As soon as the spring warmth entered the air, I went straight down to my basement to reunite with my beloved bike. From mid-April to late October I primarily commute to school and work by bike. I may bike everywhere, but I’m not about to wear sports bras every day, nor will I tolerate underwear that bunches and makes me spend the rest of the day regretting having biked in the first place!

Image courtesy of www.bostoncoasters.com

As my one year anniversary of working at Forty Winks approaches, I’ve tried many different bras and undies for bike rides. I now happily give you the inside scoop on cyclist friendly lingerie:

BRAS

LeMystere Whisper Bra (available in store or by phone order in nude or black)

This bra is supportive both in its wide, snug band and slightly stretchy cups. From the moment you put it on in the morning, it will not budge! And this bra magically achieves all this while being totally comfortable for all-day wear. Beyond support, what makes the Whisper Bra ideal for biking is that the material it’s made out of dries very quickly. So you need not worry about wearing a damp bra for the rest of the day after biking in this beauty!

(Image courtesy of www.lemystere.com)

Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris Balcony Bra 

The Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris Balcony Bra is without a doubt the most functional and one of the sexiest bras I own. Like the LeMystere Whisper Bra, its band is wide which gives it a sporty kind of feel. Generally speaking, molded cups are more prone to remaining a little sweaty after a morning bike ride, but the material of this bra wicks away sweat more than other molded bras I own. It’s very comfortable to wear during and after rides. And this is not only a bra that’s comfy to bike in, it’s one that’s meant to be shown off!

UNDIES

Dear Kate (nude “leading lady” bikini and lavender thong available in store or by phone order)

Dear Kates are the answer to every problem you’ve ever had with your underwear. I kid you not. Every pair is made out of three layers: two which absorb and wick and an outermost layer that absorbs leaks.  Dear Kates are designed with all sorts of concerns you might have “down there” in mind, particularly during your period or pregnancy. They are equally fabulous for cycling (and workouts) because they wick away moisture and don’t allow any sweat to seep through to your clothes, so you’re ready to go as soon as you step off your bike. The first thought I had when I wore a pair was: “where have you been all my life???”

(Image courtesy of www.dearkates.com)

Knock Out! Smart Panties (lacey brief, panty, and thong available  in tiger Lily in store or by phone order in “Tiger Lily” (pictured below) , panty also available in white)

We started carrying Knock Out Smart Panties at Forty Winks last summer, and they’ve been a huge hit since. Perfect for feeling sexy in cotton while staying dry and comfy after a commute by bike. As the tag explains, Knock Out! Panties have a special gusset that is made of breathable cotton with wick/dry fibers, and odor-absorbing molecules. The elastic band keeps the underwear in place without digging. The lace is gorgeous and almost feels like silk!

(Image courtesy of www.knockoutpanties.com)

STAYING FRESH

The Laundress Delicates Spray 

Simply a MUST HAVE for all cyclists. I used to feel burdened in the summer by all the handwashing I had to do after I placed one sweaty post-bike ride bra after another in my handwashing basket. The beauty of the Laundress Delicate Spray is that it not only makes your bras smell clean with its very subtle but fresh-smelling scent. It also actually cleans your bras because it contains an antibacterial ingredient. And best of all, as with all Laundress products, it is entirely allergen-free and biodegradable.

Happy riding!

XO,

Ari

After my nightly shower and the lotion fest that followed, I slipped into these lovelies and my mind was blown.  I had expected GOOD but these were GREAT.   The material is amazing (primarily nylon and spandex) and there’s nary a bit of bulging skin in sight.  Perhaps the best part is that these undies simply do NOT move, meaning you won’t be digging at them throughout the day.

I’m very much a convert.  And I do realize that I’m talking about underwear here and that my enthusiasm may be considered a tad dramatic, but I want you all to experience these bikinis too.  They. are. great.  XOXO

$12 at Forty Winks

Here’s where you come in.   We’re asking you to stop by Forty Winks on Saturday, April 27th from 12p-6p for a fitting from Lauren or Susie.   Both Meredith and I will be here to ensure that any and all questions are answered, but Lauren and Susie will be our main fitters during these hours.  If you don’t need a fitting, bring a friend that does (we’ve all got ‘em!).

