Knickers is on hiatus, as Danae and Alison pursue other projects. You can still find us on Facebook, where we’ll keep you informed about gorgeous lingerie! And don’t forget to check out our Do-It-Yourself Bra-fitting guide!

xoxo,
Danae and Alison

While we’re on the subject of sleepwear, I’ve been road-testing a new label out of Australia for the past two months, and I think I’m finally ready to deliver my verdict.

Jacaranda Lane “Touch of bling” short sleeve nightie

The verdict: Easy to dismiss at first, but a wee star that I can’t live without now!

I have to confess that I nearly passed over Jacaranda Lane when its creator Helen e-mailed us to say hello. It’s not that there was anything bad about the lingerie, but compared to the labels we normally cover, it just looked so simple – her site shows a pared-down range of knickers, nighties, and PJ’s, all in simple, classic shapes. Conscious that I was perhaps guilty of erring on the Vixen side of our Virgin to Vixen lingerie personalities, I accepted her kind offer to send over some samples.

Since Helen’s package arrived, I’ve worn nothing but my Jacaranda Lane nightie around the house. To me, this nightie is everything you always wanted out of a “boyfriend tee,” but rarely get. I’ve worn countless “sleep shirts” over the years that end up fading, losing shape, wearing out, or just generally looking scabby after prolonged use. This nightie, however, just keeps ticking along. I’ve mercilessly washed it, then not washed it for weeks, I’ve worn it ceaselessly, I’ve slept in it, lived in it, cooked in it, and still it looks just as bright and perky as the day I opened it. It might not be the laciest or most seductive thing I’ve owned, but the low back and v-neck cut is very flattering, and holds its shape very well. It’s reliable, attractive, colourful, and really, I just love it.

Helen also sent through a pair of briefs, and I’m happy to report that I love them too, though I can’t comment as much on their longevity since I’ve worn them less. I love the style of her knickers – there’s something a wee bit 80′s throwback about her designs (especially for the high-waisted briefs), and her colourful designs and prints just make me want to smile when I wear them.

Jacaranda Lane’s offering has echoes of Elizabeth Cotton when that label first started — both focus on using high-quality fabrics, simple designs, and letting the quality speak for itself. Jacaranda Lane’s website and photography still lacks some polish, but don’t let that put you off of giving this label a try – in my experience, you’ll be delighted to discover this hidden gem!

If you’ve left Valentine’s Day to the last minute, don’t worry! We’re running a just-in-time competition that will give you £50 to spend at the gorgeous Playful Promises site — the winner will be drawn on 14th February, and you and your Valentine can choose your favourite set together! What better than the gift of lingerie shopping?

How to enter

To enter the competition, just tell us what you’d buy with your £50 from Playful Promises. You can enter up to two times, by linking to your favourite set on Twitter, then Facebook. Here’s how to make your entries:

Enter Now!

Ready to go? Start by visiting the Playful Promises site to pick your favourite set, then use the links below to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages:

Visit our twitter page and @reply to enter – don’t forget to follow us!

Post on our Facebook Wall to enter again! (you’ll need to “Like” us first if you don’t already!)

The competition is open to anyone that Playful Promises ships to, which looks like pretty much everywhere. You can see the official rules here. What are you waiting for? Go enter now!

Another Playful Promises Competition!

Playful Promises are running a competition of their own, giving away a photo shoot with photographer Terry Mendoza and a £100 voucher, all to transform you into a “pinup princess!” They are looking for someone who represents the everyday woman, and wants to turn themselves into a pinup star! You can see all the details and how to enter here.

Valentine’s Guide now live!

Finally, we’ve got even more gorgeous v-day goodies for you – Alison has been busy picking out stunning v-day gifts for every girl from the Virgin to the Vixen! You can browse her picks here:

• Virgin
• Cozy Cutie
• Olympian
• Sophisticate
• Romantic
• Flirt
• Vixen

Not sure which personality applies to you? Just take our quiz!

Don’t forget to enter our competition, and good luck!

Here’s a little black nightie that we think your Olympian will love – made out of super-soft modal and cut with classic lines, it’s simple, elegant, and can easily be worn as a top if she wants to pair it with her favourite leggings. Go with this one instead of that scratchy one from Frederick’s – trust us on this one! $125 from Faire Frou Frou.

Spice up your Sophisticate’s Christmas with this silk chiffon camisole set – the orange spots aren’t sequins, they are part of the silk, and give a gorgeous modern twist to this classic style of camisole set. The camisole is £44 (and would be a gorgeous gift on its own), and the matching knickers are £28.

Your Lingerie Romantic will adore this unique silk chiffon kaftan in a gleaming fuschia – who needs red lingerie when you can buy her hot, hot pink? She’ll love your originality and you’ll love how incredible she looks! £156 at Fox & Rose and worth every penny, we think.

