Party At Dita's?

As I hope I've done a good enough job articulating via my blog, I am a huge fan of any lingerie with a retro-vintage-pinup inspiration behind it. There is something truly alluring and sexy about the lingerie styles that were predominant in the early half of the last century. I'm constantly on the lookout for designers and retailers who try to re-create that look through their lingerie designs.

With that in mind, it is always with great anticipation that I await any lingerie line with Dita Von Teese's name attached to it. Dita is an incarnation of the late Bettie Page, one of the original pin up models who, back in the 1950s, showed us just how sexy lingerie can be. While Page's death, almost a year ago, was most certainly sad, Dita has abley carried the torch for her and helped ensure that the vintage allure of the pin up girl is alive and well.

Upon hearing Dita had teamed up with Wonderbra to create her "Party Line" of lingerie, I wasn't sure what to expect. While I feel that everything Dita does is sexy, I wouldn't exactly call Wonderbra my go-to brand when I'm looking for vintage sexiness. In order for this to work, Wonderbra was going to have to get away from their business model, somewhat, and take a few risks. As always, taking risks means laying money out on the line, so there's a definite question of how far Wonderbra would be willing to take this.

So far so good. Looking through the collection, there seems to be three distinct looks that you can go with. From there you can piece items together and make it look the way you want. Honestly, there are some really good pieces within this collection.

Let's start with the most basic, or the 'Multi Teese' as Dita and Wonderbra are calling it. All this set includes is a padded bra and a thong (pictured here). They are nicely done, however.

One of my favorite aspects of true vintage lingerie is the incorporation of tulle. I like how there's just enough transparency to leave the on-looker wanting more. I also like how tulle always seems to be more comfortable than I expect it to be, given that it's a meshy material.

The Multi Teese does wonders (no pun intended) with tulle. It has a kind of modern take on a vintage look. I also like the subtle nuances they've added. Velvet lines the cups of the bra and creates an edge around the thong. Sequined bows finish off the look by (barely) covering up all of the important parts. The bra and thong also come with a magnetic "quick release" clasp...and isn't that important!

The bra costs £34.00 (about $56) and the thong is £14.00 (about $25). For the price they are certainly intriguing...perhaps worth checking out?

Next up is the 'Sparkle Teese'. This is where the pin up girl part of the line starts to surface. The line features two bras (push up and balcony padded), a brief, a thong, and a suspender. The pieces are done with an embroidered finsh that includes sequins and removable red tassel.

I think, again, they are able to capture the vintage look. They all have the checked front that is enhanced by plenty of lace detail. Both bras serve to enchance while either bottom provides some coverage with a lot of detail. I prefer the brief because I like its see through tulle back, which I think better serves to enhace the pin up girl look. Either way you go, finish off the look with the suspender and stockings and I think you'll be feeling pinup girl sexy in no time.

All pieces are some combination of polyester, nylon, and elastane. Both bras cost £34.00 (about $56), the brief costs £15.00 (about $25), the thong £14.00(about $23), and the suspender £14.00(about $23).

Finally, and my personal favorite, is the 'Satine Teese'. This is the type of lingerie Dita was born to sell. Wear this and feel like you just stepped out of a 1940s movie. Sure the red color and the satin finish enhance this look well, but in the end, it's all about the shaping suspender. This piece rises up to just below the chest. It's got a hook and eye closure that is enhaced by the lace and button detail. It also has similar lace trim down the back of the garment. Aside from the trim, the back is quite transparent, so choose carefully between the brief and the thong. The suspender has four garter straps to connect the stockings to.

The brief sits very low on the waist and is also transparent in the back. It provides much less coverage than the briefs of the other two sets. The thong also sits very low and has a button detail on both sides as well as some lace detail on the top. There is one bra with this set and it's a padded cleavage bra. It manages to provide a tremendous amount of coverage and still enhance the cleavage at the same time. You might not be completely covered head to toe in lingerie with this set, but you'll be close. The gloves? The gloves are apparently not for sale, which is too bad because, why not?

Again these are all made from nylon, polyester, and elastane. The bra costs £34.00 (about $56), the brief £15.00 (about $25), the thong £14.00 (about $23), and the suspender £24.00 (about $40).