Diamond Jubilee

I don't watch much television these days so I didn't get to see all the hype around the Queens Diamond Jubilee. To be honest I missed out on all of it completely! Everyone was talking about it. What they wore, who performed and attended... And to be honest, I really didn't care. All I could hear was the word Diamond... Now I'm not a jewelry girl at all but I have to admit, I don't mind a bit of bling on my lingerie!

Have you ever thought of adding a bit of razzle dazzle to a lingerie set before? It doesn't have to be all out Burlesque style glitz and glamour. Sometimes just a sprinkling of crystals over a delicate lace can make the set really pop. It's great to wear under a semi sheer outfit for just a hint of bling bling.

I'm sure most of you have heard about the Victoria's secret Diamond Bra. This 'Fantasy' bra is made to promote the label but wont exactly be purchased by anybody. I think a lot of people first thought this item was a fake. "It's not real diamonds. It must be just some faux crystal and can be purchased for like $200 from Victorias Secret". I nearly burst out laughing when I was asked by a client to track down for him a diamond bra for his fiancee as a honeymoon gift. "Cost is not an issue" he stated. I obviously knew that he would NOT fork over 1.5 million dollars to purchase an actual diamond bra. So I steered him to the next best thing. A swarovski crystal designer bra. At just over $1000 I thought it was a good deal for someone who stated cost wasn't an issue. Pppppffffftttttt... He stood there mouth open in complete shock. What the heck did he expect?? He said he thought it would be about $400 max.

Remember the different level of crystal used, the difference in price. So if the garment has used Swarovski then it will be more expensive. Let me introduce you to the different levels of 'Bling' lingerie available out there.

Victoria's Secret

First we have Victorias Secrets famous Diamond bra. They release one a year. It is enough to create publicity worldwide with the frivolousness of the garment. Do you want to know who has bought it in the past?? Well actually, no one so far as has been reported. With a price tag ranging from 1 to a whopping 15 million, its no wonder.

Christies 'Diamonds' collection

Then we have your Swarovski crystal designer users. Still expensive but with a beautiful sparkle to them. Italian label Christies release a jeweled collection every year. From a simple jewel feature on a basic black bra to all over bling. The quality is amazing with these pieces. You pay the price but you don't lose your jewels over time. They are garments that are made to be seen.

 www.christieslingerie.it

ID Sarrieri

ID Sarrieri is a stunning Romanian label often combining the most delicate of laces, chantilly, with swarovski crystals. The combination I think is such a gorgeous blend. The delicate feather like lace work with dash of bling. This designer label is known all over the world for their feminine designs. Limited stock is available in Australia but worth the hunt to see these in person.

www.sarrieri.com

Pleasure State

Pleasure State like to use their trademark Swarovski clasp on a lot of their pieces. Seeing this poke out under a top is a sure sign she is wearing this Australian label. Often the Couture collections will use a scattering of crystals over the fabric of a garment taking the price point up another level. 

Just be wary of your cheaper options especially those using poor quality crystals, glue and findings. Some of the designs don't look too bad however the crystals wont last too long. So if you are ok with losing one two or ten of them through normal wear, or only plan on wearing it once, then these are for you. Make sure you hand wash these garments always in cold water and never use a dryer as heat will ruin the adhesive holding the crystals in place.



Here are a selection of Jewel detailed lingerie. From the ridiculously expensive to the cheap and perhaps a little tacky. But it's all about the bling bling baby!

Diamond Pasties

Damaris

Gossard

Wolford

Hand made pieces for a photo shoot by Vicki Kostovski

It took hours to thread this fringing with Swarovski Crystals

Do you own any bling bling lingerie? Do you wear this as everyday wear or only for special occasions?