Help your Sophisticate dress up her regular tights with a gorgeous pair from quirky French label Les Queues de Sardines. Many of their prints are probably a little too brassy for a Lingerie Sophisticate, but we think she’ll like this sweet little pattern. Available in black or white, you choose (if in doubt, we suggest the black pair). Available for £37.

Buying your Cozy Cutie silk doesn’t have to mean slinky nightgowns – you could also spoil her with these gorgeous limited edition silk stockings, perfect for keeping her warm on those cold winter days. They’re not just warm and comfortable, they’ll also look gorgeous!

U.S. readers might also like these lovely wool over-knee socks at Lille Boutique for $48.

Your Olympian might like the idea of wearing suspenders, but the idea of a black lacy outfit probably isn’t her style. Try these simple and sweet suspender belts from British label Funn — they’ve got all the right curves, but still maintain that simplicity that she’ll love. The silk crepe girdle is £120 and the suspender belt is £48, and comes in lots of different colours.

Your Lingerie Sophisticate will love the intricate Art Deco detailing on this stretch tulle bra – it’s simple, elegant, and special enough to make a beautiful gift. The bra is $90 at Nancy Meyer, and you can buy matching boyshorts, bikinis, or a thong. Don’t buy the thong unless she loves them and wears them all the time! If in doubt, we recommend the boyshorts ($50).

Your Lingerie Virgin might not be too comfortable with slinky silk nighties, but we think this sweet little silk top and knicker set will suit her just fine. It’s perfect for weekends, pajamas, or just when she wants to feel gorgeous. The top is $90 and the knickers are $30 – a variety of colours are available.

For the ultimate Christmas gift for your Lingerie Flirt, go for a custom made silk satin playsuit from Australian designer Hopeless. She will love that you took the effort to have a piece made to order just for her, and the playful style of this suit will perfectly match her personality. Don’t delay though – all custom-made pieces require a long lead time to order! The playsuit is $124, which we think is a steal for made-to-order.

Your Olympian might not be into frilly decorations on her lingerie, but we think she’ll appreciate this sparkly little set from VPL. The slinky jersey fabric is dressed up with tiny sequins, adding that little extra oomph to make it a special gift. The bra is $145 and the matching knickers are $125.

Nichole de Carle’s sultry geometric bodysuits are the perfect treat for your lingerie vixen – who needs lace and frills? The bodysuits prices range from £82 to £225 at Glamorous Amorous, who offer international shipping.

Alison and I thought it was high time that we got some official Knickers photos taken, and we finally got around to it after being inspired by Beyonce’s gorgeous “Why don’t you love me?” video. Who could resist the temptation to dress up as slightly mad pinup housewives? We certainly couldn’t!

(Click here if you can’t see the images)

Fashion credits:

All photos were taken by the incredible Kama Photography. She’s not only a great photographer, but she is also hilarious and easy to work with. We highly recommend her!

Alison is wearing an Ayten Gasson black teddy, and an Elle Macpherson bustier.

Danae (in her lone lingerie shot) is wearing a soft corset by Modern Courtesan.

Danae’s hairstyle was done from a YouTube video by Casey – her blog is also a must-see for retro fashion!

Finally, both Alison and Danae are sporting “Retrofuturist” lipstick from LimeCrime, my absolute favourite long-lasting red lipstick.

Try it yourself!

We’ve written in the past about how boudoir photoshoots can be brilliant fun, and now that we’ve done one, we can’t recommend it enough. As our gallery proves, women of all shapes and sizes can have a great time and create some really fun photos. Go for it!

Last week, we posted Part I of our roundup of The Lingerie Collective event in London. Part II of our Lingerie Collective video is now up, and this final video will give you a sneek peek into new collections from Lascivious, Ell & Cee, Velda Lauder, and a lot more brands. You can watch the video here, or just play it below:

Here are the brands we covered in this video:

