Shirley of Hollywood is one of the lingerie industry’s biggest players and man do they make some HOT stuff. I just got my first corset, and I’ve never felt anything so…cool! It’s constricting, but it’s also posture training if that makes sense. You’ve got no choice but to sit and stand straight up.

Influenced by my new corset love, I thought I’d bring you the top 10 ways to wear a corset, rather than just in the bedroom, because if you’re going to go to this much trouble to get into the thing, then you may as well flaunt it.

There are ways to take your corset from staying in to going out, and even to the board room, and across this two part series, I’ll show you how to do just that.

Looking for a way to dress up a pair of jeans for a night out? Pair a jacquard butterfly print with a pair of dark jeans and stilettos and you’re set for a night on the town. You might have to beat the boys back with a stick. 

And if you’re more interested in staying in on Saturday night, get a little flirty. Chantilly lace, ribbons and a ruffled skirt are designed to
tease. Add a lacy G-string and sheer black  stockings for a double dose of sweet heat on a summer night.

Looking to pull some elegance into the evening? Try a jewelled satin corset that will show off your sophistication. Layer it
over a tailored taffeta skirt and you’ll the star of the evening.

If you’re not into the super- elegant look, try a more zen look with a brightly colored corset and a ghagra—a long, flowing Indian skirt—for a trendy Eastern vibe.

Finally, for this entry anyway, go for a sensual vibe with a  breakaway zipper front lets you be as daring—or demure—as you like.

Pair it with a sleek pencil skirt for a sophisticated, yet sleek look. Throw a black jacket over top and you’ve got a look you can take to work!

In the spirit of Valentine’s day: of lingerie and of chocolate, here are chocolate thongs:

Share a sweet treat with the thong you can eat! Everyone’s a winner…

If you can inspire the kind of passion that makes someone want to undress you with their teeth, congratulations. Some of us need a helping hand Ð and that’s where the Chocolate Thong comes in. This unusual piece of lingerie is guaranteed to give both partners a treat, although of very different kinds. Just pop it on and let him have a nibble. As chocolaty pressies go, this has to beat a selection box hands down.

As well as the obvious benefits of this thong to the wearer, there’s something else special about it, and that’s the taste of the chocolate. All too often novelty chocolate items taste cheap and nasty Ð probably because they are. The Chocolate Thong on the other hand is made from a pleasingly creamy Belgian milk chocolate, making sure you both get maximum pleasure. A good buy? We should cocoa.

In men’s and women’s versions from BoysStuff. Yum.

Via Cool Hunting ; Tags: chocolate thongs, thongs, chocolate, valentines day

As we all know that October is Breast Cancer awareness month and as part of that, Curvation Nation & Queen Latifah have teamed up to release a line of bras with the pink ribbon of awareness. The bras will be in Walmart, Kmart and ShopKo all until the end of November.

To support the fight against breast cancer — of which more than 210,000 new cases will be diagnosed in American women in 2005 Queen Latifah and CURVATION® intimate apparel for curvaceous women announce the Limited Edition 2005 Queen Latifah Signature Series in Support of the Fight Against Breast Cancer. Each Signature Series bra features an exclusive pink ribbon design, the universal symbol of breast cancer awareness.

The CURVATION® brand, through the Queen Latifah Signature Series, is proud to partner with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in its mission to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. Curvation honors the confidence and courage of breast cancer patients and survivors and has made a $50,000 donation to the Komen Foundation to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

Each Queen Latifah signature bra and panty you wear represents your commitment to women’s health. Trade in an old bra with a purchase of a new Queen Latifah Signature Series Curvation bra and we will add another $5.00 to our donation to the Komen Foundation (up to an additional $5,000.) Visit www.komen.org or call 1.800I’MAWARE® for more information about volunteering in your local community.

Via Curvy Silhouettes

The Chantilly half cup bra is part of a new trend for rich, jewel-toned lingerie.

This bra, for example, is not your usual purple. It screams sensual and romantic - if you have an anniversary, for example, why not try giving this little piece with a necklace with a small gem to match? Oh my, would you be the perfect man!

The cups on this Chantilly half cup bra are styled in soft, sheer lace and decorated with an interwoven floral pattern. With thin straps edged with a lace trim and a bow detail set between the cups, it’s yet another winning look from Chantelle.

Technorati Tags: lingerie, women, chantilly, gem, purple, bra, lace

Tyra Banks wearing $10 Million Bra made from 112 carats in diamonds - 2900 diamonds in all and a 70 carat diamond in the centre, pear shaped.

The bra was designed by Mouawad and is called the Heavenly ’70s Fantasy Bra and it’s from Victoria’s Secret, of course.

The brassiere’s weighty highlight: a flawless 70-carat pear-shaped diamond in the center. The jeweled bra also is adorned with 2,900 diamonds set in 10-karat white gold. It will be featured in Victoria’s Secret’s Christmas catalog, due in mailboxes Friday.

This is Banks’ second time introducing the dream bra, an annual event for nine years. In 1997, Banks, host of UPN’s hit reality series America’s Next Top Model, launched a $3 million bra made by Harry Winston. Heidi Klum has been the model three times, including 2003, when she was newly pregnant with her daughter, who was born in May.

