Innovative Undies Offer More Than Just Satin And Frilly Lace

The same old bra and panties routine can get so boooorring. And we're not talking about spicing things up with flashy prints or frilly lace. Below are some innovative lingerie pieces that are pushing the envelope to offer more than just something to cover your bum. They play with new fabrics, cuts, and even pearls (yikes!) to bring us the latest in lingerie design. Which piece do you find the most exciting of the bunch?

The Sassybax Very Bare Bra is like one giant band-aid for your boobs. Weird, yes. But it works.

Why shouldn't your underwear do more than just look pretty? Samantha knows that possibilities are endlessly exciting when you're sporting a pearl thong.

Luxury Liner underwear from OnGossamer puts your mind at ease when it's that time of the month. Just when we've mastered the art of walking out of a restaurant backwards...oh well.

Wires are out - of bras that is. New wire-free bras like the Wacoal Contour No Wire Bra are upstaging their stiffer counterparts.  

Take our poll below and don't forget to check out our Best Underwear and Best Bras Guides.  

Solution: Pull A Reverse-Samantha And Conceal Those Nips

The upcoming Sex and the City movie has everyone buzzing about the trailer, the fashions, and, of course, their favorite episodes of the series. I happen to love the one where Samantha attracts a guy (who turns out to be a total manchild) by wearing a pair of fake nipples. The episode first aired in 2001, and it makes me wonder: when did things change?

These days, it seems there's quite the stigma attached to nipples standing at attention. An influx of lined bras and a nip-slip-obsessed tabloid culture make for plenty of incentive to keep your nips under tight wraps. But in a season of built-to-go-braless dresses, you're going to need more—or should we say less—to keep an embarrassing incident from popping up.

Luckily three brands are leading the charge in the no more nip slips war. Bristol6's Nippies Silicone patches ($19.50 for a pair) are lightweight, flesh-toned, and washable and re-wearable up to 50 times.

Hollywood Fashion Tape's Cover-Ups Nipple Concealers ($15 for a pair) are simple silicone stickers you can wear again and again. Their smoothness and paper-thinness makes them ideal for wearing under silky strapless tops or spaghetti strap dresses.

And Pure Style Girlfriends' Smooth 'em Concealers ($17 for a pair) are water and sweatproof, so you can work up a sweat doing… whatever it is you do to get your workout while going sans bra.

I bet sex-crazed Samantha would drop dead before passing a pair of pasties around the breakfast table. But if you're more like prim-and-proper Charlotte, you can now go braless without the constant nagging worry that you'll expose yourself or—gasp!—let the world know you have nipples.

Click here for more SheFinds Solutions.  

Who Needs A Movie When You Have Sex And The City: The Thong?

What: Sex and the City Pearl Thong by Bracli, $64

Why: As the countdown to Sex and the City: The Movie continues (May 30th, people), it seems as if this city has become utterly punch drunk with everything SATC. From magazine features to character lingerie, we just can't get enough of our four leading ladies.

So it didn't really get our panties in a bunch (pardon the pun) when we found out you can now purchase the same pearl thong - not the EXACT same - that Richard gave Samantha in Episode 69 (pardon someone else's pun). Lingerie company, Bracli, is offering the elaborate - and apparently stimulating - thong just in time for the movie premiere. And from how Samantha raves about it in the show, I'm thinking it might be worth the 60 bucks. As long as I don't use the stairs. 

And by the way - you adventurous types can purchase a double-strand thong for only $12 more. What a bargain! 

Get Yours: yandy.com

Deal Of The Day: Up To 65% Off Must-Have Bras At GapBody

There are plenty of bras a woman absolutely must have in her lingerie drawer. A strapless, a convertible, something lacy and sheer for special occasions… But it's the bras we wear every day that we need to stock up on, keeping in mind that, as they say, variety is the spice of life. GapBody helps add a dash of daring and a pinch of pop to your wear-all-the-time trousseau, and they have some old standards on sale, too.


A girl can never have too many classic white t-shirt bras ($13, was $36) in her underwear arsenal. The Gap's spin on the t-shirt bra includes a convertible back (rig it up the standard way or with a racerback for some extra oomph) and a low-cut plunge, so you can wear it with your deep v-neck tops or undo a few extra buttons on your button-downs.


