bare necessities
Recently stocked up on some basic underwear, and realised they're all in shades of grey. I was reminded of this thoughtful post on Notes by Naive on the beauty of grey underthings.
I've always liked my underwear plain and basic, but a few years ago I began to understand the allure of a lace trim here, a ribbon edge there, and the delicate beauty of colours like ecru, grey, navy and taupe. Growing up, I found the idea of lingerie - as opposed to my simple plain underthings - vaguely aggressive, all shiny satin with garish contrasting lace panels, padding and push-ups, constrictive underwires, skimpy thongs. I was (and am) not a vixen and none of it made sense to me.
It was years before I realised that there are people who use matte fabrics, that lace and mesh can in fact be used in an understated way, and for the flat-chested (ie, me), there are these magic things known as soft bras, or bra-lets.
I still like them simple and clean, but I now love a touch of playfulness and sensuality in what I buy. A delicate whisper of lace tracing my skin in contrast to the crisp cotton of my boyish shirts. Private, everyday pleasures.
100% cotton is a dream but where good quality pure cotton isn't available, I like a bit of elastane and viscose in the mix for smoothness and softness without compromising breath-ability. Triumph has a great eco-chic range selling feather-soft organic cotton things but the designs aren't always inspiring. Muji occasionally has some organic cotton ones on sale but their usual cotton-mix range is very nice as well. I don't like most designs at M&S but they make really good seamless lace knickers. For practical and pretty, I love Calvin Klein's lace Envy soft bras and the matching knickers. COS also makes surprisingly pretty and unique pieces, but the workmanship varies widely from piece to piece. Massimo Dutti used to make a nice range of lingerie, but they've shrunk their offerings in recent seasons, which is a pity. For a splurge on something unapologetically pretty but comfortable pieces, I like Eberjey and Bodas. Happily, all these can be washed in the machine if put in a net bag.
Your thoughts on lingerie?
Comments
I used to wear Wacoal seamless boyshorts (I think that's what they are called) and after sometime realised that they are not as breathable and comfortable as cotton.
I generally just wear black t-shirt bras (because as anyone with dark skin in a western country knows, finding a brown bra - because according to companies/society the description "nude" really only applies to a very specific section of the spectrum of skin color - is like searching for buried treasure, but I digress...) and like you I've always been about simplicity. I am starting to come around to lace too and am in search of a nice lacy bra as well as a few pieces like your underwear to refresh my stock. Although I'm not very difficult to please, haha. I prefer cotton, but as long as they're comfortable I'm happy.
Pret a Porter P: I wish Gap body was available here, it looks promising online. Such a surprise to hear about La Perla, that's very disappointing from a luxury label.
Bras can go on for so long! It's usually wears between I buy new ones.
humannracing: The choice of the word "nude" in fashion is used really narrowly, I agree...
I'm really most particular about fit and comfort when it comes to lingerie, because they ruin your day when they're uncomfortable! It's only in recent years that I started looking for pretty on top on comfort as well.
Ammu: I agree!
Sue: I hate VPLs and bras through my clothes as well. For that reason I'm worried what happens when my current t-shirt bras wear out...they've been discontinued...
I do have some lacy things, but they're not always comfortable or practical, so I don't wear them as much. But I think it's nice to have them around as an option. Sometimes it's fun to wear a matching set of lacy things.
http://herribbonsandherbows.blogspot.co.uk/
I also only buy colored socks, but that is so that my boyfriend's socks won't get mixed in with mine. We're practical like that.
I really like good quality lingerie- there's something really indulgent about it. For the most part I stick to nudes (Wacoal does nudes in so many different tones and petit/half sizes), black and I love Stella McCartney's pale blush tones. Stella McCartney is always my go to for something special. I like underthings that are soft, delicate and with a little bit of lace. I also really like bralettes, which I think work well on small frames. The other thing I'm really picky about is hosiery- I rely almost completely on Wolford for high quality tights that last and make legs look good/keep you warm.
I will look at Muji. Currently petite bateau dominates with some hanro here and there.
I actually find a lace trim as opposed to a normal elastic trim more comfortable.
Alexandra: TEN looks very appealing and I like the simplicity of the concept but without seeing them in person I don't think I can spend US$40 on cotton knickers...
I had some from petit bateau a long time ago I love it but the selection in Singapore so small. A shame. Stella McCartney is so pretty too look at!
Maja H: I know what you mean, I liked Topshop for a long time for such things, but they've changed the cuts and the materials and I haven't liked anything from them in a year plus now. Oh well.
About the socks, I agree, it's very practical. Actually I only like coloured socks too. Since all my sneakers are so plain...
Lindsay K: I have great T-shirt bras from Wacoal. And they seem to be indestructible.
I think good lingerie is definitely worth spending on. I don't need luxurious materials but they really need to be well made to fit well and comfortably. Plus they get so much wear...they're real workhorses.
Hosiery is happily something I need not worry about...I find it quite a pain whenever I need to buy them because I'm tall and nothing ever seems to stretch comfortably to my size!
I save old ones for trips too!
Dim (another French brand) and M&S can offer a good choice of well cut t-shirt bras.
And as Humanracing mentioned it's a pain and a neverending quest to find underwear matching my skin tone.
For a splurge, I'm heading to Princesse tam-tam. It's a mid range price -and yet another French- brand! Ha ha!
Oh and I'd love to try on Eres lingerie, it's perfection in my eyes!
My favourite knickers are probably the cotton ones from Gap Body, to be honest. Very, very basic and comfortable.
And finally, for something prettier and feminine (without being over the top) I usually go to Princesse Tam Tam.