Que5tionnaire, N°1

Current Mood: Restless, eager for the seasons to officially change to autumn.
Fashion Wishlist: Leather leggings, chunky/oversized sweaters, ankle boots.
Playlist: Ugly by 2NE1, Dreamers by Scavenger Hunt (Dan Dan Noodle Remix), Timebomb by Tove Lo (thanks Frankie!)
Lipstick Loves: CHANEL Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Coromandel
Weekend Lingerie: Little black lacy bras like these.

Top row: Yasmine Eslami / L'Agent by Agent Provocateur / Kiki de Montparnasse

Middle Row: L'Agent by Agent Provocateur / La Perla / Eres

Last row: Calvin Klein / Hanky Panky / Stella McCartney

Images via.

I've Got The Blues

Blue seems to be the color of Spring/Summer 2014. I think 75% of the lingerie I've been ogling for warm weather this year was blue or some shade of blue. The remaining 25% being black or blush, of course.

But I've really got the blues, as in the feelings. You see, I attempted to order this La Perla Noche de Viento bra from the Journelle sale this weekend—along with another blue La Perla Studio bralette—and yours truly was denied. I guess we all got a little too grabby over this incredible bra that was priced as an incredible steal, and someone else won the fight.  

Like, I was even willing to purchase it without the matching bottoms. That's how bad I wanted it. Sobs. It's okay. But I hope it went to a good home.

Okay, now time to move on. If you're willing to pay full price, Net-a-Porter has a few sizes left, so scoot over there and treat yoself. 

La Perla Noche de Viento polka-dot tulle underwire bra, $240. La Perla Noche de Viento briefs, $140.

Image via

Looking For Love? Found It.

I feel like La Perla Studio just gets me. I spotted this bra on sale at the UES Journelle location and frantically looked for matching bottoms to complete the set. And while I knew I'd buy this one because the bra fit perfectly, the bottoms just sealed the deal. 

This was one of the few non-padded bras I was circulating in rotation during our heat wave a couple of weeks ago, but I have a feeling I might need to get another one as a backup. You know, just in case I want to wear it every day.

La Perla Studio Looking For Love Bra, $95. Looking For Love bottoms in an alternate style, $48. Both available at barenecessities.com.

Redefining White Underwear

I feel as though the past couple of years, the bridal market has been cornering white lingerie as a "bridal thing" (totally get it. It's marketing). And frankly, with the range of gorgeous colours that have been coming out, bold graphics, and pretty patterns, who needs white? But then from time to time, I see a white set that makes me re-evaluate how much I need white lingerie, like this gorgeous La Perla.

Lacy white lingerie as pretty as this should be equal-opportunity for all women who want to feel fancy. Especially those briefs—the geometric front panel is a chic contrast to the classic floral details. Let's try white this summer, especially if it means adding a stunning set like this to our boudoirs. Besides, if brides are wearing black wedding gowns, then I think all conventions are just going out the window.

La Perla Ivory Lace and Mesh Agata Bra, $270 and Ivory Lace and Mesh Agata Briefs, $175. Available at ssense.com.

Back to Black... for Summer!

Hello my lovelies! Did you miss me? I sure missed you. A lot has been going on in my universe the past few months, but hopefully this will be the end of my infrequent posting and we'll return to our semi-regular programming. Alors!

It's been a frigid spring in NYC, sadly. Even as we transition into May it's been long pants and jacket weather. I'm too afraid to venture out in bare legs! But I wonder if this delayed warmth validates my recent accessories splurges for spring/summer: a black bag, a black enamel cuff bracelet (instead of the white I had dreamt of!), black sandals... Or am I finally growing up and realizing that black is and will always be the classic go-to colour? 

Who the hell knows. Either way, the last time I chose to buy black lingerie was probably two or three years ago, so I even surprised myself when I was drawn to this La Perla bra at Journelle. I dropped off a few bras at their bra drive the other month (and picked up a few new ones of course), and this black bra stood out to me in a wall full of other fun-coloured and printed bras. What was happening to me?

