Since Elle Macpherson body launched in August there has been a lot of improvements in the styles available. My first impressions of the range weren’t fantastic, mostly the colours weren’t to my taste. Now I see colours they have introduced that haven’t been used much in lingerie before, and I must admit it’s intriguing.
Elle Macpherson Body has kindly sent me the Zest set in the colour shell. The bra is the balconette underwire bra in a 30E and bikini brief in a size small. I did initially try this style in black when it was first launched, but the 30E was far too small. But in the shell it’s quite a good fit for me. Sometimes I find in clothing and lingerie, you can have the same style in multiple colours but the black will always come up a little bit smaller due to the dye process.
The Zest bra is called a balconette, however I would not consider it a true balconette. The general shape is what widely is considered a balconette bra but here the shoulder straps are not connected with the lower half of the cup. The neckline sits somewhere between a plunge and a balconette, it has good coverage and is less revealing than both of those styles in their traditional sense. The cup is made up of 3 parts and has the additional side sling for extra support and projection. The straps on this bra are only partially adjustable, just like the Dash bra I have from this range. It seems to work fairly well for me but I know that some people prefer their bra straps to be fully adjustable. The part of the straps that are adjustable are in a contrasting sage green colour. Even then, part of the straps are purely for decoration as an additional wing of lace is added between the strap and bra band. So the total difference between the shortest and longest length is only 5 cm. The strap width is also on the thin side of what I’m used to wearing. Normally this width would cause a problem for me as I find they can dig in to my shoulders. Surprisingly they don’t dig in at all even after a full days wear. The comfort is due to the elastic being plush on the inside while the top has a smooth satin finish, and that the band actually does its job. This is the firmest 30 band I have come across! I’m hoping that means this bra will have a long life and not stretch out after a few wears. I would say this bra fits more like a 28/29 band which is fantastic news for women looking to find small back sizes that are easily accessible.
The bra itself is made of a beautiful stretch lace backed with a soft mesh. The bra band is partially lined in a double layer of a more durable mesh. The wires are placed perfectly for me and they don’t dig into my armpits. The gore tacks firmly but not so much so that it hurts, it just feels very secure on!
Up close with the inside of the bra.
I do have a bit of over spill on my bigger boob but not so much so that its noticeable. The stretch lace helps accommodate my fluctuating boobs but I do feel that the top edge of the cup is slightly closed off so this may be an issue if you are FOT. All the hardware is in a rose gold tone which just happens to be my all-time favourite! The bra closes with 2 rows and 3 columns of hook and eyes. The bra also features a little grey tassel on the gore. I find this a very sweet touch and I much prefer this to the traditional bow. I really love the contrast of colours on the small aspects of the bra, it keeps with the pastel theme but gives it a sophisticated spin.
There isn’t much to say about the knickers. The small equates to an Australian size 8 to 10. They are made of the same stretch lace which gives them a near seamless appearance under clothes. I would consider them a low-rise style which I normally try to avoid but this style doesn’t cut into my wide hips like other brands do.
The briefs retail for $34.95 and the Bra $59.95. I personally find the products to be well priced considering the quality of materials used and that they launched with a more inclusive size range. If you walk into David Jones or Myer right now, Elle is the most affordable brand doing a selection of fuller bust sizes in fashion styles.
I’m looking forward to the launch of the Elle Macpherson Body website website but I feel like my credit card won’t be…
If you haven’t heard of Hopeless Lingerie before than you’re definitely missing out. Hopeless has gained somewhat of a cult following worldwide, something most independent designers could only dream of. There is a reason many people are screaming their praises, many reasons in fact. It’s one of the few labels making lingerie that ticks nearly every box.
The back of the über cool Dionne Knickers.
When I shop for lingerie I look at price, quality, how ethical the brand is and fit. I also ask myself if it’s different to what’s on the market? Does it look good? Will it work well with my clothes? Am I going to wear it more than once? Last but not least, is it convenient for me to purchase? It’s a lot of things to consider and many brands don’t make it past 3 ticked boxes. For me hopeless ticks almost all the boxes. It’s handmade in Melbourne so it ticks the ethical box. The price is fantastic seeing as each item is made in Australia, from that alone I would expect the prices to be double like most independent brands. It is very different to what’s on the market up until recently when their designs were copied. Hopeless is not one to follow the crowd, they set the trends. I find their undies über comfortable and the fit is always spot on thanks to their detailed size charts and recommendations. Hopeless lingerie is easy to care for and has lasted many washes and wears. This lingerie is deigned to work under your everyday clothes but also the design is there that if you wanted to show it, it leaves an impression on whoever sees it.
