Tag Archives: Marlies Dekkers

The Cyclist’s Guide to Lingerie!

biking gear

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!

bike boston

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)

lemystere

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 

marlies 3

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 kate

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)

knock out

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 

laundress

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

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Marlies Dekkers Spring 2013

The Spring ’13 colors from Marlies Dekkers sure do banish our winter blues.

The new Dame de Paris (with lace overlay!) is a perfectly inconspicuous peachy nude, while the Space Odyssey’s electric purple colorway is definitely meant to be seen.

Want yours before we put them online?  Call us to place your order! 617-492-9100

Marlies-Dekkers-Space-Odyssey-Push-Up-Bra-17021-Purple-Glow

Space Odyssey Push Up Bra in Purple Glow, $89.

 

Marlies-Dekkers-Space-Odyssey-Balcony-Bra-17020-Purple-Glow

Space Odyssey Balcony Bra in Purple Glow, $89.

 

Marlies-Dekkers-Space-Odyssey-Brazilian-Short-17025-Purple-Glow

Space Odyssey Brazilian Short in Purple Glow, $49.

Marlies-Dekkers-Dame-De-Paris-Balcony-Bra-Pale-Blush

Dame de Paris Lace Balcony Bra in Pale Blush, $115.

Marlies-Dekkers-Dame-De-Paris-Brazilian-Short-17014-Pale-Blush

Dame de Paris Brazilian Short in Pale Blush, $59.

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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

Forty Winks Fashion Show, Forty Winks, Lingerie fashion show

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Brighten up dull days…

 

 

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Items I covet

All fall I have been crazy about pretty lacy undergarments in neutral colors. But around the holidays I find myself gravitating toward darker and sexier pieces. So I put my nude bras in the back of my lingerie drawer and am replacing them with some sultry pieces that will no doubt put a little pep in my step.

Clo Kali Soft Bra, $56

 

La Fee Verte Snake Skin Bralet, $60

 

Maison Close Rue Des Demoiselles Mini Skirt, $66

 

Marlies Dekkers Lisbeth Padded Balcony Corset, $204

 

xox,

Meredith

 

 

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New season, New Lingerie

The air might not have that Fall crispness yet, but we’re definitely seeing the first of our Autumn deliveries.

It’s the best time of the year!

As your tan starts to fade, the shocking magenta color on Huit’s new Icone balcony bra will still flatter your

skin and soothe your sadness over Summer’s end.

 

Animal prints are everywhere, but sometimes they can read a tad cheap.  Not so with this little number from Blush.

Delicate and subtle, the Minx bra is all about sophistication.

An added bonus?  It can be worn strapless.

 

Another beautiful piece from Maison Close.  The sexy, but accessible corset style fits perfectly

and comes in bra sizes for a look that’s perfectly tailored to your body.

 

Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris Balcony Bra  is back in stock.

The line, and this bra in particular,  has a serious cult following amongst our customers due to

it’s wide size range and seriously cool stylings.

If you’re looking for a basic bra with a twist, you’ll want to try the Dame de Paris.

 

Speaking of a cult following, Eberjey’s India chemise back on our racks in

Black, Eggplant, and White.

You’ll sleep so soundly.

xoxox

 

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Wowsa!  The fact that I’m just getting to this post speaks to deep, deep pool of BUSY that Meredith and I have been swimming through lately.   New hires, buying trips, visiting families/friends/dogs, wedding planning and the occasional desire to do something summery and NON-work related, have kept me from this blog.  Big time.

So I know this is late in coming, but I really want you all to see some of the stunners that we saw whilst in NYC a week or so ago.   So pardon my tardy-for-the-party blogging and enjoy a teeny glimpse into SS13 lingerie.

 

COLOR!

Two of our very favorite bras from Elle Macpherson Intimates in color we can really get behind.

 

Variations on classic styles

All of us here at Winks are a little bit giddy over the fact that our favorite Marlies Dekkers bra is coming in this coral lace colorway.

 

New jammies

You asked for them!  Cotton and flannel PJ sets from adorbs line Three J Pajamas will hit our racks within the next month or so…

 

PRINTS to swim in!

This chevron print from Zinke Swim is will arrive in February…just in time for your “I can’t take this weather anymore” vacation.

 

Taking bralets to another level

My fave long-line, soft cup bra from Fortnight in grown up Easter egg colors.

 

We’ll be posting more as the week goes on…but for now, we hope you like what you see.  Get excited.

Xoxox

 

 

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If I stopped by the Forty Winks Summer Sale…

I would go crazy with silk robes from La Fee Verte and Ari Dein.

I’d buy me some meant-to-be-seen neon from Mimi Holliday

I’d pick up a basic, wireless, and ohhhh so comfortable black bra from Fortnight.

And then maybe I’d buy something brand spankin’ new…like the new colorway in the Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris balcony bra.

Amazing. 

 

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Four things to keep in mind when buying a t-shirt bra

 

Full disclosure:  This post was brought on by recent pictures of Miley Cyrus sporting a braless look under what is quite possibly the worst thing one could go braless while wearing,  a WHITE BURNOUT T-SHIRT.

