soft cup triangle “no-bra bras,” and haven’t reemerged as fashion pieces until recently.   The longline is a cousin of the bustier, which has maintained a presence since the 80′s, but it can differ in a few ways.  Bustiers are sometimes designed to be worn as ready to wear, and feature strong boning and wiring in their waist and cup structure.  They are often associated with statement-making surface prints, designs, and fabrics that may refer to modes like traditional corsetry, punk, vintage costume, body-con, or hyper embellishment. 

What’s emerged recently in the longline bra is a much softer and sweeter approach.  The length does not necessarily serve a shaping purpose, and in some cases doesn’t involve boning at all.  Here are some favorites of mine:

RETRO AND STRUCTURED

The two styles below make reference to the more structured origin of the retro longline bra.  Va bien is known as a shapewear brand, and I like how this style is both functional as well as sexy (Floral strech lace and power tulle, along with ultra-lift cups and a low plunge).

Va Bien Marquise Plunge Basque $85

Bordelle is a great fashion brand that does gorgeous things with powerful stretch materials and references to feminine bondagewear.  This bra is modern and sexy while having a structured feel to it.

Bordelle Lady Citron Bodice Bra $380

PRETTY AND GIRLY

This new generation of longline bras focus on floral and ditsy prints, lightweight fabrics with low stretch content, and are not designed for shapewear function.

Fortnight Vega Longline $120

Stella McCartney Laura Pottering Bustier Bra, $110.00

By Eloise Dotted Lines Bra $38

La Lilouche Lily Pearl Bralette $118

SOFT BRA

A different direction for the longline trend is the sweet unstructured stretch bralette, designed for light support and a general air of sweetness.

b.Tempt’d by Wacoal Bralette, $18

Only Hearts Lou Lou longline bra $86

What are your thoughts on longline bras?  I’ve read that some larger sized women prefer them because they allow breast weight to be distributed around the rib cage, and I’ve heard others claim they’re hard to find and sizing is difficult.  Any favorite styles or brands?

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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Julie France vs Victoria’s Secret: The Shapewear Battle for Ultimate Tummy Sleekness!

Disclaimer: The Julie France lingerie in this review was provided by Julie France. All opinions are my own.

Well here I am, wearing my writing shapewear in my Brooklyn apartment, ready to share my thoughts about tummy compression.

I am somewhat new to the wondrous world of shapewear, having always been too lazy to bother with what had seemed to me a fussy bunch of riding-up nylon and airway-reducing spandex.  Not that I, like most women, wouldn’t welcome an instant inch or two off the right places.  It just seemed the kind of item that would make me feel great as I walked out my door, and then slowly throughout the night, as I may or may not throw back a couple cocktails and downgrade into my comfort shoes, would become a massive drag.

This might have to do with my single foray into shapewear about ten years ago.  This was before Spanx was a household name and before celebrities would ever admit to being aided by a second skin on the red carpet–which now seems a populist point of pride to some of them.  I was preparing for some semi formal event and ended up in the TJ Maxx intimates department trying to sort out an indistinguishable mess of giant stiff panties.  Some had picot elastic and little jaquard flowers across the fabric, which must have been borne of an effort to feminize these beasts, but really just made them look even more beastly.  I did buy one, but upon wearing it realized it cut me off at the waist and leg opening, creating even more possibilites for muffin top than there would be without it.

But shapewear has come a long way since then.  It has become so ubiquitous that it seemed silly to let my own outdated impressions prevent me from benefitting from new technologies and improved designs.

I thought I would put two brands head to head in a quest for tummy sleekness.  From Victoria’s Secret, I bought The Embracer waist cincher thong.  Julie France sent me for review their Leger High Waist Boxer Shaper.   I’m only reviewing one item from each company, but both companies have a whole range of shapewear pieces.