The back of the Alex top from the Classics collection. The quality of the sewing is always impeccable.
There is a wait time between ordering and when the lingerie will be in your hands. On average it’s 6 weeks but sometimes it feels like more! I personally don’t have an issue with waiting, it builds the anticipation to the level of a 5-year-old on Christmas Day. If you hate Christmas then you can purchase a select few items from The Passionfruit Shop in Melbourne or on their website! My only disappointment when it comes to this brand is the bras. As much as I like them aesthetically, the practicality of them gives me the shits sometimes. I find the halter style bras unhooks itself at the neck during the day. It’s not the worst thing in the world but it is annoying. I’m not sure why this happens, perhaps the weight of my boobs is not great for that design. It might be due to the type of hardware that is used. Most of the designs I have from Hopeless use a swan hook in the bras and harnesses. I haven’t really had a problem with a swan hook before but the ones hopeless use are very thin so don’t grip the elastic as well. They are very comfortable and not bulky at all under clothing but I find it compromises the wearability of some items. Also I would love to see them introduce wired bras. I know they are a whole different level of expense and difficulty to produce but this is always the reason I hold back from buying more. I love to have matching sets and with hopeless it’s easy to mix and match. I would defiantly buy more from them if they had the option of an underwire black mesh bra that would go with all the mesh undies in the range.
The swan hooks that are used.
They have quite an extensive size range XXS-XXL and if you want something made to your exact measurements they do offer that service at an additional price. I’ve done this before for a bralette and it did make an improvement on the wearability of it, but for me, it can’t replace wearing an underwire bra. It’s nice to have the option, but there sometimes is a reason why items aren’t made in all sizes.
For me, Hopeless is all about the undies.
I do have a favourite out of the Hopeless items I own and its may surprise you. It’s the Sabrina thong in bamboo. Words can’t adequately describe how comfortable this thong is! It goes past forgetting that I’m wearing anything at all. I could never forget I’m wearing the Sabrina thong because I have never had undies (especially a thong) that comfortable! There is a reason that they are available in a 3 pack, because once you’ve tried it you’ll want more! At $38 AUD each, it isn’t an unreasonable price to pay for a little slice of comfort. Or save yourself a few dollars and get the 3 pack at $105 AUD. If thongs aren’t your thing, go check out the rest of the range as there is something for everyone. High rise, low-rise, full coverage, cutouts, harness knickers, prints, colours, mesh and sometimes lace.
High rise, high cut.
What do you think of Hopeless? Have you purchased from them before? If not what holds you back? Let me know in the comments!
Simone Perele is a name that everyone knows in the lingerie industry. Not because of daring new designs, or big budget advertising campaigns, it’s because they have been quietly doing their thing for over 60 years.
This family run business started in 1948 and its brand aim was to combine comfort and beauty. This international brand has gone from strength to strength and is a staple in all good department stores and lingerie boutiques the world over. So much so that it is said to sell an Andora bra every minute somewhere in the world!
The key to its success is that this lingerie is for the everyday woman, someone who is focused on well-fitting garments that work seamlessly under clothing. While this may be lingerie you can wear everyday, it is by no means boring. My first impression of this brand was exactly that, too beige and too many t-shirt bras for my liking. It’s unfortunate that I held onto that impression for such a long time because I was missing out. When I first found Simone Perele, it was in a David Jones. At this stage it was not a concession so it didn’t have control of what products were being ordered and there was less focus on adequate staffing. It had a presence there (it’s the only lingerie concession in all David Jones stores) but no soul. I have been aware of the brand but never tried. Simone Perele is missing from many lingerie addicts wardrobes, it’s often overlooked. I was surprised that some of my friends live in Simone Perele and know nothing/ have no interest in lingerie. I was so surprised in fact that I thought I had better try myself.
Luckily I was given the chance through my work to attend a brand awareness workshop as part of the companies move into concession in David Jones. It was great to learn about the different products and size ranges, as well as the history of the brand. I was able to try on a few different styles of bras before I was able to choose which one would be coming home with me. In Simone Perele I take an 8E as that is the smallest back size they do. They also only do single letter cup sizes so it’s best to go into your local David Jones or lingerie boutique that stocks SP and to get fitted properly as your size may vary from other brands. This session was also about getting fitted properly but I ruined their fun by knowing my size straight away! It worth noting that my bra size fluctuates quite a bit so I ordered this in a size that would fit me on my smaller days.
