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!

Silver Screen Queens

Love them or hate them, the silver screen idols will never cease! Even those long departed from life are revived again and again through the camera lens. Some of them, who have climbed to the highest rung of the celebrity ladder, have become symbols of their generation. What conjures up thoughts of the 1950s more than Marilyn Monroe and her classic bullet bra?

At Playful Promises we adore the glamour of the big screen, and many of our pieces have been inspired by starlets of times gone by! Which got me wondering, if we could transport ourselves into the dressing rooms of these great actresses, which of our items would we cheekily slip in amongst their furs, corsets and negligees?

Don't be mistaken by her beautiful child-like features, Lillian Gish was one of the prominent actresses of the 1910s and 20s, starring in some of the biggest blockbusters of the day! We could easily see her relaxing in our pink Lyla playsuit with contrasting black bows.

One of the world's most popular vamps, Louise Brooks and her bob hairstyle has become iconic of the 1920s. Team our Vintage Stitch Corset with a lacy vintage slip or a fringed skirt for the perfect flapper look.

German born Marlene Dietrich is the ultimate femme fatale. With her striking, chiselled looks and deep exotic voice (surprisingly well recieved during the era of the talkies), she has to be my personal favourite star! We would love to have seen our Ava collection peeking out from underneath those fitted black jackets and suits that Dietrich was famous for.

Listed as one of the Greatest Stars of All Time, Rita Hayworth is yet another glamorous and unprecedented beauty of the silver screen. After posing in just her negligee for Life Magazine, she became one of the top two pin ups of the War years. And this is why we would have to slip her into our Silk Chemise Set in scarlet!

Her unmistakeable features have been painted by Warhol and impersonated by scores of actresses and imitators; Marilyn Monroe needs no introduction. A poster girl for the classic girl-next-door look, Monroe wore bullet bras and girdles underneath her sweater for ultimate curves. What Katie Did's Maitresse Bullet Bra is perfect to replicate this look! 

Effortlessly chic and eternally classic, Elizabeth Taylor rose to stardom in the 1950s and 60s with iconic films such as Cleopatra. A fashion icon of the time, she was often seen wearing a silk scarf and headband. Even in her most revealing of outfits, Elizabeth appeared modest and stunning, which is why we have chosen the Morgana Garter Dress!

Pixie-like Mia Farrow's career has spanned from the 60s to present day, with one of her key roles in Rosemary's Baby in 1968 kicking off her 70s popularity. She exagerrated her delicate looks by wearing mini dresses and peter pan collars, just the kind of style that works perfectly over our Genie nude set!

 Rising to the Hollywood elite ranks in the 1980s and furthering her career during the next few decades, Michelle Pfeiffer is our 80s star. Known for taking on roles against her typical type, she is best remembered for that amazing Catwoman outfit in Batman Returns - single-handedly sexing up the comic franchise. For this, we could think of nothing better than our classic Victoria set!

Demi Moore, one of the highest paid actresses of the 90s, is well known for letting it all hang out! In 1991 she controversially appeared naked on the cover of Vanity Fair, whilst being 7 months pregnant. To get the Demi look, go bra-less! Or if you really can’t take that, then try our Multiway Bra :P

 Classic and glamorous, Cate Blanchett could easily have belonged to a past era. This Australian beauty rose to fame after playing Elizabeth I in the 1998 film Elizabeth, which makes the name of our 'Time for Tea and a Dance' postcard panties seem ideal! We also think the champagne satin and sweetheart lace back would flatter a complexion similar to Cate's.

We watched her grow from know-it-all teen in Harry Potter to a style icon. Trading in her long locks for a Mia Farrow-esque pixie cut catapulted Emma Watson into a media frenzy. Much like Farrow, she mixes cute dresses with other feminine pieces... and lots of lace! We think she would love our Peach Detail Waspie and Silk Corsage bra!

Which Hollywood star would you love to style? And what would you dress her in?