Cheapundies.com is chock full of high-quality brands you can find at Freshpair.com, but at heavy discounts. And don’t worry – these aren’t seconds. The inventory at Cheapundies.com is all brand name, first-quality overstock and closeout goods. Basically, it’s pieces that they could charge you a whole lot more for. But they don’t.

When I first took a look at this new site, I was immediately struck by how fun it is. I mean, the logo is a pig in underwear! And the “About Us” page said,

“What you find at cheapundies.com will blow your mind. It’s the kind of stuff that can make you believe in unicorns.”

I took that as a challenge! Everyone wants to get the most for their money – so I wondered, how much could I get? I set out with a budget of $75 to see what I could find.

First up, I found a Mary Green Silk Knit with Lace Chemise. It is 100% silk edged with scalloped lace at the neckline and hem. It’s slinky, black, and absolutely boyfriend approved I found it for $25, which is half off the $50 retail price. $25 for a silk chemise? That’s a total bargain.

I’ve been curious about Nancy Ganz after hearing some good things about the brand, but I hadn’t had the chance to try any of their pieces yet. I found the Nancy Ganz Body Hip Slip, which is a half-slip with firm, smooth shaping power. I picked it up for only $15, which is 50% off! And because it’s tight, it’s a bit sexy even though it’s technically shapewear.

I have been looking for the Ginch Gonch Crotch Rocket Long Johns for a couple years now. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found one for 40% off. In my size. I had to have it! Okay, it’s not technically sexy lingerie. But it is underwear, and it is definitely something cute to wear curled up in front of a cabin fireplace or on the couch to watch a movie. Sadly, if you like these you’ll have to keep looking. They have already sold out. But there are still plenty of men’s Ginch Gonch items available on Cheapundies.com at a steep discount.

DT Underwear is a brand I’ve never been able to try out before. But I needed some new plain panties that I could wear to the gym, and when I saw the DT Underwear Lemon Meringue Basic Brief for only $6.19 (75% off the $24.75 list price!), I quickly added that to my cart as well. One word of warning – if anyone is looking to buy this same style, I’d advise sizing up. I ordered my normal size but I think I would need them in size larger (or even two sizes).

There were still a few dollars left in my budget, which I used to get a Le Mystere Ultra Soft Boyleg Brief in a sweet pink color. These tied with my DT briefs for the largest discount – with the 75% discount, I picked these up for only $5 instead of the usual $20. These are great and I would have stocked up if I didn’t have a budget set out ahead of time. I’ll probably make another order very soon and buy as many as I can!

I made out like a bandit at Cheapundies.com. With only $75 I got a package full of Mary Green, Nancy Ganz, Ginch Gonch, DT, and Le Mystere! My largest discount was 75% off and my lowest was still a pretty hefty 40%. There was plenty of information available on every page to help me evaluate my choices before I purchased like fabric information, crucial measurements, and multiple views.

Browsing the site, it looks like the selection has gotten even larger and more varied in the short time since I placed my order, and I would bet that they are adding more every day. I know that the inventory on a discount site is likely to grow and change rapidly, so I’ll have to keep my eye on this site! With bras as low as $8, panties as low as $4.50 and sleepwear as low as $7.75 (and these are on good brands), I can’t afford not to shop at Cheapundies!

Well, Seafaerygirl, I did find a few options! It’s not a very common design in adult lingerie, which is why the Stella McCartney set I showed you a while ago was so special. But the good news is that I was able to unearth a few less expensive alternatives. First up, a set of cotton knit boyshorts by Mary Green, with the embroidery on the hip.

The complete set is $90-$92, which isn’t a budget-breaker when you consider that you are getting a set of seven. You can find this set at HipUndies and In the Mood Intimates. Panties.com offers a brighter color scheme for $85 a set.

Figleaves UK and Figleaves US also offer their own version of low-rise satin briefs.

On the US site, the set is normally $74 and is currently on sale for $37. The UK site sells theirs for £49, and there is no sale price at this time.

