Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright

Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?

Vintage Van Raalte full-cut nylon panties sure to make you purr -- or enhance your Grrr!

Poem by William Blake, in case you missed that day in English. *wink*

Classy Peek-A-Boo Vintage Lingerie

Vintage lingerie companies, like Kayser, knew that you could be ladylike and still be playful. Check out this vintage black nightgown, for example.



The sheer black nylon bodice has strategic and embellishments, hiding the nipples, but giving glimpses of the curves of the breasts...



The sheerest panel ends before the small curve of the back, inviting your lover to imagine what lies beneath the rich liquid-silky nylon of the nightgown's skirt...

Really Love Your Peaches

Make him want to shake your tree when you wear this retro peach nylon Van Raatle teddy.

Bigger Busted Lingerie Issues Continued

Moron More on the problems with having a bigger bust and trying to find lingerie...

Once upon a time, I had a favorite bra. It was perfect. It was made by Lilyette, and, as as I recall this was the early 1990s, so the bra was then made by NCC Industries, not Maidenform (which purchased NCC in 1995).

The bra was called the "Full Busted, Not Full Figured" bra -- and that's precisely why it was so perfect. It had a larger cup, but not too-large a band. It had a bit wider shoulder strap, for comfort; but the straps were not placed as wide apart as they are for full-figure women, and so the straps did not slide off your shoulders.


I swear to you, it was both pretty and a perfect fit.

I discovered this too late, however, due to the usual pursuit of bra perfection which goes as follows: many bras are taken into the fitting room, multiple times, until you return victorious with a few that fit to the racks, looking for another color or style and purchase just two or three of the bras -- because you have to see how well they wear for over the course of a day, how well they wash, and how well they wear over the course of a day after washings. Then you go back to invest in more of the bras.

But by the time I returned to the store to get more a few months later, I was dismayed when I found just one of these lovely bras in my size.

I asked the department store's lingerie specialist when more were due in. She gave an unhappy twist of the mouth and said, "No more are likely to come in." And, motivated by what I can only assume was a combination of exhaustion at having to give bad news to another distressed customer and the look of determination on my face, she told me the lingerie maker's rep was in that day -- did I want to speak with her?

Did I?! Oh heck yes!

So the clerk smugly (because she wasn't going to have to explain this herself, but would rather enjoy watching the rep handle an upset customer) made a call to the back and the rep quickly came to the counter to assist me.

I asked when I could expect more of my favorite Lilyette Full Busted Not Full Figured Bras to arrive. The lady told me that no more of the bras were going to be made, and started to try to sell me on another Lilyette bra.

"Why won't they be making any more of these bras?" I demanded to know. The sales rep began to walk away from the desk, trying to led me to and sell me other Lilyette styles she "just knew" I'd "love."

When I made no move to follow her -- neither physically to the bra racks, nor willing to change my mind about the conversation being finished -- she awkwardly stepped back to the desk and dealt with my questions.

"I love these bras," I said. "Why won't the company be making more of them?"

The conversation was slow and painful -- for both of us. But eventually the truth came out: Those Lilyette bras sold so well that the company was forced to discontinue them.

Yeah, I know; that doesn't seem to make sense, does it.

My eye brows were arched and my mouth hung open when the rep said it. And the store clerk looked aghast too.

But the plain and simple "business facts" were that Lilyette had been making small runs of the bras, but the great success of the Full Busted Not Full Figured bras had left them with the choice to either shut-down and retool one of their main production lines, invest in another production line, or discontinue the bras and (much more quickly and less expensively) end the customer demands for the new bras.

I believe today we'd call this a WTF? decision.

Especially since NCC Industries was in financial trouble (and Maidenform too after purchasing NCC).

It would seem to me that when you have a product in such hot demand, that you could capitalize on it -- both in terms of units sold and a higher price point to cover the costs in manufacturing. But Lilyette didn't see it that way. And so that was the end of my favorite bras.

Now, if there's any moral to this sad little lingerie story for us as consumers, it's this: Perfect bras for the full busted and not big boned, full figured or plus sized have been created; we just can't buy them.

We have to change this.

Maidenform must have the specs on the Lilyette Full Busted Not Full Figured bras -- heck, their Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Design Operations, Steven Castellano must know where they're at; he was a designer for Lilyette & Maidenform from 1992 to 2000. Even the trademark slogans, "Full Busted Not Full Figure," "Full Busted And Beautiful," and "Just Full Busted," are available to secure again.