Ultimately I think it was the little triangle detail on the straps that did it for me, but then when I tried it on—va-va-voom. I never thought I'd consider a push-up bra again after those torturous flotation devices I experienced from VS, but this one did it nicely. And elegantly. And didn't make me feel like a blow-up. It's become one of my go-to everyday bras... so I can only hope that they don't discontinue this style and keep it going in the future.

Damnit, I knew I should've bought some matching bottoms too.

La Perla Studio Madison Push-Up Bra, $108. La Perla Studio Madison Soiree Short, $68. Available at journelle.com.

Guest Blogger Wishlist: Shayna Kulik of Pattern Pulp

Shayna Kulik is a NYC-based designer and the founder of Pattern Pulp (est. 2006), a trend forecasting and design studio where she works with brands and agencies to help define creative and digital strategies. In 2009 she launched the popular blog PatternPulp.com, a forum dedicated to providing insight into emerging concepts in print and pattern design.

I've been a fan of Pattern Pulp's blog for awhile now, so I was nerdly excited when Allison Beale of George PR introduced us, and nerdly thrilled when Shayna agreed to guest blog her own holiday wishlist! Shayna’s approach to her work is based on making out-of-the-ordinary connections from across many categories and genres. Her love of travel, reading, photography, exploring the Internet and social media, meeting colorful characters in far-flung locales, and immersing herself in the current zeitgeist wherever she goes all contribute greatly to her process—and to her amazing wishlist.

1. Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla Feuillage Tulle Set

image via pinterest

I love delicate design that's not too girly. The lace has subtle 2D graphic nuances, it almost looks like white eyelet's cooler older cousin.

2. Of a Kind Clove Scarf

image via of a kind

Keeping things textured and structured, this scarf from Of a Kind doubles as a bold bow tie!

3. Crumpled City Maps

image via uncommongoods

I travel quite a bit for work and my maps end up either ripped or stuck behind data paywalls. This set of crumpled maps by Emanuele Pizzolorusso is genius. I wish they had one for Shanghai, as I'm headed there in a few weeks.

4. 3.1 Phillip Lim Initials Cropped Tee

image via barneys

Animal patterns are timeless and I have them sprinkled throughout my closet. This set from 3.1 Phillip Lim is casual and I love that the shirt doubles as outerwear.

5. Alexander Wang Dillon Sneakers

image via alexander wang

I'm always on the hunt for stylish sneakers - if they have texture or a bright accent, I'm sold. This pair from Alexander Wang has both!

Shop Shayna's wishlist!
1. Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla Feuillage Tulle Set, no longer available. Featured previously on PLU.
2. Of a Kind Clove Scarf, $195. Available at ofakind.com.
3. Crumpled City Maps, $20. Available at uncommongoods.com.
4. 3.1 Phillip Lim Initials Cropped Tee, $175. Available at barneys.com.
5. Alexander Wang Dillon Sneakers, $385. Available at alexanderwang.com.

Follow Shayna on Twitter & check out her blog, PatternPulp.com.

Tempting Tuesdays: Feuillage Tulle Set by Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Feuillage Tulle Set by Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla

Happy spring! Gaultier does it again with this intricately detailed, peacock-blue-green set that makes me wish for warmer weather (the tease we got in NYC this past weekend wasn't enough). With briefs decorated to look like leaves are growing from your ladybits, and a bralette made of sheer tulle and detailed with silk twill, you can look like Mother Earth when she's on lovermoon.

At this price point, this set is definitely not for the faint-hearted (or those who have their wallets on lockdown), and only for the diehard La Perla / Gaultier fans, but looking is always free. 

Triangle bra, $590. Tulle briefs, $395. Available at Net-A-Porter.com.

Hump Day Pick: Sweet Pieces for a Sweet Valentine's Day

In full recognition of the fact that not every woman feels 100% at ease in sexy, sultry lingerie, I wanted to dedicate a post to the women whose style is more of the sweet, beautiful category. These will still make you look and feel amazing, and that's what's most important!