You can see how the details and contrasting materials really stand out, even on a muted colour like Anthracite.
The bra I decided on in the end was the Amour 3D plunge in the colour Anthracite. The main reason I chose this bra is because it was one of the few available in my size and it was the only one in that size that a suspender was part of the collection. I was very tempted by the new strapless bra. It was the most comfortable strapless bra I’ve ever tried, but my mind was set on the Amour. So you may be wondering what 3D means? Well while this bra looks like a moulded cup, it isn’t. The cup is made of two pieces of spacer foam that have been sewn together. The result of using this method and fabric type is a super lightweight bra, breathable fabric (essential to avoid sweaty summer boobs in Australia), and enough coverage to avoid nipple situations without adding bulk. To pretty up this bra, they have used leavers lace on the outer sides of the cups. The reason for placing the lace in this position is so the function of the t-shirt bra is not compromised, it still keeps its smooth line under clothes, but it adds that feminine detail SP is known for and is the point of difference between the many t-shirt bras on the market.
Branding done right, Subtle SP next to the hook and eyes.
In the 8E the bra closes at the back with 3 columns and 2 rows of hook and eyes. The back of the bra is made of a microfiber material so it keeps everything smooth. This is the only time I’ve ever really liked only having 2 rows of hook and eyes. It just helps keep everything seamless while still having enough support. I think this bra will stretch out more than speciality fuller bust bras that I own, but that is to be expected as SP mainly focuses on core sizes with a few extensions on both sides of the spectrum. The Amour 3D spaces comes in sizes 8D-F, 10B-F, 12B-F, 14B-E, 16B-E, and 18B-D. Generally they do 8-20 back sizes and A-H but not all sizes are available in each range/style.
This bra is so comfortable to wear I can’t even put it into words! The wires are perfect, not too high not too wide, but I did notice there is a bit of a gap in the casing where the wire ends. It is about a fingers width and a bit. I didn’t actually notice this till after a couple of wears and inspections. It actually has made no difference to me while wearing the bra I just thought of it as something quite odd. The bra straps are only half adjustable but I have found them quite a good length for me personally. The front of the bra has the double feature straps which give a delicate edge in contrast to the quite serious colour without compromising on support.
These are some seriously comfortable and pretty undies! Seamless doesnt always equal plain and ugly.
The suspender and boy shorts I purchased in a size 10 with my own money to complete the set and I couldn’t be happier with them. The undies so so comfortable and perfectly seamless, and the suspender actually does an OK job for holding up stockings even with only 4 straps. The ribbed elastic helps stops the coated metal sliders from sliding down while wearing stockings. The main part of the suspender is made of the same microfiber material as the back of the bra so it is seamless under clothes and does not irritate the skin at all. For a suspender that is from a mainstream lingerie company that does not specialise in those items, I’m quite impressed with the quality of it. This will not replace my retro heavy-duty suspenders but it’s just nice to have a full set that is seamless, practical and comfortable.
So what did I learn from this session? Basically not to knock something before you try it.
A couple of weeks ago I found myself 30 minutes early for an appointment. I decided to take a look around at the local shops and what do you know, there was a lingerie store! It took me two walk by’s to pluck up the courage to go in. It was messy, it was busy and I loved it. I hate walking into somewhere that is like a museum, it’s too quiet and neat for me and puts me on edge. The best thing about actually going into a boutique is trying stuff on you never have the chance to! I was finally able to try a 28 band and after that, everything else I tried on felt too big.
Andorra in all her glory seen here with What Katie Did tap pants.
The bra I ended up buying was the Panache Andorra in black. Unfortunately there were no matching knickers but I thought ‘whatever it’s black it will go with a lot!’ To be honest it’s not my favourite looking bra, it leans more towards grandma than chic. I think I only brought it because I was excited to find a 28 band and to support a local boutique however minor the purchase was.
Decent sized sling for a 28ff
There isn’t a lot to be said about this bra that hasn’t been said before. It’s great if you fluctuate between sizes because it’s made of stretch lace. It gives a good shape thanks to the substantial side sling it just kind of pushes everything forward. The cups are made up of 3 parts. The bottom two parts have the stretch lace over a rigid mesh and the top part is just the stretch lace. The bra closes with 2 rows and 3 columns of hook and eyes in this size but goes up to 3 rows in the larger cup sizes. I personally prefer 3 rows of hook and eyes, I just feel more secure and I feel that it looks smoother under clothing so wish that it was 3 rows for all sizes.