• Kriss Soonik: We’ve been a massive fan of Kriss’s since 2007, where her manga-inspired “girlwear” captured our imagination and gave us a fresh new interpretation of lingerie. Kriss Soonik is now a well-established label, but is still innovating and perfectly fulfilling the term of “directional” designer – to us, she points in the direction of what the trends will be in the coming seasons. In the video, you get a peek at some of Kriss’s favourite pieces, but our favourite has to be the housecoat she’s wearing — it looks just a good over a dress as over a lingerie set!
• Lascivious: another longtime favourite of ours, Lascivious is going strong and producing some gorgeous new vixen-wear for S/S ’11. As usual, creator Chloe has collaborated with talented photographers, artists, designers and everyone else under the sun to produce her collection, and we think it’s one of Lascivious’s best so far. Our favourite piece has to be the little black “V” dress shown in the video – it’s bang on the “underwear as outerwear” trend, and boasts a thousand tiny little details that make it a Lascivious classic. We think it’ll be a sell-out!
• Sea Sirens: We met Sea Sirens for the first time at The Lingerie Collective, and as soon as we found out that creator Vivienne Austin had a “superhero” collection, we were sold! The Sea Sirens designs are fresh, colourful and modern, and as you’ll learn from the video, its creator enjoys a wealth of experience from a background at Liberty’s, amongst others. We’ll be keeping our eye on this promising swimwear brand!
• Tallulah Love: oh, Tallulah Love. This label is named very appropriately, for it was at this stand that I fell in love — deeply, hopelessly, with a petticoat (you’ll see it in the video – I made her do an extra take with it!). Loyal readers will remember that I went on the hunt for petticoats earlier this year, and didn’t find enough to satisfy my craving. So you’ll understand why I was so delighted to see such a beautifully made petticoat on the Tallulah Love stand, alongside sumptuous silk bra sets and corsetry pieces. This brand is just getting started, but is already attracting a lot of attention, and we think creator Michelle (who is equal parts adorable and determined) is going to go a long way with her new label. And Michelle – make more petticoats!
• Mint Siren: since we first saw this label five years ago, Mint Siren has undergone a transformation — the label’s roots are in goth, burlesque, and corsetry, but over the past few years, its creator Josephine has updated Mint Siren with a more urban, crisp, and expensive look. We think the update is inspired – Josephine has managed to keep the dark, seductive roots of her label intact, but has grown the label into an incredibly chic, urban brand. The stone-coloured pieces she shows in the video are beautiful, but our favourite pieces have to be from her leather strap collection – the cage skirt she is wearing adds a punch of intensity to anything that a woman could wear. We love this powerful new Mint Siren, and think you will too.
• Ell & Cee: We absolutely loved Ell & Cee’s collection this season – the label has always been great at soft, feminine looks but creator Laura has outdone herself this season with some incredible, ethereal pieces. Our favourite is easily the “Goddess” robe she shows you in the video, and in fact all of the gowns and robes in this collection are amazing. If you love a nymphlike, flowy look in your lingerie, Ell & Cee is swiftly becoming a must-have label.
• Black Neon: if you’re less interested in the flowy feminine stuff and want to make a splash instead, you’ll like the brand new swimwear label, Black Neon. Cast in uncompromising colours and bold geometric patterns, this label’s swimwear is designed to create a confident, modern (yet retro) style. Our favourite part of the collection has to be those bold blue silk shorts Jodi shows you, but we also love the strapless bathing suit with its incredibly flattering cut.
• MC Lounge: created by the brains behind Modern Courtesan, MC lounge is an all-silk, pure luxury loungewear brand that’s made in England. As Kelly tells you in the video, this gorgeous label has just gotten started, and we think it’s going to be a staple for boutiques who want to offer elegant, classic silk loungewear. We love the uncomplicated elegance of the collection, especially the silk tee shirt and that stunning white silk robe!
• Velda Lauder: the amazing Velda Lauder is well-known for her corsetry expertise, having dressed everyone from Dita von Teese to… oh who cares, she’s dressed Dita for god’s sake! In the video, Velda gives you a peek into the softer side of her label, and I’m not joking when I say “soft” – the powermesh that Velda uses for that gorgeous suspender belt is incredibly soft and touchable – sheer politeness kept me from holding it against my cheek! In the video you also get a sneak peek at Velda’s robe from her new collection (modelled by the incredible Maz Spencer) – we love the extreme wrap style, but love those soft skinny sleeves even more. Corsetry lovers should definitely check out Velda’s lingerie options, and if you haven’t seen it already, be sure to check out our video with Velda where she shows you how to lace up a corset!

Phew! And that is a wrap! Thank you again to all of the amazing brands that participated in our videos, and we will be doing more little features like this from now on!

Even before Alison and I visited The Lingerie Collective show in London last week, we knew we were going to be in for something special, thanks to the incredible list of labels attending the show. To have Wundervoll rubbing shoulders with Lascivious as Velda Lauder looks on is like a dream come true for the Knickers girls – we had every luxury and directional lingerie label in Britain (and some from Western Europe) available at our fingertips.

Beyond that, The Lingerie Collective is special because of its origins — it truly is a collective of lingerie labels who weren’t getting enough value out of the incredibly expensive “regular” trade shows for their industry, either because the costs were too high or the wrong kind of buyers were attending. The show first started with a handful of labels, then doubled for the next season, then doubled again. With 31 labels contributing this season, the Collective has reached its tipping point, and has come into its own as a must-visit show for luxury lingerie.

We spent a few days at the show (it’s surprisingly hard to see everything!) and recorded a video, asking various brands to show us some of their favourite pieces from their collection. Part I is available now, just watch it below or read on for a roundup of the labels included in the video.