While my attempts to contact them have gone ignored, perhaps they will not ignore a greater number of demands...

So, I urge those of you with full bustlines, those of you who adore full busts, and those of you who just believe in lingerie equality, to contact Maidenform (at investor relations too) and ask about making the return of the Lilyette Full Busted Not Full Figured bra possible.

I simply have to believe that now more than ever this bra is needed. The glut of boob jobs alone would seem to make this bra more salable than ever.

Image credits: Newspaper ad, from the Syracuse Herald Journal (September 22, 1993); Lilyette lingerie magazine ad.

"You Can Leave Your Hat On"

Ah, but what about the lingerie -- like the fabulous black lace panties in this vintage photograph? (Photo auction about to close; feel free to browse the rest of FineMark's eBay acutions!)

There Are Assumptions In Your Demographics

On June 15, N Brown purchased Figleaves for GBP11.5m (US$16.9m). This may not rock your world, but I found some of the points in this Just-Style article on the acquisition very interesting:

But while the two companies could hardly be more different in their target markets - Figleaves offers fashion and designer ranges to more affluent customers while N Brown is best known for its plus-size and value brands - industry observers believe the two businesses are a good fit.

"The tie up would make sense from a demographic perspective," Michelle Strutton, head of UK beauty, fashion & household research at Mintel, told just-style.

For its part, N Brown says the deal will consolidate its position as the UK's number one online lingerie retailer, as well as expanding its brand portfolio to appeal to more 'premium' shoppers.

But Strutton also notes the age profile of Figleaves website visitors "is slightly older than average," which is in line with N Brown catering to the older and plus-sized market.

"This can only be helpful to N Brown if they want to tap into this market - which does seem to have been more cushioned from the recession," Strutton says.

She also points out that Figleaves has extended its reach into loungewear and other clothing areas, "so N Brown is able to look at its various catalogue ranges to see which ones best suit the Figleaves shopper."

A positive step
The move is also seen as a good one by Carly Syme, retail analyst at Verdict Research, who describes the acquisition as "a positive step for both companies."

She says they each offer a wide range of sizes which are not readily available on the high street. Figleaves, for example, sells over 100 brands in sizes ranging from AA to K cup and 28"-56" back size.

Though N Brown already sells underwear on several of its sites, including www.classicdetail.com which offers mostly underwear, she told just-style: "Figleaves provides an opportunity to expand on N Brown's existing customer base and increase its share of the market."

If you're at all interested in company demographics (which I certainly am when it comes to lingerie, beauty and the apparel industry), you might see some things here that explain a bit more about what you do and do not find at Figleaves (and N Brown). ...There are assumptions (yes, corporate beliefs that make "asses out of u and me") in those demographics.

Perhaps I ought not point them out, or even mock them... After all, if Figleaves is the "UK's number one lingerie retailer," they probably don't think they need my help. (But why stop at #1? Or the UK?)

Also, uou will notice, if you click the link to Classic Detail, that Just-Style has the wrong link; the correct link is www.classic-detail.co.uk. (A complete listing of N Brown's can be found here.)

Amazing how I can still beat the "real" sites, even when I'm typing perched on my cat's scratching post. *wink*

Lingerie Inspired Handbags

Jimmy Choo sure seems to have been inspired by lingerie -- the "hardware" on the latest collection of purses seems to bring to mind corsets and garters. ...Or maybe that's just me and my lingerie obsessed mind?

Amazing Grace Corselet

Classic sex appeal in this vintage Penny's Adonna all-in-one open bottom girdle -- featuring illusion lace and black straps with white stripes. (It's enough to bring a lingerie blogger out of seclusion!)

Why Yes, I Am A Pansy!

I cry at chick flicks, commercials, songs, things my kids say, sad and beautiful stories... I prefer hubby removes dead birds from the yard, spiders and bees from the house, and lifts all the heavy stuff... And I love it when he takes the lead in bed too.

You too? Then celebrate your girlie sides (and curves) with this pretty vintage Charmode full-slip has pansies on the cups and circling the the hem.

Moving Mountains & Molehills

Contrary to what you might see right now, I won't be posting much the next few days as we are moving. Yes, we finally found a new house to rent.

