Real Rockers Love The Nylon

Patti Smith rockin' the nightgown.

"All I Have To Say Is, Some People Will Be Sorry Someday"

A not-so-subtle reminder to donate *wink*

Not sure what film this is from, or who it is... Share if you know!

(Via.)

Too Many Buns Isn't Just A Hot Dog Problem

Ladies, we have more buns than panties.

It's not what you think.

I'm not talking about thongs or other panties which barely cover your bum. *wink* No, I'm talking about the bra and panty problem which is rather like the problem with hot dogs which come ten to a package while buns come in either packs of eight or twelve.

If we wear our bra approximately three times before washing it, but only, as I spotted recently, purchase one pair of truly matching panties, what do we do on the other two days?

We have to do some math in order to cover our buns.


Especially if we want to match our bra and panties.

All of this dawned on me the other day when I had to take the teenaged daughter bra shopping recently. Standing outside the fitting rooms (where I, like most mothers, are banished), I tried desperately not to make eye contact with any of the eye candy. (I can't afford to.) Under the circumstances, I couldn't help but people watch. Or, more honestly, watch women shopping in the lingerie department.

Yes, I felt more than a little like a peeper.

But over and over again, I surreptitiously observed women selecting bras. How many panties, if any, did they select to go with their new bras?

Only one woman out of the 26 I saw selecting bras also purchased panties -- only one woman! And she only purchased one matching pair. She literally bought a matching bra and panty set. Which is fine, but those panties will be washed far more often, resulting in a less than perfect bra and panty set. The math doesn't hold up so fine over time.

Sure, my field experience was limited; the numbers purely anecdotal. But I don't think what I observed was abnormal. I mean no one was thwarting the shopping of these women. Despite my discomfort at the idea of being noticed as I observed, no one seemed to notice me; so that didn't interrupt them. Plus, this shopping pattern seems to reflect not only my own buying habits, but those of the women I know. (Yup, I called up my sister, my mother, my friends and, after once again having to deal with their mockery of my lingerie obsession, they confided the same sort of ratios -- along with their thoughts on how weird I am to even think of such things.)

The bottom line, if you'll excuse the pun, is that our buns (the buns) out-number the panties (hot dogs); of, if you prefer, the bras are the buns and our panties are still the hot dogs. Either way, we've got left-over buns.

This time, it's not an industry packaging problem. Bras are on little hangers; so are panties. (Yes, I'm completely eschewing rolled-up panties in a pack; that's underwear, not lingerie, thankyouverymuch.)

While this means the problem of mis-matched (or even non-coordinated) bras and panties, the poor ratios of our purchases, are of our own creation, there is an opportunity here for lingerie companies. It wouldn't hurt for them to package panties in sets of three (a simple cardboard sleeve over hangers, secured with those plastic gun thingies, should do the trick) to remind us of the simple math here.

So on those fancy four-way racks with the prettiest of bras, at least, there would be three pairs of the same panties, in the same size, just waiting for her to pick them up too. They could even offer a discount on those three-packs, just to remind the rest of us just how practical that purchase really is.


You're welcome, lingerie industry.

Meanwhile, lingerie lovers, you are responsible for covering your own buns.

Image credits: Lynnstudios.

Stockings Are Dreamy...

Via Design Goddess. Don't forget to see The Ladies Who Lounge at my other blog!

Is Cosabella Your Habit?

My Habit has a large Cosabella lingerie sale event going on until Friday (July 29, 2011). And you can save an extra $10 with Promotion Code: MYHABITX (code is valid through September 1, 2011; may only be used once).

Shown here are the Ever Babydoll (soft jersey stretch knit, now just $48), the Odile Babydoll Set (black mesh, $69) and the Chichi Underwire Bra (shown in magenta with the Low-rise Hot Pants; bra $37 panty $29).

Vintage Halter Style Nylon Nightgown

Light blue chiffon nylon nightgown with bronze embroidery. What a dream!

