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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Things that are awkward to blog about when your parents read your blog: Lingerie.

Hi Mom and Dad!  Hello, in-laws!  Old friends from church camp that found me on Facebook!  This is the part where we talk about me buying underwear.

So.  Here's something to know about me: I view the purchase of lingerie in similar terms as the purchase of better-functioning auto parts.  As in, probably really good to have, but kind of the last thing I want to spend my money on.  (Poor Ross.)

Whenever I buy a piece of "lingerie," it is invariably for a costume.  Slips that become 1920s dresses.  Feather skirt things that become a Carnival creation.  A white teddy-sort-of-situation that became part of a White Queen get-up.  I hate Victoria's Secret.

And yet ... there are all these new little businesses in Austin that are maybe making me change my mind?

My friend Julia Vie has an awesome boudoir photography outfit that opened last year: Vivian's Muse.  My other pal Beth started high-end lingerie site Kuhmillion (which got a hilarious / rad write-up today on Thrillist).  I found out about Megan Summerville through a friend of a friend last Spring, just before she opened up her own shop on 3rd Street and launched a new website.

Photo credit: SavannahRed.

This (the "January Set") is part of a few Megan Summerville Signature Sets that girlfriend is designing and selling during January and February, for a variety of sizes.  The press release I got in my inbox indicates "28B - 38F," ladies.

Anyway, while musing over Megan and this post, it hit me that underwear really is all about intention.  I mean -- obviously.  But here, I am referring to the maker.

When an artist makes you something unique, hand-sews on beads, searches for vintage 1920s cotton, and hand-dyes her own fabrics (like Megan did for this very set above), she imbues it with love.  At least, I like to think so.  Also?  Megan designs underwear for men too.  Awesome.

So what I'm saying is, I think it's somewhat thrilling to have a local lingerie constructor here in Austin, even though I have historically been very neutral on lingerie.  This isn't only because Megan is an artist, but because her brand, her site, and her models all possess an assertive female sexuality.  The women are different sizes, and in shows, they look like they are having a blast.  I like that!  In fact, let's make a rule:  The new rule is, one should ONLY wear lingerie when having a blast.  Right?  Who wants to be sad while wearing their sexy pants.  Nobody, that's who.

17 comments:

That Chelsea Girl™ said...

I could stare at pretty undergarments for hours. Thanks for sharing! I'll have to check out the store soon.

Amy Strecker said...

This might be my new favorite Tolly line, "Who wants to be sad while wearing their sexy pants. Nobody, that's who." -- I love it! Thanks for the laugh.

Unknown said...

I always want pretty lingerie...perhaps, I should buy me a gift soon;-) thanks for sharing!

amy said...

Megan is awesome and her work is impeccable!

Anonymous said...

Those are all really pretty. Too bad they don't come in smaller sizes (AA or A). It's extremely difficult to find anything AA anywhere. Maybe Austin needs a tiny tata lingerie store.

Hipstercrite said...

hee hee! the other day my mom called to tell me that she Google me! i was like, "NOOOOOOOO!" not that there are any pics of me in lingerie on the internet or anything- it's just an alarming thought. your line about "poor ross" makes me think of a line rob said in "high fidelity" about how in the beginning of a relationship the girl has all the fancy underwear and then later on, it's all whatever cotton underwear. i can't find the quote...and i just butchered it.

Pink Sun Drops said...

My lack of interest in spending money on underthings (which, to be fair, in my mind translates to the items of clothing only one or two people actually ever see) showed four years ago when Brando decided to make underwear my yearly stocking stuffer - and lots of it. The upside is that he actually picks cute ones along with practical ones, not just the boring white, beige, and black I'd pick. It's amazing what a difference wearing pretty underthings makes in my day.

I've adored Megan Summerville ever since seeing her fashion show at Qua during Austin's first fashion week. I was so very delighted when she commented on my post talking about her fashion show, and loved her even more. So wish I had made her Sew Sister Sale last May.

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

This should be a law

Unknown said...

Oooh, pretty. I've been toying with the idea of a Vivian's Muse shoot at some point. Maybe if ol' what's-his-name ever proposes.

And Anonymous - As an A-cup (barely on the cusp of B! But only because I've gained weight! Am conflicted!) I sympathize and support the idea of a Tiny Tata lingerie store. Which I hope will actually be called "Tiny Tata Lingerie".

Austin Eavesdropper said...

You guys, I just feel compelled to say that A) I LOVE "Tiny Tata Lingerie," and B) this is kind of off-topic, but while we're talking about girly things, why hasn't anyone started a parfumerie yet in Austin? To go along with this whole throwback lingerie / Prohibition cocktails / love of all things 20s happening right now here?? I want someone to create one!

Elia | Style Waistland said...

Purty underthings!!! I love lingerie. Well, okay, I love pretty bras and under-roos, they really do make a difference in the way a gal feels. And Megan Summerville is truly an artist when it comes to making some sexy pants.

Thanks for linking up to one of my posts, Tolly!

Aaron said...

1) hello, I'm Aaron and I love this blog.
2) underwear is amazing (to wear, I mean, and just before this gets weird, I mean, one's respective sex's underwear), especially in the making one's self feel sexy department. Welcome to it!
3) omgomgomg if you find a parfumerie, you better let us know b/c i'm a fragrance fiend.
the end, and thank you :)

Le Tigre said...

I second the "Tiny Tata Lingerie" store motion.

Beth H said...

Tolly, i like your new rule! Miss Megan is amazing; I've been admiring her from afar for a while now.
pinksundrops's guy totally has the right idea! for the past couple of years, i've given my man new girly undies for me as xmas stocking stuffers! because really, they're mostly for him. ; )
and thanks so much for the Kuhmillion shout-out - you rock!

SGRMSE. said...

LOOOL :D :D :D love your sense of humour. and i'm a total lingerie-whore. a lady can never have enough pretty underthings, i always say! (well, not literally of course)

Kelly said...

I love them dearly but man, no one does nice (read sexy, interesting, non granny bras) for my size boobs. Thank you so much for the link to Sew Sister!

Anonymous said...

I can do a-aaa! I can get the tini tatas taken care of too! We all need support afterall!
~Megan