Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more …
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a bill this month that says
what welfare recipients are not allowed to spend their benefits on. Yes, that’s
right, in the USA you are not allowed to spend your benefits as you wish in 24
of the fifty states. Usually the rules ban expenditure on alcohol, gambling,
and tobacco but Kansas has gone way further … tattoos,
swimming pools and lingerie are outlawed too!
Now we struggle with this idea more than somewhat and we’re
not alone. Many commentators, including opposition politicians, have described
the legislation as “mean spirited” and
“highly judgemental”. Our problem is that several of the
rulings, such as not attending swimming pools and buying lingerie are likely to
be counterproductive: physical health and self esteem both tend to start with a
positive body image, and those with self esteem and good health are much more
likely to seek work and be able to hold down jobs. If, as Brownback suggests,
the legislation is mean to “Encourage people to get back into the
marketplace, get back into the job market,” then
we think they should insisting on lingerie, not banning it!
India goes undie crazy
A recent study by a retail
consultancy shows that in the next ten years, India’s demands for
lingerie, denim and T-shirts will outstrip all other garment sales. Saris on
the other hand, will drop in popularity.
Sari sales will grow around 6% whilst lingerie, jeans and T-shirts will
increase around 15% each.
Why? First, India has the
youngest population in the world. And Indian youth is much more aware global
trends than any previous generation. The taboos around sex and appearance are
also less oppressive for them, as they are exposed to a wider range of
influences than the notoriously modest bollywood films. Cost is a factor too -
a sari can cost 50,000 rupees, whilst jeans are between 2,000 and 4,000 rupees
and high quality lingerie starts round 80 rupees.
Spring in your lingerie
If, like us, you’ve just been chucking out those old
dingy knickers and thinking about an underwear spring clean, we have three
suggestions to spruce up your look:
1. Playful
playsuit - beautiful
playsuits are just good fun! First, they are crossover garments, you can use
them as a beach cover-up or as seductive lingerie, second they are usually
generously cut so everybody looks and feels great in them and third, they are
light-hearted, bringing a sense of springtime play and simple enjoyment to your
life. Sweet Paula in blue is our fave for
spring glamour!
2. Cunningly
comfortable nightie - the box set and Netflix have changed the way we dress
for our evenings at home and the (relative) acceptance of onesies and pyjamas
as streetwear (at least for students) has driven a new awareness of the
nightie. Getting just the right nightie can be a boon - casual enough for an
evening of curry and your favourite catch-up TV, but cute enough to fling into
a weekend bag for a surprise trip away with your honey, this garment really
earns its way. We love Lise Charmel’s boheme glamour for
its springlike prints.
3. Heavenly
hold ups - much more practical than you may have thought, hold ups are the
perfect spring lingerie. While they are undoubtedly sexy, they also have a
fashion value - try pastel hold ups with Daisy Duke shorts for a fresh spring
look, and if the weather turns chilly without warning as it so often does in
spring, a pair of hold ups in your handbag can take you from chilly to cosy in
a couple of seconds - and you’ll look great too! Le Bourget’s
hold ups are called Essentials for a reason
- once you’ve worn a pair of these alluring stockings you’ll
know you need them forever!
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