Underwear as Outerwear - Back-olletage

Photo from Tumblr

There are many things we can learn from Regina George from Mean Girls: Swedish food is delicious, lacrosse and other sports can help you vent your frustration through physical exercise, and if you have the confidence, you can style a bra however you please.

It's been 11 years since Mean Girls came out, and I can vouch that all of those things are true. I can't help you with Swedish dining or lacrosse, but I can definitely throw out an idea or two of how to style your bra and make it a key feature of your wardrobe.* And my method won't include going Queen Bee on your friends, family and colleagues (sorry, not sorry, Regina).

*This post was inspired by the FreshPair's "Underwear as Outerwear" campaign. I was not financially compensated for this post. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. However, because FreshPair approached me with the idea, I'm more than happy to link to some of their items for inspiration. Also, check out their bra page for some great deals.

Back-olletage

Grey Cotton Jersey Backless Nightgown

Backless shirts are in. Backless dresses are in. And goodness, so are backless pajamas (not to be confused with THIS nightgown). Personally, I'm against paying full-price for half of a shirt (think: crop top), but with a backless shirt you're paying for the part that matters while leaving the possibilities open.

A back-less shirt or dress can be dressed up much more easily than a cropped shirt. Perhaps the easiest way to incorporate your underwear as your outerwear is to find a bra with a cute and/or sexy back and rock it with your backless shirt. Not lingerie-related but you can even put on some of that stick-on jewelry. Possibilities!

Hopeless' Suzy Bralette $115

Color
Lets keep things simple and start with color. If you like to wear plain, black shirts, then mix things up with a bit of color. Hopeless' Suzy Bralette has a bright pop of red and the creative shape and links help draw the eye down the back. Red is a great choice, but if you want a more economic choice with THIRTEEN colors, then try Aerie's Lace Cross-Back Bralette.

Calvin Klein Y-Back - FreshPair

Simplified
Keep things even more simple and effective with something black and slightly unusual. The black lines of this Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Y-Back Push-Up Bra provides the straight lines and band support to keep your mildly business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back wardrobe. I mean, let's not go TOO crazy.

This bra also comes in "nude", but you can also find something similar in the OnGossamer Lace Back Convertible Push-Up Bra at FreshPair, which also comes in black, nude and LAPIS!

Hopeless' Eva Harness $90

Sexy

In March of this year Bustle writer Freyia Lilian Porteous wrote an article on why she preferred her backless dress to a bustier option. Freyia described her dress as having a "large shape, draping over my shoulders, feels cozy and close. It is both sexy and subtle." So what if you have a dress you want to sex-up but want to leave it simple in the front? Cute bra!

Back to Hopeless! This harness isn't necessarily a bra, but it would work if you have a backless shirt or if you have a crop top. Anything with sateen, buckles or even lace can sexy-up the back of a simple dress or shirt.

Freya Minx $66 - FreshPair

Busty
Compared to the Suzy Bralette, the Freya Minx is much simpler and offers substantially more support. This would be a great choice for a bustier lady who still needs the band support but also wants color and some zing.

Once you get above a D-cup the possibilities start to wain. Cacique carries the Geo Lace Cami Bra that can hook in back (Sizes: 36D - 36DDD; 38C - 46DDD, 38F-44H) AND their High Neck Half Cup Plunge Bra is delightful in the back.


OMG!
I'm just going to throw some winners out here for those of you who love pretty things! I found all of these from EricaM Legwear, so... go get them! Why even wear a shirt at all?

EricaM Legwear - Hanako

EricaM Legwear -Mani

For other blogs/sites with some great bras for backless clothes, please check out:

The Breast Life - 15 Bras With Pretty Backs by Laurie Shapiro
WhoWhatWear - 12 Bras With Ridiculously Pretty Backs by Kat Collins

Ariel Winter: Role Model for All Ages

Photo from Ariel's Glamour shoot 2015

Perhaps one of the greatest side effects of advanced medicine has been breast augmentation and breast reduction. For a society that puts a lot of emphasis on what we look like, it has been a boon to allow people to change their appearance and in a way, help with mental/physical stress and body image issues. And one lucky lady has undergone a breast reduction and, in order to preemptively stop the haters, has given an interview with Glamour magazine. That lovely young lady is Ariel Winter, star of Modern Family.