This is far from a comprehensive across-the-board report, which would have been beyond the scope of this article and my own interest in buying 20 beige slimming thongs.  The two products are of different cuts, though both focus on the waist.  Also, it’s hard to imply any universal effectiveness when it comes to shapewear.  Every woman is built differently and is trying to get something slightly different from a garment depending on her own shape and preferences.  Some may want only waist slimming, or maybe only front of waist, or also some outer thigh shaping but no waist compression.  Shapewear companies have a lot of different combinations of needs to cater to.

I am focusing only on waist slimming.

Victoria’s Secret The Embracer

Victoria’s Secret The Embracer, $35

This piece is designed to smooth the waist, and covers the whole area from below the bra line to the upper hip, with a thong back to keep it in place without adding panty lines.

Pros:

  • This is a convenient garment to find.  Since I usually procrastinate buying things I need until the last day, I don’t always have time to shop online and wait for delivery.  You can find The Embracer at any Victoria’s Secret Store.
  • Effectively smoothed the waist and tummy.
  • Thong fit comfortably and I loved that there were no visible panty lines on my rear under tight dresses.
  • The bottom edge of the control panel (at the upper hip) did not create a bulge where it ended.  Huge plus, and rare to find!  The bottom edge did not have any attached elastic which might dig into skin, and was made of a less compressing  fabric than the control panel.
  • Garment came all the way up to the bra line, so it didn’t create an extra line at the natural waist.
  • Sticky dot strip on the inside of the upper garment helped it stay up at my ribs–but not perfectly.

Cons:

  • Sticky dot strip helped the garment stay up but I still had to readjust it a couple times throughout the evening.
  • I guess I have a love/hate relationship with this same sticky dot strip.  It left red welts on my skin.  It wasn’t uncomfortable during wear, and the welts weren’t painful.  But they weren’t pretty either.
  • Has horizontal seams.  This was fine for my purposes and didn’t show through any garments–and in fact may have helped in creating graduated compression–but some people may prefer a seamless garment.
  • I had to go down a full size and a half.  I wonder if the sizing is off on this product, and imagine that a woman smaller than a standard 4 who wants smoothing would not be able to wear this product.

Julie France Leger High Waist Boxer Shaper

Julie France Leger High Waist Boxer Shaper, $50

The Leger collection from Julie France is an update to their regular collection.  It is a higher level of compression and uses ultralight fibers.

Pros:

  • The compression was great and really did a job on belly pooch!
  • Comes with optional straps that you can use to attach to your bra.  This ensures the garment doesn’t slide down or twist during wear, which is fantastic.
  • The brand’s marketing claims that developments in fiber technology make the Leger collection more breathable and better for warm weather (and, I add, dancing!)   I didn’t do a controlled enough experiment to be able to tell if this felt true, but I can say that the fabric felt good and super soft against the skin.
  • Seamless construction means you won’t have lines under sheer garments or indentations in your skin.
  • Provides nice hip and rear shaping and smoothing.

Cons:

  • In writing this review, I was not especially seeking thigh slimming garments, but this one includes that feature.  It was very effective but I found it created a little bulge at the bottom of the leg opening at my lower thigh.  This would probably only be visible under slim pants or a very tight dress.
  • This may be picky of me and completely subjective, but I didn’t love the yellowish tone of the nude color.   I recognize that this is unimportant since I wouldn’t wear any garment in this category for its pretty color.
  • The strap system that attaches this item to your own bra is really helpful and secure.  The inevitable tradeoff is the giant tribulation of visiting the bathroom.  Solution?  Don’t drink so much wine.

Aaaaand the winner is: Julie France!  As an all around basic shaper, I am a big fan of the Leger High Waist Boxer Shaper.  In fact, it has been such an inspiration while writing this article, maybe I’ll start wearing it for luck all the time.  I just wouldn’t want to get too lucky…taking it on and off is not a seductive matter.

What are your experiences with shapewear?  Any favorite brands or pieces?