Nude, taupe, beige, and baby pink bras are OK for day-to-day wear, but every gal needs at least one zinger. This bright raspberry-hued nylon ultra push-up ($17, was $38) is uplifting on so many levels. Supportive underwires and LiquiLift padding will give your bust boost, while the secret knowledge that you're wearing a lipstick-pink bra will lift your spirits.


It's impossible to pull off a funky patterned bra under every outfit (hello, white tee faux pas!) but it's nice to have a few bras festooned with flowers or peppered with polka dots. This wildflower-patterned balconet bra ($13, was $39.50) is a contemporary take on your typical pink roses. Robin's egg, celadon, and violet on a midnight blue background are fresh and fun for those days when you wear a black top and want to spice things up a little (the smooth, seamless fit doesn't hurt matters, either!)

For more bra picks, browse the SheFinds Best Bra Guide.

More sales and deals:

Ugg-style boots are up to 50% off at Steve Madden—stock up!

Satiny Foley + Corinna dresses, tanks and tops are 70% off at ShopBop.

Anna Sui, Cynthia Rowley and Betsey Johnson are just a few of the labels that are 50-80% off eDressMe's designer sale.

Find more sales posted by SheFinds readers in our forum.

Are You A Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, Or Charlotte? Sex And The City Lingerie By Cosabella

"I have a style and jeweled panties aren't it," said Carrie Bradshaw before stepping onto the Dolce and Gabbana runway in this, tripping on her super-high heels, and then becoming fashion roadkill as Heidi Klum trampled over her.

The gown Carrie was supposed to wear before they swapped her outfit at the last minute looked a bit more like the florarl-motifed lingerie set seen below. In lieu of the upcoming Sex And The City: The Movie, Cosabella, Hollywood's preferred intimate apparel company, designed four sets of lingerie with the Sex And The City ladies as inspiration. From the lingerie company known for its comfortable, colorful, and diverse collections you can pick up these great pieces from barenecessities.com. 

In college, I could remember wanting to be the Carrie of my group due to her fashion sense and to-die-for writing gig. The girl had s-t-y-l-e. Cosabella hit the nail on the head when designing the print for the Carrie Collection. I couldn't imagine Carrie, the carefree fashionista with a whimsical style all her own, in anything else. The collection features a balconette bra ($86), lowrider thong ($36), and bustier ($162) designed in Black Rose.

Now my roommate was the Samantha of the bunch. She spoke her mind, had more one-night stands than I could count with no regret, and lived for the conquer of a new man - and she was the only girl I knew who actually had a garter belt at 20. The sassy and sensational Samantha Collection includes an underwire bra ($76), lowrider thong ($33), and garter belt ($55) designed in a French Chantilly style lace fabric with fine microdot mesh detailing in a vibrant Passion Fruit.

I couldn't have been paid to be compared to Charlotte with her Park Avenue attitude and uber-conservative style - but you could pay me to wear these comfy cottons. Cosabella married Charlotte's feminine chic style and sweet innocent side into this classic designed camisole ($80), lowrider thong ($22), and long pajama pant ($100).

Cosabella's take on Miranda seems to fit more in with the later seasons when she was dating the unbelievably hot Dr. Robert Leeds than the early seasons where we saw an occasionally androgynous Miranda. If I were a man, this is what I would hope a lawyer would be wearing under that tailored suit. The Miranda Collection is a set of confident and cosmopolitan pieces: a molded lace bra ($62) and a lowrider hotpant ($50) in a vibrant blue tulle with a contrasting scalloped lace trim in sky blue.

For more great ideas on lingerie from SheFinds check out our Guide to Lingerie.

Deal Of The Day: Up To 30% Off Designer Panties At Bare Necessities

Whether you're a buttoned-up, suit-wearing executive or a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal (or both!) there's no better way to feel sexy than to don a pair of skimpy skivvies. It doesn't matter if no one's gonna see 'em—just the feeling of wearing a luxe pair of panties can lift your spirits and make your confidence soar. Every lingerie drawer—even the ones dominated by white cotton panties—should have at least one pair of slinky designer drawers. Trust us: invest in the panties, and that sly smirk that comes from having a sexy secret is on the house.