I highly suggest you read the original interview here before proceeding.

So why am I talking about breast reductions on a lingerie blog. Well, I have been surrounded by busty ladies my entire life and quite a few have undergone the procedure or have thought about it.

Don't just jump on the augmentation-hater bandwagon. "But that's the body God gave you!" "Why would you want to get rid of your boobs?" If someone wants to change their body, then let them!* Surgery isn't something you just jump into! It takes time, money and a lot of confidence to alter your body. Many women choose a reduction to alleviate shoulder/back pain, a lack of clothing options or because of the negative attention they have received from others. And some women (and even some men) need breast tissue removed due to cancer and then get implants after. It's difficult as a woman to be told that society loves a big bust to waist ratio but then have the same society throw shade at women who naturally have large breasts or those that choose to augment them.

Photo from Getty Images

I have mad respect and empathy for the girls and women who grow up with shame about their breasts, whether they think they're too large or too small. Dirty comments and creepy glares (I'm sure most, if not all women, have experienced these) can add up and it can really get you down. For some (like me), getting properly sized for a bra can do wonders. A firm band can help hold breast tissue where it can rest comfortably. A cup that holds all of the tissue will cut down on stabbing and movement. A properly-fitted bra is a first strike against body shame!

Here is to Ariel Winter, you wonderful lass!

* Many surgeons have the right to refuse services and procedures to those they don't feel are mentally prepared for the procedure. Please discuss any changes with a physician (or multiple physicians) before taking the plunge.

Product Review: Fresh Breasts

I sometimes make impulsive buys. Rarely is it for a bra (that is an investment!) but I will buy a product that is meant for the busty lady and is also relevant for my day-to-day life. For those of you in the Pacific Northwest you know that it has been HOT! Like melt the Starbucks cup in your car HOT. So I decided to invest in this product called Fresh Breasts, brought to you by the same company as Fresh Balls (yes, you read that correctly).

Fresh Body's Fresh Breasts

Let's be clear: I am not paid to review anything (although that would be cool!) so this is just my honest opinion: it works. If you are a busty lady or you get chafing legs (because you can use it there, too!) then you should seriously consider Fresh Breasts. The name is terrible but oh so accurate, too. The tube (which is pretty substantial) holds a lotion that dries into a powder. It costs $11.99 for 5oz.

The powder DOES get on fabric, which is unfortunate, but you can put this on before a bra or just if you want to lounge around your house, the supermarket, etc. braless (I won't judge you). For ladies who don't want to use aluminum, parabens or talc, this is a great alternative. I have NOT substituted my normal deodorant for this, although you could always try. The scent is vaguely powdery but it's not meant to be powerful (which is great unless you wanted that bra perfume from last week).

There are a few other products out there that are similar such as the Lady Anti-Monkey Butt Powder, which again is TOTALLY a real thing, so if this doesn't work for you then there are alternatives.

P.S. If your guy friend feels left out (I mean, who wouldn't?) then they can stock up on some Fresh Balls for... you know what... And Fresh Feet works, too! I bought Feet and Breasts because why not?

Bras and... Perfume

Vogue 2010, photo by Paola Kudacki

Sometimes I lay awake at night and ponder my life, the Universe, and whatever crazy thing someone invented for bras. Today is about perfumed bras. Yes, they're a thing. And some people have gotten creative in an effort to perfume their bras, outside of the normal spritz and dab. Below are examples that I would LOVE to get my hands on.

Braza Perfume Brooch

OMG, OMG, OMG! It's bling for your bra and it can smell divine! Honestly, this isn't practical at all but why not!? The Braza Perfume Brooch works by spraying your favorite perfume onto a small sponge, inserting it into the brooch and then pinning it to your bra. Now, this probably won't make waves under a turtleneck layer BUT if you're into easy breezy summer-style tank tops, then this isn't a terrible idea. Now, most perfume works best when it is heated from your body but I'm sure if you are blessed up top there should be enough heat to make this work effectively. Also, the sale price of $3.95 isn't that bad, either. They also carry a variety of other shapes, colors, sizes, etc.