Lovely Vintage Chiffon Petals

Inspiring vintage photos by Nina Leen (October, 1952, LIFE magazine) which will make you want to sew petals onto your lingerie.

Can A T-Shirt Bra Be Pretty? Yes, It Can!

Le Mystere's "Isabella" demi-cup underwire t-shirt bra not only fits fabulously, but has an open sweetheart neckline and pretty lace.

(How can a practical t-shirt bra get away with lace? Because it's kept right along the bottom of the bra band, right next to your heart, and the fullness of your properly supported bustine keeps the clingy t-shirt fabric away from that area!)

And now it's on sale at Bloomingdales. Thanks to Shop It To Me for the Sale Mail alert!

Golden Slumbers

Once there was a way to get back home...

This vintage Vanity Fair nightgown in stunning golden nylon just might be it.

Alison Brie and Gillian Jacobs In Lingerie

I love the show Community, but more fitting for posting this GQ photo here is the cheeky fun Alison Brie and Gillian Jacobs seem to be having in their lingerie cat fight -- so reminiscent of Bettie Page photos!

Click to see large scan -- via Warming Glow.

Also: GQ has an interview and video available online!

Lingerie For Insomniacs

The seller calls this vintage nylon Frederick's Of Hollywood nightgown "funwear," which is just another name for what I call "play wear." In either case, it's the kind of thing you only wear to bed when you plan on being up all night. Will it cure insomnia? No. But it sure is a treat for the insomniac! Might even cause insomnia if done right *wink*

The main reason I'm showing this to you is because too often lingerie connoisseurs summarily reject Frederick's Of Hollywood. It's too long been considered the "tacky" lingerie, only considered as post-nylon one-size-fits-all pieces of polyester, but it's clearly not. I've got a long post coming up on this; but for now, just enjoy all the pics!

Bedroom Blanket Bingo

Another retro or vintage nylon "bikini babydoll" or two piece babydoll set. This one, also in light blue, has a much frothier layered top and the panties have drawstring side ties (along with a double-nylon mushroom gusset). By Luxite Kayser.  (PS If you don't get the post title reference... Beach Blanket Bingo.)

Deep Freeze

Seriously; it's too hot.

Too hot to even blog.

I've got plenty of posts in draft, but I just can't bring myself to focus long enough to finish them up. Which is a shame because I have so much to say... *heavy sigh*

So, while we wait for all my bombastic lingerie posts to continue, console yourselves with another link round-up, OK?

(I'll try not to fall into the deep freeze while I'm away!)

#1 I double-dog dare you to take the Bringing Sexy Back ~ Challenge #3:

Purple is the new black, 40 is the new 30, and Mr. Clean is the new Justin Timberlake! Huh? Yup, you read that right! Clearing out clutter in your home can actually amp up your sex life and sexilicious sex factor. In this edition, we will be specifically focusing on your undergarments. Remember, everything is energy! Thoughts, things, and even intimate wear send out magical doododoots (my sound for energy waves being emitted) attracting comparable things.

Do you see where this is going?  If you wear skeevy skivvies, you may attract a skeevy skuzball!!  You wear icky bras, you feel icky about yourself.

Like where that's going? Then take the challenge! (Maybe when it's cooler! lol)

#2 If you're feeling dizzy from the heat, heading to the air conditioned mall may not make you feel better: Lingerie shopping can make you dizzy! (We've all been there!)

#3 Oh, and I did manage to rant over here... I'm sure y'all agree with me.

See you after sun-down -- or tomorrow, if it's cooler.  I hope!

Too Hot

Leonor Fini by Dora Maar, Paris, 1936.

Cool Off With A Frothy Peach Concoction

Flirty and frothy vintage nylon babydoll by Gotham Gold Stripe in a sweet peach -- complete with an embroidered spray of roses. Now that's how you beat this heat!

