Ladies, let’s face it. We’re all guilty of holding on to things for years. That favorite shirt. That pair of jeans you KNOW you’ll be able to fit into again. A beloved dress. And the same holds true for our skivvies. We just can’t let go of that favorite pair. While some things in our closet can count as “classics,” your lingerie isn’t one of them. Consider this an intervention. Vintage t-shirts are one thing, but vintage undies? Oh. No. Chances are you’re hanging onto pieces that are way past prime, and your lingerie drawer could use some freshening. ... Read More »]]>

By Elizabeth Tigar

Ladies, let’s face it. We’re all guilty of holding on to things for years. That favorite shirt. That pair of jeans you KNOW you’ll be able to fit into again. A beloved dress. And the same holds true for our skivvies. We just can’t let go of that favorite pair. While some things in our closet can count as “classics,” your lingerie isn’t one of them. Consider this an intervention. Vintage t-shirts are one thing, but vintage undies? Oh. No. Chances are you’re hanging onto pieces that are way past prime, and your lingerie drawer could use some freshening. Here are some helpful hints to help you upgrade your underwear without totally breaking the bank.

Lingerie on Life Support: Your bras and panties have a lifespan, and it’s shorter than you might think. How do you know if your collection needs resuscitation? Get out those bras. If you need more than one hand to count how many years old it is, toss it. Bras stretch out, lose their shape and as they do, your silhouette suffers. Once you’ve weeded out the ancient ones, assess your collection. You should really have two you can wear everyday, under nearly everything. Plus one strapless for evening. I also seriously advocate having at least one bra and panty set that reads “total hotness” for special occasions (or just an everyday treat). That’s four bras. Nothing crazy. Just a tried and true arsenal.

Chantelle T-Shirt Bra, $78

Simone Perele “Andora”, $84

Le Mystere Strapless Push-Up Bra, $62

Simone Perele “Nina”, $89

The same holds true for your bottoms. If they’re more than five years old, they DEFINITELY have to go. Take a good look at what you have. Holes, pilling, and discoloration are a total no-no. If you’d be embarrassed to have someone lay eyes on you in any pair, it’s time to go. No exceptions. (Shapewear notwithstanding). A bare essentials collection (for those diligent about laundry) would include five to seven pair of basics that you can wear under non-clinging clothing, two pair of a seamless style for avoiding VPL, plus your “hotness” pair (mentioned above).

Hanky Panky Low Rise Thong, $18

The Size Issue: You’ve all heard the statistic: 80 percent of women are wearing the wrong bra size. While we think that’s a little overblown, it is certainly true that many, many women are indeed rocking incorrectly sized bras. How do you know if you’re one of the guilty ones? Get yourself measured! A good lingerie department, or a specialty boutique will have bra fitting specialists for you. Or go the D.I.Y. route with this at-home guide to getting you in the right size. Measure yourself often because bra size, like pant size, can change over time. Gaining or losing more than 10 lbs, having a baby, starting or ceasing birth control can all affect breast size. Your bras should change accordingly. Some people may even change size depending on what time of the month it is. If that’s the case, you should have bras that fit correctly for any time.

The Budget Plan: You needn’t spend a fortune to update your collection. Assess where you are now and what pieces you need. Invest carefully, spending the most on the pieces you will wear the most. You’ll find the lifespan and comfort of a slightly more expensive basic will far make up for the extra dollars on the price tag. One sure-fire way to stretch your dollar is proper care and maintenance of your lingerie. Bras and panties should always be washed separately and on a delicate cycle (for the die-hards, hand washing is great too). A less harsh detergent will also extend the life of all of your skivvies. Specialty brands like Soak are worth the investment. For the budget shopper, Woolite will also work. Honestly though, the number one thing that will make your lingerie last is to NEVER EVER put it in the dryer. That high, dry heat is an enemy to all fabrics, especially those with elastic or spandex. Take the time and space to air dry. You won’t regret it.

Elizabeth Tigar is the owner of Austin, TX, lingerie boutique Underwear. Visit www.shop-underwear.com to check out the latest styles.

That’s why I fell in love with this beautiful silk kimono by Carnie Gilson. Inspired by the lingerie trends, this is a piece that you could easily use during the day – or certainly use in the boudoir also. The colour is divine, and the lines in the piece make it classic enough to ensure that it will give you mileage in your wardrobe for years to come.

What makes this ... Read More »]]>

I always encourage women to pick up classic pieces for their wardrobe that come in splashes of colour or have been altered slightly to create a “fresher” look that stands out.

