Orla Brady In The BBC Series, Mistresses

We’ve hunted high and low for the corset Orla Brady wears in an episode of the highly acclaimed BBC series, Mistresses, but have been unable to find the exact piece to answer a reader’s question.
Along with a few helpful suggestions from those in the lingerie know, we think the corset could be from a past Agent Provocateur Collection; we don’t like to leave anyone without a solution to a question so instead we’ve found a few alternatives!

Our Alternative Picks!

We start off with the Gwendoline corset £195 (center) in black with cute ruffles around the top and bottom, from the current Agent Provocateur collection. We also love the Judy Corset £195 at Fairy Goth Mother (top right), which comes in blue and red taffeta; the Dolly Corset £125 by What Katie Did (bottom right) and the Boobie Trap Polka Dot Corset £119 (bottom left), both available at La Magia. For a low-cost alternative try the gorgeous Playful Promises Miss New York Doll Corset (top left), £50.

Pink’s new “Sober” video might be causing a stir because of its controversial Pink-on-Pink action, but we’re more aflutter because of the beautiful lingerie on display in the video. If you liked the look of Pink’s fabulous black dominatrix bra in the video, you can grab one for your own at Coco de Mer. We’re not sure if this is the exact bra Pink wore on the video, but we certainly can’t tell a difference! The bra is £55 at Coco de Mer UK and $80 at Coco de Mer USA.

To see all the gorgeous lingerie, check out the video below:

We’re not going to pretend that Womanizer isn’t getting some serious airplay here at Knickers HQ — we just love a comeback that keeps on coming back! In the Womanizer video, Britney is wearing a hot new American lingerie label, Letters of Marque. The silk robe she’s wearing is $565 at the designer’s online store, and the very sexy black triangle bra is $100. Thanks to Faire Frou Frou for the tip-off!

Update!: Faire Frou Frou now have the robe back in stock, and at $510!

Womanizer Video

Want to watch the video again? You can view it here – the Letters of Marque lingerie makes an appearance at the beginning and the end!

QUESTION:
Hi,
It wasn’t until I found knickersblog that I learned there are cup sizes beyond a DDD and I went from wearing a 38DDD to a 34F, and I LOVE it. I finally feel comfortable all the time…well, most of the time. I still haven’t found anywhere I can get 34F bras that are CUTE or really SEXY! I’m only 22 and everything I find that is a 34F still looks too conservative for me. I know that it is hard to make a sexier full cup bra, but even the ones I find they are usually all the same colors (black, nude, white).
Is it just so unrealistic to find stuff that looks similar, goes to an F, and can actually be worn comfortably? If anyone can help me… it’s you guys!
Are there any websites that ship to the US with these sort of cute or sexy bras, in a 34F?? Help me Knickers!
J

ANSWER:
Hi J,

This is a great question! We’re very happy you stumbled across Knickers and found the world above a D cup! It makes such a difference to have a well-fitting bra, and of course it’s not only fit that is the issue, it must make you feel gorgeous! The US is slowly coming round to the issue of larger cup sizes, however, as you so rightly pointed out, they are often not very sexy, and come in boring black, white or nude. Luckily you aren’t restricted to US sites, and many UK sites that offer larger cups, will ship to the US.
We’ve come up with a few options, which we hope you will like!

Vanjo – Lou Lou Bra

First up is Vanjo: this is a fun, cute label suitable for ladies with larger busts. Vanjo’s creator, Laurie, came across a very similar problem of not being able to find bras that were young, sexy and well-fitting for an above D cup bust, and so started designing her own label. The bras are very well structured and supportive, and at a comparatively low price of £38 (approx $75), this is a label worth keeping your eye on. Also, check out the Molly Bra, which is currently on sale at £22, and the Phebe Bra at a mere £10 – perfect for trying out the label!

Aubade – Angelique

Next up is Aubade: In recent times, Aubade have started making some of their styles up to an F cup, and it’s a great find for all those who love a bit of luxury as well as a well-fitting bra. This French label has been going for years; their bras are extremely well made and sexy, and are a personal favourite of Knickers girl, Alison (who is a DD cup), who has a drawer full of them!
The Angelique bra $107 (pictured above) is available at Rigby&Peller in the UK, however, Figleaves US do stock the new collection Opin Divin $119, which goes up to an F cup.

S.P.A.N.K Underwire Flirt Bra

Last up is S.P.A.N.K: Plain but with a gorgeous selection of colours, these silk bras go up to an F cup and are perfect for an every day bra – that isn’t white, black or nude! We love this label; although the designs are kept simple, they are never the less both flirty and sexy. At $69 the Underwire Flirt Bra is a pretty good price for silk, and with a pair of briefs at $39, it’s affordable luxury for any age!