This Week's Vintage & Lingerie Round-Up

No less than nine of you emailed me the link to this article and video at The Wall Street Journal about Victorian underthings and lingerie. (Does that mean I no longer need to post link round-ups? Or just that great lingerie minds search alike? lol)

At Tea & Crumpets, Lauren reviews From Riches to Rags, the UK television show (which you can watch online) about popstar Lily Allen's move to selling vintage clothes, with her sister, at Lucy in Disguise. I've not watched episodes yet, but I'm intrigued... (A less positive review of the series is here.)

Dames of Chance wear lucky their lucky panties!

The bikini goes green -- as in eco designers take on the challenge of planet-friendly swimwear at the Swim Week show.

How Could This Be Left Behind?

This lovely vintage Satilene by Kayser Lingerie full-slip in rich black nylon with stunning contrasting cream lace still has original store stock tags on it! How can that possibly be? Go get it now, girls!

Vintage Blushing Pink Jonquil Negligee

The way the lighter than air lace swirls around, it almost makes the satin part of this negligee look like a teddy in a cloud of lace... Love the lace that dips low in the back too. The whole gown is in a blush or light, but natural, pink shade. Stunning and elegant vintage couture Jonquil bridal lingerie by Diane Samandi.

Maybe They Should Be Called "Nights Of The Week Panties"

This set of seven retro nylon bikini panties have the days of the week printed on them -- however, as each also has a mod stylized sex position printed on them, I think they might be better called "Nights Of The Week" panties. *wink*

Antique Lady Duff Gordon Lingerie

More Lady Duff Gordon lingerie. These images come from this page on Lady Duff Gordon; I'm sure there's plenty more in this book, Lucile: London, Paris, New York and Chicago, if you'd care to buy it for me or donate *hint hint*

Keeping The Romance Alive

Beautiful vintage nylon chiffon crepe negligee with seven inches of lace and blue satin ribbon tie. And look, that bodice chiffon and lace is pleated too! So delicate, will anyone dare to touch you? Pure romance by Trousseau by Terris Lingerie.

Campus Panty Raid

According to the packaging on these vintage Campus panties, the dog did it. The dog was behind the old panty raids on campus *wink*

Modern Designer Babydoll Lingerie On Sale

The Sweet Dot Confetti Chemise by Oscar de la Renta features black polka dot tulle over sheer light aqua chiffon and, just to set it over the frou-frou top, plenty of black floral lace trim along the neckline and hem. Like a real vintage babydoll nightie! And it's on sale! (Via Sale Mail alert.)

Retro Babydoll Bikini Lingerie Set

I call these sets "babydoll bikinis" because they were popular at the same time and embody the same peek-a-boo spirit -- and the fluffy chiffon sweetness. This vintage set is by Gyldon's and features dual layers of fluffy, bubbling, blue chiffon trimmed in delicate but still frothy white lace. The bubble panties tie in front.

Vintage Couture Lingerie Showstopper

Showstopper or show starter? *eyebrow wiggle* You decide what you think of this vintage couture lingerie by Vanity Fair in sheer black nylon with illusion work and gold lamé accents. Gold lamé crosses over the black lace shelf bust, defines and trims it. But it doesn't end there. There's gold lamé straps and a gold lamé bow tie under the bust too. Not to mention all the usual delights found in Vanity Fair lingerie pieces.

Ayten Gasson Summer Sale!

Ayten Gasson's having their Biggest Summer Sale, with up to 70% off all Spring Summer 2011 collections, as well as continued reductions on all previous 2010 ranges. Sale ends August 15 -- so hurry and shop Ayten Gasson now!

Vintage Lady Duff Slips

No discussion of the vintage American Lady Duff Lingerie brand would be complete without mentioning the company's slips -- at least not at this blog *wink*

If you're into the details (and I sure am!) you'll enjoy comparing the this vintage Lady Duff rayon satin slip with lace with the company's ad for slips in 1945.

See also: Will The Real Lady Duff Please Stand Up?