New Lingerie for Spring
Thoughtfully made, comfortable bras and underwear worth peeling the layers off for
With warmer weather comes fewer layers, and the increased probability that your undergarments will say hello to the world in some way, shape or form. Freshen up the spring wardrobe by tossing out basics that make you itch, sad or even embarrassed, while investing in comfortable pieces that instill confidence and cheer. Below is a look at independent lingerie-makers who are doing very interesting things without an inkling of lace. There are also plenty of more brainstorming ideas here as well.
Marieyat
Unconventional doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable or audacious. Central Saint Martins grad Marie Yat, through her eponymous line Marieyat, creates non-boring loungewear with cut-outs in all the right places. The modern cotton and silk pieces give off a delicate sensuality—be careful when you look in the mirror, or you just might bewitch yourself. We can’t wait to rock them in the open, like Kelela effortlessly did here at a performance.
Lively
Available starting today, Lively is a new direct-to-consumer brand targeting the big guns (founder and CEO Michelle Cordeiro Grant was a former director and senior merchant at Victoria’s Secret). While a lot of intimates brands sell customers on an idea of who they “should” be, Grant tells CH, Lively is about living comfortably in your own skin. Inspired just as much by activewear and swimwear, Lively tops and bottoms are conspicuously soft—thanks to a blend of nylon and spandex. They’re made in China, where the brand owns their own factory for strict quality control and to make sure their workers are treated fairly. The results are less constant fidgeting and adjusting, more kicking ass at work and play. They’ve made an effort to be accessible in price—bras are a competitive $35, underwear is $10 each and there are further savings when you purchase two or three—and size (32A to 38DD).
Prae
If slinky, couture ballgowns were reborn as lingerie pieces, they would probably look a lot like Prae’s luxe-yet-laid back silk bralettes. Meant to be seen, the collection of halter and racerback silhouettes makes it really, really hard to keep a jacket on—but seriously, you could even throw on a worn-out T-shirt over it and feel like the most elegant guest at dinner. The NYC-made bralettes are available at the Prae webshop, Journelle and more stockists.
Nude Label
Slow fashion advocates Nude Label offers bras, briefs and bodysuits that uphold comfort and functionality. The 93% cotton fabric—plus 7% elastane for stretch and shape recovery—feels as good as natural, with hypoallergenic and nickel-free metal attachments (ie: buckles), and the production is watched like a hawk. The Spanish studio’s dedication to local, ethical manufacturing makes its lingerie worth dancing in.
Images courtesy of respective brands
