Tomima’s Blog – Lingerie & Underwear Expert

When reading the product reviews our customers write, there are occasional comments about the lace being itchy.  Well, there is a very good explanation for this– and a solution.

Anyone who has done some sewing will tell you that one of the biggest challenges is sewing on a trim.  It requires a lot of planning, pinning, and careful sewing or it will look terrible.  And lace is a particularly difficult trim to sew on well.  It can be slippery and can stretch as you sew it.  It’s also very thin and rather flimsy.  So, one way manufacturers insure that the lace is sewn on efficiently and correctly is to have it treated with a starch or stiffening agent.  This agent can give the lace a rather stiff hand and consequently render it itchy. 

The good news is that all of these agents are water-based and designed to be washed out.  After one or two washings, the lace on your lingerie should take on a much softer hand.

Now, having said all of this, some lace will always be stiff and scratchy.  And this lace is much less expensive.  Therefore, let price-point be your guide when selecting lacy lingerie.  You will pay a little more, but get a much more beautiful and softer lace.

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This month, Leanne Marshall was the Project Runway Winner with her fabulous collection inspired by water elements such as waves, bubbles, soft colors and transparent elements.  As is usually the case, models wear these designs without any undergarments to allow for quick changes and eliminate the chance of any VPL or bra strap slip.  We, however, need to wear undergarments.  So, here’s my pick for what we should be underwearing with this winning design by Marshall.

I picked this bra by LZ because it’s the perfect bra for a woman who wants support, but also wants to wear plunging and/or open necklines.  It’s a great choice when your only other option would be to go braless.

This Spanx slimmer piece was picked for several reasons.  White pants are one of the biggest lingerie challenges because almost anything can be seen through them.  This Spanx piece comes up as high on the waist as these high waisted pants.  This eliminates any extraneous horizontal panty lines.  The control guarantees a smooth line from high-waist to calves, the cotton crotch makes wearing a panty optional, and the leg band gives you a bare foot look that is preferrable when wearing sandals.

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International burlesque star Dita Von Teese now has her name on a collection for Wonderbras, recently launched in Europe. To kick off the line, Ms. Von Teese posed in a giant swinging black sequinned bra in London’s Covent Garden while wearing a peach evening gown and heels.

Her Wonderbra collection of lingerie reflects 1940’s glamor. One of Ms. Teese’s first jobs was in a lingerie store where she performed bra fittings.  Fascinated by lingerie, she started collecting vintage pieces, which became the inspiration for her new line from Wonderbra.

Her Collection includes panties, suspenders (garters), thongs and bras, which Von Teese declares are extremely comfortable.  Unique to some of the bras is the use of a wire along the top of the cup rather than along the bottom.  Some of the panties and bras from this collection also have magnetic clasps for quick release. All items have the retro flair of burlesque and mid-century Hollywood.

Though modeled alluringly by Ms. Teese, the early reviews of the bras are cautionary.  They are beautifully made.  However, the wire along the top of the cup shows through clothes and seems to not fit all women.  The collection is made with heavy embroidery and detailing  Honestly, these items look more like stage costumes.  They are probably best suited to be worn by themselves and not covered with clothing.

 When will the Wonderba Satin Teese Collection from Dita Von Teese hit the USA?  No one is telling yet.

Find other Wonderbra lingerie at HerRoom in these departments:
Bras