Parisa Garter – The most luxurious LovebySusie garter, Parisa combines exquisite French Chantilly lace with vintage look embroidered silk ribbon and a dainty rose quartz or glass heart charm falling from tiny pearls. Available in blue, pink and honey gold. Retail price £75

Tianna Garter – Tianna combines two types of carefully sourced exquisite vintage Valenciennes Cluny lace. In antique ivory and blue, the Tianna garter offers a truly unique ’something old and something blue’ accessory for the bride to be. RRP £55.00

Liliana Garter – Pure and simple like a spring snowdrop, Liliana features very pretty floral white broderie anglaise combined with vintage lace trim on picot edge satin finished with white silk ribbon and bow detail. RRP £70.00

Brigitte Garter - Taking inspiration from the original sex kitten, Brigitte Bardot, this garter combines luxurious silk satin ribbon and cute candy stripes with vintage love heart and polka dot embroidery on picot edge satin. With a hint of retro, the Brigitte garter is perfect for the bride looking for something a little bit cheeky without compromising sophistication. Available in dusky blue or rose pink. RRP £70.00

Odiana Garter – As delicate as a fairy wing, the whimsical Odiana garter combines vintage ivory Valenciennes lace, polka dot organza, white silk ribbon and is trimmed with Swarovski crystals holding a rose quartz heart. RRP £60.00

Lana Garter - A pretty, feminine bridal garter perfect for countryside shabby chic weddings using delicate lucky clover design cream vintage lace with blue silk ribbon and bow. RRP £40.00

All garters come in a keepsake box and make the perfect treat or luxurious gift for a bridesmaid to give to the bride LovebySusie also offers a bespoke garter design service for brides who are looking to incorporate something sentimental or specific for their wedding day.

For more information and shopping links – check out www.lovebysusie.co.uk

Katy Perry

The Daily Mail recently noted that sales of stockings and suspender belts have recently surged – retailers are reporting that sales have increased by a third in just the last few weeks! They suspect it is because obvious stockings and visible garter belts have become a quick trend among celebrities like Katy Perry and Rihanna, who wear their dresses short enough to show off straps and welts. Denise Fraser (lingerie buyer for Figleaves) says,

“We have seen a very significant increase in sales of stockings over the last six weeks. Stockings and hold-ups are 35 per cent up on the year for the same period whereas tights are only marginally up on last year. The Dita Von Teese effect has certainly taken hold. Women are desiring a more feminine, sexy look and in the recession, they are buying something sexy to improve their mood. We are also attributing it to the return of Forties and Fifties trends, which we have been seeing on the catwalk. Ladies’ briefs with built-in, detachable suspender belts are proving particularly popular. There are such beautiful fabrics and styles available that it is impossible for women not to feel glamorous and sexy.”

Do you plan to sport this trend and show off your lingerie when you go out, or will you keep your garter belts and stockings under wraps, strictly for at-home viewing?

Danielle Delia Designs and Niveque Storm are joining forces to create a strange kind of ’subculture’-oriented garter belts.

“Their flagship Garter Belt line hit the stores in June of 2009 and features 9 styles in 5 sizes with real metal garter grips, and sliders designed to stay attached where cheaper alternatives fail under real life conditions. The Primary vision of the company is to create ’seriously danceable’ clothing & accessories that let you play hard and still look great. They are now slowly releasing additional lines including tops, bottoms, armlettes and leggings all in hard to find, guaranteed UV reactive colors.”

I can’t imagine going out dancing in these, but hey… they look pretty… colorful! More info: colorsmack.com!

One of Tabitha’s items is a rhinestone garter belt. (Click here to watch a small clip from the show and to see Tabitha unveil her three choices). I’m pretty sure I remember that piece from three years ago when Victoria’s Secret was producing a fall line and adding their own sense of glamour. I haven’t tracked any of the originals, even on the vast eBay. Frederick’s of Hollywood is offering a kit of bra and string for $39.00 US a piece.

I was also able to track down an actual garter belt from Body Lingerie for $39.75 US.

If you have no idea what to do with a garter belt (and I’m not sure why you would be reading TLP), then you can take some lessons from this instructional video.

And you can take a look at the designed room and the resources needed.

The Coquette Waist Cincher has a high waist, front closure, and light shaping. The Coquette Open Bottom Girdle is 15 inches with a nylon lace front panel and circling bands for gentle shaping. The Jessica Garter Belt is a pull-on design made for comfort, and is only available in pink. Of course it’s never a good sight to have your backseams twisted around, so all of these have 6 straps for the superb security.