1. Sugared Grapefruit Bodysuit by Eberjey

Sweet lace with hot pink details make this soft bodysuit an everyday piece—you won't want to only save it for special occasions anyway. I think it'd also look so pretty with a long tulle skirt for an outfit pairing.

Available at Anthropologie, $72.

2. Spree Camisole and Shortie by Elle Macpherson

I'll be honest, the lacy back of this camisole totally hooked me. I love how ordinary cotton becomes a bit fancier with the lace details and prettifies it into something extraordinary. Also comes in black!

Camisole, $87. Shorties, $40. Available at Shop-Underwear.com.

3. Folie Teddy by Mimi Holliday

Leopard print can be really intense, but not on this beautiful silk romper! The sheer silk, frilly detailing on the shorts, and the desaturated print makes this teddy just a baby step towards jungle animal, while keepin' it classy.
Available at Derrière de Soie, $140.

4. Icon Lace Bodysuit by La Perla

Oh, heyyy! This gorgeous bodysuit has black buttons all down the back (you need to see it) and a nude mesh panel in the front. Wear it under your special Valentine's Day outfit, or with high-waisted bottoms to make it your special outfit!

Available at Net-a-Porter.com, $570.

Tempting Tuesdays: Beautiful Bras for Valentine's Day

Tuesdays will feature a lustworthy lingerie set and a suggested retailer. I think we all need a little something beautiful to at least look at to get us through the week. Hope you love them as much as I do!

Beautiful Bras for Valentine's Day!

These beautiful bra picks for Valentine's day are a perfect gift for your loved one, or for you to treat yourself.

1. Maison Americano Lace Padded Bra by La Perla

Available at Net-a-Porter.com, $295.

2. Lila Bra by Lascivious

Available at Faire Frou Frou, $139.

3. Lace & Silk Satin Soft Cup Bra by Bordelle

Available at Journelle.com, $140.

4. Elodie Hopping Underwire Bra by Stella McCartney

Available at Derrière de Soie, $120.

Guest Blogger Wishlist: Erica Paik's Top Five Picks!

Erica is one of my best friends—we've known each other since 5th grade and we've seen our styles evolve over the years, but she's still one of the most stylish ladies I know. Here's her top 5 wishlist picks for this holiday season!

Sometimes all you want is something sparkly during the holidays. Leading to the first item on my wishlist.

1. Cartier Trinity Star Ring

I love stars. Add diamonds and the iconic trinity band and this is a ring I probably wouldn’t take off that often. What would go well with this ring? Oh right.

2. Araks Elena Bralette Sea and Lia Panty Sea

How sexy, futuristic fun is this? Maybe I’ve seen one too many Tron: Legacy ads, but I can imagine this under their suits, if one could wear anything under those suits. Where would I zoom off to in this cute set?

3. A Trip to Korea

I blame Korean dramas for this one, but I really would love to go to Korea with a bunch of girlfriends, eat at a pojangmacha (sidebar: a kind of roadside food cart that sells all those delicious, yet so bad for you food that pairs perfectly with soju/beer. For more info go here), have a drink or three, and basically have a two month vacation from life. I’d need something comfy for those long days of lounging.

4. Steven Alan Holiday Jenna Romper

In my perfect (dream) apartment, you would find me reading in front of a blazing fire in this adorable romper. Doesn’t it evoke images of winter, scrunchy ski socks bunched down, and hot cocoa? But in the real world, oh wait this is a Christmas wishlist, so for my final wish I wish for...

5. La Perla New Venus Balconette Bra and Lace-Trimmed Short Briefs

Champagne and pearls please! That’s what I thought of when I first saw this set. Oh wait, I would be wearing the Cartier ring... luckily pearls go with everything, right? Love, love, love the details and in the end isn’t that what life is all about—the details.

xoxo, e

Shop Erica's Wishlist!
Cartier Trinity Star Ring, $13,100. Available at Cartier.us.
Araks Elena Bra, $110 and Lia panty, $80. Available at Journelle.com.
Steven Alan Holiday Romper, $168. Available at StevenAlan.com.
La Perla New Venus Balconette Bra, $225. Lace-Trimmed Short Briefs, $115. Available at Net-a-Porter.com.