(Note – to watch the video in high quality (which we recommend!), follow this link to YouTube)

Featured in the video:

• Eternal Spirits: Eternal Spirits has always been a mainstay in stunning corsetry, but a fresh new energy is in the label and we are loving the results. We were particularly impressed with Susi’s new “Inside Out” collection, which is created using luxury upholstery fabrics. The striped piece she shows you in the video is also our favourite of the collection, but all of the pieces enjoy an incredible amount of detailing, textures, and tiny little touches to make them even more special.
• Olga Olsson: This new swimwear label is exciting, and not just because of the goregous designs – the creator Ruth lives and works in Rio de Janeiro, where her swimwear is ethically produced by a team of seamstresses and pattern cutter. As Ruth explains in her video, the unique pattern on the swimwear is created by a team of young artisans who are apprenticing at a textile center for luxury fabrics. Beyond all of that, the swimwear is just gorgeous. The fabrics are super-soft and of the highest quality, and the styles are a wonderful and unique hybrid of South America and Europe.
• Fleur of England: it’s always a treat to see Fleur of England’s lingerie in person, since they produce such consistently stunning pieces from season to season. In the video, you’ll see their latest collection Midnight Storm, which just launched on their website and is already selling quickly. The contour brief shown in the video is a gorgeous piece of fashion, and I also finally tried on Fleur’s classic kimono, and am happy to report that it really does suit all sizes!
• Harlette: there’s luxury lingerie and then there’s luxury lingerie, and London label Harlette definitely falls into the latter category. Harlette’s rail was like a little girl’s dream of playing dress-up – bright pink feather capes, long dramatic housecoats spilling over in layers of silk, and crystal-encrusted accessories that would bring out the magpie in anyone. Browsing Harlette’s collection is like taking a Tour de France of luxury fabrics and techniques – you’re exhausted by the sheer glamour of it. It’s wonderful to see a label that gives so much priority to pure, delicious, self-indulgent glamour.
• Fred and Ginger: hot off the heels of her label’s appearance on Britain’s Next Top Model, Victoria was on hand in London to show us her new collection, a colourful Moulin Rouge-inspired collection of bright silks. We loved the feather accents, the bold colours and patterns, and our favourite piece was also the slinky silk gown she shows you – the striped silk panels add playfulness and colour to a classic look, and we think you’ll have a lot of fun wearing this collection!
• Ayten Gasson: Ayten Gasson is a British brand in the truest sense – her pieces are all hand-made in the UK, and trimmed with the most gorgeous vintage Nottingham lace. You can see the craftsmanship in all of Ayten’s pieces, but we think her silk teddy is her killer product – Alison has one and absolutely loves the fit and feel of it. You can see in the video how the collection’s jewel tones set off that creamy Nottingham lace perfectly – go and get one of these teddies!
• Maxine’s of London: finally, we get to introduce you to a new label in the video, the lovely Maxine and her stunning lingerie. Maxine’s lingerie is all about creating incredible textures, most notably using pin-tucking and quilting. The pink silk set she shows you is an incredible piece of craftsmanship, and is difficult to keep your hands off of. Her most amazing piece is shown at the end of the video on the big photo – the black girdle which gives incredible vintage curves without compromising one bit on luxury. This is definitely a label to watch, and we can’t wait to see what Maxine will do next!

We’ll be featuring even more labels from The Lingerie Collective in our next video. In the meantime, enjoy the video!

We had a fantastic time at The Lingerie Collective earlier this week, and we wanted to share a video we took from the event: the gorgeous Velda Lauder graciously gave us a wee tutorial on how to lace up one of her corsets. Check it out here or watch it below:

We’ll be sharing more videos in the coming days from The Lingerie Collective show, along with a write-up!

Since we first covered Kriss Soonik in 2007, we’ve been cheering from the sidelines as she’s developed her bold little brand for “girl-hearted women” into a well-known directional label. We love Soonik because she maintains signature styles and shapes, but with each season, you get to try out a whole new alter ego. Last season with Soonik we got to dress up like Snow White, and this season, we get to crimp our hair and go Flashdance mad. Brilliant!

Kriss Soonik’s Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Drenched in neon pink and accented with a perfectly retro buttercup yellow, Soonik’s Spring/Summer collection beautifully broadcasts her ultimate message for each season – have some fun wearing this lingerie. We’re not sure how anyone could wear the Francesca Pyjama (pictured above) without messing up their hair and dancing around in it, and Soonik’s neon pink version of her suspender top (pictured below) is equally disco-worthy. In an industry dominated by well-defined “romantic” looks, it’s refreshing to see a label that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Where to buy the collection

You can buy Soonik’s new collection at her website, where it looks like she’s still making pieces of the collection available. Prices range from £39 for a pair of knickers to £89 for the dressing gown and tops. You can also pick up a few key pieces at Glamorous Amorous, including the gorgeous hot pink suspender top (£89).

We’re delighted to see that Soonik is still reinventing her “girl-hearted” style, and we can’t think of a better way to welcome in the hot summer nights — get yourself into a Soonik and get dancing!

