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Tag Archives: Lingerie
Embrace the rain: Wear cute loungewear!
Whether you’re heading down to the Cape or staying put this weekend, chances are there will be a little bit of rain involved. No need to fret, look at this weekend as a chance to catch up on some reading, play games, try a new recipe or two, and get cozy in some seriously livable loungewear.
We know it’s hard to get out of bed when its rainy, so indulge yourself and just don’t. These key summer pieces will ensure that your rainy weekend will be as enjoyable as a sunny one.
Skin Terry Wrap Jersey Robe, $172. Here.
Only Hearts So Fine with Lace Chemise, $90. Here.
Eberjey Gisele Short PJ Set, $102. Here.
Check out more rainy day loungewear here and have a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend!
The Cyclist’s Guide to Lingerie!
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
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
Best yoga bra ever: Miel’s Nana Bra
With summertime inching closer and closer, some of us are hurrying to the yoga studio in an attempt at achieving a rockin’ body before the heat hits. For me personally, new gear is a total motivator, so when Miel’s Nana bra arrived in bright colors, my lazy attitude towards increasing my heart rate started to change.
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.
Purge and Splurge (for a great cause!!!)
The origin of a favorite Forty Winks phrase…
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!!!
Fashionably Late Runway Show with Forty Winks
As promised, here are the professional shots taken that night (a sllllight upgrade from our Instagram shots). Click each photo for more information on what the models are wearing. Enjoy!
Anna is wearing pieces from the Stella Lace collection by Stella McCartney.
Katia is wearing the Push Up and Shorty from Marlies Dekkers’ Space Odyssey collection.
Nikki is wearing the Milla bra from Lascivious and the Dame de Paris Shorty from Marlies Dekkers
Ashley is wearing the Balcony Bra and Shorty from Marlies Dekkers’ Dame de Paris collection.
Anna and Meredith, wearing Stella Lace and Gold Hawk’s stunning Lace Trimmed Chemise.
Anna is wearing the Dentelle Contour bra and Culotte from Elle Macpherson Intimates.
Katia is wearing the Mira Slip from Fortnight.
L to R: Ashely in the Feathers bra from Natori, Nikki in the Lisbeth Corset from Marlies Dekkers, Katia in the Fortnight Mira Slip, Meredith in the Elle Macpherson Exotic Garden Bra, and Anna in The Elle Macpherson Dentelle Contour Bra.
Details on tomorrow night’s show
We’re thrilled to be participating in Fashionably Late tomorrow night at the Liberty Hotel. It’s the first time they’ve ever featured lingerie on their catwalk and we here at Forty Winks plan on giving them quite a show. Expect looks from favorites like Marlies Dekkers, Maison Close, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Zinke, Stella McCartney, Chantelle, and more.
The show starts at 10p but it’s best to get there a little on the early side as the place fills up fast. Settle in to the night right…grab a cocktail, check out our pop-up shop, and get ready for all kinds of gorgeousness. There’s no list to be on or cover charge to pay, just bring your honey or your girlfriends and enjoy the show.
Feel free to dress up and we’re talking about what’s under your dress! 
xoxo
Rachel and Meredith
My favorite lingerie inspired Instagram accounts.
Meredith and I love Instagram…(follow Mer @fortywinkshs and me @forty_winks_rachel). Obviously our favorite subject is lingerie (or maybe dogs in Meredith’s case!) and we are constantly impressed by the lingerie shots from some of the accounts we follow. If you’re a lingerie lover too you’ll definitely want to check out the ladies listed below. xoxo
Lindsey Mueller, @linmuemuse
Her pictures are dreamy and usually involve the cultivation of lingerie as a lifestyle. Plus she always incorporates the brands we love (like Elle Macpherson and Fortnight) into her shots. See even more of this on her blog
Faire Frou Frou@fairefroufrou
This is a brand that Meredith and I seriously admire for its succinctness, its cohesion, and its amazing use of COLOR. Owner Alison’s shots are always perfect and yet they look so effortless. It’s like she lives in a land of cotton candy and lingerie. Lovely.