Perfumed Bra by Adira

I'm not sure how effective this will be after a single wash, but the Adira Perfumed bra is super basic and is a cute color. A regular price of $6.60 is also not half-bad. The bra comes in three different scents (rose, lavender and jasmine). The company claims the scent will last for 20 washes (huh...) and is tested by International Testing Body (which technically I could not find on the internet). If anyone owns this or is willing to throw $5 my way, I might be willing to see how it all works. Yandy has a slightly more expensive bandeau version that only lasts 5-7 washes.

Bou-K-Bra

Yesterday's Perfume posted this good one from an old Vogue magazine. You put perfume on the "Scent-Petal" (don't ask me) and slip it into your bra. Not nearly as pretty as the Braza bling and maybe that's why it didn't catch on.

Dans tes Bras

Lets be clear: this section is just a play on words. Dans tes Bras is French for "In your arms" but I couldn't help adding this into the section. Maybe you could spritz it on your Braza brooch? Or on your Adira bra and panty set?! The choices are limitless!

Lingerie Crimes of 2015

I've missed you, my readers! Sorry for the absence. I wanted to get the second half of 2015 rolling with Lingerie Crimes! These are crimes that have happened in the past six months that may shock, interest, or, in general, just bewilder you. Lingerie Crimes aren't to be confused with how criminal the fit is for some lingerie brands (I'll let myself out), but just plain, old criminal stories.

Georgia Woman Accused Of Stealing 131 Pairs Of Underwear

In June, the Huffington Post reported on a woman trying to stuff 131 pairs of underwear in "her purse, a handbag and grocery bags." Criminals* don't usually post on Facebook about their (alleged) crimes but Ms. Julia Jones did, stating that "there may be a reason behind" her actions that are unknown to her friends, family and the public.

Why so many pairs, Jones? I don't understand!

*This fact is made up. Please don't destroy my small hope for humanity.

Looking For Answers About Underwear Thefts

Over the past six months, a Wyoming Victoria's Secret has been hit by thieves stealing $10,000 worth of lingerie. $10,000! I agree with one person's comments of "Why do you need to steal that many panties? What are you doing? Are they selling them on a black market or something?" This story raises some questions, though. Is there a lingerie ring of thieves or just an individual looking to cash in on cute PINK panties? Is someone trying to take down the "Man" and fight the patriarchy? But perhaps the greatest question is... IS there a black market for lingerie and is it called Silk (Panty) Road?

Also, in case you thought stealing vast quantities of VS merch was a rarity, then you would be incorrect.

Sirens: Mannequin Wearing Lingerie Missing After Burglary,...

This short police beat from The Chronicle deserves a small shout-out for this crime. Did they want the lingerie or the mannequin? Who knoooooows?

Frederick's of Hollywood closes all stores, strips down to Web

But the biggest criminal story of all is the closing of Frederick's of Hollywood brick-and-mortar stores! Who committed these crimes? We did!

Like Hollywood Video, Frederick's of Hollywood shuttered its doors due to the decline in actual humans going to actual stores. Instead, everyone was going to... Victoria's Secret. Now, Frederick's isn't perfect, but they make some gorgeous lingerie, like this Josefina set to the right (which you can buy online).

Keep in mind, Frederick's is a large corporation. And it's even easier for smaller, boutique stores to go belly-up, too. So don't be a criminal and go buy your lingerie at a local store. For the Oregon crowd, I suggest The Pencil Test. Don't become a criminal: buy local.

Strapped for Solutions: Bra Straps

DivaVillage

Have you ever decided not to buy a bra because of the wide straps? Nothing screams sexy like a bra strap that is wider than your belt.

Often times there IS a reason for a wide strap: if the band supports 80% of your bust, then your straps have to hold up the other 20! That means that each strap gets to support 10% of your bust weight (I'm sure you never thought you'd use physics with regards to bras)! If you're particularly busty, the weight can add up and thin straps just won't cut it.

