Dita Von Teese’s New Lingerie Line is Affordable ’50s Glamour

If we could channel any woman in the boudoir, it would be Dita Von Teese. Even when she’s just in her underthings, she epitomizes grace and glamour, while still being mercilessly sexy. The burlesque star has just unveiled her latest lingerie collection, a modern reincarnation of styles from the 1950′s, and it has us considering investing in vintage-inspired undergarments more than ever before.

As tends to be the case with dedicates, the beauty is in the details, from the flawless lace and trims, to the fishnets. Dita describes the designs as”accessible glamour,” with prices running from $40 for a lacey thong to $300 for a bodycon slip dress. The line includes corsets, torsolettes, chemises, balconette bras, garters, suspenders, and all that jazz.

It’s taken us too long to take the plunge into neo-vintage sexy lingerie thanks to the convenience of fast fashion. $18 for a bra and panty set? Don’t mind if we do — although we probably should. These pieces often begin to unravel at their first wear, and far too often walk a fine line between alluring and trashy, but it’s hard to argue with the wallet-friendly economics. This is why Dita’s eponymous collection has piqued our interest, the prices are within reach, and it was made at the hands of our favorite modern day pin-up goddess. A no-brainer, indeed.

The collection just launched on Bloomingdales.com and will roll out at Bloomingdales’ brick and mortar locations on March 15th.

The Revolution Will Not Be Screen-Printed on a Thong

On the heels of Jezebel’s splashy hunt for unretouched photos from Lena Dunham’s Vogue photo shoot — and coinciding with the tenth anniversary of Dove’s “Real Beauty” ad campaign — American Eagle underwear line Aerie unveiled “Aerie Real,” an ad campaign featuring unretouched photos and “no supermodels.” Hailed as “revolutionary,” the ads announce, “The girl in this photo has not been retouched. The real you is sexy.” With colorful undergarments marketed at women ages 15 to 21, Aerie seems to be casting itself as the anti-Victoria’s Secret— the Jezebel to Victoria’s Vogue.

Promoting body acceptance is, at this point, a tried-and-true genre of advertising, but “real woman” ads nevertheless send me into a self-doubting spiral every time I see them. Stage One, playing into their hands: Real bodies! So beautiful! Stage Two, eye-rolling: Why do I need a sexy lingerie corporation to affirm the “real me”? Am I supposed to be weeping for joy right now, like all these women who didn’t know they were beautiful until a soap brand (phonily) told them so? Stage Three, backlash-to-the-backlash: But attainable beauty standards are better than unattainable ones, right? If feminist messages sell mall merchandise, that means we’re winning. Stage Four, eyes rolling all the way around: Even if it’s pro-woman, it’s still patronizing.

Aerie, Dove, and their ilk are still catering to female insecurity; they’re just doing it in a feel-good way instead of an anxiety-inducing one. Like all “lifestyle brands,” they’re still in the business of selling women better versions of themselves; in this case, they're just presenting a slightly more modern ideal than Victoria’s Secret. The “real” you is confidently sexy, even in her undies with the lights on. She’s bigger than a size two, but has no cellulite whatsoever. When she gains weight, her shape maintains an optimal waist-hip ratio. Her skin is "flawless" and she has no blemishes — probably because she’s a professional model. Amber Tolliver, the plus-size star of one of Aerie’s ads, was discovered at age 15 at an open call for Ford Models.

Lorna Drew Wins Prima Baby’s Gold Award for Maternity Lingerie

The Prima Baby Awards named Lorna Drew as the winner of their Gold Award for best maternity lingerie for 2014. Highly regarded within the industry, The Prima Baby Awards – judged by a team of both parenting experts and real-life mums and dads – are designed to identify and reward the very best products on the market for parents and parents-to-be today.

Lorna Drew submitted her hugely popular Alexa design, in both the ice blue and bold animal print colourways, which was tested from a practical and personal perspective.

The luxurious silky soft satin Alexa bra/brief set is perfect for pre and post pregnancy. The bra provides a flattering shape and lift whist the Brazilian cut briefs add a fashion edge. Smooth elastic strapping frames the bust whilst gold adjusters add a finishing touch. All Lorna Drew bras are 100% cotton, for added comfort.

Every Lorna Drew bra/brief set has a lower neckline, slimmer straps and briefs that fit discreetly under the bump, for a flattering and highly fashion focussed look. Each bra features a unique clasp which allows it to be adjusted over three cup sizes for a truly comfortable fit.

Commenting on the award, Lorna Drew said, “I’m delighted that Lorna Drew Nursing Lingerie has been highlighted by Practical Parenting and Prima Baby & Pregnancy Magazines as the best Sexy Lingerie on the market. Producing the very best maternity and nursing Lingerie for mothers is what drives our brand, and this is an achievement we are very proud off. Yet we don’t plan on resting, with new and exciting lingerie developments due to launch for AW2015 we are looking to develop and build our brand portfolio.”

Candice Swanepoel Sensual in New Nearly Bare Ads

Candice Swanepoel, who has to be one of the most photographed models in the world, takes on another campaign for Brazilian denim brand Forum. It’s not hard to see why she’s in such demand. She oozes smoldering sexuality. 

