Every bride wants to look her best at her wedding, and lingerie can help you achieve that, if you know what you’re doing.
The most important thing to know is that you should have two lingerie outfits for the big day: one for under the dress and one for the evening’s escapades. This is because the lingerie that will help you look your best in the dress is not the same as that which helps you look your best out of your dress.
For under the dress, consider shapewear like Spanx. Those are the pieces that are going to nip and tuck and create a smooth silhouette. They’re not necessarily beautiful, but they certainly are effective. When you’re selecting these pieces, keep in mind that your dress may already provide much of the support you need as many dresses now come with built-in corsets and boning. The best thing you can do is bring your dress with you for your lingerie fitting. Then you’ll really know what will work best. And don't forget to leave yourself plenty of time as some special pieces may have to be ordered in.
Then be prepared to change into something svelter for after the wedding. Depending on your preference, this could be a babydoll that skims your curves or a chemise and thong set that accentuates your shape.
One final tip: pick up some Body Tape when you drop by - it's the fashion world's duct tape. It affixes cloth to skin to make sure that you neckline never has a wardrobe malfunction or even cloth to cloth to fix a fallen hem at the last minute. It's a must-have for last minute fixes and for that polished look.
Personalized service at Secret Drawers Lingerie can point out many options for both outfits that will make you look and feel like your best self on a day, and night, you will remember forever.
The bride is always looking for that perfect something for the wedding night. Might we suggest you take a look at Hanky Panky? You have many styles to choose from and today's is the Embroidered Mesh Babydoll with matching g-string.
Of course, the bride is usually looking for white, and this semi-opaque look is happy to oblige, but Hanky Panky kicks it up a notch by also including vibrant pink, floral embroidery. This babydoll flutters down each side of the body in a flattering drape.
Find this new Hanky Panky piece in sizes small-large in store. And don't forget to check out your other wedding essentials like garter belts, stockings, Spanx and other undergarments.
Waiting for the latest in Hanky Panky? Well wait no more, we have a new shipment with new designs and colours to show off. This time there are a plethora of white options keeping brides saying, "I do."
To the right is the Rosalyn chemise. This chemise is in Hanky Panky's signature lace with a scalloped, lace trim, ruffle at the empire waistline and lettuce edging at the neckline. This piece is in ivory and comes complete with a delicate, blue bow at the breastbone. This chemise is in sizes small - large and hits at the mid-thigh.
Of course, we have to have the traditional Hanky Panky thong as well. To the left is the standard Hanky Panky low-rise thong in ivory. As always, this thong is designed to fit and flatter with a v-waistband and no visible panty line.
Also look for new bikini-cut Hanky Panky in ivory.
Some dresses, especially wedding dresses, can be challenging to find undergarments for. We all want a perfect shape without looking like anything is helping us achieve that perfect shape. It's a tall order.
What we normally recommend is a body-shaping garment like our Sveltesse line and a well-fitting bra, strapless, if needed. However, a strapless bra's band sits higher than the average bra, and with a backless dress, this simply won't do.
To get support for the bosom and still allow for a backless gown, a bustier can work. A bustier uses the boning and structure down its length to support the breasts, rather than from straps above.
Secret Drawers Lingerie carries two bustier designs for your needs. To the right is the classic Piege bustier. This gives a seamless look with a hidden underwire and a smooth front.
To the left is a Va Bien design. The Va Bien is highly-detailed with a deep-plunging, sweetheart neckline and a very low back. The garters are removable and it has an adjustable hook-and-eye closure.
Both of these pieces are lovely, but keep in mind, the bust isn't as supported as it would be in a bra, and a bustier can be a less-comfortable option. If you are looking for undergarments for a special occasion, make sure you bring the dress with you to make sure the lines all work together.
We know every man looks good in a well-tailored tux, and the flower in the groom’s lapel matches the bouquet perfectly. It is disappointing though, to see his undergarments chosen with so little thought. Men can look great and be comfortable both in, and out of, their wedding duds.
Men’s underwear design has come a long way since bulky, white cotton and generic elastic. A popular choice of modern materials is now microfiber, with Italian microfiber being of the highest quality. Microfiber hugs the body – no bunches under that tux – and is completely breathable for air circulation on the skin. Look for seamless designs with good stretch that feel like wearing nothing at all.
What to Get?
Briefs aren’t the only option in terms of style. Another popular choice is the boxer brief which is more modern than either the boxer or the brief. A boxer brief has the same waistline as a brief but with added coverage on the hip. A quality product will lay flat on the skin and not ride up. Also available are waistband-free designs for a smooth look and added comfort at the waist.
