Style Guide: Bodysuits

We've all been there. We've bought something we really really love, and find that our mind just draws a blank when deciding what to wear with it!

Bodysuits (because they are just so flexible) can be troublesome in this way, especially when you want to do the underwear as outerwear trend! Don't fret, we've put together just a few ways you could wear our Anastasia Bodysuit. 

Look 1: Dancing the Night Away

 

Whether you are partying with your friends or on a hot date, the bodysuit adds a bit of an edge to your outfit! This body lends itself well to a rock-girl outfit, with black panels and cage strap detail casting a tougher edge against the dark floral pattern.

Team with a chunky statement necklace, wedge heels (in black, purple or pink), a leather-look skirt and an embellished jacket for a playfully dark look.

Look 2: Like a Boss

Kick ass at work with this twist on the traditional skirt-suit!

For an injection of colour, wear the bodysuit with a black pencil skirt, Whistle & Wolf Tuxedo Jacket, black wedges and a matching briefcase. 

And sometimes you just need a bit of time to yourself! 

Settle down with your favourite book or tv show, slip on some warm socks and put the kettle on. Team the bodysuit with a robe (we love Kriss Soonik's loungewear) and get under that blanket!

Lady Unmentionable: What to wear with Corsets

Hi
I bought one of your lovely corsets but I am bit stuck as to what to wear it with?
Thanks
Vicky

This is a question that somewhat relies on knowing in which situation you are planning to wear your corset! I, of course, never shy away from the underwear as outerwear trend, as you can see above. Although I do admit that knickers are somewhat not considered acceptable wear for certain events (god knows why).

Popping to a cocktail evening or popping macaroons into your mouth while lounging in your boudoir, corsets thrive in both environments, yet need a little difference in what else you should wear (or not wear....). 

As you can see, I favour an overbust corset, although you may have chosen a luscious waspie to cinch in that waist (I'll talk a bit about what to wear with one of those a little later. Overbusts do most of the hard work for you, giving you support in the bust as well as shaping an hourglass curve. Some ladies prefer to wear a bra underneath the corset, depending on the cut of the bust. 

The Bound Cupped Corset is the perfect little thing for a bit of a bedroom tease (for extra tease points, wear nipple pasties underneath the corset) and can be worn with a black suspender belt, black briefs or nothing at all ;)

As for something a tad more demure, overbust corsets can be worn as tops, teamed with pencil skirts (as the lovely Undercover Lingerista did here) or even black skinny jeans to ensure you bring a touch of glam to a more casual event. 

Waspies are a little trickier, but can also work well for both formal shindigs or playtime. 

Team your waspie with either a fully matching or contrasting set of lingerie (e.g. black waspie, red lingerie or black waspie, black lingerie) for a saucy night in. Or take a look at the way we've styled these lovely ladies above, using pencil skirts, shirts and kimono jackets to create a gorgeous look for the evening. 

You could even take a leaf out of The Only Way Is Essex's Maria Fowler's book and wear a statement bra or bralet with a waspie and black skinny jeans!

Are you perplexed by panties? Shocked by suspenders? Send through your lingerie-related gripes to me at knickersinatwist@playfulpromises.com!

Dear Lady Unmentionable: How to wash hosiery

Im just wondering the best way to wash and store stockings and tights? any advice greatly appreciated

- Renee (via the Playful Promises Facebook)

As ladies, we all know how wonderful stockings and tights make us look and feel, but, we also know how annoying they can be to take care of! One slip or lack of concentration can lead to a ladder or hole and no matter what anyone says – that is never a good look!

Nylon and silk stockings and tights are both delicate and require a bit more TLC than some other hosiery; however, we all know it’s worth it ;)

Firstly, nylon hosiery CAN be machine washed, but only using a cold water setting.  Plus, they absolutely must be washed on their own – so machine washing can cause more trouble than it’s worth!

The best way to care for nylon and silk tights and stockings is definitely hand washing! Sorry, I know this seems a bore, but if you want perfect looking pins, sacrifices must be made (you should be treating all your lovely lingerie the same way, but I won’t judge you.. much).

Before you even begin washing your hosiery, check your nails! Make sure to file away any jagged edges, also remove any rings. You don’t want your precious tights to get caught and ladder or rip!

Now, fill your sink with lukewarm water and add half a cup of mild laundry powder (you can even use colourless shampoo if you don’t have any washing powder to hand!).

Turn your stockings or tights inside out and allow soaking for five minutes, remembering to wash similar colours together.

Now wash the products carefully, avoiding rubbing and pulling as you will stretch the hosiery making it unwearable.

Rinse, rinse and rinse again in cool water to get all the soap out and then gently squeeze the water out of the tights or stockings from the top down to the toe.

Once all the excess water has been removed, place the tights or stockings over a towel rail or something similar to air dry. Keep hosiery out of direct sunlight as the colours will fade.

When you wear your stockings or tights, avoid anything that they could snag on like corners of desks and tables or wooden seats and always carry a little bottle of clear nail varnish with you to dab on a hole or ladder as soon as you notice it!

As for storing your stockings and tights, either fold them nicely (even better if you have the original packaging) and keep in a drawer or hang up on a padded hanger. Rolling them up into a ball will cause them to become misshapen!

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