Shiny New Wolford

As if Wolford needed to make anything to intensify my crush on them, they have just released their satin collection. I am a complete sucker for anything satin. I see it...and I must have it. Of course, the same could be said about anything Wolford. I'm a slave to my addictions.

But now the two have been combined. Wolford, already home to a very underrated lingerie line, have improved upon an already good thing. Not known for lingerie with a lot of bells and whistles, Wolford is still very good at what they do, and that is make outstanding every day basics. But until now, satin, my absolute favorite, had remained elusive.

Not anymore. As usual, this line features all of the basics: a push up bra (pictured), a full cup bra, a full brief (pictured), a tanga, and a string. The color is a bright rose and the material looks so soft in the picture, I can almost feel it through my computer screen.

...almost. Gotta make a trip down to Wolford today, I think, to really get a feel for these.

Where Have I Been All Your Life?

In my almost 2 years of blogging about all things lingerie, I've spent most of my time avoiding the thousand pound elephant in the room (aka. Victoria's Secret). It's not that I hate VS (hey, they make lingerie after all...some of it is even nice lingerie), it's more that I hate the Starbucks effect they've had on the rest of the lingerie market (ironically, nobody likes Starbucks more than me...as a matter or fact, I'm going to need a non-fat latte just to get me through the rest of this post). But what has been okay, in my opinion, for coffee (ie. Starbucks wiping out the majority of 'mom and pop' coffee shops nationwide), has been borderline horrendous when it comes to Victoria's Secret's annihilation of the corner lingerie boutiques.

I thought it was because I'd rather ignore the corporate mass-produced lingerie of Victoria's Secret and dig deeper for harder-to-find but infinitely-more-rewarding lines of lingerie. I think that's been pretty well outlined in this blog in the past...at least in terms of what I've found online. But when it comes to the brick-and-mortar variety, I must begrudgingly admit, VS has made me just as lazy as everyone else. Often times 'harder-to-find' ultimately means 'to-hard-to-bother'. On the other hand, at least in Boston, when a lingerie shop opens, it's either not really my-type-of-people friendly (read: Agent Provocateur) or donate-an-organ-to-afford-anything-type of expensive (read: La Perla).

In my combined laziness and frustration, however, I spent years overlooking a store that encompassed everything I was looking for. To make matters worse, it stood smack in the middle of where I spent most of my time working, and all of my time going to school. The good news? Better late than never, I guess.

That store? French Dressing, smack in the middle of Beacon Hill, perhaps Boston's nicest neighborhood. I finally found it with huge assists from blogging friend Petra, and Boston Fashionista Miss Neira.

If I had to draw up what the perfect lingerie boutique would look like, this is what it would be: gorgeous lingerie that is both high quality and reasonably priced; personalized service that is both friendly and highly knowledgeable; private, discreet boutique shopping on one of Beacon Hill's many charming little side streets; and great brands such as Le Mystere, Desleigh Ann, Aubade, and many, many others. French Dressing has it all.

In a matter of moments it reminded me why a guy like me liked lingerie so much. In an instant, I recalled why I blogged about lingerie so much, and why I had to get back into it.

New From Lascivious

...honestly, I don't really even know what else to say.

Jemima Bodysuit

Milla Corset with Garters

Bang Halter Garter Belt

Lila Open Bra

Dominique Bodysuit

New Year Glitter

Thanks to all who have been reading over the past year. Whether this is the first post you've come across, or you've been here since the very beginning, I appreciate each and every one of you.

Before I sign off for the year, I thought I'd end things up with a little bit of glitter. Seems to go well with the approaching festivities:

Touch of Gold by Guia La Bruna

2 pc. Silver Sequin Pin Up Set by Leg Avenue

2 pc. Red Sequin Halter Bra and Bikini by Babygirl Boutique

See you all in 2010...

'Twas the Night Before...

So wraps up my Christmas-themed posts. To all who have been reading me, thanks so much, I really appreciate it. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday. I won't be back here posting until Monday.

The theme of today is sleepwear. I've pulled together some of the sexier choices I could find. Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

Secrets in Lace Dottie Babydoll

Kiss Me Deadly Delacroix Silk Camisole w/French Knickers

Ayten Gasson Mia Silk Teddy

Elegantly Scant Parfait Camisole

La Perla: Tommorow's Style Chemise

Christie's: Secret Bed Jacket

Naughty Janet: Iris Babydoll

Valery: Boudoir Chemise

Victoria's Secret: Lace Trim Slip

Victoria's Secret: Satin Bow Slip

...and to all a good night!