And if you are not super muscular or don't have firm skin, those bra straps can cut in to your shoulder. If the band size is correct and the weight of your breasts pulls the straps, then that can be OK. Bra companies have added wide straps to bras to disperse all of the weight to a wider surface area (so much physics today!). And some have even added cushioned straps to really help make the experience less miserable.

So what about if your straps keep falling off? Or what if they just slide around a lot and chafe a bit? Or what if they are cutting in a LOT!

Here are the steps you need to do before making a drastic change:

Cacique's cotton molded no-wire bra

1. Tighten the straps but not enough to drag up your bra band. If the band pulls up while you're tightening your straps, then go down in your band size. You'll be in a never ending loop if you tighten your straps to pull up your band that pulls on the straps which pulls on the band, etc.
2. Consider shortening the straps. If your band is sitting parallel to the floor, your breasts fit the cups, and the gore sits flat then maybe you have a short torso. It might be time to get crafty by following Crafting a Green World's tutorial on How to Shorten Bra Straps. If you bought your bra at Nordstrom they may also be able to provide an alteration service as might other tailoring services. A bra strap that is even a little bit too long can chafe and cause red marks.
3. If neither of those methods work, then consider buying cushions OR buy a bra with a wider strap. Don't be afraid to try some of those wider strapped bras. Cacique carries a wide range of wide-strapped bras. Or Lululemon carries a cute long-lined, wide-strapped number at a reasonable price.

The Takeaway

Bra straps should be wide enough to support the weight of your breasts and only long enough to lift up slightly away from the shoulders (two fingers should fit under the strap). If they are too long they can chafe or fall off OR they could indicate your bra size is incorrect.

**If you have a particularly long torso and the straps are at their longest, then I will have to come up with a different solution for you! I'll have to investigate.

The Lingerie Libra's Lazy Girl Guide to Bra Cleaning

I have made mention of cleaning your bras by hand in the past (Cup Shapes - Molded), so I figured I could go a bit further in depth for the subject. I'm also cleaning a TON of my bras now after moving, so this blog post is real time!

Hand washing one bra usually requires a sink or a bucket. Reminder: clean sink!

Why does hand-laundering your bras matter? There are a few perks to hand washing your bra:

1) Delicate details (lace, bows, etc.) won't be destroyed with high friction.
2) Moulded cups can be damaged irreparably by machine-washing.
3) You can spot clean more easily by hand vs. a machine.
4) You use more water using the "delicate spin" portion of your washer so thus... more $$.

I'm going to guess that you will look at the list, think about the perks and then discard it as too much effort! That's what bra laundry bags are for, right? So how did I get over machine washing and jump into hand washing? Because my money matters!

There are currently six bras in this tub. Bulk cleaning!

According to Redbook, the average woman owns 9 bras! You should be refitted about twice a year (the usual time women are told to be re-fitted). Now imagine you buy 9 new bras each time you go in (humor me, please). I tend to see my size of bra priced around $68, so that's... $1224 (damn!) a year JUST on bras. You should wash your bra every 4 to 5 wearings or if you sweat/live in a muggy environment, more often! In that six month period of owning 9 bras, I will wear each of them 20 times (9 bras/182 days = 20.22 wears), washing them every 4 to 5 wearings means... A lot of washing. But that also means the longer I can keep my bras intact, the less money I'll spend over the course of a year (oh gawd, I've spent so much money on bras!!).

EVERY DAY I'M PAYING $3.35 TO WEAR A BRA.

Think about how crazy that is!

$3.35 FOR A DAY! (Sales tax not included)

And that doesn't include the money I use to clean them!

So how do I wash my bras? In bulk! I hear some women clean their bras while they're in the shower, but that seems incredibly wasteful of water (roughly 2 gallons of water a minute). So I either fill a sink (such as at the top of this post) or a tub (above). My cleaners of choice? OxyClean or Tide Free & Gentle. I use the unscented version because fragrances can irritate the skin and, if powerful enough, can mask perfume.

Free your bras of grime and stink!

I always clean bras with similar colors. Dye can bleed into other material! Even bras I have owned and washed repeatedly still leach color (especially black).