Legwear is enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment – labels like Bebaroque have made tights oh-so-cool again, and this spring’s floral trend has carried over into legwear as well – we saw a pair of these just yesterday in Edinburgh!

Les Queues de Sardines Legwear

Imagine our delight, then, to find yet another innovative legwear designer, and one with such an utterly unique style. Instead of focusing in pretty flowers and bows, Les Queues de Sardines (which literally translates to “the tails of sardines”) are more interested in the slightly strange and slightly surreal. Their hand-printed tights feature golden ants crawling up your legs, a barb-wire garter holstering an illustrated pistol, or a hairy monster’s legs peeking out of your skirt.

The idea for Les Queues de Sardines was born in France in 2004, but since the creators were unable to find a manufacturer, they had to postpone the project until they finally found studio space four years later. In December 2008 the pair finally started printing tights, and all of their collections continue to be printed there by hand, in limited runs.

Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Les Queues de Sardines’s spring collection is bright and colourful and features bold geometric prints that are guaranteed to draw attention. We love the bad-girl “Bonny” tights (pictured above), and especially the Aqua Girl-tastic “Chimera” (pictured below). The tights have immediate impact, and would instantly transform any everyday outfit into something edgier and more exciting.

Limited Edition Tights – Monster Legs!

Their limited-edition “Monster Legs” tights push the playful concept even further, transforming the wearer into a hairy, brightly-coloured monster with bony legs. The effect is funny, playful, cartoon-y, and perfect if you’re feeling mischevious and just want to have some fun.

Even more collections!

We have to admit, it’s hard to stop showing you more tights! Here are some more absolute gems from their Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter 09 collections:

“La Pluie,” perfect for rainy weather!

“Fracture Ouverte”

“Forumis,” featuring tiny ants!

Where to Buy Les Queues de Sardines

Les Queues de Sardines aren’t yet stocked in the UK (hint, hint!), but the American Lille Boutique has a good selection of their pieces, including “Bonny,” “Chimera” and the “Fourmis” Ant Tights. Prices for the tights range from $60-$75, which we think is a great price considering their originality and hand-printed designs. You can also buy the tights in a number of boutiques across Europe, as well as a few European websites.

We are delighted to find such a fresh and original label, and hope that next time we’re out in town, we see a pair of their unorthodox tights strolling down the street!

Retro swimwear retailer For Luna has just got a whole new set of gorgeous swimsuits in this week, and we think it’s a perfect excuse to plan for those upcoming summer holidays. To harken back to their retro roots and have some fun, we’ve paired the swimsuits up with some vintage photos of their fabulous predecessors – all vintage photos are courtesy of the awesome Flickr Commons and the “Bathing Beauties” group within.

Retro Swimwear from Red or Dead

Red or Dead have just launched a capsule collection of vintage-inspired swimwear, and this nautical-inspired number is just one of their adorable retro-inspired pieces. We loved this gorgeous red suit for it’s 1930′s authenticity, while still keeping the design current enough to look great in 2010. The swimsuit is £57.50 at For Luna.

If you’re more of a 1960′s lover, don’t miss the rest of the Red or Dead collection at For Luna – you won’t be disappointed!

Vintage swimwear designs from Jantzen

The classic bandeau swimsuit will always be in style, and we love Jantzen’s attention to detail on this 50′s-inspired polka-dot bandeau (£80). Our favourite detail is the reverse-polka-dotted ruffle on the neckline, but you’ll probably be even happier about the convertible halter strap (tied into a bow in this photo) and silicon strips that will keep the suit in place. There’s even a plunge-neckline version for those girls who can’t quite work the bandeau, but still want to rock the polka-dots!

Esther Williams’s Timeless Retro Swimsuits

Finally, you can’t mention retro swimwear without paying homage to the gorgeous designs of Esther Williams. The Hollywood star has brought all of her glamour to her namesake line of swimwear, which features classic pieces like this stunning halterneck skirted one-piece. As you can see from the photo, this beautiful suit has barely changed in sixty years! Both incredibly slimming and incredibly fashionable, this is the suit that every girl should have in her “just in case” weekend bag. I’ve been swooning over this suit for too many summers now and think this might be the year for me! The swimsuit is a reasonable £60 and is available in red, black, leopard print, cherry print, or there are also equally gorgeous bikinis!

We’ve all seen the film scene a hundred times: it’s a period drama, perhaps a murder-mystery, and the heroine with perfectly finger-waved hair and red lipstick is gazing restlessly out the window of her hotel suite onto 1930′s Manhatten. She’s holding a long cigarette and she’s wearing some incredibly glamorous silk nightgown that you’re certain doesn’t exist in the real world. But the gown now does exist, of course, and Ari Dein is the designer.

