Whether
you call it sexy lingerie, erotic wear, or playwear, these styles are
really hot this year. Booty short sets, baby dolls and teddies have
become part of the female vocabulary. And their admiring men, too! Both
Penney's and Spiegel have recently announced big plans for the expansion
of their lingerie lines. On-line, top makers including Sensual
Mystique, Poison
Angel and Elegant
Moments report booming sales. It seems more and more women are buying
sexy lingerie or erotic wear for themselves and accepting gifts of lingerie
from their husbands or partners.
A Melbourne fashion retailer has even suggested that the Australian
government subsidize lingerie makers to help save marriages. The managing
director of Leethal Fashion Accessories, Gail Lee, says the bonds of
marriage should be reinforced with satin, lace and a truckload of Federal
Government cash. He wants the government to subsidize half the cost.
Lingerie has come a long way from the white bra/panties photos that
graced our mothers' Sears and Penney's catalogs. Now firms such as Victoria's
Secret define what women want to wear to feel sexy and desirable to
their men. And, according to these sellers, it's the men that are doing
a good deal of the shopping lately, making purchases that replace flowers
or candy for a hot bra/panty set or a sexy see-through teddy!
Who are these lingerie buying women? That's what Anderson Analytics,
A Stamford, Ct marketing research firm, wanted to find out. The results
of their research confirmed some assumptions and contradicted others.
They found that the "average size" (meaning slightly plus size) American
woman feels under served by firms such as Victoria's Secret who cater
to a smaller and younger woman. They also discovered that these same
American women were surprisingly confident about their sexuality and
had no qualms about buying and wearing lingerie. "Career women," however,
were more insecure about their body image that what was assumed. "Apparently,
size has little to do with our image of ourselves, and corporate stress
can have a negative influence on our confidence," the report concluded.
Go to any lingerie store, whether it be a suburban mall or on-line,
and you'll be amazed at the variety of choices. The terms alone can
be overwhelming. So let's do some defining:
- Baby Dolls - These are lacy short gowns that are typically open
in front with a single tie. Most are sheer or semi-sheer. They usually
come with a matching thong.
- Monokinis - This is a one-piece suit with large openings to show
more skin. Swimming is optional.
- Jumpsuits/cat suits- One piece form fitting suit, many with an opening
in front to show skin, sometimes a lot of skin. Usually made of spandex.
- Teddy - One-pieces, like the body suit; teddies are often adorned
with lace and ribbon. A sexier style comes with garters and is worn
with stockings.
- Bustier - A figure forming bra with sides that come down to the
waist. Think Madonna.
- Booty shorts - This hot style is defined by ultra tight spandex
shorts that ride high in the rear. Add a matching mini top and you've
got a booty short set.
- Chain mail- Bra and panty set of linked chain often laced with rhinestones
- and little else (see picture).
Add in g-strings, mini-dresses, chaps, leather wear, and sleek fishnet
hose and you've got a recipe for sexy fun that can infuse spice and
variety into almost anyone's relationship.