While I’m all about freedom and white burnouts, I couldn’t help but mentally run through a list of bras that I KNOW would make her ensemble look better and save her the embarrassment of ending up on the Huffington Post with her boobs hanging out.

Clearly getting the perfect t-shirt bra can be a little bit tricky, so I’ve compiled a couple of tips to help you make this purchase with confidence.

1. Get the silhouette right

Like bodies, T-shirt bras are NOT created the same.  Certain silhouettes work better on certain bodies.   How firm or soft your breast tissue is, where your breasts are placed on your chest, and your torso length and size all factor into what style of bra fits you best.

Chantelle’s Rive Gauche T-shirt bra is an excellent choice for ladies who find that a straight across, demi silhouette  suits their body best.

LeMystere’s Linguine T-shirt bra works well for ladies with breasts set farther apart or who prefer a fuller coverage option with a deep V center.

2. Make sure you’re getting the right fit.

T-shirt bras take a lot of wear and tear.  When you’re trying on bras, be sure to hook your bra on the outermost hook and to adjust the straps to about half way on your back.  As the bra stretches you’ll be able to move your band in two times and to tighten your straps.

Read a more about fit here.

If you’re having a hard time figuring out what styles works best PLEASE ask the lingerie experts.  We are here to help.  We like to help.  Seriously.

3. Don’t be afraid of pretty t-shirt bras!

T-shirt bras don’t have to be boring and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of lace or detailing on a t-shirt bra as long as it lays flat underneath your t-shirts.

So, always check by trying on a t-shirt on over any potential purchases.  You may be pleasantly surprised and end up with a functional bra that’s also fun to wear.

Marie Jo L’Aventure TOM T-shirt Bra features detailing on the straps, but before you write it off, try it on with a shirt.  You’ll see that the detailing is totally invisible, leaving you with a t-shirt bra that makes you feel pretty.

Marlies Dekkers Dame de Paris Balcony Bra features sexy, strappy detailing that doesn’t show in the least underneath t-shirts.

4. Know when enough’s enough.

If your t-shirt bras take the brunt of your daily wear, they’ll need to be replaced more often.  If your band is on the inner most hook and your straps have been tightened the whole way,  it’s time to repurchase.   If your cup is gapping or pulling away from your body at the center gore it’s time to repurchase (and probably to be refit).

Again, don’t underestimate the power (and convenience) of having a lingerie lady jump into the fitting room with you.  You’ll feel more confident about your size and with making the investment.

And if you’re buying online, give us a call or shoot us an email with any questions or concerns you have.  We’ll work through the process with you and make sure you end up with the perfect t-shirt bra.

Miley, take note.

 

Looking for other suggestions?

Chantelle’s Pure Memory Foam T-shirt bra

OnGossamer’s Bump It Up bra

LeMystere’s Camille Soft Cup bra

 

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Rejuvinating on Vinalhaven

It was a wild summer here at Forty Winks.

Along with our day-to-day duties, there was an engagement (Rachel) , a house purchase (Meredith), buying trips to NYC, weddings, babies, birthdays, family reunions…you name it, this  Summer brought it.

And while these happenings were happy, exciting and GOOD, a little bit of exhaustion crept in and it become glaringly obvious that we needed a real, live weekend away.

So we packed up two cute boys, two even cuter dogs, a bunch of food/beer/wine and headed for Vinalhaven, ME.

With absolutely no cell phone service (iPhone, you can’t haunt us here!) and Atlantic on all sides (yeah, it’s an island) Meredith and I were actually able to relax.  One morning I read on the deck for two hours.  TWO HOURS!

Never without lingerie on our brains, we started comparing the colors we were finding on our walks along the gorgeous shoreline with some of the pieces at Forty Winks right now.   Meredith, our resident photographer, was able to beautifully capture the subtle similarities between the colors and textures of the Maine coast with the stunning lingerie on our racks for Fall.

Enjoy!

 

 

Clo Intimo Fortuna Bralet, in Coral, $56.

Clo Intimo Fortuna Cheeky, in Coral, $38.

 

Marlies Dekkers Space Odyssey Balcony Bra, in Brown, $88.

Marlies Dekkers Space Odyssey Brazilian Short, $48.

 

Mimi Holliday Glace Super Plunge Push Up Bra, in White, $86.

Clo Intimo Fortuna Underwire Bra, in Nude, $52.

 

Chantelle Rive Gauche Demi, in Sapphire and Milk, $80.

 

Zinke Tulsa Bralet, in Lilac, $68.

Zinke Bright Lights Panty, in Lilac, $64.

 

Clo Intimo Fortuma Camisole, in Sage, $92.

 

Elle Macpherson Intimates Dentelle Contour Bra, in Jet/Green, $64.

 

Chantelle Rive Gauche T-Shirt Bra, in Sapphire, $76.

Chantelle Rive Gauche Shorty, in Sapphire, $34.

 

 

 

 

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