The back view of Andorra and it’s fully adjustable straps.
The gore tacks firmly and comes up quite high at 3 inches. That is to be expected for a full cup bra but it is the highest I have and took a little bit of getting used to. I have this in a 28ff and I’m unsure if it’s my right size or if I’m just not suited to a full cup. On my bigger boob it fits really well but on my small boob I don’t fill out the lace at the top AT ALL. Might be because it goes boob, then bone. Like 0 top fullness. The boutique that I was at is discontinuing stocking Panache so I couldn’t try on many sizes to compare.
I’ve had this bra for a while now, and I’m surprised how much I’ve actually worn it. I do have a lot of lingerie to choose from on a daily basis so I’ve surprised myself when I’m constantly reaching for the Panache Andorra bra. A lot of my love for this bra lies in its firm band and its stretch lace. It’s also the only full cup bra I own. I’d never considered buying from Panache before I walked into that little boutique. I thought it wasn’t for me, too old and not fashion forward enough. I’m happy to report that I was very wrong in thinking it wasn’t for me. I’m now planning on buying another style from them, but hopefully this time with matching bottoms!
Has anyone else changed their mind about a bra after getting to try it on? If you find the perfect fit, will you compromise on style?
It been over two years since Elle’s name disappeared from our favourite lingerie line. Replaced by Heidi Klum’s, the lingerie was pretty much the same but I personally felt it has lost some of its grandeur. A few days ago as I was doing my weekly rounds at the shops a spotted the familiar name. But what it was attached to was a far cry from what I was expecting.
It’s all about the laid back Aussie spirit for the campaign.
Elle Macpherson body is now manufactured by Simon De Winter which also does Fine Lines and Kayser. This might explain the difference in overall style. With Bendon group I tend to think girly, lace and colour. Simon De Winter is more seamless underwear, practical and dare I say a bit boring to me. The change in style may also be to set a point of difference with its now competitor Heidi Klum. The styles of underwear that I have seen from this new collection, hasn’t stolen my heart. I don’t need any of it in my life unless I require a seamless t-shirt bra and all the rest of mine have caught fire. Although it’s not my style, I do see why Elle Macpherson Body has chosen to go in this direction. Athleisure is at its most popular and this style of lingerie fits right into that aesthetic.
This is a few of the product shots from the new range.
The range so far consists of Bodysuits, T-shirt bras, plunge bras, balconette bras, triangle bras, crop tops, thongs, G-strings, high-cut briefs, bikini, tanga and hip huggers also known as boy shorts. There are a lot of terms thrown around like “micro” and “basic” and something called “knicker program” which I guess is their way of saying you can mix and match me with any bra. From the few news article about, it seems there may be an extension into men’s, sleepwear, gym gear as well as the traditional silk slips.
At this stage there does not seem to be a website for the brand. You can purchase from Myer and David Jones and apparently Net-A-Porter but I have failed to find the product on there as yet. From what I’ve seen, the quality looks good for the price and I do like a lot of the cuts and fabrics. Mostly I feel it’s the colours letting this collection down and the one print I’ve seen is terrible.
Change room selfie of one of the promising styles ‘Edge’.
I did find one bra that I liked but unfortunately there are no matching knickers available as yet. I purchased it anyway as I had a $20 voucher to use and I thought I might as well try something new. I’m glad I had the chance to try it on because the sizing comes up small in the Dash bra. I first tried on a 30E but had way too much spillage. So I have taken home the 30F and its fits fairly well. The gore is a good height and the wires don’t dig into my underarms. There is a bit of gaping on my smaller boob but nothing that a random cushion won’t fix. Not sure what the complete size range is but the Dash bra is called a fuller bust bra but I was only able to find it available up to an F cup and starting at a 30 band to a 38. This was one of the more expensive bras in the range sitting at $79.95 which is $10 more than the dash plunge boost bra that is available in core sizes. You can tell that this isn’t really engineered to be for a fuller bust. The detail in the middle is a gold O ring that gets completely squashed by my boobs. The straps are quite thin and there is basically no adjustability of the shoulder straps. I’m fairly tall and I have them adjusted as short as they can be. This is an area the design team really need to look into. It would be a great everyday bra if they fixed the 2 issues with the straps. I also tried the Zest soft cup bra. This style also comes up small and has a minimising effect on my breasts but for some reason I don’t think that was the intention with this style.