While the 25-year-old model may be best known for her work with Victoria’s Secret, she’s appeared in dozens of campaign over the past decade.Spotted at 15 while shopping at a flea market in her native South Africa, Candice has the perfect proportions for both runway work and swimsuit and sexy lingerie modeling. She’s a shapely five-feet, nine-inches tall and weighs in at around 120 pounds.She’s walked runways for Tommy Hilfiger, Dolce and Gabbana, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Giambattista Valli, Jason Wu, Prabal Gurung, Rag & Bone, Oscar de la Renta, Fendi, Chanel, Elie Saab and a slew of other designers.Her editorial work is just as extensive. She’s covered eight international editions of Vogue magazine and four international editions of Elle.

One look at her work for Forum an it’s easy to see why. She poses for photographer Zee Nunes in a series of stunning images for the brand’s winter 2014 campaign. Jonatan Frenk is the lucky male model at her side.Candice models form-fitting jeans, velvet, tweed and fur coats, leather jackets and, well, not much else on underneath. Check out her photos and be sure to follow TheImproper on Twitter for the latest fashion trends.

Something Sexy | Agent Provocateur Spring/Summer 2014 “Soireé” Demi-Couture Lingerie Collection

Clothing changes from season to season. From bottoms to jackets to t-shirts, each season has its own clothing options. It is necessary to keep what goes under the clothing fresh too. The Agent Provocateur spring/summer 2014 collection is the perfect lingerie assortment to have a sexy summer.

This collection is heavily inspired by 1950’s sexy. The 50′s spawned a whole new sex appeal and it is evident in this collection. The undergarments show off simple and classy styles with a bit of flair to it. The collection is chock full of sexy styles that are accented by tassels, crystals, and feathers. This demi-couture lingerie collection with hand-sewn bead embellishments and fine silvery threads. The lace detail is eye-catching and intricate. These designs give sexy lingerie a respectable but very sexy appeal. Check out some of the pieces of the “Soireé” collection below. The collection is available via the Agent Provocateur online store.

More Than One Healthy Body: Former Pageant Queens Weigh In

People talk a lot about health, weight, and how the two correspond. The general consensus seems to be that "healthy" does not look the same on every body type. Agreed. But what if each body type -- each individual -- doesn't have one weight or look that reflects personal health? Can the same person be equally healthy at 125lbs and 150lbs? Can we be just as healthy with normal, flat-ish stomachs rather than six packs... even if our bodies are proven to be capable of the latter?

Men and women alike look to the cover of Fitness Magazine or at their marathon-running friends for proof that their bodies are unhealthy or unattractive. These harmful body-to-body comparisons are constantly critiqued and analyzed by talk shows and blogs and Facebook statuses and "real" celebrities. But what about the comparisons we all make with our past selves? Most of us were at an "ideal" weight at one time in our lives. We have pictures that we look back upon with a sense of anxiety...Why don't I look like that anymore??? That's my body's happy weight. That's when my arms were toned and healthy. I'm ready for the underexposed discussion about the battle many of us face -- the one where we use ourselves as the weapon.

I am an ex-beauty queen.

At this time, please take 15 seconds for silent reflection. Think of all of the pageant stereotypes you may have immediately placed on me. Let them sink in. Accept them. Now take a deep breath. Let them go. Good, good, now we can move forward.

Before becoming Miss New York 2012, I competed in my fair share of pageants within the Miss America Organization. This means I spent years getting into fighting shape for the swimsuit portion of pageants. I cannot speak for every woman in pageants, but for me, I was healthy as a horse for swimsuit. Sure, I was really thin, but I was in great shape thanks to hours in the gym. I ate mostly protein and veggies, but didn't deprive myself of every little thing. At the end of the day, I rocked that bikini like I was Alessandra Ambrosio (okay, maybe only in my head...).

Surprise, surprise -- my body does not look like that anymore. I still eat relatively healthily and go to the gym 3-4 days a week (rather than 6-7), but am a size 4 instead of a size 0-2. Sometimes I catch myself looking at pictures, thinking "I am not as healthy as I used to be. I have got to get my pageant bod back." HOW RIDICULOUS. My doctor says I am currently the epitome of health. Funny thing, though... he told me the same thing when I was in pageant shape. You see, muscles are healthy, but so are hips and boobs. Guess what boobs are made of? Not muscle. Just saying.

Your Lacy Panties Will Get You Arrested In Russia

Your lacy underthings might be sexy, depending on where you shop they could be downright scandalous. But, in Russia, they could get you into some serious trouble. Yes, your underwear.

As reported by Marie Claire today, Russia is one of several countries in Eastern Europe that has put its foot down on the delicates trend. But, don't worry, the Customs Union — which exists between Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus — only has your health in mind. The crackdown is not a reaction to some Sexy Lingerie-related lawlessness, but rather to save us all from a lack of absorbency perpetrated by lace and other synthetic materials. In other words, keep your undies cotton only. It's for your own good.

There have already been protests to the ban, like a movement in Kazakhstan that had women taking to the streets with lacy underthings on their heads. We don't think we'd hand over our Hanky Pankys so easily, either. Sure, we can appreciate that Russia is so committed to its citizen's health, but when the government's getting into everyone's lingerie drawers? That's where we draw the panty line.