For more larger cup bras, including the snazzy new Freya Pippa Bra $64 (available in a 34F), check out Bare Necessities who also stock Harlequin Plunge Bras $88 in a 34F, and charge only $5 for delivery in the US.

The Question

Hi, Where can I buy Jersey Lingerie?
T

The Answer

Hi T,
We get a lot of questions from readers who love soft cotton lingerie; luckily there are more and more designers turning to unfussy, beautiful cotton lingerie. One of our absolute favourites is Undrest:this label offers pretty, soft pima cotton knickers, robes and bralettes, some of which have cotton lace detail, others plain yet utterly gorgeous! Another label is Skin: stunning loungewear in soft cotton, not only suitable for cozy cuties, but also for those who love simple designs with subtle detailing. If you’re looking for jersey bra sets, Eberjey is a great brand that offers simple yet well-made pieces for anyone who prefers non-fussy lingerie. Check out Lille Boutique who have a good selection of cotton lingerie, including Eberjey, prices start at $12 for their low-rise briefs. You can also keep up to date with Jersey and Cotton Lingerie on our Cozy Cutie pages!

Undrest lingerie is available at Faire Frou Frou; prices start at $47 for a girl short.
Skin loungewear is available at Catriona Mackechnie prices from $44 for a tank vest.

This edition of Ask Knickers, we’re trying to help out a reader who has excellent taste. Here’s her question:

The Question

Hello,
I think you guys at the Knickers blog might be just the right resource for a hard-to-answer question I’ve got. I’ve had a very difficult time determining where I can get the bra worn by Dita Von Teese in this photo:

Any suggestions (or similar pieces) would be much appreciated. Thanks!

M

The Answer

M, congratulations on your fantastic taste! The infamous shelf bra worn by the delectable Ms. Teese is made by Parisian designer Chantal Thomass, but regrettably the photo is a few years old so the set is no longer available. It’s tough to find a shelf bra in this style (most are now of the saucier, nipple-baring variety), but here’s what we tracked down for you:

Lascivious “Pout”

The closest match in style we could find was from London designer Lascivious, famous for their simple and sultry lingerie. The “Pout” balconette pictured above (£104, up to F cup) has the same style of front panel with a slightly higher cup, and a decidedly darker air than Dita’s set. Still, this style looks fantastic in chic black – and the rest of the set is just as lovely. We think Dita would approve.

Faire Frou Frou

On the other side of the pond, LA boutique Faire Frou Frou has some more colourful Dita-esque options. The sweet-as-pie plaid bra (pictured above, left) is from Betsey Johnson, and is available in limited sizes for just $49. For something a bit wilder, turn to the Italians and Parah – this zebra print (pictured above, right) is sexy, but the exaggerated lace trim adds a retro twist to the style. The Parah bra is $145 and only available in B.

Larger-cup options

Thanks to the extra fabric for additional support, this style of bra is also perfect for larger-cup women looking for a fresh style. Miss Mandalay is the master of this style, using this flirty shape as the base for many of her popular larger-cup bras (including the lovely Fran, £50 or $98) . Freya is also fond of this look, and the colourful Arabella (£29 $58), is a refreshing splash of colour in this sweet balconette style.

Bonus Burlesque!

Here’s a wee burlesque bonus in the spirit of Miss Teese. For you lucky Parisians out there, the lovely Gentry de Paris is throwing a burlesque extravaganza, featuring some of America’s best performers, Vienna la Rouge, Bettina May, and Tana the Tattoed Lady. The details are below, but if you can’t make the Paris flight (not this week, daahling), try browsing the performer links above – there is plenty of burlesque fashion on display!

This time on Ask Knickers: there are plenty of low-rise thongs out there, but what about something a wee bit more covering?

The Question:

Hi,

I was wondering if you can think of anyone who makes pretty thongs/g-strings that are NOT low rise?

I have had quite a bit of stomach surgery and want to wear underwear that comes up higher, near to my navel, so that it covers all the scars.

I haven’t been able to find anything for over a year!! I’m in my twenties so I don’t want to have to wear big granny knickers!

If you have any suggestions I’d really, really appreciate it as you guys definitely seem to be the experts on the undies!

Many thanks,
T

The Answer

Dear T,

We can understand why you’ve been frustrated – a quick search for “high-waist thong” yields some worryingly un-glam choices, mainly support-wear – not exactly boudoir material. The style that you’re looking for is “tanga,” or specifically, the European definition of a tanga.

While a Brazillian tanga is cut low on the stomach and high on the leg, a European tanga is the other way around. This tanga is a cross between a bikini and a thong, giving the thong back with more coverage and support. “Traditional” European labels will be great sources for this style – the beautiful white pair pictured above is Aubade’s Piraterie De l’Amour ($69 at Bare Necessities). If that’s a little dear, try the pink set on sale for $30 at Herroom.