You can see the rose gold O detail can’t lay flush against the Dash bra. Love that the lace continues on the back of the band but those bra straps just don’t adjust enough!
First impressions are important and I’m not sure Elle Macpherson Body has quite hit the mark. It is still a very young brand so it has lots of time to develop and grow. It does have an edge over its competitors with worldwide connections and years of experience from its creators. I guess only time will tell how successful Elle will be second time round.
Have you seen Elle’s new Lingerie or tried it for yourself? Let me know your thoughts!
This is a set it took me awhile to buy. I’m not sure why exactly as it had been high on my wishlist. This was going to be a cheaper better fitting version of Bordelle, a bra that I show off to the world in sheer tops and low back dresses. I finally decided to bite the bullet and ordered this set off ASOS when it went on sale. I purchased the bra in a 32E and briefs in a size 8 AU. I really wanted the matching suspender but decided against it as I thought it wouldn’t be firm enough to stay in place all day. The bra cost £22 and the briefs £11.
Its all about the back details with this set.
When it arrived I knew immediately I had ordered the wrong size in the bra. The cups looked huge. I had spent 2 days trying to decide what size to order and I picked the wrong one! I did actually wear the 32E for a day and the fit was ok it was more just aesthetically I didn’t like the look of the wrinkly cups. So back to ASOS I went and ordered the 32dd. The new size fitted a lot better but there is still a little bit of wrinkle action happening on my smaller boob. This will always be an issue to some degree for most people as everyone has varying severity’s of asymmetry.
Both cups seem to wrinkle a bit as I was moving around. The cups fit me but i don’t have much upper fullness.
Bluebella MORE has a size range starting at 32DD-38G and 8-18 in bottoms. While this is an impressive size range for their first foray into the fuller bust market, I wish they had included at least a 30 band and what would be even better is a 28 and 40. I understand why they haven’t/cant but that doesn’t stop me wanting! The 32DD fits OK. The extra strappy details that give this bra it’s appeal, hold it in place well compared to just a normal two strap bra of the same band size. The network of straps stops the band from sliding up a great deal throughout the day and the 3 rows and 3 columns of hooks and eyes makes it feel secure but not bulky. While the band on this is too big for me to be really supportive the weight is spread evenly across the 8 small shoulder elastics that replace the traditional thicker two. The weight is distributed without adding too much pressure to one particular spot. It helps that it looks pretty cool as well and that is its main function, to be a fashionable bra. The cups are made up of 3 parts with two layers of mesh. While this styles gives a gentle lift and shape it is overall let down by the quality of the finishes. There are a few loose threads on the bra and knickers as well as the gold O detail that has been sewn on crooked. This is an issue that can occur when the attention to detail isn’t extremely high. The cost of this bra is fairly reasonable and it would be unfair to expect perfection from a product that costs the same as my dinner. There is nothing functionally wrong with the bra but it does bring into question the longevity of each item.
I have found the Asteria knickers true to size and extremely comfortable. I expected the elastics to dig into my hips more but they seem to be pretty much perfect. I was surprised that I didn’t have any VPL while wearing these knickers with jeans. Usually the edge of briefs tend to be quite bulky and firm and that’s why I mostly go for a thong when available, but these briefs are quite the opposite. I even forget that I’m wearing them and that can’t be said for a lot of briefs that are part of a matching set.
All smooth back here.
I was drawn to this collection because of the design without even realising that it was for the fuller bust market. I’m not sure how many other potential customer have just assumed by looking at the imagery provide by Bluebella that this is just for core sizes. While I do hope they continue with the MORE range I also hope to see a few improvements. Size expansions are very important as is appropriate campaign imagery to sell the range and set it apart from their core collection. I feel like everything is almost right with this set it just needs some fine tuning.
Waking up with Venus is a brand I’m relatively new to. I stumbled across them on Instagram and have been an avid follower ever since. A few days into stalking their page they posted a new set available to purchase. This little number is called Dotty. What drew me to Dotty in particular was the style of bottoms and the unusual print. I’m not usually big on prints in lingerie I think this may be one of three in my collection!
It took about a month for this to be made by hand and shipped from the UK to Australia which is below the expected time frame stated on the website. When it arrived it was wrapped beautifully in individual white boxes that made me feel like I was opening up Christmas presents. I was so excited to open them that I forgot to take a picture! There was also a hand written note from the designer which is always a nice touch.
