French Satin Knickers
From LoveToKnow Lingerie
The French have always held a rarified position in the world of lingerie design, and French satin knickers are high on the echelon of fine pieces of underwear. But they don't have to be just for glamour wear. Knickers used to be what all women wore under their skirts and, since they can be healthier and make you feel sexier, there is no good reason not to integrate them more completely into your regular wardrobe.
Origin of French Satin Knickers
Knickers as we know them –- wide-legged panties that look like shorts –- were very popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They date back further, as it was a version of knickers that can-can dancers wore to titillate their happy audience. Traditionally, they are made with additional decoration. Embroidery, lace or other adornments add to the appeal and charm, as well as the sexiness. The knickers worn by can-can dancers were trimmed with many layers of lace, but for most women, a little bit of frill around each leg was all that was necessary to enhance the femininity.
Why Wear Knickers?
With so much sexy lingerie available virtually everywhere you look, why opt for something that hides so much more than it reveals? The answer goes back to the can-can dancers. Men like to use their imaginations. Most men appreciate something soft and pretty that adds to the allure. When you wear French satin knickers as they were originally intended –- with a matching bra, bustier, corset or camisole, combined with a garter belt and stockings -- you create a classic vision of femininity that never loses its appeal.
Additionally, soft satin feels wonderful to wear, so you automatically feel more sensual when you put it on. Remember, being sexy is as much about how you feel and project yourself, rather than the look of what you are wearing. When you feel soft and romantic, people pick up on it!
Feeling wonderful is about more than just pampering your skin. The looseness of knickers means that your skin can breathe more naturally, which keeps you healthier overall. You can certainly achieve the same effect by wearing panties made of organic fibers, but you may not be able to combine it with the same feeling of romance.
Shopping for Knickers
The best French satin knickers don't have to come from France, but it doesn't hurt. Many UK lingerie purveyors carry beautiful French knickers, and you can usually find them in high-end boutiques as well. If you really want to capture the vintage vibe, there are a number of online shops that specialize in retro lingerie and knickers are very popular.
- Satin and Spice, a UK shop, has a small selection of knickers in five colors. They come in three sizes and the shop will help you convert a UK size to American for shopping ease.
- Boutique carries more elaborate knickers with frilly trim in either lace or nylon. Styles range from the strictly retro to the newly daring (think open-sided).
- Sweet Nothings Lingerie has only one style of French knickers, but it is based on the classic 1930s design, trimmed with lace and comes in eight colors and five sizes. It also has an optional matching cami top.
- Dollhouse Bettie, which specializes in vintage-style pin-up and burlesque lingerie, has a low-waisted pair of silk satin knickers that combines a modern and retro look.
- Seduction Lingerie has a pair of polka-dotted knickers that combine a cute and sexy look. They are some of the least expensive knickers available, so you can indulge yourself with several pairs.
Make Your Own
Although it's not the same as lingerie from Paris, if you have some basic sewing skills and want to make something that is distinctively yours, French knickers are not difficult to construct. You can even use a vintage pattern and really have some fun!
Learn More
This page has been accessed 1,997 times. This page was last modified 17:00, 20 April 2009.
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