Something New, Something Blue? (Or Pink, Or Red, or Black)
This isn’t your grandmother’s bridal lingerie. With bridal fashions and weddings themselves available in a dizzying array of options, why not revamp your wedding day (or night) outlook with styles right for 2011?
This writer is always a bridesmaid, never a bride (thank you very much), and so when I was asked to cover emerging bridal lingerie trends, I knew I had to consult with the top experts in the Merrimack Valley.
My first stop was Andrea Raymond Apparel in Newburyport, a custom undergarment design firm and shop led by its namesake proprietor, Andrea Raymond. An industry veteran with years of experience designing intimate apparel, Raymond says her brides tend to prefer styles that flatter their figures — think bustiers that nip the waist and enhance the bust — in rich, vibrant colors. “My customers keep their personal style in mind when they shop with me,” Raymond said, “but they want it turned up a notch. Brides want something silky, something that sparkles, something special.”
I kept that in mind as I traveled to Lowell to meet with Colleen Ferry, owner of Chantilly Place. Though Chantilly Place doesn’t directly sell lingerie (Ferry says she refers her customers to Night & Day in Andover — more on that later), she noted that brides in general have sought simpler, slimmer-style wedding gowns — which, ultimately, don’t leave much room for lacy little things to be worn underneath. Instead, she said, undergarments (like brassieres and corsets) can be sewn into the gowns, if any are worn at all.
My last stop was Night & Day in Andover, where the staff is trained to focus on the fit as much as the fashion. Merit Tukiainen, another industry veteran and undergarment expert, had lots to say about what sets bridal lingerie apart from the rest. She recommends that brides buy pieces that work with their body types — great legs can be enhanced by a short, silk chemise; the allure of a clavicle can be set off by a longer, boudoir-style gown — rather than trying a one-size-fits-all approach to sexy. Tukiainen pointed out the popularity of racy, retro-style hot pant and bra sets, brought to us first by the pinup queens of the ’30s and ’40s. “Also,” she said, “leaving something to the imagination always works well.”
With so many fits and fabrics available — and so many wonderful women available to help you find your perfect pieces — why not let your bridal lingerie be the icing on your wedding cake?
Bridal Boudoir Jan 2011
This isn’t your grandmother’s bridal lingerie. With bridal fashions and weddings themselves available in a dizzying array of options, why not revamp your wedding day (or night) outlook with styles right for 2011?
This writer is always a bridesmaid, never a bride (thank you very much), and so when I was asked to cover emerging bridal lingerie trends, I knew I had to consult with the top experts in the Merrimack Valley.
I kept that in mind as I traveled to Lowell to meet with Colleen Ferry, owner of Chantilly Place. Though Chantilly Place doesn’t directly sell lingerie (Ferry says she refers her customers to Night & Day in Andover — more on that later), she noted that brides in general have sought simpler, slimmer-style wedding gowns — which, ultimately, don’t leave much room for lacy little things to be worn underneath. Instead, she said, undergarments (like brassieres and corsets) can be sewn into the gowns, if any are worn at all.
With so many fits and fabrics available — and so many wonderful women available to help you find your perfect pieces — why not let your bridal lingerie be the icing on your wedding cake?