The best part?  In exchange for your patience and your contribution to “breast education”, we’ll give you 10% off your entire purchase, even if you just bring a friend to be fit.  Hope to see you Saturday.

Help our newest employees become bra fitting experts. Come to Forty Winks on Saturday April 27th from 12p-6p for a fitting from our new girls and we’ll give you a 10% discount.

As a lover of the arts and of lingerie, I am looking forward to seeing what these talented artists have created. Hope to see you there on Thursday!

Images courtesy of FPAG.

Milly Mackintosh in Huit is Biotiful | lingerieinsight.com

My favorites include the Huit is biotiful set, the Eberjey Crochet Dreams Teddy, and the Eberjey Gisele Tunic. For the no nonsense types, they offer the perfect amount of softness and badass-chic. Another bonus is the breathable nature of cotton – which is always appreciated while lounging in the warmer months (hopefully!) ahead.

Eberjey Gisele Tunic

Eberjey Crochet Dreams Teddy

Would I run in this bra?   No, but the improved hook back closure totally doesn’t dig when I’m on my back crunching like crazy and the light ruching around the cups actually gives some shape to my bust.  It’s perfect for low impact activity like yoga, pilates, and barre workouts.

Mint and coral are the new summer colors and are available for purchase here www.shopfortywinks.com/miel – You will love.

A couple of months ago, a customer came into the store and said that she needed to do a bra drawer overhaul. She hadn’t shopped for lingerie in over two years; and none of her bras fit quite right anymore… The nudes and whites weren’t looking quite so nude and white… The material was pilling… And she didn’t feel that her bras were supporting her well.

After doing a fitting and making a slight adjustment to the size this customer had been wearing, suddenly everything I brought into the room fit beautifully! One bra looked better than the next. We Forty Winks gals are happy to tell you which bras we think look better than others and relate our personal experience with each to help narrow down choices… But in this case, it was really hard to eliminate anything.

After trying each bra on a couple of times, the customer said “you know what… I really need to get rid of everything in my drawer at home, so I’m just going to splurge today and buy every bra I like.” Alas, a new Forty Winks phrase was born: purge and splurge.

What better time than early spring to refresh your lingerie? And what better impetus to purge than knowing your bras will be donated to a fantastic cause?

This weekend we will be collected bras to donate to the organization Free The Girls http://freethegirls.org/. Free the Girls helps women who have been victims of sex trafficking make their own living in a way that allows them enough time to go to school and take care of their families. The organization helps these women set up second-hand clothing stores by donating the initial inventory needed for each store, then offering additional items at affordable prices. Safe houses and aftercare facilities train shop owners and workers in business skills, so that they can be successful in their endeavors.

Bras are the most valuable contribution because they are very desirable and difficult to find at a reasonable price in the countries Free the Girls serves. Selling bras is a great way for a woman to feel empowered by running her own successful business; and it also gives her the opportunity to work with other women. This is especially important when abuse by men has tragically altered a woman’s life.  http://freethegirls.org/about/our-story/

This weekend, Forty Winks will be holding a bra drive to collect as many bras as we can for Free The Girls. As a thank you for your support, we will offer a 15% discount on your entire purchase. 

Feeling like it’s about time to purge and splurge? Come help us help Free The Girls and we will help you find some fresh new lingerie for spring! Hope to see you (and your lightly used bras) this weekend!!!

Lucky for our pockets, Forty Winks now stocks a lot more from Eberjey’s lesser priced, yet still amazing,  Bluebird Amaya collection.  Soft, stretchy lace is the name of this game and we’re all about these cheeky hipsters, thongs, and chemises in romantic colorway.  Hello spring.

Shop this collection here