Rihanna really flipped the script when she presented her Savage X Fenty lingerie during Fashion Week. Ample breasts, full hips, thunder thighs and not-so-flat stomachs were on parade alongside flat chests, washboard abs, slender legs and a couple of pregnant bellies — and it was all good.
RiRi’s runway move is right in step with the inclusivity trend happening in intimate apparel. Cora Harrington, the African American creator of The Lingerie Addict blog and author of the new book
In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie, says, “Brands have expanded their sizes dramatically. The lingerie industry in America is opening up and it’s really exciting.”
Another factor, says Ra’el Cohen, chief creative officer for the undergarment company ThirdLove, is that women are demanding more from the brands they support and want to see themselves reflected in the products they buy. “They want to see someone who has a similar body type, or skin color, or even a certain age.” She and her colleagues learned that firsthand when a 50-year-old customer pulled their coat about not including older models on their website. “There’s been this idea that women have an expiration date and are forgotten once they’re 40-plus,” says Cohen. “We didn’t feel that was right.” In response they launched the “To Each Her Own” campaign featuring real women, from millennials to a septuagenarian, wearing ThirdLove pieces and enthusing over their stage of life.
We’ve curated some lingerie looks you’ll love:
Pretty Posies PJ
This satin floral
Natori ensemble with bracelet sleeves, full-cut pants and elastic drawstring waist make lounging a luxe affair; $104.99 at Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.
A bra and pantie set that’s anything but basic
Pretty pieces may stay under wraps, but the confident, feminine feeling they inspire will be on full display. ThirdLove’s
T-shirt bra and matching
panties feature a flirty touch of lace; in cup sizes A to G (DDDD) and panties sized XS to 1X, $76 and $24 at thirdlove.com.
A royal (purple) robe
If you like a short cover-up that’s soft and satiny, this thigh-grazing
charmeuse charmer by Savage X Fenty will have you feeling like a queen. Available in an array of rich colors with contrasting sash and trim in sizes 0 to 22, $56 at savagex.com.
Everyday comfort that blends with your skin
Nubian Skin’s assortment of bras, panties, camisoles and bodysuits come in several sister-friendly shades. This
lightweight camisole from their Naked Collection has adjustable straps and layers smoothly and invisibly under blouses and sweaters. In sizes XS to XXL, $38 at Nordstrom.
Good news for the girls
Nubian Skin’s
Fuller-Bust bra is constructed with three sections and underwire to comfortably lift and center large breasts.
High-waist briefs deliver seamless coverage all around; $49 and $24 at Nordstrom.
Fun, functional and fierce
This microfiber
bra-and-pantie set in racy leopard print from Savage X Fenty delivers all three. The bra has high sides to reduce the appearance of sleevage (underarm bulge), and the
panties give seamless full coverage; $44 and $16.50 at savage.com.
Looks yummy, controls the tummy
When you’re wearing body-hugging dresses and skirts, the Everyday Slimming
high-waist full brief by Cacique Intimates has you covered. It smooths the midsection without feeling restrictive. Plus, the seamless pantie design means no visible lines. In sizes 18 to 28, $16.50 at Lane Bryant.
A great bra to sleep in
This pretty
satin and lace triangle style by Cacique Intimates has a hook-and-eye closure, and the adjustable straps can be worn straight or crisscrossed in the back. Complete the look with coordinating
sleep shorts; both in sizes 14 to 28, $35 each at Lane Bryant.
Short and sweet This gauzy
baby doll by Cacique Intimates features a lacy bodice with seductive lace-up neckline that accentuates the bust. Includes matching G-string; in sizes 22 to 28, $55 at Lane Bryant.
Long and lovely
For sleepwear that offers coverage but looks feminine and alluring, try a
tea-length nightgown like this elegant charmeuse version by Thalia Sodi. Its flowy silhouette is flattering for a range of sizes; in sizes XS to XL, $30 at Macy’s.