With this brand when you order you leave your measurements and bra size at checkout so each item is made just for you. I was a little bit hesitant to order this in my actual bra size purely because when I have done this with other brands they have come up small. So I said I was a 30F and I think the size is pretty much spot on as I prefer more coverage rather than less.
The bralette features a cut out in the centre where the wires would usually sit as well as a large white bow on top. The bra straps are fully adjustable and don’t budge throughout the day. The bra closes at the back with a single gold hook.This set is made from Lycra and for this reason it reminds me a lot of swimwear. Maybe I’ll try this set in the pool when summer comes along. The bralette is unlined but all the sewing and seams seem very accurate and neat and cause no irritation. It’s a bit of an understatement to say that I’m happy with the fit of the bralette. I’m excited to now have one I can wear regularly that’s supportive enough.
Close up of the unlined cups and back fastening.
The same elastic is used on the top and bottoms and while I found the bra to be supportive and comfortable, the bottoms began to irate me later in the day. The elastic around my waist and hips started to rub even when at the loosest and the gold O rings that join the fabric to the elastic, started to dig in. I did wear this under very tight jeans and think this may have added to the irritation as I wrote it for 14hrs. I hate being even slightly negative in reviews because I want all these brands to do well. It’s more telling of my bad shopping and not looking for these thing in the first place and not wearing the right lingerie at the right time. I’m thinking the elastic will soften up the more I wash and wear it.
The open sides of the briefs are an unusual feature but I must say I really enjoy the almost naked feel to it. I knew they wouldn’t be the most practical but they have stayed in place with minimal gaping throughout daily the day. They also feature a matching cut out that mirrors the cut out on the bra. There is also another large white bow on the knickers and my feelings on this particular feature are undecided. Fit wise they are spot on except the gusset which is 1/2 cm too wide for me but that is a very minor issue.
This is about the full extent of the gaping.
Overall I am very impressed with my first purchase from WUWV. This set cost £40 plus £10 for postage. I think the price points are fantastic and make this a very accessible brand. Supporting small businesses is something I am trying to do more of and with WUWV making such cool and wallet friendly lingerie, it is something I will be doing more of very soon. I’m looking at you Jazz set.
If I had to choose only one piece of lingerie to wear for the rest of my life it would be a suspender belt and stockings (they count as one because you can’t have one without the other). Screw the undies and burn that bra because today’s post is all about the so-called extras.
So I’ve tried a fair few stockings and I’ve found some I love and some I hate. When I first started getting into lingerie I was looking for stockings everywhere and all I could find were stay-ups. So here is a rough guide of where to shop for some stocking!
Cheap stockings/ for beginners
H&M
This was the first place I found any wearable stockings that weren’t ridiculously priced. I managed to find a few pairs of their sheer 20 denier stockings in black. They retail for around AUD $6. They feel soft on the skin and have a nice sized welt (not too big not too small) but as you would expect they do not have a reinforced heel or toe and wear through quite quick for that reason. Apart from that I have found they wash well and I’ve hardly had any pulls or runs. Made in Italy.
Gabriella
I found this brand on stockingshq.com when I was looking for plain stockings for work. They started off well but after a few wears I found the material started to pill. They are a good starter stocking if you don’t want to commit to more expensive stockings yet. I’ve tried the Cher sheer stockings from them and they have a thin reinforced toe and wear OK considering the price of $5 but wouldn’t give them a life span of more than 5 wears. Made in Poland.
Silky
These are the cheapest stockings I’ve found also from stockingshq.com. I have the knit 100% stretch nylon stockings and the quality reflects the price. They feel weird to wear and they also come in one size fits all which only 1% of the population may fit. They are a British brand and have a reinforced toe but I avoid wearing them if I have any other choice. I have one of the varieties of the nude colours and it just doesn’t work for me. I would suggest trying the black if you were keen on these. It’s worth a try at only $2 it’s not a huge financial investment. Made in the UK as far as I’m aware.
What you can find in Department stores (Australia)
Collette Dinnigan
The well know Australian designer has ventured in to stockings and they aren’t half bad. They retail from $20-$30. They have hold ups and stay-ups but only in black and white. It’s called a bridal and boudoir collection so they have little lux details like bows at the top of the back seam and pearl details on the heel. So not super practical as I’ve had all those little extra fall off after one wear. If you are in the market for a one time wear pair of luxury stockings then I highly recommend as they feel amazing on and definitely have those designer touches. Made in Italy.
Voodoo
The particular stockings I’m referring to are the hard to find undercover back-seam stockings. They come in 2 colours and 2 sizes and are always sold out when I go to get more! The retail price is $16.95 which I think is good considering they are some of the most durable and fashionable stockings I’ve come across. Made in Taiwan.
