Made by Niki’s Magic Bum Girdle

If your bum is more wobbly than the jelly in the Christmas trifle, take a look at the fabulous Magic Bum Girdle from Made by Niki: it’s utterly luxurious and will hold your derriere in place while you dance your sparkly shoes off. It also smooths
so you can wear it under a slinky dress and no one will guess what you have hiding underneath!

The Magic Bum Girdle is available at Made by Niki, priced at £89.

Flexees Luleh Waistnipper

Ah Flexees – we’ve made very good friends with this shapewear label over the last wee while, and I for one will not be seen at a party without the wonderful Luleh under my dress. It’s fantasically comfortable and allows you to eat, drink and still look perfectly svelte in your clingy dress – and the great thing about the waistnippers is, it doesn’t matter what your cup size is or what kind of bra you’re wearing!

The Flexees Luleh Waistnipper is available at Figleaves in the US ($34.88) and Asos in the UK (£28)

What Katie Did Glamour Corselette

Whether or not you’re a lover of retro-style lingerie we think you’ll love the Glamour Corselette by What Katie Did. With pull-in power where it matters and powermesh to accentuate the curves you love, this is an all-round glamorous piece of shapewear. Because it doesn’t have any fastenings it’s perfect for super-slinky dresses, and its beautiful low-back means it’s wonderfully versatile; best of all, you’ll look slimmer in seconds!

The Glamour Corselette is available up to an F-cup in black and peach at La Magia, priced at £59.50.

A couple more ideas for losing those inches!

Kiss Me Deadly’s grab-it-or-it-will-be-gone Vargas dress (above left, £39) is another fabulous idea for containing unwanted wobbles – I’m in love with mine for letting me wear slim-fitting dresses!

And just in case you missed it, a reminder that you can get a prêt a porter Velda Lauder corset (above right) at only £120! I can vouch for the surprisingly comfortable and yet quite extreme body transformation when in a Velda Lauder corset – would an instant 4 inches off your waist do?

Hopeless “The Voyage” Collection

When we introduced you to Australian label Hopeless lingerie last year, we fell in love with the label’s clean, modern lines, luxurious silk, and quirky directional design. It’s been a year since that collection, but the next one was worth the wait!

It might seem strange to draw inspiration from Stephen Spielberg’s “Jaws,” but we see where Hopeless is going with “The Voyage” –the collection gives a nod to the very retro nautical look, but updates it with hidden “sharks teeth,” bold blocks of colour, and tiny little details that we love. For example, check out the back view of this Alex Silk camisole ($150, above right) – we love the peekaboo blue panel which adds an extra oomph of sex appeal to the piece.

Hopeless’s “The Voyage” is full of updated retro fun, from high-waisted knickers to bralettes to halterneck bras. It’s an incredible sophomore effort from Hopeless, and we can’t wait to see what 2010 brings from this promising label! Check out the whole collection at Etsy – and be quick! The last order date for international orders is the 10th!

Sonia Kykiel for H&M

We don’t often cover lingerie that you can’t buy online, but we’ll make an exception for fashion legend Sonia Rykiel and her H&M collaboration for a lingerie line. We were delighted to find that this collaboration didn’t produce unwearable frankenclothes like many others we’ve seen, but instead gives gorgeous designs at an accessible price.

The lingerie itself is very current, boasting a number of bralettes, a very chic simple bra and some gorgeous robes and nighties. The prices, however, are the best bit – most things cost $20 or less, and the silk pieces are just $30. There will of course be a trade-off when buying such affordable fabrics, but we think these pieces are so lovely, they are worth the risk of only lasting a few seasons! To buy the lingerie, head to your closest H&M or Sonia Rykiel boutique, and you can see photos of the full range here.

Don’t forget – last posting dates!

We are coming up to the deadline for last posting dates for online stores, so if you are planning to buy online for Christmas, make sure you do it soon! If you’re still not sure what to get, don’t forget to try our Christmas Gift Guide!

All Is Quiet

Christies Red Silk

Whatever you do on Christmas day, at some point your guests will have all left or you will have returned home, and (once the children are tucked up) you will notice the peaceful and welcoming sound of quiet. It’s precisely at this time when you can relax after a fun but full day – and remember that beautiful something you have tucked away…

Close The Door

Myla Lola Boudoir

Once you close the door it’s up to you: depending on your preference for lingerie, you can transform yourself into anything you want. Whether you’re a romantic or you love to flirt or flaunt, you’ll find something to fulfill your Christmas lingerie dreams – and it can be as cheeky as you want it to be. We love Myla’s Lola Boudoir (above) for it’s suggestive naughtiness: it’s cute, fun and as luxurious as only Myla can be.