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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How to Help Your Partner Buy You the Perfect Valentine’s Lingerie

I’m a lingerie designer, so most of my work is pretty behind-the-scenes.  Generally I wholesale the pieces I design to stores rather than retailing directly to consumers, so I have some but not a ton of contact with the end customer–which is too bad because nothing is more fun than talking to customers about lingerie (well, almost nothing). 

This month I decided to step out a bit and open the Valentine’s Quickie popup shop for Valentine’s Day.  It’s a lovely little space in midtown Manhattan, an area not really known for intimate boutiques or leisurely browsing.  The people bustling past the windows are disproportionately busy professional men, with their heads down against the February winds and their minds not so much on the lacier side of life, at least not at that moment.  These men, I thought, were just the sort who would benefit from a little helping hand with Valentine’s shopping.

Selling lingerie to men is a very different experience from selling it to women, and I figured the insights I’ve gained from these interactions at the popup shop could be used for good by TLA readers, assuming, of course, that the definition of “good” here is all you lingerie wearers getting to wear the lingerie YOU love instead of just what others may love to see you in, and hopefully being given it as a gift.

I realize I’m writing with a hetero-normative set of assumptions, and that’s not because I don’t support everyone in the world wearing women’s lingerie for whomever they choose.  It’s just because my customers tend to be straight men shopping for their girlfriends or wives, or straight women shopping for themselves.

When entering a store, women tend to recognize immediately what fits in their taste rubric.  This may sound like obvious behavior and an even more obvious statement–after all, what is “taste” if not being drawn to the things you like.  But, in contrast, men often enter a store, even a men’s clothing store, and don’t necessarily know what they like as a category (DO I like stripes???), let alone recognize which items in the store might be likeable to themselves.   These difference in shopping habits have been studied and documented by people more qualified than I, and the studies are fascinating.

So what happens when you throw a bunch of so-called unmentionables in the path of an already fazed male shopper?  Total bafflement.  There are so many men who would LOVE to buy lingerie for their ladies, but when faced with the execution of this wish, suddenly find that they don’t know how to describe the person they love so much.

For example, a  recent male customer of mine:

Customer sees shop window displaying silk chemises.  Stops.  Stands rooted for about 5 seconds.  Inches toward the door, looks through the door, looks back at the main window, slowly opens the door and steps in.  Stands near a clothing rack but keeps his eyes averted from the clothing, gazing vaguely ceiling-ward.

Me: What can I help you find?

Customer: Uh, I want to get something for my girlfriend.

Me: Great.  So why don’t you tell me a little about her.  Can you tell me about her taste?  What kind of lingerie does she usually wear?

Customer: I guess just normal stuff?

Me: Okay, so what would she wear out to dinner with you?  Does she like to dress up, or does she prefer to dress more casually and comfortably?

Customer: She always looks so good…mostly jeans, but cute?  I don’t really know. 

Then I asked ever more specific questions with definite answers, like “does she wear a lot of black?” until I could get some sense of her style.  And then I turned the conversation to what he’s trying to communicate with this gift, which is a separate category of data in determining the perfect lingerie gift.  This man knew that he loved his girlfriend, and wanted to show that.  He wanted to tell her that he thinks she’s beautiful and likes the idea of broadening their horizons of play, but he was a little afraid since she was not a big special-occasion lingerie wearer of his gift being perceived either as a chastisement for her typical modesty or as an attempt to reform her in order to please himself, i.e. the infamous “gift for him” mode of lingerie buying.

We ended up deciding on a silk slip with asymmetrical lace appliques.  It was classic and elegant, with enough coverage to make her comfortable and enough mesh and lace to distinguish it from her normal attire.

What size? Ah, the final snafu.  He didn’t really know.

We did eventually figure it out, based on comparisons to other women in the shop, photos, and some guesswork, and the customer walked away feeling excited about his gift.  I loved the whole exchange too.  It’s always satisfying to see a customer in love with lingerie.