'Menswear Inspired'? and Others...

Thought I'd kick off the weekend with a few things from the world of luxury lingerie that have caught my eye over the last week. I think it's a pretty interesting sampling. If nothing else it shows that, for those with the disposable income and the desire to spend it on the finest of the foundations, there certainly are a number of different directions you can go in. It all depends on what's 'you'. Are you the fun but formal type? The classic with a modern touch type? Maybe the playful yet dark type? It does seem there is something for everyone.

The Flash Flash Tux, the latest from Andres Sarda, states, and I quote, "Menswear inspired, this set is perfectly playful, including all the bells and whistles". Ah, where to begin?

Menswear inspired is certainly a unique route to go when designing lingerie. Without a doubt the first thing you're going to notice about this bra is the attached (yet detachable) necktie. I must admit this does, in a strange way, inspire thoughts of the tuxedo, in a way the tuxedo t-shirt just never was able to do. Perhaps more interesting than the "bells and whistles" that were included, however, might be what was chosen to be left out. The bra is open and leaves very little to the imagination. Not exactly for the faint of heart, I suppose.

The set concludes with a matching thong. Apparently, there is no jacket required (sorry, had to include the terrible joke). The bra and thong are both 91% polyester and 9% spandex. They are available in black only (with the white lapel trim on the bra). The bra costs $141 and the thong is $73. It is all made in Spain. What do you think? Over the top or creative and fun?

Formal wear not your thing? You can always count on La Perla to bring you back to the basics. Malizia by La Perla recently released their Camelia collection. No bells and whistles here, but plenty of retro-inspired styling, sheer tulle, and dot prints that I have been falling for lately.

Shown here with the full cup bra, and culotte, the set also includes a push up bra, low cut culotte, and thong. The set is available in black, but the soft blue, pictured here, may actually be a bit nicer, in my opinion. It helps accentuate the softness and sheerness of the set. The full cup bra has sheer cups that include pretty lace detailing on the top. The rest of the bra is lace tulle with a dot pattern. The culotte is similar with the sheer dot tulle across the front with the lace floral pattern done on either side. The back side of the culotte is a double layer of tulle which provides for a bit less transparency. Both pieces have a small bow in the front.

The bra is 64% nylon, 26% polyester, and 7% elastane. It costs $93. The culotte is 74% nylon, 13% polyester, and 13% elastane. It costs $60. It is made in Italy. The set is actually significantly less than most bra and panty sets offered by La Perla, so it may be worth a look, because it is no less stunning than much of what La Perla offers. What do you think. Sexy and classic? Or not quite enough excitement?

Looking for something a bit more playful? That can be done. Look no further than the Bondage Angela Cage Chemise by Bordell. Come on. Bondage? Cage? I've already got your attention.

Much that gets associated with bondage can be cheaply or poorly done. This piece is neither of these things. In fact, I don't know what to associate this with. I've never seen anything like it before.

The entire chemise is made of of horizontal white bands that make up the entire body of the suit, giving way to a different band detail to make up the cups. The black shoulder straps continue down through the cups and down the length of the chemise, creating contrast with both color and band direction. It finishes at the bottom with four removable garter straps. The chemise includes a full zipper closure in the back (just in case you were wondering how the hell you get in or out of this thing!).

The chemise is 80% polyester, 11% polyamide, and 9% elastane. It costs $594 and is available only in the black on creme color. It is made in England. What about this one. Devious and playful or restrictive and cagey?

I hope everyone has an amazing weekend...

Of Snakes and Scribbles...

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Before I get started today, I want to extend a HUGE thank you to ♥Aubrey of the most awesome blog Made You Blush. She did, indeed, make me blush on Saturday when she included this blog among her Superior Scribbler Awards. Again, thank you very much!



Apparently, the rules are that I must pass such an honor to five other blogs. I'm LOVING so many right now, that it seems a bit impossible to pick just five. Nonetheless, who am I to break the rules? These are just five among dozens who deserve this much more than I:

Stockings Addict

Proficiscamur! (let's go)

Lulu Letty

The Dino Lounge: Coolness Is Timeless

Lenorenevermore

These blogs are like crack to me! If you're not reading them, you should be.

Now, back to the lingerie...