Notes from the La Perla Sample Sale

yes, that is on sale. a rack full of befeathered bras, bodysuits & panties. so, so many feathers.

Notes from the La Perla sample sale this morning (I got there around 10.30am with a Gilt City early-access ticket).

- sign at 225 5th ave says "pop-up store"
- bag check is mandatory
- about 50 person capacity
- A-cup bras are in the same pile as E-cup, selection isn't great
- all other bra sizes have their own bucket
- la perla basics (white, "nude", black) bras & bottoms are separate from the "fashion" bras & bottoms
- lots of robes, chemises & some swimwear
- hosiery selection is pretty limited, lots of thigh-highs. size variety for white tights but not black
- pricing varies on the line: la perla, black label, glamour, villa toscana bras are $80 each (2 for $140). malizzia, studio, occhi verdi are $50 (2 for $80). chemises, bottoms, bodysuits, robes, etc vary accordingly.
- a few sample shoes are out, some heels & slippers
- a rack or two of mens swim trunks
- lots of floor-length robes & chemises, though sizes are limited on the racks. there are a few employees replenishing as the sale goes on

La Perla Sample Sale: Lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and ready to wear up to 80% off.

Refinery29.com says: Don't worry if you can't get there early…stock will be replenished throughout the sale.

225 Fifth Avenue, at West 27th St

Sunday 11/14, 12pm to 5pm

Monday 11/15, 9:30am to 6pm

Tuesday 11/16, 9:30am to 6pm

Wednesday 11/17, 9:30am to 6pm

Thursday 11/18, 9:30am to 7pm

212.725.5400

Sample Sales: Araks, Hanky Panky & La Perla [NYC]

It's that glorious time of year again: sample sale time! Araks, Hanky Panky and La Perla will both be having sample sales, so get your game face ready.

I haven't been to an Araks or Hanky Panky sale before, but I did check out the La Perla summer sample sale last year. There weren't any A-cup bras (32/34B was the smallest), and it took a good amount of digging to find anything cute in my size. There were plenty of bottoms though, and in retrospect I wish I had invested in more bottoms at that sale. I did get there about an hour before it was scheduled to open and was still 25th in line, and my friends and I waited about an additional 45 minutes to an hour before we were allowed in. Luckily this one also starts on a Sunday, so for all you working ladies, get up early, check it out with your girlfriends (or your boyfriend!) then head over to brunch with some mimosas to celebrate your coup d'thongs!

Araks Sample Sale: Ready to wear, lingerie and swimwear are 60-80% off.
Refinery29.com says: lingerie up to 80% off, organic cotton lingerie (bras, panties, tanks, camis, teddies) up to 60% off.
137 Grand Street, between Crosby St & Lafayette St, 5th floor.
Thursday 11/11, 8:30am to 7:30pm
Friday 11/12, 9am to 6:30pm
No phone.

La Perla Sample Sale: Lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and ready to wear up to 80% off.

Refinery29.com says: Don't worry if you can't get there early…stock will be replenished throughout the sale.

225 Fifth Avenue, at West 27th St

Sunday 11/14, 12pm to 5pm

Monday 11/15, 9:30am to 6pm

Tuesday 11/16, 9:30am to 6pm

Wednesday 11/17, 9:30am to 6pm

Thursday 11/18, 9:30am to 7pm

212.725.5400

Hanky Panky Sample Sale: Lingerie up to 75% off.
260 Fifth Avenue, between West 28th & West 29th Sts
Tuesday 11/16, 8:30am to 8pm
Wednesday 11/17, 8:30am to 8pm
Thursday 11/18, 8:30am to 7pm
Friday 11/19, 9am to 1:30pm
212.725.4996

Color Stories: Going Green

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I was thinking about what I should post this week and realized I haven't done a color story in awhile, so I'm gonna go green today.

