Bright pinks, bold reds, classic blacks and white, mustard yellow, mixed stripes and cute little patterns all combine to make this a fun-loving, super-comfy collection. Sweet names like “Bonny Print” and “Poppy Stripe”, the company states that their top five best sellers are Bonny Print Boy Fit, Din Stripe Boyfit, Katie Double Stripe, Black Stripe Boy Fit, and Rugby Boy Fit.

All the panties are designed with a wide elastic waistband coloured to complement the rest of the brief in perfect detail. Further, the legs are all cut differently from the very high sexy cut as seen on the Black Stripe JA Cotton Knicker to a longer rounder discreet cut on the Pigeon Boy Fit. Some panties have prints with vertical stripes on the sides, others are solid colours with a printed section in the front, and yet more are solid colours with fancy waistbands.

In order to complete the fun-loving look, the company offers “singlets” (camisoles or undershirts) in a variety of styles, colours and patterns to mix and match with the knickers. Also made of cotton and elastane, ladies can choose from spaghetti straps, racer back and t-back. Singlets are perfect for layering worn either underneath another camisole or on top of a short sleeved tee.

James & August also sells a line of clothing and casual wear. Both the lingerie and street clothing lines are sold at many retailers throughout New Zealand as well as the company’s own website which includes an online store.

Pickles and Loop is an Australian “feel good” line. The sleepwear and casual pieces are fun, comfortable and great for relaxing. My first question when reading this company’s biography was how on earth it got its name? The answer is rather cute. Two women, Nikki and Lisa, who are identical twin sisters, decided to call the company by their nicknames. Thus, the corporate name, Pickles and Loop Designs was born.

The twins’ mission and company vision is “to provide a boutique range of affordable, good quality sleepwear that is comfortable, fun and sexy”. The collection is quite appealing and inviting with pastel colours and mix and match pieces. It includes camis, T-shirt tops, lounge pants, boxer shorts, nightgowns, robes and slippers.

Although the line is not terribly expensive, it remains a good quality product with extra special details such as the choice of gift wrapping when purchasing items. The company offers fancy gift boxes with paper tissue, lovely ribbons and personalized cards. The other choice, my favourite, is the beautiful ivory organza bag with lovely drawstring type ribbon and personalized note card.

There are plenty of good things to say about this sweet brand of sleepwear and one thing that is not readily noticeable is the extra special effort to make the fabrics as comfortable as possible. The company touts comfort but the fabrics actually include comfort creating materials. According to the washing instructions for the cotton poplin boxer shorts, the material has been treated with a soft peach finish that actually enhances comfort.

One last newsworthy mention for Pickles and Loop is it is engaged in a three year run as the Official Sleepwear Sponsor for Miss World Australia. It seems that Miss World Australia of 2006 chose the label as her brand of sleepwear and Pickles and Loop became the official sponsor.

Pickles and Loop is a refreshing collection with a new Basics Range that is sure to amuse and please its wearers.