Nanso: Beachwear, Loungewear, Sleepwear, Everywhere

Nanso is a line of relaxed loungewear from Finland that customers young and old have come to love. It feels impeccably smooth and luxurious on, stretching and flowing with your every move, so people are shocked when they find out it's actually fifty percent, or more, wood cellulose. Nanso chooses ash wood or eucalyptus cellulose because these materials are renewable and, combined with a unique spinning technique, produce a product that feels great and maintains its shape wash after wash.

Nanso is serious about environmental responsibility using materials that require fewer chemical treatments and only Fairtrade Cotton.

Of course, these aren't the things that most of our clients notice. Most noticeable are the bold geometric patterns, the true colours, and, of course, the comfort. These are the perfect pieces to take as a cover-up to the beach, to pack for a cruise, or to keep the breezes at bay on a cool summer's night. I'm always finding new ways to wear mine.


Image credits: Nanso Canada

Lingerie Terms - Let's Talk

Are French lingerie terms making your head spin? Ever wonder what the difference is between a corset and a bustier? Maybe you're curious about a boyshort cut panty versus a bikini cut. Not to worry, we've got your top, bottom and your legs covered.

Signs You're Wearing the Wrong Bra

An unbelievable 80 percent of women wear the wrong bra size, estimates Tracy M. Pfeifer, M.D., a board-certified plastic surgeon, and we see them all the time in our Secret Drawers Lingerie store. Women don't know what a bra should look and feel like so they don't know when they have the wrong fit. (Lejaby, left shows a good fit.)

To make matters more complicated, each manufacturer has its own version of sizing so a 36B in one brand does not equal a 36B in another; and a 36B has a smaller cup size than a 38B. Yes, it's a bit confusing, so the best thing to do is to ignore the numbers and just look for the best fit no matter what the number or letter may be.

Tips You're Wearing the Wrong Bra

1. If your band or straps are leaving marks on you, you're in the wrong size. Correctly fitting bras are comfortable, do not rub, and certainly don't leave red marks or indentations on your body.

2. Look at the fit not only from the front, but also from the side. Your breast should not spill over the top of the bra. You might think this looks good until you notice bumps under your t-shirt when looking from the side. If you're looking for va-va-va-voom cleavage, you can get it without wearing the wrong size.

3. The center of the bra and the bottom underwire should be flush against your body. If you see a gap, you run the risk of "uniboob". You can definitely find a better fit.

The fit on this Lejaby model, right, could be better. The center of the bra doesn't rest against her breast bone and she's spilling out of the cups.

4. If the cups pucker or wrinkle you're probably in a cup that's too big. The right size cup fits like a glove - your breast fills it completely without spilling over the top.

5. The back band of a bra should not ride up your back. When you look at your bra from the side there should be a line from the fullest part of your cup to your band that is parallel to the ground.

The Most Important Bra-fitting Tip

If your bra doesn't make you look and feel amazing, it's the wrong one for you. The best way to get a great fit is to visit a specialty shop like ours for a professional fitting. We will guide you through the numbers and letters to the one that works for you.

We'll be providing more bra buying tips in the future, but remember the right bra can make you look smooth, uplifted and even younger, while a bad fit can do the opposite. Bra fit matters.

(Images credits: Lejaby)

Tell Us What You Think and Win Some Hanky Panky

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we understand the importance of our relationship with our clients and we're glad you're here. So to thank you, we're giving away three Hanky Panky thongs.

All you have to do is comment on one of our articles before July 15, 2010, and you'll be entered to win one of our best-selling products and what's known as the most comfortable thong in the world: a Hanky Panky thong.

At Underwear Matters we're going to continue sharing our best lingerie advice, announcing new products and events, and keeping you in touch with lingerie-related news. We hope you'll keep coming back while we show how much underwear matters…

You Are Invited to Sneek a Peek Inside - After Hours

Secret Drawers Lingerie will be hosting a complimentary tasting of Isagenix products with MaryAnne Meredith this Thursday, June 17th, at 7pm.

We will be enjoying samples and having fun amongst the satin and lace. We'll be sampling Isagenix, sharing our experiences and learning more about the benefits of a great nutritional shake.

Come and find out what the secret is about.

You are welcome to bring someone, or just come with your questions. An announcement will be made....

More Hanky Panky Makes its Way into Our Drawers

We don't always know when each new style of Hanky Panky will arrive, but two new designs were delivered this week and we just had to tell you about them.

The first is an unlined bustier-style camisole with stretch tulle inserts and adjustable straps: the Busy Floral Lace and Tulle Cami. While it's true, the center panel is packed with floral colours, we think that this cami is busy because its wearer will become so popular. The slight hourglass shape of the front floral panel combined with semi-transparent black sides accentuate a woman's natural shape, and the stretch cups with adjustable straps will ensure a good fit.

This will work nicely with any black panty or thong you might already have in your drawer. The blue hues in this cami means it's perfect with jeans or to throw a splash of colour under a wispy cotton top.

The next item we brought in to expand our colours for the summer.

An island in southern Italy on the edge of the Bay of Naples inspired the classic Hanky Panky thong in Capri green. As always, this thong is high on the hips with a flattering V waistband, and of course, shows no visible pantie line.

Hanky Panky is one of our most popular lines, so come in to Secret Drawers Lingerie today to make sure the style and size you would like is available. Would you like to see a different colour or style? Let us know. We love to hear your feedback, because as always, underwear matters.

Do underwire bras cause cancer?

At Secret Drawers Lingerie we are happy to answer any question you may have about our products, or about lingerie in general. And so, this is a question we are asked from time to time: Does wearing an underwire or tight-fitting bra increase my risk of cancer?

In short, the answer is no. This is one of the biggest myths surrounding breast cancer and certainly the biggest myth about bras; however, there is no evidence that wearing a bra with an underwire, or a tight-fitting bra increases the risk of breast cancer.

This myth took hold in 1995 with the book Dressed to Kill written by a husband and wife anthropology team. The authors claimed that bras inhibit lymphatic drainage, causing toxins to remain in the breast tissue, and this causes cancer.

As it turns out, almost no part of that idea is true and this statement has widely been debunked in the scientific community. The link between breast cancer and underwires was never scientific and was never published in any journal for peer review. In fact, there is specific evidence to the contrary.

So, what do we say? We say wear your lingerie with pride and ease and wear an underwire anytime you please. 

These women sporting Marie Jo Lingerie would agree. They show not only a gorgeous everyday, underwire look in baby blue (left), but they also show how fashionable and strong an underwire can be for sports (above).

If you have any other questions digging into your back or pinching at your shoulders, let us know in a comment or contact us any time.

Men's Lingerie

When the word "lingerie" appears, what pops into your mind? Probably silk and lace, maybe a thong or garter. You're probably not thinking about men's underwear. But at Secret Drawers Lingerie, we know that men matter too. That's why we carry boxer-briefs by Kim Allan Silk.

It's not always easy to talk a man into silk underwear, but once he tries these, he'll never want anything else. These have lots of room where it counts, but unlike traditional boxers, there's lots of support too. These underwear disappear under jeans and are 100% woven silk. These are the only underwear that the men in my family will wear!

We have carried this line for years because men, and their wives, just keep asking for it. Men too, it seems, are realizing that underwear matters.

Bridal Lingerie

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.