While the search was far more difficult than I'd ever imagined, packing and moving is the proverbial bitch. So, since you can't come here and help us move, perhaps you could pitch in and buy us a pizza, some beverages, or whatever? Donations are always appreciated -- and will certainly motivate me to get back to posting as quickly as possible *wink*

(Please send me a message with your donation if you'd like me to be able to thank you personally!)

The images are exemplary of my move; all the vintage lingerie and related collectibles that must be moved... The first image is a vintage display of bras by Helene of Hollywood (I've got more coming on this company, after the move.)


The next image, from My Gal Sal, depicts hubby's growing ire. Sure, he loves it when I wear it, but the vast amount of it is now just a big fluffy slippery mountain to move. (And yes, he's discovering I have more pieces & props then he knew -- oops!)

Spectacular Vintage Black Panties

You can't call these vintage black panties "little" as they are classic full-cut panties. And you can't call them "basic" because the details, like the lace and accordion pleating, are anything but. Yet I consider them as classic and essential as any little black dress.

So Sweet & Feminine, I Might Curtsy As I Swoon

Just look at the pretty floral embroidery set in the middle of all that sweet vintage pink chiffon! Dainty ruffles too! It seems a modest vintage nightgown, but it's pretty sheer -- even with two layers!

Oh, The Anticipation Of Putting On That Negligee...

Via RickRaven at Flickr, a breathtaking photo that captures that breathtaking moment of lingerie selection.

Get Stuck On Vintage Pin-Ups Wearing Fishnet Stockings

Vintage pin-up girl decals by Duro, circa 1940s.

Crazy For Daisies & Garters?

These vintage red garters with black netting have pretty floral appliques:



Here's a mod black and white flower-power daisy suspender belt by Carol Brent:



And this pretty little vintage garter belt, strapless bra, and garter set wass probably made for a child's babydoll (I don't think a salesman's sample would be so crudely made):

So Blue, It's Pink?

This vintage half-slip with rows of black lace is such a sheer pale blue nylon that it nearly looks pink next to the faux flesh of the mannequin.

Love Bullet Bras?

Bullet Bra pin, by the My Aunt Debbie Boutique.

Of High Hopes & Lingerie Dreams (Where Can I Possibly Go From Here?!)

When I started this blog (nearly 5) years ago, I had no idea what I was doing -- other than perhaps alleviating some of my obsessive talk at home lol (Honestly, however, the success of this blog means I'm only talking about lingerie more!)

Over time, I'd hoped that somehow I'd find the ears of those who do make lingerie & help shape the images of the image shapers -- lingerie speaking, at least. It was a big wish, but...

Wonder-of-wonders, what awaits me in my inbox? An email from Catherine from Kiss Me Deadly lingerie:

Hello,

I thought I'd email you because I keep up with your blog and subsequently buy far too many things from links you post. BUT on the upside, it's contributing to our new designs, and that is how I justify my ebay bill ;)

Anyway ages ago you posted this and I bought it and Lo! it was fabulous. And thus I strayed from the path of suspenders and wandered into the land of unstructured lingerie, with which I am unfamiliar.

I used the teddy to get a sample made for the autumn winter collection, and it came out like this:


(because you can have any colour you like in KMD, as long as its black).

But I intended to sample it in peach and cream in the future. Before that could happen though, we took both items to the Paris trade show . . . and someone stole the original from my stand on the night we set up.

I'm still annoyed about that.

Anyway, we're now in the process of resampling it, because we think we might make very short runs of it in the UK so that we can do it in a lot more colours. I thought it might interest you to know that stuff you post actually end up affecting little brands like us :)

Also, I loved the post about lingerie and vulnerability. I don't just come to look at the shiny pictures ;)

cheers,
Catherine

What can I say -- or, more accurately, sputter?

(Seriously, I was so shocked that I quickly verified the email address and sender as authentic!)

Aside from wishing the teddy thief rots in a lingerie-less hell (which is probably redundant), I can only say that I'm very surprised and happy that I've helped in some small way to inspire such an incredible lingerie designer to make another beautiful and glamorous piece.

I'm still shaking my head with wonder!

Anyway, the fabulous vintage-styled Kiss Me Deadly teddy is due to be part of the Autumn collection; you might want to join the mailing list so you'll find out when it's available.

PS Hubby, please note that when it's released, I really ought to have one!

Little Lusty Lingerie Ladies

Provocative lingerie pinups by Samantha Victoria Conover, aka SVCON.

Nothing Says "Summer" Like Coral & Citron

This vintage Textron dressing gown, circa 1940s, is hot!