That’s why I fell in love with this beautiful silk kimono by Carnie Gilson. Inspired by the lingerie trends, this is a piece that you could easily use during the day – or certainly use in the boudoir also. The colour is divine, and the lines in the piece make it classic enough to ensure that it will give you mileage in your wardrobe for years to come.

What makes this piece even sweeter? The billowy lace pieces on the sleeve. Lace is definitely in right now, and a beautiful flirty addition to the garment. Gorgeous.

What do you think?

Warmest wishes,

Christie Ressel, International Image Consultant and Style Coach
Personal Power Image Consulting

*Christie is an image consultant and style coach that is regularly featured in the media and press across Canada and the USA. She runs, “Personal Power Image Consulting” where she helps women feel more chic, stylish, and confident through her stylish personal and online style services.

On November 19th in New York City, 34 top models were sitting backstage in hair and makeup trying to calm their nerves by chit chatting and surfing on their iphones. For some of these girls, it was their first time walking in a runway show this big, and with the sight of the skyscraper heels and heavy jewelled costumes, fear of falling was of concern.

Hosted by Heidi Klum, paired with an energetic performance by the Black Eyed ... Read More »]]>

Heidi Klum walks the runway at last year's show.

The Victoria’s Secret annual lingerie show is the Super Bowl of the fashion world and it is probably the only fashion show men will watch willingly.

On November 19th in New York City, 34 top models were sitting backstage in hair and makeup trying to calm their nerves by chit chatting and surfing on their iphones. For some of these girls, it was their first time walking in a runway show this big, and with the sight of the skyscraper heels and heavy jewelled costumes, fear of falling was of concern.

Hosted by Heidi Klum, paired with an energetic performance by the Black Eyed Peas, the show was a huge success.  There was, however, one surprise which no one expected. Heidi Klum shocked everyone by making a last minute decision to walk in the show. After giving birth to her fourth child just five weeks before, it was said that Klum was sitting this show out.  Still trying to get back in shape, she felt good enough to walk and she look sensational.

This years show featured a $3 million fantasy bra worn by model Marissa Miller. It was encrusted with 2,300 diamonds of various colours and one can only imagine how tight security was. In fact, the bra had its own room!

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is always an elaborate production. Everything was lavish, from the props, to the lingerie and even the backdrops. It’s the must see event of the season.

The fashion show will air on CBS on December 1st. Make sure to set your DVR’s because this is one show you do not want to miss.

Ed Note- Be sure to check your local listings for accurate viewing times in your area. I know we will be green with envy watching!

The creation of an e-commerce site is a natural progression for the established brand, elevating customer service to the next level for its loyal following of fans.  Hanky Panky has been an internationally known creator of women’s lingerie, sleepwear and lingerie-inspired sportswear for over 30 years and launched its first ... Read More »]]>

Hanky Panky, the fresh and flirtatious lingerie and sleepwear brand, announces the much-anticipated launch of its first-ever online store, www.hankypanky.com, which will begin full-service e-commerce efforts in November 2009.  The site will provide web exclusive opportunities for the brand, such as lingerie customization and merchandise specials not available in the marketplace.

The creation of an e-commerce site is a natural progression for the established brand, elevating customer service to the next level for its loyal following of fans.  Hanky Panky has been an internationally known creator of women’s lingerie, sleepwear and lingerie-inspired sportswear for over 30 years and launched its first website in 2001, designed specifically for brand and image development.

“At the time of Hanky Panky’s first website launch, we wanted to concentrate on building our brand image, creating a loyal customer following and supporting our retailers,” said Lida Orzeck, Hanky Panky CEO.  “Now that the brand is established, it is important for us to focus on the specific needs of our customer and continue to build intimate relationships which the new site has been specifically designed to do.  The site will also help disseminate important information about our brand, creating personal ties with the customer through initiatives such as our Green Mission and Made in New York ethics.”

The Hanky Panky site will launch with innovative and user-friendly features creating a shopping experience true to the brand.  Shoppers will be able to personalize their favorite pair of panties with Hanky Panky’s exclusive customization feature unavailable anywhere else.  A ‘Wish List’ function will allow shoppers to send a list of Hanky Panky favorites to a special someone, guaranteeing gifts they will love for years to come.  In addition, Hanky Panky will offer web exclusive prints, styles and colors, as well as a user friendly sizing chart, celebrity fans, and a ‘Match Your Bra’ function to assist in picking out the perfect color of Hanky Panky undies to coordinate with any brand’s bra.