How do you start an article about lingerie? Or does that word alone do it for me. We, as corporeal beings, know that there is something (or some things) underneath the enveloping layers of viscose rayon and polyester that needs to be flaunted every now and then.
And although I enjoy the occasional Calvin Klein elastiband peeking out from under the waistband, please, boys, keep your underwear under your pants. Save the boxer mooning for the bedroom.
If you’ve got a penchant for keeping things interesting (or innocent), some of these underthings might be for you.
Boxers or ?
I’ll keep this brief. Aforementioned, I like Calvin Klein. This brilliant designer’s minimalist underwear is so popular that it saved his company from bankruptcy once. Stock up online (cku.ca) or at The Bay Centre (1150 Douglas St.).
Topman also offers quirky, quality underwear that’s sold in ones (£7), twos (£12), and threes (£16) at topman.com or thebay.com. Some are striped, others are dyed and there’s one with a sizable leopard face on the crotch.
The stairways up to la butte …
… can make the wretched sigh while windmill wings of the Moulin shelter you and I (lyric from Complainte De La Butte). If you’ve not yet heard Rufus Wainwright’s voice, I insist on getting yourself acquainted.
Ladies, have I got a lineup for you; from the delicately sweet to the brand Lascivious, there’s something for every girl, woman and oh-my-goddess.
Miss Selfridge hosts an array of dainty panties with little and not-so-little ribbons. They start at £4.50 at missselfridge.com. Her big sister, Topshop, has a dresser stuffed with minis, thongs, bralets, cheeky pants, corsets and more, with prices ranging from £4 to £46 at topshop.com. They’re not all sweet and lacey; some are emblazoned with hero logos, others are printed with animals or Baloo, and studded leather corsets? … Hell, we’re just getting started. (Plus they have a unicorn onesie. A unicorn onesie!)
Just for a breather, I’d like to introduce Jack Wills. When I visited London, I first fell in love with its sister brand, Aubin and Wills, because of its fox sweaters, but Jack didn’t give up. He found his way back into my pa – heart. As a personal shopper of their products, I can guarantee that their cotton boypants (£12.50 at jackwills.com) are unbelievably comfortable. My cousins, who have received them as gifts from yours truly, agree with me.
Personally, I love bralets. They’re intricate, sexy and easier to pack. I’ve only ever heard wonderful things about Eberjey, and I have yet to determine for myself just how wonderful. Their intimates were made for women by women who believe that “the layer worn next to the heart should express happiness, love and confidence — all the things that make a woman truly beautiful.” After much scouring, I found that the Scattered Dots and Maritime Stripes collections tickle my fancy the most. Bras range from $27 to $60, panties from $15 to $51, and chemises (we love them, yes we do) from $49 to $97 at eberjey.com.
My first bralette was from a brand called Hanky Panky. Their lace bralettes and low-rise thongs are made of cotton, nylon and spandex — snug lace that stretches. Again, I can affirm their degree of comfort. The monochrome thongs go for $20.35 and the Signature Lace Original Bralette, a bestseller, goes for $37.64 at revolveclothing.com.
For vivacity, Modcloth conjures up the nights of can-can cabarets with high-waisted undies, mesh petticoats, corsets and garter belts. Methinks the A Lovely Beginning Contouring Undies in Pearl ($47.99 at modcloth.com) would be good for hiding the cookie pouch.
Lascivious calls its Isla collection, woven with mesh and tulle, and crowned with patent eyelet tape, “sexy, provocative, and contemporary.” It is comprised of the big knickers ($184), suspender ($127), bra ($160) and thong ($97), available at notjustalabel.com.
For other skin adornment needs, Tattly designs temporary tattoos that make you want to stick them all over your body. I recently discovered that the cubbyhole shop, Smoking Lily (569 Johnson St.), has them in a little basket by the window, but you can also view all the shop’s designs on its website, tattly.com.
Now I’ll just leave this here and embolden self-exploration.
