Nudes Really Are Hot!

We’ve just experienced the first proper sunny weekend of the year! A walk on the beach, a stroll through botanical gardens and sipping a coffee sitting outside all contributed to that feel-good factor during a blue sky and sun-drenched couple of days. Perhaps it’s the body’s reaction to a good dose of vitamin D that gives you that anything-is-possible feeling (when else does the thought of living in a rustic abode in the middle of nowhere make sense?), who cares, at least Spring has finally sprung! Wellies and sunglasses ditched and with (mostly) sense prevailing, it’s now back to urban living and luxury lingerie – or rather, legwear.

Nearly Nude

Nude tights have been a no no for me over the years: they’re either too shiny, too thin or just don’t look right. I’m an opaque girl and love thick tights, even when the sun is out. If I want to go nude I get my legs out of tights (which is not very often in bonnie Scotland). Don’t get me wrong I love looking at nude tights and have plenty of pairs kicking about, all tried and put straight back into a drawer. My theory is I feel too naked when wearing nude, which is probably the point, except with my skin tone naked doesn’t necessarily equal attractive – especially when harsh winds take the temperature down by a further ten degrees.

Hot Hosiery

I’m proud to say hot legwear began its comeback in Scotland, a sweeping statement perhaps, but when Bebaroque brought out its first collection of printed and embroidered tights, the world of legwear became a darn sight more exciting. Having jumped on the bandwagon, we’ve seen a whole host of other designers and labels bring daring designs to our shelves over the last few years. I’ve always been a fan of snazzy tights and having experimented with anything from stripes, flowers and bright colours, I now know a little less can definitely be more.

Nearly there legwear looks undoubtedly hot on some and less so on others, however now the likes of Bebaroque and Wolford are bringing us designs to die for, even nude-no-no die-hards like me are softening. Who could resist (tasteful) stars and sparkly rhinestones?

Taking The Plunge

If nude’s never been your thing, it’s worth taking a look at some of the hot new designs on offer. As with anything, quality is going to make a big difference: it’s not about spending a fortune, it’s about spending wisely! I love pretty much anything by Bebaroque, one because they’re great for longer or bigger legs (one size appears to fit all in their case) and secondly, just when you think legwear can’t get any better, Bebaroque prove you wrong. Wolford, often seen as the crème de la crème of the legwear world, doesn’t have to break the bank, and you’re guaranteed to get a great pair of tights. If you do want to go all out nude, check out French label Cervin, who do the most fabulous authentic, 1950s nylon stockings, and German brand Falke cleverly do nude tights in different shades and up to size XXL.

Having seen what I’ve been missing I’ve decided, my new season resolution is to take the plunge and go nude!

Featured Products

Wolford at Tights Please (first image): Nola Tights, £28.
Bebaroque (second image): Sadie Tights £59.95; Maude Tights, £195.
Cervin at Hepburn & Leigh (third image): Tentation Stockings £22.
Henry Holland at Tights Please (above): Superstar Gold Tights, £15.

Why We Can All Wear Lingerie – And Feel Fabulous!

Not long ago I chatted with a woman in a bar: open-minded, full of happiness and fabulously vivacious she was a breath of fresh air! She loved her job, adored her partner and was devoted to her (nearly grown up) daughter. We talked about pretty much anything and everything, and naturally the subject of Knickers emerged. It was then I noticed something change: although she merrily chatted to me about personal facts, she shut down at the mention of lingerie. Perhaps it was the final glass of wine that did it, but after hearing the dreaded what’s-the-point-lingerie’s-made-for-skinny-people phrase, I’m inclined to think it was more than that.

All Shapes And Sizes

I often wonder about the effectiveness of discussing who is to ‘blame’ for why far too many people believe they won’t look good in lingerie. Surely there are more creative ways of sticking up two fingers (or one, depending on where you come from) to those who continue to brainwash us with the balmy idea, that it’s only people of a certain size that will look good in lingerie. It only takes a short visit to your nearest art gallery to see how body shapes have changed in the fashion zeitgeist – which body shapes we celebrate really is just a sign of the time.

We consider ourselves lucky at Knickers that we’re different shapes and sizes; not only does it mean we have a different perspective when writing and reviewing, it also reinforces our individuality. That’s not to say we’re never envious of those petite frames who look amazing in skimpy scants, or of those enviably curvy ladies, but with the knowledge that the grass is always greener, we embrace what we have. With that in mind we write our articles, and encourage anyone we meet (including strangers in a bar) to go with what they have, and enjoy it!

Variety Is The Spice Of Lingerie

As our regular readers will know, we will sing the praises of any lingerie – providing it’s not tacky or taking the proverbial ****. What we look out for are innovatory designs, great fabrics and detailing. Whether the designs are made for larger or smaller people is immaterial. While we realise anything outwith today’s perceived norm is considered niche, we hope that the more awareness is raised (by expressing our demand), the more we will recognise sizes at each end of the spectrum as being ‘normal’. Yes, we know there are issues surrounding fabrics and fit, but if we think back to only five years ago, when Knickersblog first aired, an awful lot has happened in the lingerie market. Bra sizes have increased in range, as have underwear, swimwear and loungewear sizes. And although, when we type certain words into our search engines, our screens can throw some pretty nasty stuff at us, in general we’re seeing a more positive attitude to variations in lingerie sizes.

Feel Fabulous!

The question remains: who is telling us what size we should be in order to look good and why are we listening to them? Is it the media, the designers, the government, or our peers? The last time I listened to someone tell me what I should look like was at school (or was it university?). The majority of us are drawn into the bizarre following of size trend. Surely as adults we can make up our own minds: as long as we look after ourselves and accept who and what we are, confidence will flow – there’s no great secret attached to it. We can feel good in lingerie whatever our size and assets.
Now all we need are more designers to bring us fabulous lingerie, because there’s still a big market out there just waiting to be filled!

Featured Lingerie

Variety Is The Spice Of Lingerie, clockwise from far left:
Nicole Gill -Odette; Freya at Bravissimo ; Fleur of England – Sweet Nothings; Curvy Kate; Velda Lauder at Glamorous Amorous; Di Murini – Rowena.

Feel Fabulous
Wundervoll

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Bex Paul in Velda Lauder at Mio Destino.

The Lingerie Collective Video Autumn/Winter 2011 – Part II

Loving lingerie doesn’t mean we continuously fill our already over-laden lingerie drawers with even more lingerie! However we are very lucky to attend trade shows and see and touch the newest collections, even those collections not yet available (ok, we admit we do make up a wish list!). We know you are as keen to see the newest and most fabulous lingerie as we are, so we love to bring you footage from the latest shows. We brought you the first video last month and, as promised, here is the second video from this season’s Lingerie Collective, featuring Miss Mandalay, Lascivious, Bordelle, Fleur of England, Fred & Ginger, and Lola Haze!

The Lingerie Collective Autumn/Winter Video!

And if you missed the first video, you can catch up here!

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Miss Mandalay

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