After using a gloop (technical term) of Tide or a TINY amount of OxyClean, I let my bras soak for 15 minutes in lukewarm water (not hot or cold), pour the water out, and then refill with clean water (no cleaner) unless I'm washing sports bras that REALLY need it. After they soak for 15 more minutes (and no longer smell like detergent/cleaner or... body), I will hang them to dry.

Clothing lines and 90 degree weather are perfect for my lifestyle.

There are other bra drying tips (lying flat, hanging, etc.) so do whatever works best for your space. For me, I have a handy line to dry mine on. NEVER dry your bras in the dryer. The heat can damage moulded bras, possibly shrink material, or just damage fabric.

Now you know how I do it. I don't tend to buy SUPER expensive bras or ones with a lot of delicate details (lace, especially) so what works for me might not work for you. But keep in mind: bras are an investment and should be treated with care!

On to the next load...

No bras were harmed in the making of this post.

Sports Bra: Panache Underwired

The best part of working out is the sports bra. This is when I prove to you that I'm not crazy, right? Because with articles like this from Buzzfeed I think the general consensus for D+ cup sized women is that sports bras are insufficient, ineffective and the devil in uniboobed form.

So why do I think sports bras are the best? It's because I have fallen in love (sorry boyfriend) with the

Panache Underwired Sports Bra!

Better Bras Canada

There's no denying this bra's effects on the lingerie blogosphere. Bra's I Hate & Love liked it (although they don't carry her size, she's a 28HH). Fry Sauce & Grits "really, really, really like[s] it." And Marathoning for "real" women gave it a rating of 23/25 (marked down only for bouncing and appearance). For more reviews you can flip through The DD Plus Review, Invest in Your Chest, Diary of a Fit Mommy, and A Sophisticated Pair. Also The Full-Figured Chest, Sweet Nothings, and probably a dozen others. Seriously, this thing is amazing.

Panache on Amazon

I own four of these, the most of any other bra I own (rivaled by the Freya Deco). One in gray, two in black, and one in the Olympic edition that is red, white and blue. There are currently THIRTEEN colorways available at Amazon. The price there ranges from $45 to $68. If you're thinking that is steep, well, how much do your double-bra "sports" bras cost and how often do you have to replace them? I've owned my gray sports bra for roughly four years and it's still holding itself together!

In terms of comfort, this is the most comfortable bra (not just sports bra) that I own. The wires are lined with a comfortable gel to protect against rubbing and jabbing. The material is meant to wick moisture away from the body and as a prolific sweater (I DO love to share, don't I?) I find that this does the job!

Panache on Amazon

Like a lot of smaller cup bras, there are J hooks in the back so you can make it a racer back. If the cups aren't tight enough then hooking these up will do the trick. A lot of people find it difficult to hook them together but I haven't found it extremely difficult. The band is firm (mine hasn't budged much since I bought it) so don't feel the need to size down in the band. The cups are fairly true to size. Although the front of the bra sits fairly high, depending on the top I would just wear this under regular clothes.

Are you looking for a new sports bra? Looking for a bra that isn't bedeviled? Try the Panache Sports Bra at Amazon, Nordstrom, Figleaves, A Sophisticated Pair and you can check out the stockists shown on the Panache website.

Cup Shapes - Molded

Today is a late post! Sorry for the delay! Occasionally I talk about different brands but today I will talk about moulded/molded cups!

First things first: is it molded or moulded? If you're British, it is moulded. If you're from the U.S. then it is molded. Just like colour = color! Moving on.

Freya Deco Molded - Lazeme Lingerie

Molded bras are exactly like soft-cup bras, except the main difference is the synthetic, molded cups. These molds are formed using heat on machines and they are one of greatest luxuries mankind has ever known (just my opinion, but oh well). Each layer of the bra/cups is then heat set to each other (which is why they don't easily pull apart). There's a silent Youtube video below if you want to see some being made, small scale.

Because cups are designed on a computer before manufacturing begins, the shape of the cup can vary greatly between manufacturers. The video above features a rounded shape but you could also achieve cone shapes or flatter shapes, as well. Bras are slowly becoming more and more heavily engineered (which increases cost, as does raw material increases, too). The video below is a short animation of how a bra cup is created.

