Style and  ‘sense’ have long been warring concepts, and perhaps that is why we simply adored Chanel when she came along; she freed us from these constraints, and advised us that girls should be classy and fabulous –always.  With this in mind, let me assure you that “Beauty is pain”, and “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too”, are ridiculous concepts.  With a little negotiation, you can find something aesthetically ravishing and yes… comfortable, too!  Sometimes, even the art of diplomacy has its place in fashion.  Let’s take a peek at some lingerie styles with a reputation for discomfort, and how they can actually be ‘pretty yet practical’.

The Corset

Yes, the corset has a history of leaving countless women literally breathless, but its’ descendants are of a much gentler temperament now.  Although some ladies do still wear corsets to achieve small waists as of yore (like Cathie Jung!), we now know corsets as incredibly feminine undergarments that softly shape and enhance the feminine figure –I know I stand a little more elegantly, a little more straighter, when I’m wearing one.  Perhaps even Chanel would approve… This seductive, deep violet ‘Midnight Kiss’ corset by Blush is sure to support your curves, and leave your admirer breathless.

The Thong

This complex bit of fabric needs a deal of ‘getting used to’.  But once you do, (and with the right size) you will avoid those horrid undergarment lines, and feel incredibly saucy, too.  The surprisingly comfy Florence String by Change of Scandinavia is not only about looks, but luxury — a perfect way to test a new style!

Lace

Some women find the feel of lace chafing against their skin.  If you love lace, but have sensitive skin, try wearing quality styles that keep the texture to a minimum or that offer a barrier or lining between your skin and the lace.  This racy, lacy and sheer number from the Bra Doctor’s Brigitte collection is made with a soft lace that doesn’t irritate in the least.  And with lace on the exterior and lined on the inside, Triumph’s “Lace Allure” bra definitely lives up to its name.

Underwire Bras

Yes, more often than not, wired bras are hugely popular because of their ability to help support and shape a fantastic figure, but some women do find them uncomfortable.  (Also, did you know that with tighter security measures at the airport, underwire bras can cause ‘inconvenience and extra scrutiny’ at the checkpoint?  Who needs the extra hassle when you’re travelling?)  Wearing a wire-free bra doesn’t mean you have to forsake looking cute or sassy… because this little lacy wire-free number by Blush Lingerie will prove that theory wrong and far exceed your ‘Great Expectations‘!

What are your thoughts, ladies?  Are you convinced that fashion can achieve a balance between style and comfort?  Share your thoughts with us on Twitter and on our Facebook page — we are always excited to hear from you!

 -Cathie-
cathie@nowthatslingerie.com 

Image Credits & Sources:

www.weheartit.com

Midnight Kiss Corset by Blush
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=222041-midnight-kiss-satin-and-lace-strapless-corset–blush-lingerie

Brigitte Semi-Sheer Lace Thong by Bra Doctor
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=40019r-brigitte-sheer-lacy-low-rise-thong-bra-doctor-lingerie

Lace Allure bra by Triumph International
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=1906-lace-allure-full-support-bra-triumph-lingerie

Florence Thong by Change of Scandinavia
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=29708338_change_of_scandinavia_florence_string

Great Expectations Wire-Free Bralette by Blush
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=221510-great-expectations-sheer-lace-and-satin-wire-free-bralette-blush-lingerie

Racks of gorgeous lingerie

When I got to the event, I walked in and couldn’t believe how elegant and swanky everything looked. There were several clothing racks filled with lingerie I couldn’t wait to gush over, a table covered with pajamas from the new line, a huge screen airing ads, sexy posters, and a snack bar with cookies and drinks.

Marketing Materials and Pajama Table

After introductions, the marketing experts lead me through the designers thinking for the new line, while walking me past racks of new bras, panties, nighties and corsets. What struck me as most interesting about this new collection is that Blush groups the collections by several different styles and themes. This way of grouping is a departure from other brands, which may have running themes throughout a collection that binds it together cohesively as a whole. The benefit to the way Blush creates groups of styles is that different women who are looking for different styles can find what they want with a Blush look. The styles for 2012 range from sweet to sexy, romantic to daring, and young to mature.

Love Always Bralette and Hipster

This range can be best exhibited by two of my favorite looks from the line, Love Always and Naked Envy. Love Always, with a pink flower print and lots of lace detailing, is on the more youthful side, and extremely romantic, even in the name! Naked Envy is a collection so popular from Fall 2011 that they carried it over into Spring with additional styles in white, just in time for wedding season. The look for Naked Envy is bold and sexy, but the intricate, delicate lacework adds some light touches as well.

As obvious from the above looks, lace will continue to be a huge trend in 2012. A welcome addition

Naked Envy Teddy in White for Spring

to the Spring line, a wonderful way to cure the winter blues, is pink lace, beautifully exhibited by the Sweetest Sin chemise  (carried over from Fall, in new colors). The design of this piece perfectly incorporates the gorgeous and elaborate design of the lace in the “petals” that overlap from one section of lace to the next. The lace detailing is actually one of my favorite aspects of the collection overall. In addition to

Sweetest Sin Chemise in Pink

the thoughtful design and unparalleled quality of the lace, the designers came up with clever and appealing ways to work lace into unexpected places. One example is the lace panel on the hip of the Great Expectations Pajama Pant. Though it’s unfortunately hard to see in this picture, there is a triangular panel of cream-colored lace on each hip, a delightful surprise that makes these pajamas all the more lovely.