A name out of Italy that I am just now becoming familiar with is Parah. They've been around for quite a while, but are better known as a swimsuit company. If they continue to produce pieces like these below, that should change pretty quickly. They have a couple of stunning collections going right now, featuring plenty of satin and lace...two of my favorites.

The Seta Pitone Molded Bustier quickly caught my eye. This is probably due, in part to its snakeskin pattern. It's done in satin with python patterns done in the body of the bustier and a different pattern in the cups. The middle and bottom of the bustier is trimmed with lace. It comes with four removable garter straps and has a hook and eye closure down the middle of the back.

The bustier is made from 58% nylon, 36% silk, and 6% elastane. It costs $220.

Another really interesting piece is the Midnight Garter Thong. I've outlined garter panties in the past, but this may be the first garter thong. Underneath is a very small velvet and lace thong (really more of a g-string). It is embellished by three horizontal satin straps that go completely around but are trimmed with lace in the front. These help support the four garter straps that are connected to the thong.

The garter thong is 82% nylon and 18% elastic. It comes in black and costs $184.

These are just a couple of examples of what Parah currently has to offer. You can check their website (complete with English translations) to learn all there is to know about what Parah has to offer. I know I'm looking forward to seeing more from this designer!

Flamenco Inspired

While the designer may be from France, the inspiration is said to come from the streets of Spain, or in particular, the flamenco dancers. The source of the inspiration is important because the finished product is most certainly a work of art.

That finished product is the latest set from Millesia. The bra and panty are exquisite, but the garter belt is the real show stopper here. Nonetheless, the detail on all three pieces is quite remarkable. The base pattern is a delicate black lace with a subtle diamond pattern ingrained. On top of that pattern is a very pretty floral detail staggered throughout.

The bra is done in a demi-cup. On the lower side of the cup is the floral pattern discussed above. At the top of the cup the pattern changes into into a different lace detailing. Finally, both sides of the cup, as well as the straps, are edged with the flamenco-inspired lace detailing. The bra is 93% nylon and 7% elastic. It is available in 32B-36C in black only. It cost a eye-popping $223.

The panty is available in the thong and short. I'm not typically a thong person, but the detail on the thong trumps that of the short. The short has a dark black band and the floral lace throughout. There is a lovely border done on the leg openings of the short that resemble the top side of the bra cups. The thong resembles the bra in that it has the two different lace patterns. The darker floral pattern down the middle with the lighter edging on either side. The thong has a keyhole in the back.

The thong is 82% nylon, 10% cotton, and 8% spandex. It costs $155. The short is 84% nylon, 10% cotton, and 6% spandex. It costs $158.

Finally, there is the garter belt. This is the piece that makes the set, without a doubt. It is quite wide, starting at the waist, a good two or three inches above the belly button. It is edged with the flamenco-laced styling. There are 4 garter straps and boning that corresponds to these straps. This serves to separate the belt into 3 sections in the front and three in the back. All of the sections are the floral lace pattern and quite transparent and see through. It is one of the more sensual garter belts I have seen in quite some time.

The belt is 93% nylon and 7% elastic. It costs $175.

Take Only What You Need...

...Or at least that's what Spanish designer Andres Sarda appears to be providing you with this new collection. If the word "palace" makes you think of a large sprawling house for royalty that covers lots of land, the Palace Collection is going to provide you with the opposite part....except for maybe the whole royalty bit.

This bra and panty collection is far from large, certainly isn't sprawling, and ain't gonna cover much...er...land. This set somehow manages to provide plenty of detail yet simultaneously leave very little to the imagination. You wanna wear this? Be prepared to show plenty of skin.

Lets start with the bra. It is a blend of 52% silk, 41% nylon, and 7% spandex. Sounds like it feels great...for the small areas of the body it touches. The bra is a underwire cutout which fits around the breasts. The shoulder straps lead to a thin strappy yet racerback style straps that close on the shoulders with a tie. Finally, the chest and underwire straps are adorned with rhinestone detail. A thick silk tie comes across the chest, serving to cover all of the important parts, before being closed in a large bow.

As you've probably guessed by now, this isn't going to be everyday wear. The large bow isn't going to hide well beneath most tops, and I doubt there's much of a chance of this piece providing the necessary comfort and support for a day long wear. Yet for novelty and/or bedroom wear, this will set you back plenty, to the tune of $268. Enjoy.