One of the clear benefits to a molded cup, though, is that the outer and inner fabric is applied via heat instead of being sewn together, panel by panel. This removes some of the hands-on, human intense process of sewing individual panels. That being said, bra manufacturing is incredibly complex, starting from the design all the way to the finished product. If you want a brief introduction to this aspect, don't be afraid to watch the video below from CCTV.

What are the benefits to owning a molded bra? The cup will hold its shape forever! This is great if you want a rounded shape under sheer shirts. Or if it is cold outside you won't have to worry about any nipple shapes showing. Some molded bras are padded, too, so you can get shape and extra oomph.

What are the downsides to owning a molded bra? Storing and traveling with these bras can be a challenge, especially because you shouldn't turn these cups inside-out. The best method for storing them is "nested" so that the cups sit within the cups of the bra in front of it. A close example is below by Elle's Blonde World.

Another downside is they absorb sweat! This means that they can stain easily and might have to be washed more often than soft-cup bras. If possible, do NOT machine wash your bras and especially not molded bras. Leaving them for a soak is OK in a gentle detergent and I have even Oxyclean-ed mine because honestly... ain't nobody got time for that! BUT if you want your bras to last, I suggest you buy a gentle detergent like the Nordstrom Lingerie Wash.

Remember, because molded bras are made from synthetic material (the spongey portion) then they can't really be re-used. So if you are Eco-conscious, then consider purchasing only natural fiber bras or just soft-cupped bras that take up less space.

Celebration Lingerie

Casual lingerie. Sexy lingerie. Business casual lingerie (I'm sure it's a thing, somewhere. It will involve pinstripes, definitely). But today I felt the need to show you some celebration lingerie.

So what IS celebration lingerie? It's not a marketing ploy by any particular company but something I have created myself. Because I feel like CELEBRATING today! Celebration lingerie's visual aesthetics should remind you of fireworks or the first flowers of spring. Here are a few 2015 Celebration Lingerie sets that will hopefully help you celebrate the day.

Heidi Klum's Keyhole Boost Bra

It's bright! It's lacy! It has ribbons AND cool cut outs. Heidi Klum Intimates, based out of Australia, doesn't stray far from the standard lingerie styles. Basic black/white/nude sets, lacy numbers and some colorful pieces, but the keyhole boost set stands out for its bright colors and adorable details. This set would make me feel GREAT! Also, having boost in the name doesn't hurt. This is the Blue Atoll version of the set.

Sizes: 32 to 38 B-D

Note: Australian sizes use 10, 12, 14 instead of 32, 34, 36, etc. The cup sizes are the same as UK bras.

Agent Provocateur Karlie

Agent Provocateur is designed to be, well, provocative and sexy, but with the bright colors the Karlie stands out as a party animal, too. Do you feel like wearing this to your celebration party? I sure hope so!

Sizes: 32 to 36 A-E

marlies | dekkers dancing princess

Did anyone else's parents tell them you were a princess when you were young? Even if you're not Kate Middleton you still can be with this bodysuit. The front is studded with rhinestones and a decorative jewelry piece dangles supported at the breastbone. The back is just as gorgeous (below)!

Sizes: S, M, L

So go find your celebration lingerie. Go feel great! And rock your gorgeous self!

Lingerie Commercials and Women

Currently, there is a very large discussion about the effects on women from advertisements and photoshop. With the number of households using the internet increasing, the impact on women can only become more widespread and this should be no surprise. But as more people are reached, we do have to ask if advertisers are taking their more diverse demographic into account. Are advertisers using more body shapes, sexes, races, etc.? Are they advertising differently than they have before? And what does this mean for the people who need/want to purchase lingerie?

Today we'll take a peek at the changes I've seen in recent years toward advertising lingerie/swimwear and even a look at somethings that appear to not have changed at all!

What's New?

 H&M's Jennie Runk

Perhaps one of the biggest changes was the subtle introduction of Jennie Runk into the H&M advertising fold. There was no fanfare or trumpeting of Jennie being a "plus-sized model" (which is very different from being plus-size in the non-modeling world) at a US size 12. She was just another model. And America loved it!