Green is an interesting color for lingerie, I think. Most retailers have the standard white, black, pink, red, black, flesh tones, purples... but green is pretty rare. Sometimes the styles are terrible or the hues are awful, but I found a few sets that will make you say "wow!" for different reasons.

1. Olive and Eve set by Amulette: Delicate, lacey swirls in a comforting moss green, and the straps have tiny little flutter sleeves! Pick this one up to feel like a sweet goddess.

Bralette, $78 and briefs, $68. Available at Anthropologie.com.

2. Spree Lace Bra and Briefs by Elle Macpherson: this is the standard Elle bra that comes in different colors. It's comfortable, basic and an everyday staple! Paired with the briefs, it can transform into special set for a late-night rendez-vous.

Spree Lace Bra, $62 and briefs, $30. Available at Net-a-Porter.com.

3. Malizia Sirena Demi Bra and Bikini Briefs by La Perla: The queen of haute lingerie, La Perla never disappoints with super sexy cuts that are also comfy. The extra scallop trim on the sides of the bikini transform an otherwise ordinary bottom into a piece that will make you feel like a mermaid!

Sirena Demi Bra, $109 and briefs, $59. Available at LaPerla.com.

4. Delirious Triangle Bralette and French Briefs by Eberjey: Basic, flirty and comes in every color (well, almost). Perfect for lounging around in on the weekend when you don't want to leave your home, at least I think so! (Note: The real color is closer to the yellowish-green on the briefs. The photo on journelle is a bit wonky, I think).

Triangle bra, $38 and French briefs, $30. Available at Journelle.com.

Jean-Paul Gaultier for La Perla on the Cover of Marie Claire!

...worn by Victoria Beckham, of all people. I got this in the mail last night and the lingerie was the first thing I noticed. I suppose if anyone's going to wear a bra with shoulder pads on the cover of a magazine and look freakin' amazing, it would be Posh Spice, right?

More on the Gaultier for La Perla line here.

Color Stories: Perfect Purple

One of this season's most notable colors is a gorgeous purple, and it's showing up in everyone's fall/winter collections. Here's a roundup of five beautiful purple bras—the Brulee one is my favorite!

1. Brulee Boudoir Collection Corset Soft Bra

Available at Brooklyn Fox, $90

2. Elle Macpherson Artistry Contour Bra

Available at Journelle.com, $65

3. Fleur of England Very Berry Silk Plunge Bra 

Available at FaireFrouFrou.com, on sale $104.40 (regularly $174)

4. La Perla Passion de Fleur Balconette Bra

Available at La Perla, $250

5. Simone Perele Muse Demi Cup Bra

Available at Lindas Online, on sale $107.99 (regularly $120)

Bustier Mini-Bonanza!

I love a good long line bra, or a bustier, especially ones you can wear out. And now that the weather is getting chillier (well, this week at least) they're so cute under cardigans and jackets. Some great ones I've found:

1. Caged Corset Top by TopShop, $65.

2. Rose Zip Jersey Bralet by Topshop, $44.

3. Disco Dropout Bralet by Zinke, $68.

4. Black Label Legend Bustier by La Perla, $402.

(How amazing is this La Perla one, by the way? A one-shoulder bustier? Genius!)

4 Babelicious Bodysuits to Rock Out and About!

Who doesn't love a good bodysuit? I love wearing them with high-waisted anythings—skirts, jeans and shorts. With a great pair of shoes and the perfect jewelry, I feel and look ready to take on the town. Here are some great ones I've been eyeing recently.

1. Boudoir Collection Bodysuit by Brulee: amazingly sleek, classy and beautifully crafted. Hands down one of my all-time favorites.

Available online at Brulee.com, $178.

2. Torchlight Romper by The Lake and Stars: sheer, playful and perfect for layering.

Available online at AzaleasNYC.com, $200.

3. Boudoir Power Mesh Bodysuit by ASOS: sexy, powerful and a bargain!

Available online at ASOS.com, $37.07.

4. New Venus by La Perla: feminine, classic and luxurious.

Available online at Net-a-Porter.com, $389.