A granddaughter of the New York fashion industry, Ari Dein’s creator Arielle Shapiro is in love with a forgotten era of old New York, a city of gracefully designed boutique hotels and art deco design. She’s created Ari Dein to harken back to that old-world luxury, and her first collection is a celebration of sumptuous fabrics and designs. Made of silk charmeuse, silk chiffon and trimmed with hand-applied silk georgette, Ari’s pieces are all of an uncompromising luxury and finish.

The designs are equally indulgent, but they get away with it by way of sheer wow factor. We never knew that we needed a transparent silk robe topped with a hood, but after seeing “Lillian,” (above, left) we’re certainly warming to the idea. In fact, we think the long gowns are the best pieces in the collection – the criss-crossed back “Boutique Hotel Gown” (above, right) in flesh-coloured “lust” is also stunning, and shows off Ari’s deco influences beautifully.

The collection also includes some gorgeous high-waisted knickers (cleverly called “Petit Mort”), as well as a handful of other nightwear essentials including boyshorts, a camisole, chemise and a stunning short hooded robe. Prices for the collection range from $250-$700, and all pieces are produced in Manhatten. Ari has just launched so she is currently looking for stockists – if you’re interested in the collection, you can e-mail her at ari@aridein.com. You can find out more information about the label at the Ari Dein website.

All images copyright ARI DEIN LLC 2010 (Hannah Heinrich Photography)

Knickers is nearly five years old now, and I’m rather embarrassed to say that it’s taken me this long to give some love to an unsung hero in the world of undergarmets: the petticoat.

Also called a crinoline or a tulle underskirt, petticoats are those tiered or structured bits of tulle or organza that kept skirts full and flouncy during the fifties – and many other eras – and they are a simple way to add instant glamour to any dress. Got a casual dress that you want to perk up for a night out? Add a petticoat. Got a cute skirt that needs a different look? Add a coloured petticoat and let it peek out the bottom. You don’t even need to hide the petticoat – with the lingerie-as-outerwear trend exploding in the fashion industry, you could take your cue from this ASOS Black Label crinoline skirt and wear it on the outside, too!

Here are some of our favourite petticoats available right now:

Anthropologie Eyelet Petticoat

We love this petticoat for its sweet simplicity — a single layer of cotton will keep you cool in the summer months, but will still give your favourite summer dresses that extra pop when you need it. With the beautiful eyelet design along the bottom tier of the petticoat, we think this is one slip you won’t mind to have peeking out from under your dress! Available from Anthropologie for £32.50 or $48.

Honeypie Boutique Petticoats

If you’re looking for something a bit more dramatic, try Honeypie Boutique and their affordable collection of multi-coloured petticoats. Honeypie specialises in 50′s style dresses for weddings and special occasions, but their petticoats will be just as useful for women who want to re-invent a few old outfits. The 2-tiered tulle petticoats are available in four colours and are an affordable £30 each — if you want more layers or a custom colour, you can also place a custom order to Honeypie. If you’re in the US and want to order locally, check out Etsy seller porshespalace, who sells and makes a wide variety of gorgeous petticoats and who can also do custom orders.

Mini Crinoline Skirt at Etsy

If all of this is a little too frou-frou for you, check out this sleek and simple mini-crinoline from Etsy seller TatterdemalionDesign ($200). It’s beautifully modern and would look great as outerwear, but will serve just as well to create a great shape under a killer black dress. A gorgeous pick for our corset-loving vixens, you can order this crinoline with plastic or steel boning.

Make your own petticoat

Petticoats (especially non-bridal ones) aren’t the easiest thing to find, and if you’re handy with a sewing machine you can always make one yourself. Here’s a video tutorial that can get you started on making a lovely modern crinoline. Who knows, maybe we can inspire a few lingerie designers to come up with their own crinoline interpretations for their next collection!

It’s just started to feel like Spring here in Edinburgh – the daffodils are peeking out in the gardens and the sun is starting to shine, so it’s a perfect time to introduce a sunshiney, brand-new collection!

Daisy Dreams by Fleur of England

We love Fleur of England not just for their sumptuous romantic designs, but for their consistently beautiful collections — they manage to keep a signature style over the years, while still making each collection fresh and interesting.

“Daisy Dreams” is no exception – the collection gives us all of the favourite Fleur of England shapes – a kimono, a suspender set, a triangle bra – but adds a creamy colourway and sunray-shaped lace panelling to perfectly capture springtime loveliness. We love the light-soaked photography, the slightly 70′s vibe to the look and that just-a-little-creamier-than-usual silk that they’ve used. It’s perfect for brides, but just as perfect for anyone else who wants to look gorgeous. It would look especially nice with a tan on a summer holiday!

As usual with any Fleur of England collection, Daisy Dreams has every kind of garmet you could possibly need, from its stunning backless kimono to the sunray babydoll to five different choices of bra and brief. It’s a gorgeous collection and we can’t think of a better way to herald in the budding springtime! Go check out the whole range now!