Although the data is 5 years or older, the Center for Disease Control lists the average US woman as being just under 5'4" and a waist of 37.5". It is hard to look at these numbers and see the line up of Victoria's Secret angels and their measurements (take this website with a grain of salt, though) and compare them to the average American woman. For comparison, JAG Models, (Jennie's agency), lists her at 5'10" and with a 33" waist. Not the same as the rest of America, but so much closer!

aerie Real

aerie blew everyone out of the water when they announced they would stop photoshopping their models. Now, there probably wasn't a promise that they would NOT photoshop the FIT of the bras on the models, but this announcement came right at the beginning of 2014 and probably helped inspire other companies to do the same.

Triumph's "Find the One" Advertisement

Perhaps the latest and most entertaining is Triumph's new animated advertisement called "Find the One"! Spotted by my friend C.W., this ad features their spoksemodel Hannah Ferguson, a Broadway musical producer AND singers, and a rather strange frog. It captures every woman's desire to find "the one." We'll skip around the director, Tobias Fueter's, comment about how the French, "know the girls, [and how] they love beautiful things” (ugh, really?) and appreciate it for its charm and how it hits the nail on the head: the right bra is important to have a dream sequence about!

What's the Same?

I'll just kind of leave these here.

2015

2000

 1995

For a rundown of the VS show through the ages, please checkout this Huffington Post article. I believe the VS angels have been around since 1999!

Garters and Garter Belts

Garters and garter belts! They're more than just a part of a wedding ceremony!

A strange modern adaptation!

What you're used to seeing traditionally tossed at weddings by the grooms are garters. The National Vintage Wedding Fair makes a note that in the past (think medieval times), in order to prove a marriage was consummated, the wedding guests would join the couple in the bedroom and make off with the proof! Garters seemed to be fair game. Luckily, we've started to do away with the voyeuristic function of the garter. At modern weddings, though, we seem to also have done away with the REAL function of the garter and garter belt itself: holding up stockings!

A modern garter: This will probably not hold up a stocking

So what was a girl to do back when stockings were the thing and you also wanted to flatten your stomach for a dress? A girdle and garter belt were just the thing!

Here is a garter belt advertisement

Most garter belts came with front and back straps and connected to the top of stockings. When hemlines rose, the need to still partially obscure your legs remained as well as the need to stay warm in cooler climates. Modern-day pantyhose and Spanx have largely done away with the single legged stocking but there is still demand for garter belts, although more often for "sexy" functions.

Curvy Kate Carmen

So although garter belts are still in use, you don't often see them in stores except in specialty boutiques or online and you probably don't see women wearing them under their dresses due to the shift in fashion (although that could be changing). Or you may see the modified underwear/belt panty (below), which is not conducive to daily wear and tear when you're out and about in town.

Bare Necessities Curvy Kate Tease Me Garter Belt Strap Boyshort

So what's a good suspender belt? How do you wear them? How does it feel to wear them? Hopefully, I have a few answers for you:

What's a good suspender belt?
How do you wear them?
How does it feel to wear them?

The overall consensus is that if it looks like it's meant for the bedroom, then only wear it in the bedroom! You need some sturdy material and engineering to hold up stockings. Do you wear a garter belt and stockings? Why or why not? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know!

How to Boudoir: Part 2

So you've found a photographer you love and you've booked a shoot. What do you expect the same day? Here's a run-through of my experience with The Sensual Photographer.

My boudoir bag

The Day Of the Photoshoot
Is your bag packed? Do you have all of your outfits, jewelry, shoes, robe, accessories, FOOD!? If not, go grab them and place them in your bag. Also, go eat something (because you will be working HARD). For some reason I like to use an old fashioned suitcase to tote my photoshoot clothing, so I made sure everything fit nice and tight. This suitcase also doubles as a prop. This one would be GREAT for a Mad Men themed shoot.

Like I mentioned in How to Boudoir: Part 1, find clothes that fit. A few of the items I chose to bring include:

Freya Flourish Padded Longline in White 30G
Just Peachy Lace Non Padded Balconete Bra in Purple 30G
Parfait by Affinitas Danielle in Turquoise 30G
Freya Marvel in Purple 28G
Fantasie Susanna Underwired Side Support Bra in Black 30G

THREE pairs of shoes, plenty of jewelry, a cardigan from Three Dots, scarf and a robe.