Enjoy Yourself!

Elixir Hot Couture

When it comes to choosing a special set of lingerie it’s worth remembering: even though it’s all about enjoyment, we still like lingerie to fit well. Choose a set that above all makes you feel comfortable and if you need it, choose something that supports the girls. Elixir are wowing us this season with their Hot Couture set (above) and we think this will be perfect for that last dance of the night…

One More Thing..

Agent Provocateur Love Slip

For those of you who celebrate St.Nicholas day – have a fabulous weekend!

Christies Red Silk Bra available at Silk Storm, £75
Myla Lola Boudoir available at CAZAR, Euro 99
Elixir Hot Couture Full cup bra available on at Figleaves UK, £40.60 and Figleaves US, $84 – up to a G-cup
Agent Provocateur Love Slip available at Agent Provocateur, £185

Luxury we dream about

Strumpet and Pink Pom-Pom

There is always something we’ve had our eye on – and it usually comes with a pricetag we haven’t yet been able to afford (or it would already be safely tucked away). This kind of lingerie is a bit like a first love: we never forget about it and we always hanker after it – even when (in our lucid moments) we know it just ain’t gona happen.

If ever I had to choose a drool-over-and-dream-about-it piece of lingerie, it would probably have to be Strumpet and Pink’s knickers. I would be intrigued to hear from those who have actually had the pleasure of wearing them, because to me they’re the kind of knickers made by fairies who exist in my best dreams. If I could ever actually have a pair I probably wouldn’t know what to do them – like a fantasie that’s always intended to remain one, there’s just something about the thrill of imagining.

The justified purchase

Mint Siren Carolina Knickers

There are some things we know we shouldn’t do, but we do them anyway: justifying a ‘naughty’ purchase is an art in itself – once you’ve justified however, you can find yourself pressing the ‘buy’ button before you’ve even checked you’ve entered the right size. A quick and justified buy is often the most thrilling (as long as you can afford it) – but, I hasten to add, it does have a tendency to end up with all the other ‘must have’ items in your drawer.

The problem with these types of buys is that the chosen pieces are usually so adorable (see above) we somehow can’t convince ourselves we could do without them. This is when trusted friends come into their own: providing they have their sensible head on, they can usually persuade us otherwise – though entice them into your sticky web of justification and they’ll be pressing that ‘buy’ button for you.

It’s all fun in the end

What Katie Did Frilly Knickers
The thrill of buying frivolous and frilly is sometimes needed, here the sensible thing to do is to keep those dreams of spending half our month’s salary and just go for fun. A pair of cute frillies is all you need sometimes – the best are those that (are inexpensive and) look fabulous on a gorgeous model – and so what if they do stay in your drawer forever…isn’t it the thrill that counts?

It’s back! The Knickers Christmas Guide 2009 is now here, chock full of lingerie picks for everyone from the Virgin to the Vixen. We’ve scoured the web far and wide looking for gift-worthy lingerie, and we hope you find something perfect for your loved one.

How to use the guide: Just take our Gift Quiz to find out her lingerie personality, then choose from the selections in the gift guide. For example: if your result is a Sophisticate, you’ll find the gorgeous Fleur of England set above listed amongst the picks!

We’ve tried to find something to suit all personalities, sizes, and budgets, but we would love to hear your feedback on the guide in the comments. We would also love if you could spread the word by tweeting about the guide and posting the link to Facebook – men everywhere need to learn about good lingerie gift-giving!

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Happy holidays and happy shopping!

Fabulous Corsets by Velda Lauder

Satin Underbust Bow Corset

As someone who has had the privilege to have been laced up into one of Velda Lauder’s amazing corsets (by the lovely and talented lady herself) I can vouch for how fabulous they really are. The aforementioned corset felt and looked incredible, and once laced up, I felt and by golly I looked like a new person – my normally 30 inch waist was reduced to a petite 26 inches and I was surprised by how comfortable I was.