So, in this case, the story ended well (I hope…fingers crossed she loves it), but he might just as easily have walked into a different store, or never sought out a lingerie store at all if there hadn’t been one next door to his office.  So how do you ensure YOUR guy gets you the lingerie you want and will feel best in?

Here are some tips on what he should know to help a salesperson help him.  HOW you tell him is up to you.

  • Where to shop: Direct him to an independent lingerie boutique.  He might be overwhelmed by the selection, bustle, and public exposure of a big box store.  Also, a boutique is more likely to have a varied selection of colors, styles and fabrics that are selected from a range of brands.  A variety of brands means there will probably be something to suit your own taste.  Most important, at a boutique he will get personal attention from knowledgeable staff.
  • Your Style: Men are unfamiliar with the kinds of adjectives women, informed by the fashion press, often use to describe style.  He might not necessarily know if you are “girly” versus “glamorous” or “sporty” versus “cozy.”  These are the words that will help a good salesperson to understand your general style, so let your man in on them.
  • Favorite Colors: Similarly, men are generally less attuned to describing color differences in clothing than women.  Help him out by letting him know if you’re a classic black and white girl, or if you like glamorous reds, romantic dusty pinks, etc.  If you don’t tell him, he will likely default to black, which is always a safe choice.
  • Your Body: You might have particular body parts that you love to highlight or to de-emphasize.  He will not know this because he just thinks “hot.”  If you love to show off your legs, you can mention that you love short pieces, or if you prefer your belly covered, he should be warned, or else you may end up with a fringy cutout.  Men tend to follow the “smaller and tighter is better” view of lingerie, which is not ultimately what’s most flattering.
  • Silhouettes you like: Especially when shopping for bras or anything with a fitted bust, silhouette and fit matter.  To avoid his buying you, a 36D, a ruffled triangle soft cup bra, show him your favorite piece and drop words like “underwire,” “demi cup,” “unlined” that will direct the salesperson to your correct silhouette.
  • Your size: It’s amazing how often men shop for women whose size they have no idea about!  Letting him know will help him avoid the awkward situation of having to scope out other women in the shop to compare them to you.  

Does any of this sound familiar? Share your story of your perfect (or imperfect) lingerie gift.  On that note, happy Valentine’s and happy lingerie-loving to all!

(P.s. If you’re in the New York City area, feel free to drop in on me at the Lola Haze Valentine’s Quickie Popup 501 Lexington Avenue (47/48th) New York, NY now through Feb 14.)

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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The Glorious Brazilian Bikini + 4 Swim Brands to Watch

I’m writing this from Buzios, Brazil, where I’ve spent a week contemplating the tininess of the Brazilian bikini.

Back in the States, even our skimpiest bathing suits generally keep the behind at least somewhat modest (or else who knows what kind of judgment would greet you), but here the guiding principle of beach dress seems to be the more skin, the better.

At first, this sea of flesh was shocking to my North American sensibilities.  But now that I’ve become acculturated to it (and even bought myself a teeny fuchsia 2 piece), I’ve come to think that the spirit that accompanies tiny beach attire here is actually refreshing and would be a welcome influence on our overly body conscious culture in the States.

We American women, as has been discussed from many different perspectives on this blog, are in a constant battle with our bodies.  We idolize the supermodel physique, but resent it too since it’s out of reach.  And who, even among those of us who do like our bodies and believe theoretically that we SHOULD live in a less judgmental culture, doesn’t sometimes catch herself seeing another woman and thinking, “she’s wearing THAT?”

The glory of the Brazilian beach is that people seem much more comfortable in their skins.  All shapes and sizes frolic in thongs and tiny triangle tops, the men in little briefs, playing football and eating variants of fried cheese, the national snack.  There does not seem to be the attitude that if a woman’s body doesn’t conform to a specific ideal of beauty, she doesn’t deserve to be wearing something small, or that she somehow owes it to the public to keep herself modest.  Everyone can dress skimpy, sexy, and enjoy the sun on whatever regions of their skin they’d like.

