Style is the New Black

Natalia Silk Chemise, courtesy of idlewildlondon.com

Doesn’t mean you can’t look glam and be comfy. Eh-hem.

Lingerie, one of my new favorite shopping-splurges, is something I think is kept too hush-hush in the fashion industry for no good reason. In day-to-day life, it’s a topic reserved for besties and boyfriends,  by why does it remain such an under-covered topic in fashion journalism? (It’s made me think about starting a new lingerie blog… thoughts?) Family-friendliness is one issue, but can really only be constrained to bloggers. If you’ve seen the more-than-half-naked women clad in a few pieces of fabric that could be construed as a bikini in any magazine (women’s lifestyle, fashion, sports illustrated, health…!), you know what I’m talking about. Additionally, dominatrix-punk trend hasn’t gone away, especially for fall 2009. So, with all of these sexually provocative images already existing in the media, why not lingerie?

Another reason – Victoria’s Secret. It’s a shame, but they seem to have a monopoly on the industry, especially when it comes to affordable merch.  Their fashion show garners millions of viewers (we’re talkin’ superbowl figures here!) and their catalogs are favorites of men and women alike. Yet, their actual lingerie section is only 5 pages in a catalog that’s 50 pages or more.

Lingerie doesn’t have to be racy. In fact, some of the chemises I’ve seen at Journelle, a quaint lingerie boutique above Union Square in New York, can be worn as summer dresses. I find that it’s this type of store – independently owned and run – that has the best selection (kudos to the buyer for having great taste!) So cheers to comfort, love and staying in on Saturday night.