Affordable Luxury

Military Cotton Drill Waspie

Since then I’ve had my beady eye on the Velda Lauder military waspie: in order not to sound like a broken (Destiny’s Child) record I won’t mention why I haven’t taken the plunge, however things are looking up for those who, like me, have had to put off buying ‘luxury’ items in the last wee while: you can now own a Velda Lauder corset for £120.

The new ‘diffusion line’ also ensures that those, who have never before dared to try a corset, can now go for it without the potentially terrifying finality of buying something ‘made to order’. The corsets may not be handmade (as are the rest of Velda’s collections) however with the experience and reputation of this corsetiere, you really can’t go wrong.

It’s Not Just Corsets!

Off The Shoulder Mesh Top and Swarovski and Mesh Underbust Corset

As if we hadn’t had enough excitement, Velda has also introduced a range of lingerie alongside her beautifully designed corsets – if I had to pick a favourite it would be the Off the shoulder mesh top (above, £40), but equally fabulous are the Chantilly lace pieces (which are currently available to order at La Magia); and if you’re feeling cheeky, why not go for the gorgeous feather under skirt (£50).

Get Your Order In!

Overbust Deep-plunge Swarovski Crystal Corset

Whether you fancy splashing out on an amazing, handmade corset (above) or going for a more wallet-friendly version, Velda Lauder’s corsets are worth every penny. Now the secret has been revealed it’s worth getting your order in before the queue gets too long – and just think: if you’re going for a ‘ready made’ corset, you’ll have it in time for the Christmas party season!

The new Velda Lauder Corset collection is available now at La Magia.

The ‘Big Knicker’ euphemism

Fleur of England – Something Blue Shorties

The phrase ‘big knicker’ doesn’t really evoke anything close to sexy, so lingerie designers have really done us all a big favour by giving us some great euphemisms for the aforementioned undies. ‘Shorties’ is a favourite: type the word into your favourite search engine and you’ll be amazed by the variety of different styles on offer – some have legs, some don’t, some are hipsters and some don’t really qualify as a shortie (in my eyes) – I also see the shortie being used as an alternative for what I would class as a big knicker, and why not.

At the moment I don’t care what my knickers are called, as long as they’re big; and by big I mean they come up past my hips – around tummy button level if possible. Big knickers also need to be comfortable and look nice, if not darn right sexy – and it is possible – just take a look at Fleur of England’s shorties: they tick pretty much every single box in terms of what I want for a gorgeous, luxurious, big knicker.

What to do when your wallet won’t allow luxury?

Pure Silk Knickers at Patra

Much as I am usually able to justify almost any purchase and much as I would love to, even I can’t justify buying a multi-pack of luxury big knickers right now – so is the ‘big knicker’ debate going to fail at the second hurdle? I say no: there are plenty of ways to go large without going bankrupt or compromising on luxury.

Silk is one of my favourite fabrics and I just love the idea of big silk knickers – and at £7.50 I love the idea even more. Just take a look at the beauties above: they’re the kind of knickers I want to put on when it’s chilly outside, and given the fabric, come the warmer weather, they’ll be perfect as well! They’re definitely an all round winner in a ‘cozy cutie’ way and they won’t break the bank.

Back to basics

Wacoal Cotton Supima Briefs

Occaisionally basics are exactly what the doctor ordered, and when it comes to basics supima cotton is a winner. Softer than soft, supima is a luxurious alternative to the usual cotton knicker; Wacoal have a fabulous-looking big brief with a band of lace that makes them just a bit different from the basics we’re used to, and at a fairly reasonable $22 they’ll give you the quality needed for a great, big knicker. For some these knickers will get the thumbs up for sexiness, for others they’ll be a staple basic in your undie drawer; whatever you buy them for, they’re a brilliantly big knicker in my book!

So, to answer the question: can big really be better? I say yes – if big is your thing.

Flexees Long Torso Waistnipper

Get it at: Asos (UK) Macy’s (US)
Price: £20 / $24.50
Sizing: S – XL (UK) S – 3XL (US)
Colours: Black and white (UK) Black, blush and white (US)

The Verdict : Comfortable for all day wear, and great for smoothing, support and defining the waist.

Shapewear has become a slight obsession over the last wee while and having tried and been impressed with the Flexees Onesie I couldn’t wait to try the Waistnipper!