This year’s bra isn’t the most expensive one ever. That honor goes back to the economic heyday of 2000, when Winston created a $15 million bra.

Gotta love the bra, ladies. All women can appreciate a beautiful bra like this, with delicate straps, the angel wing theme, the luxurious underwire lift and support, the 2,900 112-carat white gold diamonds, the … say what??

Via Biggest Stars and USA Today

This is a screenshot of figleaves’ site for all the hottest lingerie trends for Fall 2005. These trends also have links for lingerie you can buy. They are great tips. I like the purple, ribbons, ruffles, and florals!

Via figleaves

The autumn/winter catwalks were awash with floral prints, with one flower in particular walking off with the designer honours. The rose appeared on the catwalks of Christian Dior, Prada and influential New York designer Marc Jacobs, who couldn’t get enough of this season’s favourite bloom.

Lingerie too is coming up roses this season, with Betsey Johnson and Spanish designer Andres Sarda, both embracing rose prints. Occhi Verdi by La Perla embroidered dainty roses over its My Rose range, while Fayreform’s embroidery interprets the trend for larger cup sizes.

More…

Cleavage is a fashion no-no right now. Put those wonderbras away and revel in comfort and demure sexiness.

“The busty cleavage, made popular by the ‘Hello Boys’ Wonderbra adverts starring Eva Herzigova, is being replaced by a more demure look, according to fashion experts…

But the latest sales show a reversal as women start to favour a more natural look. Market analysts TNS FashionTrak say sales of push-up bras have dropped ten per cent in the past year.

Even men appear to be getting bored with the look - purchases of the bras as presents fell even further, by 61 per cent…

TNS said the bra’s falling popularity could be explained by fashion trends, as women favour ornate and peasant blouses typified by Boho chic and Victoriana rather than tight, low-cut tops.

Director Fiona Bell said: ‘After a long period of success, the “bare all” look is falling out of favour as more demure fashion trends take hold.

‘Women are increasingly looking for comfortable underwear which gives a flattering silhouette. While younger girls still favour cleavage-enhancing bras, women over-30 are more likely to opt for the comfort and shape of a non-push-up bra.’…”

More…

According to Fashion Monitor Toronto, the best tips for fashion style and comfort in lingerie is to keep it simple, seamless, and comfortable.

After all - when a woman is comfortable, she is sexy, no?

Let’s face it - it’s hot outside right now. Smack in the middle of summer. Less is more! This goes for lingerie too - who wants to be sweating through thick layers of cotton?

Ditch out those tacky neon-colored G-strings and opt for Smart Ass thong created by Vancouver-based designer duo Alix Cameron and Cindy Ball. Each thong bears a sassy slogan like “Kiss My…”, “Yummy Mummy” and more. So now you can wear your low-rise jeans fearlessly.

Choose a padded, racer-back bra to maximize your bust under sleeveless tops. The original Wonderbra push-up bra works wonders, lifting and emphasizing your breasts. For t-shirts wear a bra with molded cups for a smooth, seamless shape underneath a thin fabric.

For those strapless or one-shoulder tops a convertible bra, which has straps that you can wear conventionally or crisscrossed around your body to stay put yet hidden under your garments. Also, the adhesive bras do work, even in humidity and amid body sweat. Just be sure to peel them off like a Band-Aid, slowly and carefully.

Technorati Tags: fashion, style, lingerie, summer, clothes

Thread takes a look at the Secret Garden show of Bendon and Elle Macpherson.

The fashions to come:

The Darling Buds of May
The audience sipped tea and fancies as the Bridgette Bardot-esque models paraded through a flower-garlanded arch in the Secret Garden like gorgeous blooms in confections of lace, satin and cotton lingerie. The girls showed the Summer 04 collections from Bendon Lingerie, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Fayreform and hey sister!

Lingerie Trends
There are four themes in the lingerie industry, taken from fashion trends; from Asian influences on the catwalk, to Lord of the Rings; and talking to women about their needs and wants.

1. Nostalgia
Victoriana; the retro woman featuring trims and pretty shoulder strap detailing with 1920s as the decade of influence; when Vogue was launched and cosmetics and beauty became a huge industry. King Tut’s tomb was discovered so Egyptian themes became popular seen here in emerald jewelled colours.

2. Black
Always a monumental theme. Very important. Also seen in black sheer pieces backed with other colours showing through.

3.Gothic
Mesh fabrics to look like fish-nets. Biker babes, rock grrrls.

4.You!
Being yourself and being comfortable. Working with the new technical fabrics and knowing how they fit and work ergonomically for your body.

More…

Technorati Tags: bendon, elle macpherson, fashion, lingerie, garden

The Cassandra line from Arianne - oh my!

Mesh from Italy, flocked and printed with a very hot and sexy lace look. Just that little ruffle trim reminds me of those French maid outfits. The top is a camisole with some padding in the breast area so there is a little uplift, as well as an opaque area to entice the whole look of the ensemble. The colour appears black in this picture, but it has subtle pink accents in the detailing.