There were other surprise details as well. This lace teddy from the Luscious group, though certainly striking from the front, is unassuming in the sense that it has an even more stunning back. The top section snaps together in the back like a bra, and there is a huge cut-out all the way to the very bottom of the small of the

Great Expectations Pajama Pant

back. I have rarely seen a teddy cut this way, and the effect is breathtaking. The design brings the eyes to all the right places while being exciting and definitely fashion-forward.

Sophisticated new takes on florals were a surprise for me as well. These florals were on display with the Free Love group, a collection of pieces made all the more thrilling by their sheerness! Who knew floral designs could be so naughty? This group is available in both seductive black and, somewhat more interestingly, angelic

Luscious Teddy

white, highlighting even further the mix of demure and the dangerous. Another group incorporated interesting florals as well. The Idylle style features lavishly detailed flower embroidery that creates almost a print

Free Love Nightie

across each piece. I was especially smitten with the demi corset, which had the beautiful embroidery down the center of the corset, creating a flattering, slimming, eye-catching  silhouette. The mesh paneling brings the whole look together and reveals a more scandalous side to the piece as well.

Another group features embroidery like the Idylle style did, and took the detail to all new levels by combining it with lace. The Amour group has pieces filled with dainty, ornate embroidery that is just dazzling. The underwire bra and hipster panties show the group’s chic style. The best part about this group is that they have new sizes for bras, going all the way up to a 36F! There are other styles available in those larger

Idylle Demi Corset and Thong

sizes as well, so be sure to check it out.

Another important and exciting design element in the line was a throw-back to more retro styles and designs. The premiere group with this

Amour Underwire Bra and Hipster Panty

design is Spellbound, which combines a 50s look with a more modern flair. Black polka dots accentuate each piece, and cuts like high-wasted briefs highlight the vintage feel. My favorite piece is the balconnette bra, which in addition to having the structured look of a 50s bra has a practical, modern touch of also being able to convert to strapless. The chemise can also be worn with or without straps, a very unique touch! The marketing posters for this collection has a fun retro feel as well, with a Brigitte Bardot-esque blond bombshell modeling the line.

All in all, the 2012 Spring Line shows an exhilarating and delightful collection from Blush which will be sure to thrill lingerie fans everywhere. I had a marvelous time looking at everything up

Spellbound Balconette Bra and High-Waisted Panty

close and getting the behind-the-scenes story on each piece.  The people running the event were so welcoming and knowledgeable, especially about Blush and their vision for the Spring line. Thanks to Blush and the Bromley Group for a wonderful

Spellbound Poster - Love It!

evening of fun, lingerie, and cookies.

Note: All Blush collections available on Now That’s Lingerie.

Comment here below, connect with us over Twitter (@nowthatslingeri), and on our Facebook page!

Rachel
rachelg@nowthatslingerie.com

Image Sources & References

Sweetest Sin Lace Chemise by Blush
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=222348–sweetest-sin-31-inch-semi-sheer-lace-chemise-with-1-quarter-underwire-blush-lingerie

Great Expectations Satin Pants by Blush

http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/details.php?id=221536-great-expectations-satin-33-inch-pants-with-lace-blush-lingerie

Naked Envy Collection by Blush
http://www.nowthatslingerie.com/en/collection.php?collection=naked%20envy&brand=blush%20lingerie 

Do you like surprises? Because I sure do – especially when it comes to saving on fashion!!

Now That’s Lingerie has just announced a huge SURPRISE SALE on their online boutique that runs until Sunday, September 25 (inclusive), to help you save up to 85% on lingerie & clothes from renowned brands like Arianne and Bra Doctor!

I am so excited to renew my wardrobe for less – I love NTL’s selection of quality products and incredible customer service (such a rarity these days) and will likely be spending quite some time today procrastinating and perusing their styles on sale…

Feeling extremely lingerie obsessed right now – join me!

Lisa, the self-professed lingerie hoarder

Selected styles by Arianne, on sale at Now That's Lingerie.com: (left to right) - Jennifer 9030 modal top, Andrea 5205 cami with sash, Pink Zoo Zebra print 3562 thongboy, Jodi 9447 sweater, Gisele 8109 dress, Vicky 5125 lace cami and 3125 short

Featured image taken from Now That’s Lingerie.com’s website
Image here using selected styles by Arianne from Now That’s Lingerie.com’s sale

Sleek Simplicity collection by Bra Doctor Lingerie, available exclusively at Now That's Lingerie.com

Welcome back!

It’s sure been awhile, but many exciting things are happening at once.

It’s the first anniversary of the online launch of Bra Doctor Lingerie, so to celebrate, Now That’s Lingerie.com is offering 25% off all Bra Doctor styles!  So far, the feedback has been very positive, and we can’t wait to hear what you have to think about our collections… with even more new styles to come.

Enjoy browsing, and let me know what you think!

More news to come very soon…

Your Bra Doctor
bradoctor@nowthatslingerie.com