Since the three women behind Knickers are all DD+ cup sizes, sometimes we’re guilty of focusing too much on finding gorgeous picks for larger-cupped ladies. Today though, we’re going to focus on the opposite end of the spectrum and feature picks for women sized AAA and onwards. Happy shopping, ladies!

Lula Lu’s Petites Range

Smaller-cup specialist Lula Lu have always been known for their excellent selection of petite bras, and now they have a line of their own. Bored of the plain-jane smaller cup designs, their “Petities” line boasts bright colours, intricate embroidery, stunning bustiers and some lovely bra sets. The “Desiree” set (pictured above, $82) is our favourite, but if you’re looking for something more summery, have a look at the adorable pink and white polka-dot “Kaylen” ($76). Their signature range is relatively small, but has great variety and is a must-see for anyone in the AAA to A range. You can browse all of the Lula Lu’s range here.

The Little Bra Company’s “Lucia”

A good cleavage bra is often the holy grail for smaller cup sizes — it’s valuable, yet almost impossible to find. The Little Bra Company’s “Lucia,” however, might be just the bra you’ve been questing for! It’s available in cup sizes A-B, comes in a wide range of colours, looks gorgeous, and creates some stunning cleavage. The straps are also convertible, so you can turn “Lucia” into a halterneck or racerback to suit your favourite little black dress. The bra is $58 at the designer’s site, and you’ll find a few more gorgeous lacy bras from The Little Bra Company as well.

UK Stores for smaller cup sizes

UK Readers, don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten you! Here are two online speciality stores for smaller cup sizes:

• Dainty Lady – a great label for UK customers, designed by women who worked at M&S. Currently running a 20% off promotion!
• Little Women – another UK store with a good selection of smaller cup brands

It’s hard for us to get too excited about garters, especially bridal ones where it seems like we’ve seen every variation on tulle that a human could imagine. But every now and then, something special comes along and surprises us!

Florie Mitton Bridal Garters

We are delighted to say that Florie Mitton’s vintage-inspired concoctions of beading and lace have perked us right up! The British creator Claire has branched out on her own after working as a designer for the past five years, and now aims to transform the garter from a wedding afterthought into the next must-have accessory.

We’ve got to say, she’s on the right track. Her gorgeous combinations of embroidered tulle, creamy lace and vintage styles are perfect little pieces of fashion, all wrapped up like jewellery in their smart little boxes. The style is akin to the incredibly popular headwear designer ban.do, and both labels capture that old-world glamour and craftsmanship beautifully. Best of all, the prices aren’t bad either – a garter ranges from $29 to $72, and brides can also order a custom garter of their choice.

We will definitely be keeping an eye on this label, and we hope that future collections might pop in some more colours for the non-bridal market, too! Claire is also looking for stockists, so if you are interested in carrying Florie Mitton, you can contact her at floriemitton@googlemail.com.

The inner-as-outerwear lingerie trend is absolutely exploding this season, and the humble bodysuit is at the forefront of this trend. Once relegated to the bins of American Apparel and vintage 80′s collections, the bodysuit is most definitely back! Here are some of the trendsetters for this style:

Lascivious Bodysuits

Lascivious were doing bodysuits before they were big again, and designer Chloe has turned out some absolutely stunning pieces lately. Our favourite is the ultra-nude “Stardust” body available at Coco de Mer, which uses Swavoski crystals for the cheekiest hint of modesty. It reminds us of Pink’s famous Grammy’s outfit, and who wouldn’t want a little bit of Pink attitude?
Our favourite bodysuit from Lascivious has to be “Candy” from the Showgirl collection (pictured above right) — it’s been worn by Britney on stage and graced many editorial pages, but you can still own one yourself for £169. If you’ve got the legs for it, do it!

Nichole de Carle Bodysuits

Nichole de Carle’s latest collection, “Opal” is so chock-full of stunning bodysuits that it’s probably just easiest for us to link to to her lookbooks! We’ve seen a tremendous amount of progression from Nichole’s first collection and can’t get enough of her new minimalist approach to the signature de Carle style of ornate patterns. We can’t wait for the Opal and Onyx collections to hit stores online and we will keep you informed!

Bebaroque Bodysuits

Famous for their incredible tights, Scottish label Bebaroque has branched out in the past few seasons and has released some killer bodysuits in their signature patterns and styles. We love how Bebaroque’s creations always seem to look cutting-edge, while still staying accessible enough that you could imagine fitting their pieces in to your own wardrobe. Our favourite piece has to be the tattoo-inpired “Saylor” body (above, left) which gives the ultimate pretty bad-girl look.

We also love the more sedate “Ursula” body (above right), which is richly encrusted with beads, Swarovski crystals and pearls, but still manages to look elegant and simple with its mermaid-inspired scales.