For a ton of selection on this tanga style, try BiggerBras.com – they have a ton of beautiful thongs with a higher waist. Here are a couple of favourites that we spotted: Daisy Rose ($37), Emma from Empriente ($70), a sale tanga from Chantelle ($22), and another lovely Chantelle ($39). There’s plenty more in the BiggerBras collection.

Finally, for a simple and affordable option, get thee to Lavinia Lingerie and their high-cut thongs (pictured above top). They’re seamless, high-cut, available in seven colours, and only $12! There’s also a brief version for $13 (above bottom).

Got your own question for Knickers? Just drop us a line!

It’s a new week dahhhlings, and we’ve emerged from boxes of lingerie to hunt down some french knickers for a reader! Heather’s been inspired by these fabulous french knickers found in a feature for The Black Dahlia, and wants to find her own!

Question:

I’m an avid reader of the knickers blog (have been known to refer to it as “lingerie porn”!) and love checking in to see what gorgeous things have been found next. Reading the paper online today I spotted this promo photo from The Black Dahlia and immediately coveted the gorgeous kit (pictured above)

Can you identify the Mystery Knickers for me (and the other readers)? They’re just beautiful and I’m dying to know if I too can get them. If anyone would know, or know who to ask, it’s you!

Yours in hope,

Heather

Answer:

Hi Heather! You have excellent taste, that set is stunning!

I immediately thought of Myla when i saw this set, and while I can’t find the exact set in their collection, this “Antoinette” set looks to be similar — the bra is lacy (but a lot more structured — check out the rest of Myla’s collection for more simple lace bras), and the matching french knickers are also side-split like the pair on lovely Scarlett. Myla has always borrowed from the 50′s glamour look, so their whole “Lady” collection is very apropos, and you can find a few french-knicker-shortie variations that might suit you just right.

After finding Myla’s set, I found myself going off on a tangent and hunting down all sorts of beautiful french knickers — Glamorous Amorous has turned up a few gems, notably these shocking-red “Jean Harlow” french knickers(above left) from Franky Darling which seem very Black Dahlia-appropriate and are probably the closest cut to the original photo, as well as these more playful floral Verde Veronica knickers which come in black and pink (above right). Heavenly hemp designers Enamore also have some cheeky french knickers in their collection, including this bright turquoise pair and these more subdued black-and-lace knickers.

I also couldn’t resist throwing in these adorable “garter shorts” from American designer Kiki de Montparnasse (above left) — they’re futher in the “bloomer” category than the “french knicker,” but have the same lovely vintage feel and the garters are a fabulous touch. If you fancy this style, don’t miss S.P.A.N.K’s cute little bloomers (above right) as well!

Phew! That’s a lot of french knickers! We’ll also drop the Black Dahlia’s studio a line to see if we can find out the exact brand, but hopefully you’ll have enough to go on from those!

Here’s a conundrum for you lingerie professionals out there — what’s wrong with Woolite? That’s the question the Beauty Brains weblog, a fantastic site all about the chemistry behind beauty products, posed recently on their site and asked if we could shed some light on. It’s commonly accepted that you’re not supposed to use Woolite to wash your lingerie because it can degrade elastics, but the Beauty Brains have looked into the chemistry, and think this is just an urban myth without any real foundation. We’ve even adopted this industry trend and advised against Woolite in our How to Care for your Lingerie article, although we’ve emphasised that the most important thing is to hand-wash your lingerie.

We know there are lots of lingerie professionals reading Knickers, so we thought we’d ask you — what’s wrong with Woolite? Is there something special about this detergent that harms lingerie, or is this just a myth that’s made its way through the industry? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

This time in Ask Knickers, a confused reader hands over her tape measure and asks for help — how do these measurements translate into a bra size, anyway?

Question:

I’ve been remeasuring myself to find a new bra since my current ones are fitting tight due to pregnancy. My ribcage measures 41″ (add 5″ = 46″ band size) and my bust measures 46″, so does this mean I’m a AA cup?? I’m currently wearing a 40C and spilling out of them (even full coverage bras). I’m not flat-chested in the least and needless to say very confused! What size should I be wearing?

Answer:

Our reader has done everything exactly right — she’s measured over her bust and across her ribcage, the two measurements required for the well-known bra-fitting formula of subtracting bust size from rib size. The problem is, this formula simply isn’t comprehensive enough to be reliable, and can lead to a wildly incorrect size for women — in our readers case, a 46AA! With our tried and not-so-true formula out of the window, how can we find the correct size?

To puzzle out this size we turned to our two favourite bra-sizing experts — Beverly Johnson, the author of the Bra-Makers Manual and an incredible resource to anyone interested in bra-making, and Izzy, the creator of 85b.org, a site dedicated to helping women try to puzzle through the increasing web of bra sizes all over the world. Both women agreed that the two-measurement system was letting our reader down. Izzy elaborated:

It’s evident that an AA cup is not right and this is a major fault with the two-measurement system.