Get Naked
A long list of attributes to looks for, to be sure, but one company out of Vancouver has gotten it all right: Naked Boxer Brief Clothing. Joel Primus, a filmmaker and model, was inspired to create this new line of men’s underwear after a visit to South America.
After a year of product development, including sourcing of Italian microfiber not then seen in Canada, Naked was born. Sleek and stylish, these underwear are designed to make men feel, well, naked. The Naked brief, or boxer brief, are comfortable everyday wear, but as they come in black or white, they fit the style of a wedding tux perfectly.
Naked underwear can be found at Secret Drawers Lingerie on 5th street in downtown Courtenay. Be sure to get Naked on your wedding night.
At Secret Drawers Lingerie, we're honored to work with brides for their special day. Women of all ages come in wanting something special, so they can look their very best as all eyes in the room fall to them as they walk down the aisle.
Unfortunately, what most brides don't realize is looking great on their wedding day isn't the same thing as looking amazing on their wedding night. Most women would be quite happy to reveal the Va Bien bustier, seen right, on their wedding night, but while beautiful on its own, that might not be the best thing for underneath your wedding dress proper.
The gorgeous plunging neckline, lace and ruffles of the piece look great against skin, but may appear bumpy under fabric. A piece like this often doesn't give a woman the lift and support she needs under a strapless dress either.
Advice to Brides
Our advice, of course, is more lingerie!
Brides are much happier if they focus on two looks: one for the wedding day, and one for the wedding night.
Wedding Day Lingerie
For under the dress, brides should look for well-fitting, supportive lingerie. We recommend a bra-fitting to ensure the perfect fit, keeping in mind that fit in a strapless bra is the key to keeping it, and you, in place. Secret Drawers Lingerie is pleased to provide complimentary professional fittings, but they can be found in other specialty shops too.
In addition to the bra, a product like one from our Sveltesse line, seen left, is ideal. This line of body shapers is the best we've ever seen in smoothing out any body imperfections while invisible under clothes. The model shown left extends from the ribcage, down to the thighs, with not a bump or line in sight. The specially-designed bands around the ribcage and thigh hold them neatly in place so you won't be seen tugging and adjusting uncomfortable underwear on your wedding day. In nude, it's the perfect item for under a tight-fitting dress - and no one will know you have it on!
Wedding Night Lingerie
Once your day look is under control, you can be as naughty, or as nice, as you please at night. The Va Bien bustier, above, is perfectly sinful in black, paired with long silk gloves and stiletto heels. Or, if you prefer, the Hanky Panky dotted tuille thong and garter set, seen right, paired with a lace cami and your bright smile is cute and flirty.
Two looks can keep everything smooth on the wedding day and steamy on the wedding night; because. on this special day, certainly, underwear matters.
Memorial Day is coming up and while for some this means picnics and fireworks, for us at Secret Drawers Lingerie, it means the official emergence* of white lingerie. Just in case you're not a Miss Mannors follower and want to get into your whites early, we thought we'd provide a few tips on wearing white lingerie.
Who wears white?
Lots of people, actually. White is now officially considered a "color" and not a neutral, so many designers use it to make a fashion statement. White lingerie runs the gamut from traditional panties, like those many of us grew up with, to the devastatingly sexy bra and rio brief set in the Menton line by Prima Donna, seen left.
Isn't white just for brides?
White certainly is a bridal favorite, but we get requests for it from many. Peeling away layers of clothing only to reveal the sweet innocence of white underpinnings is seen as very romantic for many.
So, are there any rules for wearing white?
Well, at Secret Drawers Lingerie we don't believe in rules, but if you'd like a couple of suggestions:
White lingerie will show under light-colored clothes. If you're looking to keep things hidden, try a color that's close to your skin tone. Of course, we believe it's perfectly acceptable to show off exquisite lingerie, but we'll leave that up to you.
If you are choosing white for bridal, try a molded cup with a skinny strap like the Twist line by Prima Donna, seen right. The smooth cups will give your breasts the boost you want under your dress with straps that are easy to hide.
While you should always look for a good fit, for whites it's particularly important not to have too tight a fit. White can show lumps and bumps more easily than other colors.
White looks particularly stunning on people with a darker skin-tone. If you're naturally light-skinned, try some self-tanner.
Just remember, whites are no longer just boring, everyday wear, or to be saved for a wedding day. Whites now come with every purpose in mind from nice to naughty, so indulge in a new crisp, clean piece this summer.
* And yes, of course we carry white lingerie year-round. Beautiful accoutrements simply cannot be dictated by the calendar.