Damaris Bodysuits

Luxury label Damaris has been pushing the envelope of lingerie design more and more with each season, and their bodysuits for Spring/Summer 2010 are no exception. The aptly-named “Enticing” (above, left) bodysuit features flesh-toned tulle and french leavers lace, topped off with a helping of Swarovski crystals to create a kind of black magic look. Their “Enchanting” (above, center) bodysuit is the innocent counterpart, featuring pale leavers lace and incredibly adorned Swarovski straps.

Our favourite isn’t quite a bodysuit, but we think it deserves a mention for its fashion-forward looks. The “Whispering” “necklace bra” (above, right) is part evening gown, part lingerie, and fully enchanting and unique. Bravo to Damaris for such a stunning set!

Even more bodysuits!

As we said, the bodysuit trend is absolutely exploding, so here are some more gorgeous picks for you to check out:

• Afterwear’s Licorice Love bodysuit
• Agent Provocateur’s Black Swan Bodysuit
• Antinea’s polka-dot body
• La Perla Studio’s Bandage Bodysuit

Did we leave out your favourite?

If you’ve seen a gorgeous bodysuit in your lingerie travels, please let us know in the comments!

We are down to the final count for Valentine’s Day, and the final few picks! Here’s our favourites for your Vixen:

If you’re not sure what lingerie personality she is, why not take our quiz and find out!

Lascivious “Ginger” Bodysuit

It’s almost impossible to pick lingerie for a Vixen without including Lascivious, that sex-bomb factory out of London that we all love so much! For the Vixen who has everything, this “Ginger” bodysuit is a daring and ruffly bit of heaven that she’s bound to love.

Available at Catriona Mackechnie for $307. UK readers, you can browse the entire Lascivious collection at their own website, and also check out Coco de Mer’s Lascivious collection for some equally stunning bodysuits.

Maison Close Villa Satine Bustier

This surprisingly affordable bustier from French label Maison Close has just the right amount of lace to be sexy, but won’t be overly frilly for a Vixen at heart. Don’t worry about getting something matching – a Vixen is bound to have plenty of black in her collection!

Available at Azaleas NYC for $88, and at La Maison de Luxe for £56.

Bordelle Webbed Suspender

Finally, something truly special for your Vixen – a stunning webbed suspender belt from the coyly bondage-inspired Bordelle. It’s a truly unique piece of lingerie, and is the perfect complement to any Vixen’s lingerie collection.

Available for £105 at Coco de Mer and $229 at Bella Bella Boutique.

We are down to the final count for Valentine’s Day, and the final few picks! Here’s our favourites for your Flirt:

If you’re not sure what lingerie personality she is, why not take our quiz and find out!

Fifi Chachnil “Babyloo” Romper

Your Flirt probably has a drawer full of lingerie, but we bet she doesn’t have anything like this adorable romper! We love the “Peter Pan” collar, the gathered shorts, and the coquettish vibe. We especially love that it’s on sale at Faire Frou Frou for $197!

What Katie Did Striptease Mix-and-Match Set

This mix-and-match “Striptease” set from What Katie Did is a perfect choice for your Flirt — you can buy from a huge range of satin accessories, including everything from a bra, tie-side knicker, and garter to matching pasties and an eye mask. You have five colours to choose from – we recommend something other than red! Get as little or as much as you like for a very saucy Valentine’s Day!

Available at La Magia, starting at £10.

Elle Macpherson “Artistry” Bra Set

Here’s one set where the traditional black and red are perfect — this beautiful lacy “Artistry” set is a perfect choice for your Flirt, and it’s available for sizes DD-G as a bonus! She’ll be able to pair it up with any black suspender belt, and look amazing!

Available at Figleaves US for $88, or £55 at Figleaves UK.

We are down to the final count for Valentine’s Day, and the final few picks! Here’s our favourites for your Cozy Cutie:

If you’re not sure what lingerie personality she is, why not take our quiz and find out!

Calvin Klein Longsleeve Nightdress

Why buy her something red and silky when she loves things soft and comfy? This beautifully cut nightdress from Calvin Klein will make your cozy cutie feel much sexier than any gauzy babydoll!

Available at Net-A-Porter for £37, but for some reason not available in the US store — US readers, try this adorable DKNY sleep dress for $58.

Lepel Jersey Chemise

Sporting a sweet satin bow at the top, this lovely little chemise will warm your Cozy Cutie’s heart this Valentine’s Day –the lovely shades of lilac will be a welcome change from the usual red!

Available at Figleaves US for $37, or £22 at ASOS in the UK.

Juicy Couture Cashmere-Blend Robe

Cashmere is the perfect fabric for a Cozy Cutie, and this oh-so-wintery-sweet robe from Juicy Couture will tick all of her boxes. It’s luxurious, it’s fun, it’s special, and it will be very, very cozy. Perfect!

Available at Net-A-Porter for $200, or at their UK store for £194.

All of these picks have a next-day delivery option, so get going as time is running very short!