Levante
The Levante Vanessa stocking are the most widely found in Australian department store. They feature a reinforced toe and a patterned under welt. They come in 3 sizes and 3 colours that I’m aware of. These are great for everyday wear as they are soft and comfortable yet not overly delicate. I only ever wear the black in this style as the ‘natural’ looks anything but on my skin. They sell for $13.95 and are made in Italy.
Jonathan Aston
I’m only new to trying the vintage legs back seam and heel stockings from this brand. They are a reasonable price, probably the cheapest back seam style you will find in an actual store. They retail for $14.95 and their lifespan is reasonable. I found these ones got pulls in them easier than the Voodoo style. The pulls didn’t turn into runs so were still wearable for a long time after that. The back-seam in these are quite thin which is a detail that sets them apart in the stretch vintage style stockings department. Made in Italy.
Lingerie brands
Agent Provocateur
They have mixed reviews on their stockings but all the ones I’ve tried I love. The Astra seam and heel stretch stockings are a firm favourite of mine as are the Diablo. The prices are very high in the region of $50-$60. Cost per wear it works out OK as mine have lasted very well. The do get little pulls in them but they haven’t turned into ladders. The heel and toes are reinforced really well and haven’t had any issues with that. They have a variety of styles from stay-ups, hold-ups, silk and fashion focused colours and prints. Some of their stockings go on sale twice a year so it’s worth grabbing a pair then as they usually come down to $30. Most of their old stockings are made in France but new ones are made in Austria.
Honey Birdette
The red retro heart stockings have a very thin welt.
I first discovered Honey Birdette because I was looking for stockings and this was one of the search results in google. Their stockings are OK. I find the colour fades fast and that holes appear in the toes after a few wears. I have some of their stockings that have a very thick welt which make them hard to attach the suspender to and give me sausage leg. But then there are stockings that have a very short welt and find they are great to wear under shorter skirts with a sturdy suspender. They sell for $29.95 normally but in the sale there are always some for $15. They are 20 denier normally and have the vintage style back seam. They only come in 2 sizes, average and tall. Their stockings are made in Taiwan.
What Katie Did
If you are looking vintage style stockings, What Katie Did is the place to go. They have retro seamed stockings and also contrast seamed stockings in 15 denier. They come in two sizes and a few different contrast colour options. Prices start at just $13 and go up to $37.50 for the contrast Cuban heel fully fashioned stockings. The quality is fantastic as is the price per wear! Most of their stockings are made in Italy and the Fully Fashioned stockings are made in England.
L’agent
The little sister to Agent Provocateur and their stockings collection reflects that. They have less styles available but at a lower price. Their 20 denier seam and heel stretch stockings retail for around $35. They have 3 sizes available and the stockings I have of theirs are made in Taiwan.
Nylon Stockings
Cevrin
A well know stocking brand famous for its Bicolore stockings . They are also known for being super delicate but with nylon RHT and FF stockings it is to be expected. I find the stockings very comfortable and a good way to break up the routine of wearing plain black stockings. They are at the pricier end of the scale starting from $25 and up to $65 for the silk stockings. Made in France.
Dita for Secrets in Lace
The daytime sheer stockings are an all-time favourite of mine. When I first received them they looked so small in the packet I thought they would never fit me! They have a lot of stretch but still maintain the look and feel of nylon stockings as they are 100% nylon. I’ve worn and washed these stockings more than I can count and only now are they starting to die. They do have a reinforced toe but it’s starting to give way now. They are around $18 a pair for the daytime sheer and go up to $50 for the Dita glamour French heel. These stockings are made in the EU.
Eleganti
These stockings are too long for me so I fold down the welt.
This is a brand that specialises in nylon stockings and are made on the original machines from the 1950’s. All are made from 100% nylon with no stretch. Prices can start from $16 for the imperfect plain nylons and go up to $50 for the perfect Fully Fashioned contrast seam stockings. One mistake I always make with this brand is ordering too big! I look at the size chart and go ‘yer I’m that tall I’ll have them’. But when they arrive they are too big around my legs and foot as the foot is shaped. With these I suggest doing a trial buy with 2 sizes in a cheaper range so you can get the sizing right. You need to look at your height, weight, foot size but then also if you have a longer torso or legs that can change what size you need to order. For example all my height is made up from my long torso and I can size down in the stockings because my legs are shorter. All Eleganti stockings are made in England.