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The Evils of Shapewear

The beautiful singer Adele admitted recently to having worn four pairs of Spanx under her Grammys dress earlier this year. I wondered how the heck #1 the word Spanx became known by every one and #2 she could sing with them all on?? She had to take a couple layers off in order to perform that night. This story irked me. Would you do this for fashion? As I thought about it I realise a lot of us do! Squeezing ourselves into an uncomfortable control garment just to look flawless in a dress. "No dinner for me tonight, I can hardly breathe!" It made me think more about the expectations put on us by... well... ourselves.

I have been contemplating purchasing my first shapewear garment and I've been arguing with myself ever since the thought first popped into my head. I have never owned one before. I'm not saying this because I have a perfect body without any bulges, but I'm trying not to fall into that media built beauty trap. I buy clothing that works with my body and my lingerie. I don't go and buy an outfit that is a single layer jersey that clings to every little lump and bump I have, then go in search of the perfect underwear. The garment that will not only be completely seamless and extremely comfortable but also hold me in to make me look a size smaller. The outfit I'm looking at obviously just isn't meant for me. However I was given a beautiful designer dress from a client and it is as I said, single layer and shows off the not so good parts of my body. I feel bad for having not yet worn it. But honestly, I don't feel good in it the way I am...

Um...yes Spanx. Whatever you say...

So I did more research into the shapewear brands available here. Looking up brand after brand and reading what they were about. Not going to try on anything yet as I just didn't like where they were coming from. I liken it to corsetry from the 19th century. Making your shape what it isn't. Listening to societies current 'standards' and falling for their propaganda. How does this help our self esteem when what they're saying is that we aren't perfect, but this garment will help us look 'that way?'  Rather than embracing our bodies and picking appropriate clothing and fabric for it, we fall for the hype out there. We must be thinner...

 These are some of the statements the brands make:


 "Look 5kg lighter in five seconds"
 "Designed to empower you in every way, you will look fabulous, feeling firmer and fitter"
 "To help women feel great about themselves and their potential."


Seriously I can get all this from a control garment?? And it's uber comfortable?? Will it also take me out on an amazing date or make me a millionaire?? I don't think so. To be honest, my body doesn't want to be controlled and neither do I. We are falling for the most common trap. We are changing who we are and thinking that if we just fit into that dress, things will be better.  We want the quick fix solution. We want to buy the miracle garment.

I'm pretty sure I can realise my potential without wearing a control undergarment (thanks Spanx). And I will probably be better off going for a walk and laying off the cheese and wine everynight to feel fitter and firmer.  They all talk about embracing your curves but then combine that with feeling more confident by wearing their garment to nip and tuck. A lot of the brands say they understand that we women lead busy lives and don't always have the time to exercise leading up to an event, so just pop on their shapewear to look better. They are playing on our insecurities and we are eating it up...
 
.

Let me ask you... what do you think of foot binding? Do you think it's something we should do so we can fit into those cute size fives that sit lonely on the sale shelf? Do you see in media small feet being shown to be something we should try to have? If there was a garment out there that changed the size of your feet by wearing it, and only cost $30 would you buy it? ........Why?

What do you think of corsetry from the 1800s? Being worn from a very young age to 'train' the body to be a certain shape? To move your internal organs and squeeze the expanding rib cage into a different position. Do you think this is necessary? Would you do that now for you or your daughter?  Or do you just see this as being beauty that existed in that era?

Would you tell your young daughter that she should probably put on a control garment so she can have the body of an eight year old Dakota Fanning? Or would you tell her she looks beautiful just the way she is? Why does our self dialogue have to be any different? Why do we have to buy into the marketing mania telling us we aren't ok the way we are, but if only we purchased this, that or the other we would feel more empowered, confident and beautiful.

 I'm not saying NO to shapewear, but I have more of an understanding behind it and what media are trying to do with it. I don't like my insecurities being played with like that. And if I am to finally give my money to a shapewear company, the garment will be worn rarely. It must be extremely comfortable like all my other lingerie. It must be sexy, functional and not feel like I can't breath in it. I must be able to go to the bathroom easily, eat a full dinner and dance while wearing it. If not, then not a chance. I am still arguing with myself while I write this rant. I have been anti shapewear for so long now, for the above reasons, but then the other side of me want's to try one...