So, with a bra with that kind of (or lack of) coverage, you aren't exactly going to wear a brief right? Of course not. Welcome to the Palace Open Back Panty.

The front is a black silk triangle. The strings rise up across the hip to the ribbon tie and have rhinestones to match the bra. The backside is more strap detail with a three straps creating a thong-like effect. Again, rhinestones cover the straps. The makeup of this piece is 50% silk, 40% nylon, 6% spandex, and 4% cotton.

While it would be an interesting addition to any (and especially my) panty drawer, you got to be willing to pony up another $180. It may seem like a lot of money for such a small amount of material, but hey, it covers everything it needs to, right?

...While I'm Lusting...

...this little something just pops up in my inbox, courtesy of Faire Frou Frou. For those not familiar with Faire Frou Frou, it is a mother/daughter operation, located in california, that carries a lingerie collection from an impressive variety of designers from around the world. The set you see here, which was staring at me when I opened their email, is the Damaris Incandescence. Faire tells us that Damaris is London based company that specializes in hand made lingerie.

So where to begin? ...At the top, I suppose. Is the bra not eye catching? I guess hot pink will do that to ya. The bra is hot pink satin covered in white lace with giant polka dots. The waspie is all white (also with polka dots and lace) save for the hot pink garter straps, which are removable. It also contains light boning to light boning to help maintain shape. The back closes with a three column hook and eye closure.

Finally, the knickers pull the look together with a see-thru white lace g string with polka dots in the back and the front. The knickers also have the matching hot pink as well. All of this....all of this, could be mine....could be.

So why isn't it on its way? Because, sadly, the waspie is only available in small, and the bra in 34b-36c. And...no...that ain't gonna work. Sometimes I need to remind myself to go directly to the available sizes, before I begin typing and drooling. Oh well, I guess some lucky, sized small person gets this all to themselves....lucky them.

One Last Thing... (or Wolford in the Spring Part 4)

This, I promise, is the last chapter. But as I continue to pour over the Spring/Summer 2009 line at Wolford, I need to give a few of its lingerie pieces their just due. As most of you know, I love, love, love, Wolford stockings. As a result of my always being in their store, I began trying pieces of their lingerie here and there. Despite the fact that it is confined to a small corner of their retail stores, and it is updated less often and in less volume, Wolford lingerie takes a back seat to nothing. In terms of quality and feel, they are unbeatable. Much of their stuff is everyday wear insofar as it can be plain and made from basic fabrics such as microfibre.

That said, there are certainly eye-catchers among this line, and none more so than the Eden Rock line, some of which is pictured above. The model's top is adorned along the front and the back with a floral chantilly lace. In between, on the sides, is soft tulle. There is a curving neckline and stitching under the cups and up the middle of the front. The straps are adjustable.

The panty, which I am madly in love with, also comes in a string or a tanga. It is detailed the same way as the top with the floral chantilly lace in the front and the back and the tulle on the sides. It is also adorned in the front with a decorative bow.

The fabric make up of the top is 94% polyamide and 6% elastane. The panty is 80% polyamide, 15% cotton, and 5% elastane. Unfortunately, this set is quite expensive as the top costs € 199.00 and the panty is € 99.00. This line is available in black only.

Another set worth checking out, is the Silk Dream. This set includes a push up bra, a camisole, a string, and a panty (pictured here). The panty is the most eye-catching, in my opinion. As you can see from the picture, it is a short with a chantilly lace edging at the leg openings and a decorative bow on the front. It is available in the pictured silver, or in pearl, both coming with white pinstripes. As if this panty wasn't good looking enough, one can only imagine how it feels as it is made from 86% silk, 9% cotton, and 5% elastane. This is one panty I'm dying to try...altough if I do, I have a feeling I won't want to take it off.

The panty will set you back £79.00, which may be pretty tough to stomach, given the economy. But I have to admit it is oh so tempting. It's available in XS-L if you do give into the temptation. And if you do, just know that I will forever be jealous of you.

Has Everyone Started Their Holiday Shopping?

If you haven't...or you still can't decide what to get me (you didn't forget me did you ;)), just know that I've spent most the afternoon gawking at the Eres website. Eres is home to some of the world's finest lingerie. Some of it is really quite amazing, actually. So really, feel free to get me anything from there. But if you really can't decide...well, I'm not above dropping a few hints.