Fortnight @ilovefortnight
Simple and sophisticated, this account is particularly fun because of the inside look they give of their lingerie photoshoots. Plus they’ve got one of the prettiest models I’ve ever seen.
Between the Sheets @btslingerie
Designer Layla and her boyfriend Josh do an amazing job of capturing the behind the scenes processes of their company. From shots of the factory to pre-photoshop glimpses into their new lookbooks, Between the Sheets is a great lingerie account to follow.
Style on the Couch @styleonthecouch
One of the best examples of someone that successfully integrates lingerie into their outerwear repertoire. Rompers, bralets, chemises, and yes even harnesses find their way into Sarah’s amazingly styled outfits. See more here
Ari Dein @aridein
Ari’s gorgeous, lifestyle based account is a favorite of mine because it highlights what I like to imagine as a super glamorous Manhattan life (right Ari?). Lots of fun shots from her office, lovely images of NYC, and beautiful glimpses into her design aesthetic.
An Ode to Soak.
It was so nice to have a long weekend, especially because I got to sleep in late and watch the beautiful presidential inauguration yesterday morning all curled up in bed in my Eberjey pajamas… I was so moved by the momentousness of the occasion, that I even stood up in my bedroom for the swearing-in. Silly, I know… but it made me feel like I was there in DC!
When it was all over, I had a much more mundane task at hand: laundry. It was downstairs to the washing machine for most of my clothes. But not my lingerie!!! Since I had my very first bras as a preteen, my mother taught me the importance of hand washing one’s bras to make them last as long as possible. Needless to say, in my time working at Forty Winks, my lingerie collection has expanded quite a bit… so hand-washing has become a weekly ritual!
A few years ago I would have dreaded the day I had to handwash so many bras, undies, camisoles, and chemises… but since I discovered Soak, laundry day has become one of my favorite days of the week! Soak makes handwashing easy and gives me the opportunity to notice the finer details of all my pieces. I think this appreciation of our clothes is lost when we simply “throw them in the washing machine.” After washing my delicates, by air -drying them I then get to enjoy the transformation of my bathroom into a colorful display room of lovely lingerie!
The beauty of Soak is that is doesn’t need to be rinsed out. You simply fill up your sink or a wash basin with cool water and add about a teaspoon (or “one little squeeze” in my inexact method) as the water is running. Then place your lingerie into the soapy mixure and let it sit for about 15 minutes, scrubbing a little if necessary. Be sure to do separate soakings for darker and lighter colors of course! After fifteen minutes, you can squeeze out the excess liquid and lay out the lingerie to dry.
The Soak does not need to be rinsed out because it has some magical property that helps maintain the elasticity of your garments. Well, not magic exactly… but rather a special formula made from biodegradeable, eco-friendly ingredients that removes dirt and odors from the garment without leaving any detergent behind in the garment – just a light, fresh scent! I have sensitive skin and have never reacted to the scented Soaks, but there is also a scentless version if you are particularly sensitive to detergents of any kind
To keep my lingerie fresh and clean between “soaks,” I spray my bras and chemises with the Laundress Delicate Spray. This spray is not only lightly scented to make everything smell wonderfully fresh, it also is antibacterial! This is an especially great feature during the summer when even the finest of ladies sweat a little…
Wishing you all happy laundry days to come,
Ari
Black is the color
Despite the current trends toward color, I just love to wear black. Everyone is always telling me that COLOR is where it’s at this season, (I mean does J Crew even sell neutrals anymore?) but when faced with the decision to buy cobalt blue or plain old black, I always leave with the latter. I’m okay with this…I mean I AM 30.
So true to form, my lingerie drawer leans towards darker hues; I just feel good in them (and isn’t that the point of lingerie?).
Given my love of black, you can imagine that our latest shipment of Zinke has got me pretty tempted. The Daisy Romper and the to-die-for Rosalie Robe feature beautiful, sophisticated eyelash lace in JET black. The contrast of black lace on the skin is stunning; it’s sweetly romantic as the pictures below highlight, but it also packs a drop dead sexy punch.
What do you think? What colors make you feel pretty? Tell me why. -R