Aside from getting to ponder the most noteworthy aspect of the Brazilian bathing suit, its size, this trip has been a great trend spotting experience to see what a year-round beach culture is wearing.  It got me excited to spotlight some trends that I saw in the boutiques in Ipanema and Buzios, Brazil that were also influencing swim direction here in New York.  In general, Brazilian swim is more uniform in silhouette, whereas North American swimwear is taking varied directions in shape, but both had interesting print and detail.  Both, also, are revisiting one piece shapes in innovative ways.

During market week for Resort and Spring 2013, I visited  (Capsule), a trade show in New York City for emerging trend-forward brands, and came across three lines that impressed me: Beth Richards, Beach Riot,  and Lilibon.   A fourth, K Belo, I found by word of mouth in Brooklyn.

In this deepest, darkest month of winter, I want to share my finds with you so that we can all have something inspiring to look forward to in the near future (tropical vacation, anyone?) or in the more distant frolicsome months ahead.

BeachRiot reflects the easy, sporty-yet-sexy, particularly American influence of its Southern California roots.  For spring, designer Nicole Hanriot showed a mix-and-match variety of pieces . The line, though it includes disparate fabric, color, and detail choices, is unified by a strong brand identity that merges  vintage Americana print, trashy-chic, and casual cool.  Silhouettes vary widely, and include Brazilian cut bottoms and wispy crochet-inspired tops.

Beach Riot

Beach Riot

Canadian designer Beth Richards‘s take on swim is modern, sleek, and severe-yet-sexy.  Her mostly monochromatic black and white palette feels modern and refreshing among the bold colors and prints for the past few seasons.  Silhouettes feel more constructed than her cohorts’, with a conscious attention to placed cutouts and opacity mixed with transparency–all to a very sexy and sophisticated effect.  UV-protected fabrics make this a functional swim choice, and the option to mix and match pieces and to use them as ready-to-wear bodysuits makes it a versatile and elevated one too.

Beth Richards

Beth Richards

Lilibon is sweet, feminine, and lovely.  Inspired by 1940′s pin-ups, designer Emilie Bon says, “I have always loved lingerie, and I aim to bring the same sense of style and unashamed feminity to the women’s resort wear.”  Design details include high waisted briefs and structured bra tops, sweet fluttery ruffles, and pastel floral print.

Lilibon

Lilibon

K Belo features classic styles with a modern twist, the kind of swimwear that, rather than catering to a specific and defined aesthetic like the previous three brands, is a chic and flattering choice for a range of tastes, body types, and uses.  Brooklyn designer Diane Belgrod was inspired for 2013 by “the hazy nostalgia for a bygone era of style and leisure. Dreaming of a weekend jet-set to 1950’s Havana, Cuba, taking just one small suitcase full simply of swimwear.”  Made of Brazilian fabric, the line includes classic one pieces and separates in black, with pops of brights as well as breezy stripes and polka dots.

K Belo

K Belo

Writing this from faraway Brazil is putting me in a deliciously acquisitive swimsuit mood, and I am so excited to go out and get some of these sophisticated pieces this spring.  The variety of swimwear among these brands–and the choice to change my look day-to-day on the beach– is the best part.  My teeny Brazilian bikini will also be coming home with me, and I’m planning to sport it in all its flesh-showing glory back on more modest American turf.

What are your thoughts on body consciousness and beachwear?  Do you have any favorite swim brands to share?

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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5 Perfect (Stocking) Stocking Stuffers

I know.  Stockings INSIDE of stockings?  Your head may have just exploded.  But piece it back together and consider how happy any lingerie addict would be to wake up on Christmas day and instead of finding in her Christmas stocking a deck of cards, chap stick, Hershey’s bar or lump of coal, she pulls out a gorgeous pair of stockings!

