I blogged recently about how frustratingly impossible it was for people in the UK to place orders on Figleaves' US website. So you can imagine how pleased I was to receive this comment on that post, from Nigel Richards, Figleaves' director of customer operations:
Following this feedback, the restriction on having to have a US billing and delivery address to order on the Figleaves US website has now been removed.
This totally calls for some splurging on Figleaves. I'm loving this Elle Macpherson sheer ribbons bra (regularly $55, now $27.50), but it doesn't come in a 38E, so I might spring for this Gossard daisies bra. (One thing I have always loved about the Figleaves sites is that you can search by your bra size, then drill down into brands, style, sheerness, price range, category, etc.)
On a somewhat related note that I've always wondered about: How do you approach the dilemma of matching bras and panties? Some girls I know will only ever wear matched sets purchased together, whereas some are happy to wear a black lacy bra with black cotton knickers, or even (gasp!) a black bra with red panties. People on both sides of this argument seem to feel very strongly that their way is The Only Way, so I'm curious what readers of our blog think, if you're not too bashful too share.
I've been through all sides of that particular dilema, governed as much by my budget constraints and the constant availability of M&S 5-packs.
I have just spent a couple of happy years buying 2 pairs of knickers for every bra from figleaves, or preferably bravissimo. However, now that I'm pregnant my only choices are governed by how potentially painful something looks when it comes out of the drawer in the morning. Big granny knicks have never been so appealing...
And as for getting something to actually match the Spacehopper-sized slings of my new non-underwired vile bras, I don't think such a website exists...
Posted by: raker | January 29, 2007 at 03:39 PM
You're PREGNANT?! Oh my gosh, congratulations, C! I am sooo pleased for you, my internet friend! (Okay, we've met in person, so I need not call you that, I guess.) Will email you for all the details.
Are you excited about the prospect of nursing bras? Heh.
Posted by: Jackie Danicki | January 29, 2007 at 09:43 PM
I find it impossible to match my bra & knickers because I believe it is more important to match them to the clothes you are wearing. I.e. If you're wearing a black low cut top, you'd wear a black bra but if you're also wearing white trousers, you can't wear black knickers. Also, I find most fancy knickers aren't practical, they're usually too high waisted or give VPL. I've found seamless knickers that I love and I wear 99% of the time. If I have a hot date, well, that's a different story.
Posted by: Ebony | January 29, 2007 at 11:01 PM
I'm a devil - mix and match! All my foundation garments are black anyway, so it's just a matter of mixing and matching whatever works at the time.
I'm faithful to my plain black Bonds 100% cotton bikini knickers, though. I'll never stray from their cute-yet-comfortable fit!
Posted by: Lara | January 30, 2007 at 01:30 AM
Ebony, what are the seamless knickers you love? I'd love to try them!
As for VPL, I have to admit that I gave up caring about that long ago (okay, a few months ago). I honestly don't think anyone looks at my ass closely enough to tell, and even if they did, well, I just do not care if they can see the outline of my panties. How traumatic can that possibly be? (Don't answer that.)
Considering the above, it will shock no one to learn that I'm a mixer. I was never taught to wear matching sets, so it doesn't bother me if I don't. I've also never met a guy who cared if I was wearing a black bra with white knickers...and I think I'd be exhausted by the peculiarity of any man who did.
Posted by: Jackie Danicki | January 30, 2007 at 03:20 AM
Elle MacPherson does very pretty maternity bras!
I don't every really bother matching. In fact, if I go to the trouble of wearing matching underwear my husband gets fairly over-excited. Most of my underwear is from the Elle MacPherson cotton hipster range - both the knickers and the thongs are super comfortable, and low enough that they never poke over hipster clothes. There's no bra in that range, so I can't match.
I love Elle MacPherson bras, but they are SO overpriced in the UK! I usually buy them when I'm back home in NZ (they're at least half the price there). I'm going to get refitted for that brand soon, and then order up large at Figleaves - God bless the exchange rate!
Posted by: Jacq | January 30, 2007 at 04:56 AM
Sorry to double-post - the knickers I was talking about are 'Low Rise Micros' on the Figleaves site! They only offer them in black and white - but the full range has lots of pretty colours.
Posted by: Jacq | January 30, 2007 at 05:02 AM
I guess it matters whether someone is going to see it or not. For a sexy date night, only matching and totally beautiful lingerie will do. Otherwise mix and match. Although I like to stay in the same color family. I've ordered from figleaves but I am still devoted to VS, they make the best bras in my opinion.
Posted by: Lucia | January 30, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I can never, ever find bras in my size at Victoria's Secret. It is quite annoying. What do they have against girls with big boobs?
Posted by: Jackie Danicki | January 30, 2007 at 10:04 AM
My favourite seamless knickers are Ambra
http://www.zodee.com.au/womens/ambra/bodysoft/am8905/
Posted by: Ebony | January 31, 2007 at 12:21 AM
I buy the matching set - I like how they look together. But lets be real, when I'm getting ready at 6am, most days I just put on whatever comes into my hand first, and thus am often quite badly mismatched. :P
Posted by: Henna | February 01, 2007 at 12:25 PM
I used to be all matchy-matchy, until I had the twins... and nowadays I'm just glad when I don't make that weird mistake of putting my underpants on inside out (God, it's not just me who does that is it?)
I just wanted to say thanks for the posts about Figleaves. They really do have a nice selection of non-ugly bras above a D cup, and it's nice to find new resources for that: I'm stuck in F cup hell. Thank you! Just placed a big ol' order there! I am so surprised at how lovely the Elle MacPhereson line is, wow. Sometimes the celeb products don't turn out so great, but her designs looks great. Too bad there aren't bigger cup sizes though, sigh.
Posted by: Katie | February 02, 2007 at 01:47 AM
Elle McP's range has been around a long time in the Southern Hemisphere (since long before I left NZ, ten years ago), so I think it's improved over time.
Posted by: Jacq | February 02, 2007 at 06:47 AM
I'm in between on this comment- I would love to be all matching, but find that impossible to do with my schedule, my talent at losing clothing in the wash, etc. I try to keep things the same color at least.
Posted by: Christine | February 02, 2007 at 07:10 PM
I just placed a big order too - that is a great site, and so much better than the big swamp of bras at the department store. Thanks for the tip!
Posted by: Christina | February 06, 2007 at 08:39 AM
All for matchy-matchy myself, but Victoria Beckham (really) had a good tip: to wear a sexy bra with more sensible knickers in the same colour.
PS thanks for the mention - linking here from blogleaves today.
Posted by: susannah | February 07, 2007 at 04:33 AM
I know it's a rather late comment to here but I came across it looking for something completely different on this site... I have this bra in black and it is one of the most comfortable bra's I have ever worn. I also have the matching knickers but they are definitely not made for wearing once a week all year round, only for special occasions. The material is very flimsy.
Posted by: Franziska | September 25, 2007 at 10:13 AM
Someone mentioned seamless knickers. Who makes them please & where can I get them in the UK ?
Cheers,
Squirrel
Posted by: Squirrel | March 07, 2008 at 10:01 AM