Without a hint of exaggeration I had that nipper on as soon as it came out of its wrapper – all (scratchy) labels still attached. I haven’t been that excited about a product for quite some time, and luckily it didn’t let me down. As soon as I got it on (which was a heck of a lot easier than I thought, given the amount of hooks and eyes) I gazed at my newly-transformed torso – it was truly amazing – I had a proper waist, I was smoothed, and the all important thing: my tummy was a good few inches flatter. I wore the nipper that same evening to a lovely event at Boudiche in Edinburgh, where I couldn’t resist showing it to one of the girls – who shared my enthusiasm.

I’m delighted and at the same time a little ashamed to say I have worn the nipper ever since – if I thought there was any point, other than loving it so much, I would wear it in bed as well. I’ve worn it under dresses and with jeans and I’m now more comfortable with it on than off – it just feels right. It hasn’t eliminated the protruding tummy problem completely, but unless a couple of whales felt like sacrificing themselves and their bones for me, I don’t think my tummy will ever be flat.

I love Flexees Firm Control Long Torso Waistnipper, to give it its full name; I love it because of its comfort, design and its incredibly reasonable price. I now have my eye on the Luleh Retro Chic Waistnipper – partly because the name’s drawing me to it, but mainly because now I’ve had a taste of a Flexees waistnipper, I don’t think I’ll be able to get by without them!

Flexees Waistnipper supplied by Maidenform with Ralph-Uren Communications

Striptease with What Katie Did

We’re not necessarly suggesting you actually do a striptease for your weekend fun, but we do adore the new Striptease collection by retro-style lingerie label, What Katie Did. Their Striptease Ballet knickers (£26) are a fabulously flirty and fun way to bring out your inner exhibitionist – and if you want to have all the fun you can get, why not team them with the Striptease pasties (£20) and an adorably sexy bow garter (£10).

We’re thinking: who cares if there’s going to be more rain over the weekend than we had over the entire summer – with lingerie as cute as this, there are more important things to think about!

Beautiful Lingerie at About The Girl

While post-mastectomy lingerie has been available for many years, the ‘fuddy-duddy’ designs didn’t do a lot for women who had been through surgery. About The Girl was created for that very reason: following a mastectomy, Amy Bath failed to find beautiful lingerie she had enjoyed before her surgery, and so made it her business to set up an online boutique that sells the lingerie she was looking for. Not only do we love and admire Amy’s whole idea surrounding her online store, we love the choice she has made to stock French label: Oémée

Amy herself vouches for Oémée’s comfort – and we absolutely agree with her that this label is beautiful. With designs to suit all ages, we reckon this brand is enough to convince anyone that pretty, post-mastectomy lingerie does exist!

About The Girl want to hear from you!

Currently Oémée is the only collection Amy Bath has chosen to stock, however she has plans to expand (do we hear the whirring of a sewing machine?) and is keen for the input of others – now is the perfect opportunity to get your thoughts on what you would like to see available in store!

Oémée is available at About The Girl – prices are around £49 for a bra; currently cup sizes go up to a D but there are plans for sizing from an A-G cup.
About The Girl deliver worldwide.

Di Murini Loungewear

We introduced you to Di Murini earlier this year ; we loved the luxurious look to this new label and were delighted to see the range extended to loungewear. Di Murini have concentrated not on getting not only the look of their collection right, they have also made comfort and fit a priority, with Aloe Vera-lined designs, minimising seams and adding wide side wings to their bras.

With a little hint of retro to their bra and knicker designs, Di Murini are a brand that offer luxury, good fit and comfort at a reasonable price. If you’re keen to find loungewear that is practical and beautiful, look no further!

Di Murini is available at their online store and is priced between £20-£70/ $27-$98 (prices in dollars are subject to exchange rate). Di Murini deliver worldwide.

Practical and Pretty with BBButterfly

If you’re looking for a practical and pretty bra, check out BBButterfly – they have range of gorgeous designs on offer in different price ranges. Our favourite is the Violette Bra (above) with embroidered, cotton-lined cups and matching briefs.

Prices at BBButterfly range from £24-£40 for a bra, and they deliver worldwide.

Find Out More About How You Can Help

BBButterfly Post-Mastectomy Lingerie

If you would like more information about breast cancer, including how to make a donation or how to get involved in an event, go to Cancer Research UK or
National Breast Cancer Foundation in the US.