I only started caring about lingerie when I got married, not because of my husband or anything, but because it seemed like the grown up thing to do, you know, like having an accountant do your taxes, buying toilet paper, or Venmoing friends instead of giving them straight cash (I do none of these things). Also, living in Paris, I had to pretend to be interested in Foucault's technologies of self, of which lingerie is one instrument. I don't know if Dior really said, "Without foundations, there is no fashion," but all too often, undergarments are an afterthought. We're more inclined to choose an outfit first, then haphazardly find a bra or whatever to go with it, when clothes would fit better if we chose carefully, from the ground up.
Anyway I don't know if French girls really spend a significant portion of their income on lingerie. Some magazine articles make it seem like they're all running around in Agent Provocateur but most of my friends buy more regularly from, for example, Etam, Aubade, Princesse Tam Tam or Oysho, and they handwash their lingerie, no matter how inexpensive. I know this because I would walk into their apartments and see everything hanging off dish racks or drip drying in the shower. It's true they would, for instance, buy one bra and buy the matching thong, culotte, and boy short to go with it. Their collections were not so different from those of my American friends, though, and I'm more crazy about matching than anyone I know.
It was difficult for me to find things in France because my size is not normally stocked in stores, and then I worry about ethics and the environment, and also I hate everything. I try to keep fabrics and materials as natural and untreated as possible, the gold standard for which is Oeko Tex certification. One sustainable brand I often admired at Centre Commercial was Base Range; I also like zero waste Anekdot Boutique and Pansy. However, I read once you should choose lingerie based on your actual shape, not how you hope to look someday. My underwear reflects that. My whole lingerie collection is secondhand (UPDATE: I now wear only new Pansy sets everyday and secondhand Agent Provocateur for structure under dresses, purchased with box and tags still intact). I wear the Isabel floating to exercise, which I realize is the equivalent of Shannen Doherty bathing in Evian. I think Stella McCartney is an important voice in the push for a more sustainable fashion industry, however, I don't believe she is as green as everybody says. My pieces have organic cotton gussets and recycled metal fasteners, as well as a small percentage of recycled polyester (they are mostly silk, though). For ethical shoppers larger than a B cup, Luva Huva and Harlow & Fox offer an extended range of sizes.
I like garter belts because my mom always had them and they make me feel like a career woman in post war America, but I don't actually need them since I only wear seamed Swedish Stockings. I wore one pair of leggings from age 10 to age 27, recently replacing it with an organic cotton pair from Pact, also secondhand. They are soft, not saggy or sheer, and easy to care for- but the packaging is obnoxious (UPDATE: These pieces of garbage ripped. I will buy an Outdoor Voices or Pansy or Girlfriend Collective pair I think, I'm not in a hurry though). Since most of my socks were lost in my move, now I only wear Pact socks (I have seven no-see pairs, in black, white, and nude- they're not well made) or a handknit A Wool Story pair (these are my favorite things I own).
To bed, I wear an American Apparel dress I found secondhand. I usually change into that or a t-shirt and my leggings as soon as I get home, because I hate the idea of dirty street clothes on the furniture- I must have had a trauma or something in childhood to make me this way. The swimsuit is American Apparel also, and it's great- it doesn't move when I jump into wadis or get caught in a wave or anything. I try to handwash everything with castile soap after each wear and hang to dry. It takes a lot of water and resources and energy to manufacture just one pair of underwear, so I want to take care of my things as long as I can. Right now my collection consists of several bras I rotate (I never like to wear the same bra two days in a row), seven bottoms, and seven pairs of socks. I'm just storing them folded, with each cup inside the other, in the boxes they came in for now.
Above: American Apparel swimsuit, secondhand, similar top and bikini bottoms at Reformation. Stella McCartney Isabel floating bra, panty, thong, and suspender. Stella McCartney Clara Whispering set. Agent Provocateur cendrillon set.
So, with such pretty underwear, I'd worry about my monthlies staining them - any issues there? For this reason, I have COUNTLESS pairs of Uniqlo black knickers - which go with all my largely dark pants I wear to work or work out...
ReplyDeleteExactly what Melanie said... the cup makes it possible to wear whatever you want all the time! I even read you can go commando with it ha
DeleteThe menstrual cup is my solution too.
DeleteAlthough I see some staining on the days I bike. For the life of me, I cant figure out why. I have browsed forums and studied anatomy charts to see if I am doing something wrong. Still havent figured it out. Ideas ladies ?
Huh! That's interesting. What cup are you using if you don't mind me asking? I haven't had this problem but I know the cup I use was actually designed for older women and women who've already had children so maybe it serves as extra reinforcement for biking days?
Deleteyou may well get incidental staining if there are any remnants of blood in the vaginal canal present during retrieval or reinsertion. I usually do (or leak in general because my cup weirdly sits on an angle like some men's guys point left or right).