You can find all of these at the Secrets In Lace website (look under Shape Salon). Keep your eye on TLP, because in about a month we’ll be able to show you Secrets In Lace’s new holiday collection that will knock your socks (or stockings) off

Spoylt may well have invented the female utility belt. At the very least, they have made it sassy. They offer three choices including the Decadence, Mae, and Seduction. List prices are around $240, but they are 50% off.

Spoylt also offers this Temptation Party Garter for $75.00, but if you order quickly, Spoylt is offering 50% off.

f.online in Australia offers this dusty pink female tool belt. It is $90 US and is also available in leather by special order.

Female First is one of many retailers offering this Hustler brand utility belt. Click here for more retailers. Although it doesn’t show well in these revealing photographs, there are two loops in the back and possibly clips on the side. Pick it up for £39.99.

If you think of yourself as more pragmatic and crafty, Etsy may have a sensibly priced option for you at $25. It’s not quite as flamboyant as the other offerings, but would still look smashing with a matching pink set.

Honorable mention goes to the Xentials Thigh Highs. Read the TLP article from our archives.

Breadth of Serenity is just that indeed! A clean, white double layered mesh is topped with a vibrant, royal purple scrolling embroidery, which immediately transported me to the Mediterranean in my mind! The group has something to offer everyone. The lightly lined balconette bra accomodates cups A-D, while the lightly padded full coverage bra fits C-F cups. Both feature the delicate, scalloped straps as well as the coordinating organza bow with a crystal tear drop charm.

Bottoms include a g-string hipster, bikini brief, and boyshort. All of which include the organza bow detailing in addition to their own unique elements including additional embroidery, pleating, and a key hole. In true Pfiff style, you’ll not only look fabulous from the front, but from the back as well! The group is complete with both a camisole and chemise. Mix and match to create new, opulent looks every night of the week.

For the ultimate in sophistication, Dramatic Entrances pairs a soft, tactel microfiber with Leavers lace and mesh. The palest green is accented with an inky black in a group reflecting the Art Deco style. Again, amazing detailing is featured throughout and sizes A-F are provided options through the fashionable demi padded push up bra and lightly lined full coverage bra.

The tanga features a unique, lined mesh cut out detail in the back as well as a double banded side while the wide-side thong features detachable garters! For more coverage, choose the hipster. Additional options include a lightly padded underwire bustier and a chemise with an adjustable tie back. This group is so fantastic and detailed, it could have been called Dramatic Exits as well!

Of course, the Pfiff year-round, continuous collections (including Lavish Bouquet and Moments of Seduction) are always available in stores.

To purchase the new collection, you’ll have to wait a few more weeks, but the continuous collections and Autumn/Winter 2007-2008 are currently available in department stores (including Macy’s West) and boutiques. Online, shop at Star Boudoir.

More to come on the Autumn/Winter collection!

From the Country Gingham collection is the Hearty Skirt at $75.00 and the Uncle Fluffy Skanty Belt with six garters for $60.00.

From the Carousel collection, this Chemise includes garters and a big bow for $180.00. You can even get custom stockings to stay with the look and design of the collection like these Fancy Marilyns for $25.00.

The front tie chemise priced at $135.00 is from the Scarlet Fever collection. This demi cup, underwire bra is from the same collection for $90.00.

See the options for these collections.

“Make Up Room” and “Let’s Go Dutch” are two of the groups are hitting the stores this month and next. In addition, the signature (and much coveted) “Opportunity” trench coats are now available in long and short! The timeless trench coats, perfect to wear out – or in (over your sexy bralette and garter brief, of course!), are limited edition. So purchase yours today! The Lake & Stars is available in boutiques across the U.S. and Canada (including brick and mortar and online favorite, Faire Frou Frou) as well as online at Shopbop.com and Activeendeavors.com. See The Lake & Stars website for a full list of stockists.

Enjoy!

The first collection, available in stores now, is the stunning Classico Ivory Collection. Made of spectacular ivory silk accented with lavish black Chantilly lace, this decadent range includes a plunge bra, thong, French knickers, camisole, chemise, suspender belt, and eye mask. The plunge bra, in particular, stands out for its amazing construction, exquisite pleating, and unique detailing on the straps. I also love the vintage vibe achieved by the very sexy suspender belt. In the fall, Hypnotique will introduce this same collection in taupe.

The Autumn/Winter 2008 collection includes a number of other stunners. The Pacifico collection will be perfect for brides! Available in ivory (and also in blue), this sassy, but sweet set features a half-sheer, half silk demi cup with opulent pearl detailing (and detachable straps!) with a matching bikini and suspender belt. Hollywood, my personal favorite, meets nude with scarlet. The cups of the bra are comprised of gorgeous scarlet eyelash lace. This range is complete with a matching, sheer-backed panty, boudoir jacket, and, of course, garter belt!

Find Hypnotique in boutiques and online at Mio Destino (a great site with worldwide delivery!).