Set includes:
Camisole with padded shelf
low-rise hipster
long Chemise (not pictured)
long sleeved top (not pictured)

Fall 2005 Styles are just getting better and better

From the website: “Cassandra embodies a sweet sexiness that is every woman.”

I’ll blog more from Arianne later - the collections are amazing!

Technorati Tags: arianne, cassandra, lingerie, italy, chemise, camisole, hipster, lace, mesh, blackdress, fashion

The new Bendon launch had the writers of thread spellbound.

Naughty and nice- with a bit of nasty…Bendon’s launch had models parading the bewitching coming collections with a “Spellbound” theme and a Spring in their step. The catwalk preview of this summer’s collections showcased their brands Bendon, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Fayreform and Hey Sister but sadly for all the women media honeys present, no ‘Elle Macpherson Men’ models strutted the stuff being filled by plastic male torsos lining the walls.

Rhapsody from Bendon pictured above

The models of Bendon are well known for their diversity in body size. And, like the picture above from the current Bendon line, the vintage look is definitely hot. Corsets are very very hot too. Lots of details are popular this year.

Key trends include motif vine prints, layered fabrics in floaty fabrications, flowing silks, intricate laces, ruffles and jewels. This season, more than ever before, the lines are blurred between outerwear and underwear with exquisite statement pieces that are designed to be seen.

This year - think romance, chic, vintage and the temptress.

Via Thread

Technorati Tags: bendon, lingerie, trends, fashion, sexy, antique, vintage, models

24-7Press Release has a great piece on all the new styles to come from the lingerie world this fall. It’s under the Angelbodywear reps, but applies widely.

Patrick Kennedy, marketing representative with Angelbodywear Lingerie says “This years Fall styles are going to be geared toward metallics, shades of orange, gold, tans, off whites and brown with layered patterns with corsets still on the forefront of popularity.”

Kennedy continues to mention they now have available, their popular Asian print corset, a corset that was believed to have been mentioned late last year in Penthouse magazine. “We had brought this style in, however were puzzled as to why we could not keep it in stock! It was not until the enquiries started rolling in with people asking us about availability on our asian print corset mentioned. As it turns out, we have upped our stock on this corset which continues to be a popular lingerie seller” says Kennedy.

Many of our new lingerie styles are hip, with warm colors and enticingly intimate for Fall 2005, while keeping the lingerie sexy as always. Kennedy continues, “Our Holiday Catalogue will not be far away, and again will promise very intimate lingerie just in time for the holiday season not to far away!”

Technorati Tags: fashion, lingerie, news, metallic, nude, women

Elle Macpherson Intimates has released a new collection called Monarch. The picture below is for the Monarch contour bra. The shoulder straps are very fine and the bra cups are nice and low, perfect for a night out in a slinky dress. Then, a little peek at the bra shows a very elegant gold stitch.

From the release in thread,

An elegant and sophisticated offering, Monarch features refined organza fabric and embroidery with a thread-count worthy of Grace Kelly.

The series will feature more than just the bra and panties now available (you can buy them here) - there will be new white on white pieces, thongs, bikini briefs and more:

Available this month in a pristine Linen white, with white embroidery, the Monarch collection includes a beautiful balconette bra with cleavage-enhancing appeal. The matching low-profile thong and bikini brief feature embroidered fronts and mesh backs for comfort. This lingerie collection also extends into Afterwear with a camisole and cotton lounge pant.

Also new - the Whisper collection in new colours such as Dew. Imagines leaves, and now a delicate rosebud print, with hand beaded details. Whisper stands up to its name - it’s light and beautiful, and includes camisole, deep plunging neckline bra and more.

Here are other releases:

Take time to sparkle with the exquisite Solitaire collection, now available in Jet black. Stylised floral embroidery and interwoven lurex detailing is shown to fine effect in an elegant contour bra with slender straps and diamantes. The collection is finished with an ultra-low profile bikini brief and thong.

Bask in the peaceful glow of the Skin Lights collection, now available in a gorgeous Dove blue. Featuring luxuriously smooth Italian fabric, Skin Lights offers barely there comfort and figure enhancing appeal. A new convertible bra has a racer back clasp to give halter and low back options. The soft-cup bra gives a sporty modern look, while the underwire bra is lined for extra support. A contour bra completes this comprehensive bra offering. The collection also includes a culotte and thong, designed for ultra-comfort and minimal show through under clothing. And mix-it-up with the delightful new Skin Lights Print culotte and thong. Featuring a spot print, these are specially designed to co-ordinate with the main Skin Lights collection.

Finally this month, pay homage to the vintage glamour of Dentelle, now available in a beautiful Shell blue colouring. This corsetry influenced collection is an Elle Macpherson Intimates favourite, featuring intricate detailing and finished with rigid lace and satin bows. The collection comprises a demi underwire bra with side boning to support a fuller bust, a contour bra, bikini and thong. - thread

Via thread

Technorati Tags: ellemacpherson, macpherson, celebrity, intimates, monarch, lingerie, women