Clio
The stockings I have tried from Clio are their Bas Prestige non-stretch RHT stockings. I purchased them through stockings.hq for just under $12. They come in five colours and 5 sizes and are made in France. I have mine in the colour Vison and it works well with my skin. They also do stretch stockings. Made in France.
A great British brand that many lingerie addicts are familiar with. They offer a range of styles and are more fashion focused are not ridiculously expensive. Prices start from $14.
This is a good brand if you are experimenting with nylon stockings. They still contain stretch but they feel more authentic than others brands on the market. The only down side is they only come in 2 sizes and I’ve found they shrink after washing. They also have a very thick welt. They are another brand that has a very thin back seam and interesting heel details. Prices start from $10 and the stockings are made in Italy but it is a Polish brand.
This is a brand I tried only once as managed to rip my stockings on the first wear. I had the sheer matt stocking 15 denier in the sun colour. This was the only stocking I found that matched my skin! They come in a range of skin tones but only 3 sizes. These were really soft to wear, I need to buy more and at only $12 I don’t need to save too much to restock. Made in Italy and found on stockingshq.com.
Ambra
The Ambra Opaque no-show stay ups are a winter favourite. They are 70 denier and Hypoallergenic so good for people with sensitive skin. I find they don’t dig in like some stay ups do and if you wanted to attach a suspender to them just in case (like I do sometimes) the material is thin enough that you can. This style come sin 3 sizes and retails for $13.95. They are well worth the money, I haven’t had to replace a pair yet after 2 years of winter wear. These can be found at David Jones. Made in China.
If you are looking for retro seamed stockings try…
This review is long overdue. I’ve only had a blog for a month but I’ve been dying to tell anyone who cares how amazing this suspender is for over a year! I first came across this brand thanks to The Nylon Swish. I’m obsessed with her blog and shop but when I saw her wearing one of Coco’s belt I knew I had to have one too!
I ordered the Y-strap suspender belt in a size small via Etsy and I received it sooner than I was expecting for something that is made per order. I think I paid around $90 at the time for the item and postage. I know that seems expensive for a suspender belt but it’s truly worth it. You have to remember that it’s handmade by one Woman (Goga) in Croatia with the best materials.
Extreme close up of those Y-straps.
The fit of this belt is perfect. Even after a year of wearing this at least once a week, it still fits almost as it did on the first wear. It has stretched out a tiny bit but that is the nature of elastic when it’s washed and worn. It is made up with 7 panels so it gives a really good fit and closes with 3 rows and 2 columns of hooks and eyes so it feels very secure on. All of the metal teeth on the suspender straps are still in perfect condition as are the cloth backs of the clips. Also when I wear this there are no itchy spots! Sometimes I find a tag can irate me or the stitching on the seams rub but it has never happened once with Coco’s products! I sometimes forget that I am wearing this suspender because it is so comfortable and I never have to adjust it.
What I call metal teeth. So much better than sliders, they don’t move an inch!
The one thing I must warm you about is just the general style. If you are used to modern lingerie, this may not be the perfect suspender for you. It is near impossible to wear your normal low-rise undies over this belt. You can wear them under but it’s less practical. If you wear taps pants or high-waisted underwear or none at all, then this will work well. Feels a tad obvious to say but it ain’t called ‘Retro’ for nothing.
For the purpose of this review, I am wearing the suspender over the knickers so you can see more of it.
This suspender (along with the rest of them from Coco’s Retro Closet) gives me a great streamlined shape and really hugs your curves without cutting in. It has just the right amount of depth and strap adjust-ability from 11” to 12.5” with the strap’s at the longest. This style in particular will show up under really tight clothing mostly because of the Y suspender straps but also because of the thickness of those straps. They measure 6/8” which isn’t the thickest I’ve come and is fairly standard in retro lingerie but it’s definitely more substantial than what you can find in your average stores.
The shape of the suspender from the back. As you can see I’m wearing it at its tightest.
This style is available in a great range of sizes from XS (20”-23” waist) up to 4XL (50.5”-55” waist).
Prices do vary between sizes. Starting price is $65 and goes up to $73 Aud + postage.
Overall this is one of the best pieces of lingerie I own and I think my cost per wear must be below $1 by now. I highly recommend you check out Goga’s shop yourself as there are a variety of options of styles, colours and straps available!
Suspender worn with lingerie from JPG for Target and Voodoo backseam stockings. All products have been purchased with my own money and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lace and Haze 