In my experience, this system can work for what I call “petite” sizes – those most commonly found in stores: band sizes from 32 to 36 and cup sizes from AA to C or perhaps D. But even in these cases these two measurements may not be sufficient.

Beverly theorised that our reader’s recent pregnancy could be creating the false measurement, offering:

She doesn’t say whether she is still pregnant, or whether it is recent, but in any case, the ribs may have expanded and not gone back down to their former size. This is making her rib cage bigger, so when the measuring is done, the difference between the rib cage and the full bust is actually very little, therefore a “false size” of 46AA is showing up.

She doesn’t mention if it is the band and cups that are too tight, or just the cups. If it is just the cups that are compressing, I would go into a 40D, or DD if they are really tight. However, if the band is tight as well as the cups, going into a 42C would give her a band increase but only a 1/2 size increase in the cup. Going to the 40D would give her a full cup size of 1/2″ and might solve the problem.

The reality is that no quick and easy formula can account for the incredible variety of women’s shapes and sizes, so measurements can only be judged as a starting point for fitting. While as a first step our reader can try going to a larger cup size, Izzy, Beverly and myself all agree that the best solution is for our reader to be professionally fitted. An experienced fitter will be able to help her experiment with a variety of types of bras and sizes, which is the only real way to guarantee a good fit. There’s always a great bra-fitter in every town, you just have to find her — just stay away from the big chain lingerie stores and look for an older boutique, or try one of the larger department stores with experienced staff. You can also read up more on bra-sizing with our Top Five Bra-Sizing Myths, and over at Beverly’s blog where she explains the craziness that is band sizing.

At our Knickers meetup last week, we got all kinds of fantastic questions from the women of London. We’ll be using their questions to launch a new section of the website, Ask Knickers. If you’ve got a question for Knickers, just drop us an e-mail with the subject: “Ask Knickers.”

Question:

I love all these lacy frilly bras, but they’re not at all practical — where can i find a bra that’s going to look great under a thin tee-shirt?

Answer:

Ah, the eternal conundrum — you want your lingerie to look great, but you also want it to look great when you put clothes over it! While smoothline bras used to be as ugly as sin, we’re luckily starting to get some simple, chic, and sexy offerings in this much-needed area. Here’s our top picks:

Smoothline bras for smaller cups

Smaller cup sizes often have the luxury of avoiding underwires, meaning their seam-free options are wider. For a wire-free option, check out this Cosabella soft bra (£24 or $39 in the US), available in S-M-L and mapping to AA cup sizes.

AA cups who want a bit more support can try this After Eden maximiser seamless bra (£19 or $37 in the US), which has a lovely shape and will still stay hidden under your tee.

Finally, all small cups will probably love this smooth-line Playtex bra, which looks heavenly comfortable and perfectly smooth ($25).

Smoothline bras for average cups

Average cup sizes have the widest range of choice for smooth-line bras, you lucky things! B and C cups should flock straight to Bodas (a celebrity favourite for its simple style and sexy shapes) and their cheeky soft-cup bra (£27 or $64 in the US), and D cups can check out their matching underwired version (£30, or $70 in the US).

The top seam-free bra, however, is the Wacoal iBra — not only does it have Wacoal’s impeccable reputation behind it and a revolutionary design that uses no stitching, but it’s pretty sexy as well — we love the straps that add that tiny feminine touch to an otherwise sleek bra (£45, or $50 in the US).

Finally, Le Mystere, who are well-known for their excellent fit, offer a lovely balconette-style seamfree bra that’s available up to E cup (£32-£38, or $60 in the US)!

Smoothline bras for larger cups

The biggest problem for women with larger cup sizes is the seaming in tee-shirt bras — as seams are often necessary to construct a bra for the larger breast, it becomes a lot more difficult to create a perfectly smooth shape under a shirt. The moulded style (which entails shaping a piece of foam over a bra-shaped waffle-iron, basically) is much more difficult to get right for larger cup sizes, so the best places to turn are the old pros for larger cup sizes — Panache and Le Mystere.

Panache uses a moulded-cup for larger sizes to create the seamfree look on their Porcelain Underwired bra, which is available up to size G (£24 or $52 in the US).

We prefer the Le Mystere Dream Tisha bra, which has a bit more style, more interesting (albeit still limited) colour choices, and a cleaner-looking silouette about it (£46 or $66 in the US). Apparently we’re not the only fans – this is reportedly Oprah’s favourite bra!

Do you have a question for the Knickers girls? Just drop our editor a line at danae@knickersblog.com, with the subject “Ask Knickers.”