Just a Touch of the Boudoir.

We love Sarah (aka Sherbet Tone) for constantly schooling us in the ways of the ultra-hip (not to mention how to flaunt one’s best assets). Here’s another much-anticipated guest post from Sarah!

The most recent post on Facehunter literally made me want to weep with joy. And it took me less than a minute to understand why:

 At about the age of nineteen, I discovered Bettie Page. And all things generally associated with pin-up were soon to follow.
From that moment, until approximately three years later, I made it a very serious and steady mission to learn absolutely everything about her. I, in fact, attempted to become her (I had that haircut, yes, yes I did).

 Her image is perhaps over-saturated in pop-culture today, but she was so very easy for me to idolize. (As I suppose any person searching for an iconic niche attempts to imitate what seems to work for their physical attributes.) And if there is one thing I am, and will always be, it’s curvy. And this, in turn, led to a large fascination with the art-forms of both pin-up and burlesque. At which point I began my slightly unhealthy obsession with mid-century fashion, particularly the edgy, but still classically feminine style of the almost-costume-like elements of boudoir style.Now, I know what you are thinking, surely ladies cannot step out in their underclothes? And you are most correct. However, I am a firm believer in well-placed, quite tasteful “lingerie on the outside.” It’s all in the styling – like the girls of yore, structure around your feminine curves rather than baring them. Corseted, bustier, sheer tulle – this type of saucy femininity is often revisited by designers again and again. Take for example as these looks from Spring/Summer 2008:

Two vintage-inspired, corseted looks from Dolce and Gabbana, a peek of leather bra at Anna Sui, and two very Bettie-Inspired bras at Marc Jacobs. And since pin-up is a vintage style, just about anyone can hope to find pretty slips and cute tap pants at their local thrift and/or vintage boutique.

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