The Reverence Edesse Bustier is to die for. Seriously, just look at it. It is made completely of Calais lace. The body is kind of a net appearance...but just look at the cups. What incredible detail. It is a 80/20 blend of polyamide and spandex. It is absolutely gorgeous. Yours...er...mine for only $550. Just one thing. If you get it, please don't forget the matching thong. At $150 it's nowhere near as expensive.

Rounding out this line is a bra, boyshort, and chemise. All equally gorgeous.

Lace not your thing? No worries. We can find something. How about the Le Tulle collection? "Seductive every day wear" according to the website. I suppose they're probably right, because if I owned any of this line, I would want to wear it every day.

Lets just first start with the bodysuit. I've been talking a lot about bodysuits lately, and the Le Tulle Cadence Bodysuit would make a lovely chapter 4 of my ongoing saga, wouldn't it?

The bodysuit is completely sheer. It has underwire cups. The back comes down into a sexy g-string that includes a snap closure at the bottom. It is 80% nylon and 20% spandex. I am 100% in love with it. At $280 it certainly isn't inexpensive, but it's comparable with some of the other bodysuits I've been looking at lately too.

Of course, there's always just the bra. It's made of the same material, and completely sheer like the bodysuit. It comes in six different colors. All of them very sheer, leaving so very little to the imagination. Yes, the bra would be just fine. I can see myself finishing it off with the Une Bambin Bikini or even the Promesse Thong.

Or maybe Christmas is about satin. It is, after all, the holiday that celebrates all things shiny. Maybe it would be appropriate, therefore, to celebrate it in the Satin de Soie Exuberante Bustier. It's all lovely satin with some well-placed lace trim throughout. It's 80% silk and 20% spandex. How lovely would this feel? I tingle at the thought. It even comes with garter straps. You absolutely have to finish this look off with the perfect pair of stockings, don't you? Okay, so it's $760. But it's silk. And this is the season of giving....giving silk.

Otherwise I can settle for the Satin de Soie Full Cup Bra for $410. I can pair it with the the Satin de Soie Secrete Bikini for $215. I can do that and still have a Merry Christmas I'm sure.

Really. As you can see I'm easy to shop for. I've laid out plenty of options. I would never try to be picky. Just remember, tis better to give than receive. But just don't forget...there are only 42 shopping days left...

Coming to My Neighborhood

I swear, lingerie was the furthest thing from my mind....

Okay, that's a blatant lie. Lingerie is never that far from my mind. But as I was running some lunchtime errands a few days ago, in a retail shopping neighborhood near my office, I stumbled upon it innocently enough.

It had been a store of some kind, amidst a mile long stretch of road that was home to hundreds of other stores. I don't remember what store specifically had been housed there, as it was now dark inside, windows covered with brown paper. Truth is, it didn't matter what had been there. I was much more excited to see what was coming. There it was, stuck to the front door, the white sign that was a stark contrast to the brown paper coverings. It read: "Coming Soon: Agent Provocateur".

My emotions went almost instantly from excited to almost annoyed. Coming soon? Coming when? How soon? What day? I need details, dammit!!

Of course, there were none to be had. Even a look on their website reveals no clues. Their Geneva store opened yesterday, apparently. But not a word on their soon to be Boston, Massachusetts location, which will only be their 7th in North America.

At any rate, this is big news, of course. Boston, for all of our big city aspirations, and perhaps occasional New York envy, can still often be stuck in out puritan roots. While we pride ourselves in being a liberal, progressive city, on the level of, say, a San Francisco, when it comes to things like lingerie and sexuality, San Fran has its Dollhouse Betty and its Piedmont. We have.....well, sadly not much.

That's why the forthcoming opening of Agent Provocateur is so exciting. Beyond the obvious reason that I will soon get to shop there, their is the perhaps more important issue that lingerie and eroticism might actually be becoming relevant here. There mere acknowledgment that this store could have some success here is, in fact, a big step.

That's why I hope it is a success. I hope it leads to similar type stores and boutiques. I hope it leads to an admission that Victoria's Secret isn't the be-all end-all of lingerie and sexiness. I hope it leads women, and more men like myself, to the realization that lingerie can make you feel beautiful, so long as it isn't the same tired old lingerie that you and 20 of your closest friends keep buying from Victoria's Secret. I hope it helps people feel like it's important to feel sexy and beautiful any day, not just on special occasions.

Most of all though...I hope it opens soon!