In the end we stuck with the Danielle, Marvel, cardigan and matching panties.

Hair and Makeup
So as not to leave clothing or underwear lines, I swapped out my clothes for a robe and let Gina Campbell, the make-up and hair artist, go to work. If you want to see more of her work, PLEASE go visit her site The Bird Bones on Tumblr! She does weddings, everyone!!

If you have a make-up and hair artist hired for your shoot, show up with a clean face and clean hair. Some hair artists want you to not have washed it the day of the shoot and others don't care. My hair is fine and thin, so it was a must to wash. Gina added some product, applied heat and gorgeous curls appeared! They held for the entirety of the shoot and even long after. Make-up and hair artists are WORTH IT if you do not have these skills yourself. They come with their own makeup (which they charge a modest fee for to cover costs) and many hours and sometimes years of experience. They know how much makeup to apply and where. Camera flashes can wash you out and they know how to stop that from happening.

For makeup Gina chose a smoky eye. Imagine Jennifer Lawrence, and then go three times more dark and smoky! This makeup was a forest fire's worth of smoke! This was also a great experience to determine what a good foundation shade I am (Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup in 1), in case you were wondering. Also, it's vegan. Who knew!?
Photo from Fanpop

The Result...
Unfortunately, the photos have not been released yet! But below is a teaser from The Sensual Photographer's Facebook page (which you all still need to LIKE)!

Why every woman should want to be a (lingerie) model #ImNoAngel

While growing up, children are always being asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And kids will respond with answers like astronaut, wife, race car driver, or even an expert in Greek mythology (OK, that was me! The evidence is below.). Rare is it for a young child to say "model" and probably non-existent to say "lingerie model."

Lingerie Libra at age 12

But as we become adults, the world changes and we see the world differently. At 12 you start to notice that there are TV ads with attractive stars and models. Blockbuster movies play on the silver screen or through our computer screens. And then the latest issue of Seventeen arrives and you start to think, "Maybe this could be me. Maybe I could be a model!" And then the world starts to get in the way.

 Lingerie Libra at age 14

Directly or indirectly people tell you that you are not a size 0 (whatever that means) and you're under 5'8". Then you might become more critical of your looks. You're 14 and you have acne, stretch marks and braces and LIFE JUST IS NOT FAIR. You think that you CAN'T be a model because none of them look like you!

Victoria's Secret "Perfect Body" Campaign - Photo courtesy of Victoria's Secret

And while there are lean, tall and beautiful women on all of the advertisements and campaigns (that demographic is well-covered), it's hard to find another body that represents well... YOUR body. So why not make that happen yourself?

Lingerie Libra at 25 (far left) - Photo courtesy of Curvy Kate's Star in a Bra 2012

So why should every woman want to be a lingerie model? Because the 12 year old you USED to be needs to know that you are confident in your body. And all of the other young girls growing up need to know that they can be confident, too!

Lane Bryant's new campaign #I'mNoAngel - Photo courtesy of PopSugar

The 14 year old you needs to know that stretch marks are fine and that acne doesn't make the person. You can be happy and be a size 0 or a size 22. A person isn't the size of their body!

Tess Munster, Milk Model Management - Photo courtesy of Google search for Tess Munster

And even if you aren't "model" height you can rock it like Tess Munster who is 5'5". In her words, "Eff your beauty standards!" Go sign with an agency! Show everyone AND yourself that you can do it. Celebrate Lane Bryant's #I'mNoAngel campaign!

Andrej Pejic - Photo courtesy of Design Scene

You might even identify as a woman, be a transgender woman, somewhere in-between or off-from-center or WHATEVER and STILL want to wear lingerie! Be the next Andrej Pejic and strut your stuff!

Lingerie Libra at 27

Because even if you're 12, 14, 25 or 27, you deserve to be happy with yourself. And you deserve to see a diverse group of women of all shapes, heights, colors, personalities, etc. Be your own spokesmodel and show the world that all types of women are welcome in the world, not just the modeling world.