This means War: Big Knickers VS G-strings

Big is Back Ladies and there’s a huge debate raging throughout the underwear world – G-Strings Vs. High Waisted Knickers!

In recent years there has been a drastic increase in sales of high-waist underwear, while the sales of the G-String are dwindling. I am left pondering this shift in lingerie fashions and wondering why many of us are taking inspiration from our Grannies and choosing bigger knickers.

The Kitty G-string

The G-String is one of the oldest forms of clothing, and can be traced back to many indigenous tribes throughout Southern Africa. The G-String was originally created for men, but nowadays is firmly considered a female garment.

The G-String first gained mainstream popularity throughout Southern America, particularly Brazil in the 70’s. The G-String then became popular throughout the Western World in the 1980’s, rising in popularity throughout the 90’s and the Noughties becoming one of the fastest-selling most in-demand women’s products. R’n’B and Hip Hop music helped increase the popularity, becoming synonymous with artists such as Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears.

The G-String is heralded as a bold, sexy garment that boosts women’s confidence, releasing their wild, exotic side. As well as the psychological effect a G-String has on women (and men!) it offers many benefits to the wearer:

• Reducing the possibility of the dreaded VPL (Visible Panty Line for those not in the know).
• G-Strings come in a wide range of styles, materials and colours, suitable for any occasion or outfit.

Despite the many options a G-String offers, there are some who claim that G-Strings are uncomfortable and too risqué and the poor G-String style swimsuit has even been banned in public in some American counties!

I bet they just haven’t seen Playful Promises wonderful offerings of G-Strings, because no one would want to hide the Kitty Ivory Tulle and Stitch G-String!

Vamp High Waist Brief

2012 is the year of big knickers, especially High Waisted briefs, and they are considered one of the year’s biggest trends. The trend of bigger knickers has been rising for some years now and offer benefits including:

• Bigger knickers are extremely comfortable and also conceal VPL, stealing the limelight from the G-String!
• Most high waists are very flattering and some often shape the body, providing support.

With the increased interest in vintage styles, everyone’s referring to 1940’s pin ups for inspiration with regards to lingerie, and now big celebrities are flaunting their statement knickers paving the way for everyone else to wear their big knickers with pride!

Some claim that the current state of the global economy is to blame for the increased interest in big knickers. During the 1920’s American depression, whenever women had some disposable spending money the first thing they bought was lingerie. Why? Because a whole new outfit was often unattainable, so buying underwear let women look great for a minimal cost and minimal effort – such is the power of a good set of underwear!

Personally, I’m a big knickers kind of gal and absolutely adore the Etti Satin High Waisted Brief!

The lines have been firmly drawn here at the Playful Promises office, but what side do you stand on – G-Strings or High Waisted Knickers? 

Sexy smalls verses assertive drawers

Vargas Girdle from Kiss Me Deadly

The era of sexy, minimalist smalls is being pushed aside by bold, assertive lingerie. Our recent trip to the heart of lingerie trends in Paris has revealed to us that retro giant briefs, high-waisted girdles and retro longline bras are back in fashion! But don’t be fooled, Grandma’s knickers are still not the height of fashion, so keep those well hidden.

Delicate, simple and petite lingerie will always be available however, more and more brands are offering high-waist briefs that can be worn above the navel or even above the waist-line and below the bust depending on the style. There is also a surge in longline girdles that also rise above the navel and sit below the bust and longline bras that extend to the waist-line creating a flattering shape. These latest trends have emerged from the growth in popularity of shape wear and vintage retro lingerie and faux retro lingerie.

Brands such as Kiss Me Deadly and What Katie Did are experiencing a great interest in their dominant lingerie lines, but there is also demand for contemporary designed statement lingerie with a modern design and lighter more feminine fabrics.

Playful Promises have experienced a surge in demand for longline bras. The Ava range was extremely popular for us and for our Autumn Winter collection we have included high waist briefs and longline bras. These chunky lingerie pieces have almost sold out before even reaching the shops and our spring summer 2012 lingerie collection promises further longline bras and girdles and high waist briefs.

The need for smaller and delicate lingerie is still strong and stylists are using this opportunity to now juxtapose these bold, statement pieces of lingerie with smaller, lighter and delicate pieces. I love the mix of the soft-cup triangle bra from the Playful Promises Etti line matched with the bold block of the high-waist Etti brief. The high waist brief has additional tulle mesh inserts to lighten the bold block design. However, I love how the Etti range can almost be worn as outer wear. Match the Etti soft-cup bra with the hipster Brazilian brief too!

Longerline lingerie is also great under summer t’s, showing off bold shapes, interesting cutting edge design and patterns and something a little saucy.

Try the style yourself; the Ava longline bra works great under a loose black or white t-shirt or the black What Katie Did Maitresse bullet bra with a cropped t-shirt.