The final set I found is from Austique, a brand I hadn’t heard of before. At Austique, you can buy the panties individually by day for £10 a piece. The complete set also includes a “Happy Day” pair, in case you don’t finish your laundry on time!

You can find yours at Austique.com. I hope this helps Seafaerygirl and anyone else looking for this nostalgic style!

All photos are courtesy of the talented Matthew Coulter.

Photos from the catwalk show right here. 

Red Carpet

Cocktail Hour and Dinner

Award Ceremony

This year, for the first time, CILA recognized the accomplishments of young, fashion graduates. Top students enrolled in the esteemed intimate apparel program at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) submitted their designs in the category of Graduating Designer of the Year. Jessica Ng (who some of you might remember from last year’s Between the Sheets Fashion Show) was named the winner for her well-constructed and beautiful design.

CILA was also delighted to invite a special guest to receive another first time award! Carson Kressley, host of Lifetime’s How to Look Good Naked, was awarded the Recognition Award for Promoting Healthy Body Image Through the Media. Prior to presenting Carson with the award, the audience acquired a taste of Carson’s work through a series of video clips from the show in which he encourages women to embrace their beauty no matter what shape or size they may be.

Notable men’s underwear brands Andrew Christian, Baskit, and Papi, as well as online retailer Freshpair.com, graciously donated the items for Carson’s goody bag! Show attendees also received goody bags with treats from Soak (see here for a previous post on this wonderful wash).

Listed below is a complete list of CILA participants and winners (noted in bold). Check back soon for a photo gallery of the event!

CILA Gala 2008 Finalists and Winners

Graduating Designer of the Year

Best Daywear

Affinitas Intimates

Biatta

Claire Pettibone

Christian Lacroix

Mary Green

Best Nightwear

Carlton Hall

Cotton Club

Claire Pettibone

Galliano

Gracya Safari

Jaycriss

Mary Green

Strappity-Do-Da

Verena

Best Robes/Loungewear

Carlton Hall

Jaycriss

Mary Green

Sheandme

Best Fashion Couture

Carol Malony

Cotton Club

Kenzo

Le Mystere

Sonia Rykiel

Tia Lyn

Best D+ Plus Lingerie

Le Mystere

MD Design – Marlies Dekkers

WMI – Ruby Pink

Wacoal

Best Fashion

Affinitas Intimates

EA Lingerie

Gracya Safari by AC Lingerie

Marlies Dekkers

Mary Green

No Romeo by Hop Lun

Sixty Eight by Hop Lun

T-Santiago

WMI – Ruby Pink

Best Control Shapewear Functional

AFAP

Annette International

Made by Niki

Rago

Wacoal

Best Technically Innovative

Annette International

Le Mystere

Simple Necessit-Ease

Shibue

Slimpressions

T-Santiago

Best Bridal

Claire Pettibone

Luna

Mary Green

Shibue

Best Coordinated

Biatta

Carol Malony

Hop Lun

Lou

Strappity-Do-Da

Verena

Best Plus Size

Hop Lun

Lady de Paris

Tia Lyn

Best Seamless

AFAP

Affinitas Intimates

Wacoal

Best Maternity

Ke’Koqueta

Lady de Paris

MD Design – Marlies Dekkers

Rosette

Best Swimwear

EA Lingerie

Hop Lun

Lady de Paris

Luna

Rosette

More photos soon!

Love Jones is a perfect fit inside the Hard Rock with its rocker chic atmosphere. The walls are painted a bright orange with hot pink clubs, spades, diamonds, and hearts adorning them. As you look above, sexy crossed legs peek from ceiling wearing fun (and sometimes racy) tights in spider, floral, or fishnet prints. Exciting and enticing, Love Jones enthralled us all!

I’m sure you are curious to the offerings and the purchases at Love Jones. Please understand that I am under Bachelorette Party Oath to protect the names of the innocent (and not-so-innocent). All names provided are aliases!