First, a little about the tradition of Christmas stockings.  Considered ahistorically, it does seem a bit odd to hang things that normally contain feet, in expectation of receiving gifts in them.   There doesn’t seem to be a definitive written history of the tradition, but I’ve come across a few legends that do a bit of explaining.

In one, a fourth century European nobleman is reduced to penury after years of crop failures and famine on his property.  While he had begun his promising adulthood handsome, wealthy, and in love, he now must support the peasants nearby as well as his family.  When he suddenly finds himself a widower and sole guardian of his three beautiful daughters he is distraught not only over his wife’s death, but because he does not have enough money to pay for his daughters’ marriages.

He is a good man, and sympathetic words spread about his plight.  An unknown traveler named Nicholas hears and in the quiet of night comes to the man’s house in order to make a gift of gold coins to the man and his daughters.  When looking for a secure place to leave the gold, he sees the daughters’ stockings hanging on the mantel to dry, and fills them each with gold.

An early mention, possibly the first, of Christmas stockings being hung near a chimney was by the poet Clement Clarke Moore in the poem “T’was the Night Before Christmas.”

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there”

Around the same time, Santa Claus made his debut as a fully realized character in satirist  Thomas Nast‘s illustrations for “Harpers” in the mid 19th century.

Now that stocking gifting traditions have evolved from gold coins to fruits and nuts to more personal goodies, I’ve collected a few of my favorite combinations of Christmas stockings (the hang-by-the-chimney type) along with their hosiery-stocking counterparts to share with you.  So whether you’re playing Santa this year and need some stocking stuffer ideas or you’re collecting items for your own wish list or you’re a bystander in this Christmas affair and are simply a fan of hosiery, here are goodies for 5 tastes: Classic, Cute and Cozy, Pin up, Playful, and Burlesque.

Classic:

The Classic Christmas stocking, $17.50

Ah, the classic red stocking.  Always a winner.  Here’s an equally reliable winner in the hosiery department.  I like how the red bows are festive and fun but not overstated.

Ooh La La Cherie stocking from MadamGirl, $13.50

Cute and Cozy:

Gingerbread girl personalized stocking, $29.95

This is so charming and cute, it deserves a similarly adorable stuffer inside.  These tights are cozy and bring a fun spirit to winter while not being too juvenile.

Snowflake leggings, $16.99

Pinup:

Pinup Girl Christmas Stocking, Etsy, $50

So this may not be the right choice for every household, but its tongue-in-cheek sauciness is irresistible to me.  This pin up stocking deserves fishnets.

Jonathan Aston fishnet hold ups, Mytights, $12.95

Playful:

Etsy striped stocking, $200 for 4

These handmade modern interpretations of the traditional stocking are so bright and pretty I would want leave them up all year around.  Fun striped socks are also good for year round romps.

Striped Socks, SockWizard, $9.99

Burlesque:

Burlesque Christmas stocking, Etsy, $40

The grand finale!  This comic-sexy leg Christmas stocking is ingenious.  In homage to its clever creator, I would fill it with a lacy, delicate patterned stocking.  I love this one from a favorite brand, Wolford, because its lace-lookalike patterning is actually peacock feathers, which is a little unexpected and very cool.

Wolford Paradise Peacock tights, Bare Necessities, $42.99

What are your stocking traditions?  Share your wish list with us!

Laura a.k.a. Lola Haze

I’ve loved lingerie since before that was reasonable. I taught myself drawing, designing, and sewing, and after graduating from Harvard with an English degree, immediately went to work disregarding it and following my passion for fashion. After a few years designing for a big company, I went off on my own and started Lola Haze TM, (named after the title character in “Lolita,” my favorite book). Lola Haze is playwear for the bold woman who loves fun and dresses for herself! I feel happy and lucky that I get to love my job so much, and am thrilled to share my lingerie enthusiasm with The Lingerie Addict!

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Follow Me:
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