The flirty, feathery fan on these Simone Perele boyshorts ($48, were $69) is exotic and enticing, and the chocolate-and-turquoise color scheme is so tantalizing. Dragonfly lace and robins egg blue bows only add to the Moulin Rouge-y vibe of these panties.


Barely-there briefs that dip waaaay below the belt line, like these sexy Huit hipsters ($32, were $46), are sure to put a little sway in your step. Treat yourself to a little lingerie reward for doing all those crunches and planks—your abs will look fab and your stomach will look flatter in these teeny-weeny bikinis.

 
For simple sexiness, this Malizia bikini in racy black ($86, was $123) is irresistible.

More deals on the web:

20% off Verse Jewelry with promo code SHEFINDS20

Chic Demylee knits are up to $50 at Pink Mascara.

Beautiful jewelry at Ross-Simon is 20% off through the weekend.

Boobs Are So Last Season.

My boyfriend once told me, "Jessica, if I wanted a girl with no hips and no breasts, I wouldn't bother leaving the locker room." This preceeded a rant about how gay men shaped the fashion industry and made women aspire to look like pre-pubescent boys. I nodded my head and shrugged off his thoughts, instead choosing to hit the gym to whittle down my hips and show some bony pelvis. But, as a woman who has boobs, I have to say that fashion has, perhaps, gone a little too far.

Because boobs are out. Yes. Out. That natural (or bought) curve that brings the boys to the yard is on high style's "icky and trashy" list. So, it's time to remove them, box them up with some mothballs, and save them for next season.  

Vogue's fashion director Lucinda Chambers makes it clear that a girl's best assets are worse than last season: they are over, over, over, and must be disguised at all costs. In the latest edition she tells a full-chested writer who wants to know how the new spring look will work for her: 'You need a minimizer bra.' She brooks no negotiation.

Personally, I think those in charge of fashion have gone a little far in creating a negative connotation for everything that delineates female from male, woman from girl. Anyone else find this slightly ridiculous? I think next season fashion will either demand that women balloon to 300 pounds but maintain tiny ankles...or just be honest and explain that having two X chromosomes is totally passé.

But, should you want to minimize...here are some options.  As a former bra specialist, I always dissuaded women from purchasing minimizers as they typically made breasts look square and oddly shaped.  Wacoal and Chantelle were the best of the not-quite-so-rectangular options, though.

Wacoal Seamless Minimizer Bra ($62)

Chantelle Minimizer Bra: as seen in April's In Style ($68)

What do you think of this new minimizer craze? Should breasts be hidden for fashion's sake? Weigh in on the subject in the comments below.

And check out our Bra Guide and Bras for Big Busts for more great lingerie picks.  

Deal Of The Day: 25% Off DKNY Intimates At Macy’s

Giving your lingerie drawer a good spring cleaning can be so satisfying. Toss all those bras and panties that have been through the wash one too many times and replace them with fresh sets that fit well and make you feel fabulous and feminine. Prep for a season of sheer fabrics and barely-there tees with a new lingerie lineup that's both sensual and shape-fitting.


You can't go wrong with black lace lingerie, no matter the season. The Belle du Jour set — sweet balconet bra ($24, was $32) and racy, lacy thong ($10.50, was $14) — is a little bit naughty and a little bit nice, with girly bows balancing out the sultry factor.


Feeling flirty but just a bit flat? The café au lait-colored Belle Femme demi bra ($27, was $36) and boy-cut briefs ($15, was $20) offer the perfect boost for less-than-busty babes. Chocolate scalloped lace and bows add volume in all the right spots, while a lifting underwire helps create curves.


Red lace isn't just for Valentine's Day. The Sensual Curves push-up ($28.50, was $38) and frilly tanga ($13.50, was $18) prove that red's alright any time. Create killer cleavage under a halter or wear this smooth set under your favorite tight tee. You'll be avoiding nip slips, but you'll still feel much sexier than you would in your average cotton t-shirt bra.


More sales and deals:

Starting today, take an extra 30% off sale merchandise at Bloomie's.

Stock up on summer tees at Delia's. They're having a knit top 2-for.

Cute Primp PJ pieces are up to 75% off at Tobi.