Honey is a wife and mother of 1. While she loves motherhood, it has stifled the flavor in her lingerie drawer a bit, so she was looking for a little something to spice it up! Still wanting to be practical, we instantly decided that Honeydew was the perfect choice. With a feminine cut and a flirty, lacy edge, Honey knew she would be able to balance her need for comfort with her desire for sexiness. She chose the solid black and white mesh boyshort as well as and the leopard Rumba Panty with ruffles. The verdict – Honey tested, husband approved. She confirmed that they were comfortable, yet sexy.

Vixen is a busy college student. She was looking for something fun and comfortable to fit in with her hectic life. I introduced her to both Hanky Panky and Honeydew. She was very excited about finding the Honeydew Mesh Boyshorts in her favorite leopard pattern. She chose the ones with red lace!

Hennessy, a not-so-newlywed, who is always willing to try something new, was the daring lady who purchased red fishnets and Silver Sequin bloomers by Leg Avenue. This lovely lady is not just sassy, but also very sweet. For her sweet side, she purchased Honeydew Mesh Boyshorts in Leopard, like Vixen, and a beautiful, silky “Kiss Me” eye mask by Mary Green.

Peaches, the bride-to-be, chose the signature Love Jones thong to go with the theme of the outing. She also chose the above mentioned Silver Sequin bloomers by Leg Avenue. What goes with those? None other than Nippies by Bristols6, previously mentioned on TLP. The verdict – still out. She is still honeymooning!

Since I didn’t win big at the slots, I satisfied my lingerie fix by helping others choose new special somethings. There’s always the next time with the next bride-to-be!

*All of the above listed items are available at the Love Jones lingerie shop at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and at local department stores and boutiques near you. Special thanks to Elizabeth at Love Jones for all her help and to the lovely ladies who so eagerly took my suggestions!

The strength of Figlevaes.com has always been their huge stocklist, and their sleepwear stock is continuously growing… Big names such as Eberjey, Elle Machperson intimates, Bodas, PJ Salvage, … but also a lot of smaller labels!

No images, just two links: FIGLEAVES UK and FIGLEAVES US Sleepwear!

Upon entering the ballroom after a cocktail party, guests took their seats around the runway where models were already placed on stage wearing designs from the competitors. Following dinner, guests were treated to the runway show and the presentation of awards. The competition in each category was tough indeed, particularly in the Best Fashion and Best D+ competition. That one is closest to the heart, of course.

Perhaps what stood out in my mind the most, that many others attending the event also mentioned, is that women of all shapes and sizes were represented in the runway show.

One line, Best Plus Size award winner Tia Lyn (also appearing at the trade show), is an all-inclusive line that spans sizes small to 3x. This vintage inspired line features a variety of chemises, gowns, camisoles, and panties.

Also a contender for both Best Plus Size and Best D Plus finalist, Empreinte, is seeking to become more of a presence in the U.S. with its beautiful and well constructed pieces for fuller figure women. This 60 year old company based in France offers numerous options in sizing (up to a G cup) as well as high fashion and glamour. I am most impressed with the delicate embroidery and variety of moods the collection fits.

Other contenders for Best D Plus include my personal favorites, Panache and Elixir, Barbara, and the amazing Australian based line, Bendon. So expect more about some of those lines soon!

Best Fashion was probably my other just-can’t-pick-my-favorite category of the evening. With TLP favorites Marlies Dekkers, Madame V, Chantelle, and Elle MacPherson and one of my trade show finds, Lou, it was stiff competition! Lou will be debuting this fall with parts of the collection arriving in both September and November so check your local boutique. Perhaps my favorite part of the evening might have been when the team from Marlies Dekkers was accepting their award and shared their design philosopy. They design pieces to please women, but if it also happens to please men, then that’s great. I like their way of thinking!

Overall, it was a phenomenal evening of great food, great conversation, and GORGEOUS lingerie. You can drool over all the beautiful pieces like I did! See the video coverage of the show at Zoozoom.com.