DeleteThanks all - I do use cups (Lunette brand) and not often, but they can and do leak. And at night... I choose to not wear the cup, so that's on me for staining, but that wasn't when I meant...
DeleteI think Ariana's using a menstrual cup. I'm using one too and since I got used to use it properly, I haven't had blood stains in my undies. But just in case, I think it's a good way to wear black underneath for those few days per month... :)
ReplyDeleteThe cup is so freeing, no stains, no leaks or cramps since switching... glad it's worked out for you too
DeleteDamn I still get cramps sometimes with a cup :(
Deleteso being well-endowed enough that going braless isn't a practical (or comfortable, or figure-flattering) option makes someone basic, while being light enough up top that it isn't a big deal makes someone cool? I mean - I get that body-shaming is a thing, but...that seems harsh.
ReplyDeletePeople go braless regardless of body type, for many reasons. People decide to wear bras for many reasons (and they don't have to be basic to wear one). I received many emails saying that I'm basic for wearing a bra and should just go without if I really wanted to be environmentally friendly, feminist, etc. That was a reference to that. But I'm not comfortable going braless anyway
DeleteI agree with you both. In an ideal world we'd be able to eliminate all the baggage of social expectations and perceptions. If feminism and gender equality is about freeing the nipple for someone, that's their choice and I respect it, but they shouldn't be imposing it on others. In a theoretical vacuum going braless might be a wonderful form of bodily and mental liberation, also resulting in less waste and consumption. However, do I want to walk around in a city with a bunch of men looking at my nipple and swaying breasts in the streets, at the workplace, etc.? No. I'll reconsider when the world is rid of those people.
DeleteAriana - you're so lucky when it comes to scoring such great second hand finds! I'm also very particular about matching sets, which makes things difficult when I prefer the seamless cotton shorts from one brand but like the wireless bra from another maker...
That is a great point. It's a personal choice, just like being vegan or eating meat, and I can't believe that people judge and hate on personal decisions like that.
DeleteOh my, I can't believe that you receive emails about how one should go braless for ethical reasons. (I really shouldn't be surprised, but, ack!) I could never go braless out of the house myself, both because of my size and what I'm comfortable with.
Delete(fwiw, the menstrual cup + Thinx option is basically mishap-proof...if one lets you down, the other picks up the slack)
ReplyDeleteI have yet to try period panties, so it's good to hear from someone who has!
DeleteAriana,
ReplyDeleteHave you read the article on Quartz about the lie of conscious consumption ? Your take ?
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DeleteAriana, Thank you for the response.
DeleteMy experiences are really limited though... the latest Ecocult article about 14 fashion industry myths was super thought provoking
DeleteAs always, I appreciate your cleanliness-obsessed self deprecation.
ReplyDeleteI've been wondering for a while, are there any natural or biodegradable fibers that stretch like our modern plastic clothing? The idea of those microfibers pouring into the ocean freaks me out a bit (but then so does everything happening to our planet).
On that same topic, how do you keep from becoming anxious? I'm very passionate about the environment, but the more I learn the more I despair for our future. I've had a few panic attacks about all of this. But I still want to learn more and work in this field. Is that crazy? It just seems like the only thing that really matters is the planet's health at this point, it would be hard to focus on anything else.
Hi Ariana,
DeleteI too have struggled with the despair that can enter into sustainability work. The human heart seems to lean towards destruction so much of the time! We *could* make good choices, but choose not to when the better way is filled with a lot of joy and preserves life. It makes no sense to me.
That said, I have found a more meaningful life by refusing to go with the flow and give in to societal norms that are harming human life and this planet. I think it is important to remember that we do much of this for the joy it brings and that when we share that joy, others want some too! We cannot legislate the human heart. But we can woo it. :-)
Rachel P.
That is so beautiful Rachel! I completely agree we can't legislate the heart. I think the most powerful way zero wasters can appeal to people is not by scaring them into thinking it's a necessary step but by showing them the beauty and joy it brings. But can you imagine... if we cared for our planet as much as we care for ourselves how great everything would be?
DeleteLove that you brought up a higher power. After being an atheist for years, I have recently found faith and it gives everything a fresh perspective and fuel for positivity. I was one who got sonbihhed down with issues, but now I am more mindful of them but at the same time, more hopeful. Interesting that science brought you to divinity. I was trying to explain this to a friend recently. The complexity of our world is too intricate to not be by design. Just look at the miracle of life and our nature to sustain the species.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I hate lingerie shopping as much as I love lingerie aesthetically. I believe we have a similar petite, yet curvy build that sometimes makes it challenging in surprising ways. I love wireless bras and briefs that actually cover my butt, in matching pairs- that are actually sexy. Talk about wishful thinking! I'm giving up for now and just sticking to black for everyday, so pieces from different brands "match" and hunting for a few more vibrant colored pairs for special occasions.