Hi All!
Did you really think I’d make it too much longer without talking about lingerie?
It’s really a huge part of my wardrobe, and I have to say that after going through my style search, I realize that I haven’t focused my bra making towards a perfect ‘bra wardrobe’. Looking back, my bra making motivations have been much more focused on trying new techniques, fabrics or styles rather than picking specific beautiful things that fit with my wardrobe or lifestyle.
I can’t say that I regret any of my bras at all- I learn with every bra and I love pretty much every bra that I make. But it makes me think that in the future, I might think a little more specifically about what I want in my lingerie wardrobe.
I think one of the biggest stand-out things that I realized when I pulled everything out of my drawer is that I have very few matching sets. It’s something that I never cared about before – I remember wandering in to whatever bra section and just picking out whatever was the brightest or prettiest print, with a pair or two of black and nude for good measure- with no thought to matching them to my bras. But now my tastes are evolving and it is starting to matter to me more- there’s something that is so luxurious about wearing a matching set, something so sophisticated and secretly glamorous.
I do have a few matching sets, but usually it’s only one pair of underwear that match, and I think that a better ratio of bras to undies is 1:3 for me.
But despite that I do still have some bras that are my go-to bras, and different bras that I wear for different occasions! I’ve divided them into 4 categories.
The first category are what I think of as ‘sportier’ bras. These bras see a LOT of use. They are super comfortable, but also super supportive- and they are great for days when you’re going to be active and moving around a lot. On the left is my Grey T-Shirt bra set which is foam and bamboo, and on the right is a new Chartreuse bra out of wicking fabric that I recently made to replace my red wicking bra (RIP) – more details of that soon to come!
These next three are my bralettes. These are ‘Sunday Bras’, or Tuesday bras. They are for days where you are more relaxed and comfy/cozy. Not a gym day and not a day where I’m running all my errands. Maybe a day in the studio sewing or working on the blog. These are the peak of comfort and make me feel cosy. In the winter I wear them with a cosy sweater and in the summer they’re best with a light floaty tank top. I probably have a few extra days of the week sometimes when I wear these 😉
From the left is my Winter Bralette– which is much more of an around-the-house bra now since it’s so old, then my In the Nude lace set which I think of as a ‘glamorous Sunday lounging set’, and the last one is a Purple Plaid one that I made my sister for Christmas, but it ended up being a little small for her, and she didn’t wear it- so I took it over 🙂
These next ones I think of as my beauty bras. These ones are my staples and I love them so much. I wear these bras for everyday, but they’re ones that make me feel special and luxurious. I would wear these if I have a meeting to go to, or when I just want to feel great. They are all a little different and are best under different things, so I get to mix it up a lot. These are the sets that I really wish I had more matching panties to go with!
From the left: Lily of the Valley Set, Dreaming in Silk Bra, Black Beauty Bra
And finally- These bras are similar to the last category, but I don’t wear them quite as much. They’re both plunge style bras – so I’ll wear these more for a night out, if I’m wearing something that has a low neckline. I haven’t made matching undies for these, so generally I’ll just be wearing black or red boyshorts with them depending on whatever I’m wearing over them. I do love wearing them and they are important to my lingerie wardrobe, but I have to say that I feel the most beautiful in a more balconette style bra, rather than a plunging bra.
From the left: My Black Vixen bra (I have to say that the matching waist cincher is just a little too impractical for my everyday life), and then my Ivory Lace bra– which is an old favourite 🙂
So that is my lingerie wardrobe. There are a few bras that I also love to wear and wear occasionally – but I also keep some of my beautiful bras for display at my studio, and to show people for examples (oh the sacrifices! lol)
The other thing that I get asked a lot about my collection is “Where are your seamless bras- don’t you see the seams through that with a thin t-shirt?’ – and I have to say- yes, yes you do see the seams, but what is wrong with that? I kind of like when my bras show through my shirts a little- because I really love them!
I think in the future, when I make more bras, I’m going to think a little more about what I have in my wardrobe, what I would like, if there are any bras that need to be replaced, and I think I’ll place a lot more importance on matching undies!
How about you? What does your underwear wardrobe look like?
Do you care about matching sets?
Let me know!
xo
erin
All my undies are in rotation. I made a promise to myself, since I don't have any finished me-made bras: To wear my rtw bras for the last time! Basically this means I wear each bra in rotation until they need to be washed, but instead of going into the wash basket, it goes into my "rip apart" basket. As soon as I have a min to sit down, I start seam ripping to save underwires and hardware. Now I have no bras….which is great motivation to get my sewing bras done…no more procrastinating! I do have 3 bralettes that I can use interm, haha. So my bra wardrobe will exist again soon enough…..As I was getting tired of my rtw's not doing it for me, now not having anything is really pushing my sewjo mojo button 🙂
Wow- you're not fooling around with that plan- definitely great motivation! Good luck with your upcoming bra wardrobe! Bra sewing is the best sewing 🙂
I just embarked on an underpinnings sewing journey a few weeks ago. Like you mentioned, up until now it's all been about trying out a new technique or making a muslin to see if a pattern fits (or if I can make a pattern fit). I only recently got to the point where I'm starting to think more about what I will actually wear vs what I am making – I really like your 1:3 ratio for undies! I'm still trying to find a pattern that fits, but I'm getting close. I've started cutting out the underwear pieces while I cut out a bra so that I don't lose momentum while sewing and drag my feet about making a pair or three.
I think the main thing I've had to decide is what kind of bras I find comfortable and will actually reach for in the morning (hint: I'm more of a bralette gal, not an uncomfortable underwire bra person). What I really need in my underwear wardrobe are at least one beige and one black bra and more undies! Once I complete that, then I'll start back up with the whacky color combos.
The 3:1 ratio for undies is definitely my goal too- and that is such a good idea to cut them out when you're cutting your bra out- the momentum definitely drains away after the bra is finished!
I totally feel you on the bralette- I'm a very 50/50 person with this- although if you find the right underwire – I promise it's super comfy!! 🙂 🙂 Also- as for colours- I find that the bras I make in neutrals like black, nude or blush are actually some of my favs- they just look so classy- and they don't have to be boring at all! Yay for bra goals!!
Great to see some lingerie on your blog again Erin!! Whilst I do have a fair few matching sets, it's definitely my goal too to increase the undie:bra ratio as most of mine only have one matching pair! I'm hoping to make a few pairs of basic and comfy but pretty bras in maybe black, white and pink so they can go with everything – especially as I have some real go-to underwear patterns now! I'm also planning on trying to alter and hack some of my bra patterns a bit in to new styles; whilst I've got a couple of good TNT patterns (and the new Madalynne x Simplicity ones to try), but I'd really like to try and replicate the seaming on a couple of my favourite RTW bras.
Also, I absolutely adore your bralettes! I can never decide if I like the winter one or the lacy one more, the pattern is so nice 😀 I hope you release it one day!! xx
I felt like it was so long since I made any bras or did anything about bras- I was starting to get the withdrawal shakes! I think undie making is always on the list of 'must do' for bra makers – and it sounds like you have a great plan. I would say that if you have a pattern that you love- the best thing to do is to switch up the seams rather than start from scratch again- but it can take some fiddling 🙂
Also – yes the bralette is in the works along with so many others 🙂 🙂 xo