Dear Melissa,

Help me! I'm lost! Yes, I'm looking to get lucky,  but I'm looking to stay lucky and I don't think my current collection will do the trick (most of my smalls pre-date Encino Man). Does underwear follow trends? If so, what is de rigueur at the moment?

Thanks!

Anon.


Dear Anon.,

Although not as hard and fast as fashion, lingerie is certainly dictated by the runways, as the garments still have to complement the season’s must-have items.

This Autumn/winter 08 has seen a surge of divine vintage inspired pieces in silky satins and traditional lace overlays. We’ve seen Bettie Page style bullet bras from What Katie Did - which are certainly not for everyone, but ideal if you’re planning to re-create the iconic sweater girls from the 1950’s!  On a subtler note, new Sydney label, Lula Starr, has a classic vintage feel with ready to wear balconette bras in vivid pink and black satin, detailed by zig zag stitching, wee little red buttons, or velvet red ribbons and rosebuds. Ever so sweet, especially paired with their Betty pink satin French knickers... viva la frenchies I say!

On the knickers note, the key piece this season has to be the long awaited high-waisted brief. With both jeans and skirts waistlines creeping higher and higher, the visible panty line (V.P.L.) has our knickers in a knot! Fret no more my maidens, forget the imagery you have of your nanna’s undies, because ‘08 versions of the high-waisted knicker are pin up girl SEXY! The dame of the high waisted brief is our darling burlesque costumer, Lady Simone from Kiss Me Quick, utilising satins and power mesh (that’s what sucks you in ladies) with delicate lace overlays and her signature lace heart on the bum.

Not to be out done of course, after teasing the masses with her shoot for AW07, Kit Willow has made the covetable black high-waisted brief for this season, inspired by Helmut Newtown, giving us more of a fetish style edge… tres sexy. Perfect for winter to keep those kidneys warm (you’ll make your nanna proud yet) and for under high-waisted skirts and jeans!
 
And brace yourselves, not only is the high waisted brief back, but so to is the body suit or ‘teddy’ as some call it. These sophisticated pieces are streamlined and sure to get the pulses racing. They have me positively weak at the knees! The dame of French lingerie, Chantal Thomass, has recently created a sublime little number in black mesh, with ever-so-slightly padded cups and cute little black trim on the straps and the centre of the torso. Others joining the parade are Lula Starr with their stunning ‘Bonita’  body in black satin, complete with detachable suspender clasps.  Finally, for a naughty weekend, you can’t go past the exquisite peach and gold lace body from cult UK label Damaris – with the piste de resistance being the full corseted back. Looks like winter is going to be a hot one ladies!

xxx Melissa Gallagher

On the web: www.dirtyprettythings.com.au