Do you own shapewear? What would you recommend for someone who has always been against it?

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Maternity 'Lingerie'

Hot Milk

I have been asked to do a post on maternity lingerie. Showing the beautiful items you can wear that isn't JUST focusing on what is necessary. You all know what you 'have to' wear, you wear it everyday and normally it's not pretty. I know a lot of women just don't feel the want to wear 'lingerie' during or after pregnancy. Your body changes so dramatically and often thoughts of sexiness are thrown out the window for awhile. Body vulnerability hits and it's hard to see oneself the same anymore. Obviously the main concern is now centered around the little bundle that never leaves your side and all your focus will be about your new love. Beauty often disappears and practical is the only thing that is worn everyday...and that's fine, but it doesn't have to be that way. Just like with any lingerie, it isn't just practical versus frivolous. There are beautiful options out there that combine both.

I will, at a later date, do a more detailed post on what is necessary when it comes to maternity lingerie. Obviously there are some rules you really should follow but hopefully most women going through pregnancy will have learnt these already. So for now this is just a fun post. Lingerie that can be worn pre and post pregnancy. Bras and chemises that are not only practical but look beautiful. Most of these styles featured are nursing bras and the same with the chemises. Did you know that nursing chemises existed??

                       

Anielina

 

Anielina

Anielina is a French maternity lingerie label using organic cotton and leavers lace. The styles are pretty yet practical. Offering support during and after pregnancy. They have sheer and soft moulded cup versions of their feeding bras and are so pretty I heard that non pregnant women had also purchased this label before! The bottoms come in bikini, short and G/String versions with adjustable sides to cater for the weight fluctuations.

www.anielina.com

www.imboutique.com.au/anielina

Cake Lingerie

Cake Lingerie

Cake lingerie is a designer maternity brand from the UK. Made by a mother for a mother. Owner Tracey was used to wearing beautiful lingerie pieces her whole life and with her body changing so much so quickly she couldn't find similar styles to what she was used to wearing pre pregnancy. Unfortunately there was nothing out there she wanted to purchase. She searched high and low and realised that these designer pieces just didn't exist. So Cake Lingerie was started. The style is cheeky fun and again, still practical.

www.cakelingerie.com

www.bravalingerie.com.au/cakelingerie

Hot Milk

Hot Milk

Hot Milk is probably the most well known of the Maternity 'Lingerie' labels here in Australia. Hailing from New Zealand, this company has introduced sexy into maternity wear. Again this label is designed by mothers who found the only options available to them were matronly and at this exciting time in their lives they still wanted to feel beautiful and desirable. Hot Milk certainly filled this gap. The photo shoot I featured was themed around fairytales and creates a stunning world with their imagery. The range isn't just for pre pregnancy but is a lovely cross over that can be worn throughout breast feeding.

www.hotmilklingerie.com

www.mothersdirect.com.au/hotmilk

Freya Maternity

You Lingerie

www.you-lingerie.com

Or available online here in Australia from 
www.dangerouscurves.com.au

Target Maternity Chemise

www.target.com.au-womens maternity lingerie

Mimi Lingerie

Hot Milk

Remember, 'Mumsy' bras are what your mother wore, not what you have to. Times have changed and there is variety out there if you want something pretty. I hope this has offered at least a glimpse into the maternity styles that are available here in Australia. Just because you are a mother or expectant mum doesn't mean you need to lose yourself and personal style. It is such an important time in your life and you should always feel beautiful in your own skin but sometimes it's hard to do that when changes to your body are so apparent. So whether it be wearing some beautiful lingerie that accentuates what you are most proud of or covering what you don't feel as comfortable with, there are options out there that will work.

Hot Milk

Obviously not an actual nursing bra but I thought it funny that a fashion piece was modeled off one!

Hot Milk

What do you think of the maternity lingerie options pictured? Did you wear anything more than basics during your pregnancy and breast feeding?

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