One lucky TLP reader will win a special gift package courtesy of Affinitas and Berry Ball & Bag!  With entry, you’ll be eligible to win a Kristie Chemise & Thong in Fuschia, Packaged Panty Set and Berry Ball & Bag (to keep all of your new goodies clean!).  Retailing at $100, this is one amazing prize!

Ready to enter?  Simply comment on our link to this post on Facebook with, “I want to win Affinitas!”  That’s not all though.  In order to be eligible, you must also either ‘Like’ Affinitas on Facebook or Follow on Twitter.  Entries will be collected between now and 11:59 p.m. EST on February 7^h so enter today!  One winner will be randomly selected and contacted by February 8^h so keep an eye on your inbox!

Can’t wait that long?  See the links below for where the above listed items can be purchased.

Kristie Chemise & Thong: http://www.thelingeriestoreusa.com/afin.html

Packaged Panties: http://www.herroom.com/Affinitas-Intimates-PP51-1-Lace-Hipster-Panty-3-Pack.shtml

Berry Ball & Bag: http://www.comforthouse.com/berryball.html

Buy the collection at HankyPanky.com, where you will also get free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Inspired by Queen Victoria, the Victorian Gothic era, and other things dark and exotic, the Fall/Winter collection features intricate details, interesting patterns, and intriguing designs.

Fall/Winter 1, currently available in stores, is inspired by Victorian Indian Summer with unique collections including Wild Life, a exotic, safari inspired pattern (incorporating zebra, leopard, and tiger markings!), Language of Flowers, featuring pops of a bold, floral pattern, Oriental Beauty, inspired by Persian palace architecture, Salomina, inspired by the geometry of Persian carpets, and Queer Pets, featuring an embroidered monogram as an accent to both the bras and panties.  Each group in cludes a variety of bra styles including padded plunge, padded plunge balcony, unpadded plunge balcony, and padded french balcony.  Corresponding panties include a thong, brazilian short, tanga, brief, and short.

Fall/Winter 2, Dark Fever, explores a parallel universe.  The Deamon collection, named after the wild animal alter egoes of The Golden Compass, include accent prints of snakes against raspberry red and leopard against chocolate brown.  The show stopper?  The animal print trims are zippers!  Hot!  The other collections include Dark Victoria, a classic floral lace pattern of black on grey inspired by the  elaborate mourning fashion of Queen Victoria, Beautiful Bat, black microfibre accented with leather and inspired by Victorian Gothic Horror and lady vampires, Masked Ball, black microfibre accented with ruffled elastic trim and edgy miniature gunmetal studs, Divination, featuring prints of 19th century copperplate writing and mythical creatures inspired by fortune telling and tarot cards, and Secret Society, a black stretch mesh featuring prints in silvery grey flock.  In addition to the bra and panty styles listed above, this range features a very sexy waspie in Dark Victoria, knitted top in Beautiful Bat, jersey top and eyemask in Masked Ball, suspender in Divination, and a body (aka teddy), peek-a-boo unpadded plunge, and stockings in Secret Society.

Christmas Crackers is the theme for Fall/Winter 3.  Collections include Key to Deliverance, black velvety flock on black mesh is accented by tiny patterned keys in gunmetal is inspired by A Christmas Carol, Red Xmas, a poinsettia colored collection sprinkled with glittering rhinestones, The Spirit of Christmas, styled with engraved flowers in deep purples and accented with a favorite phrase of Marlies, ‘Let me lead you elsewhere to that boundless space where your spirit is already free,’ Christmas Baubles, a ribbon braid  accented holly red microfibre celebrating the Victorian tradition of decorating a fir tree, and Global Fireworks, the Swarovski crystal adorned, Platinum collection which pays tribute to New Year’s Eve celebrations.  Again, the collection features a range of mix and match options for bras and panties and also include stockings in The Spirit of Christmas and suspenders, a babydoll, and a nightgown in Global Fireworks.

Marlies Dekkers bras range in sizes from A-F (including some maternity styles!) and panties XS-XXL.  Check Marlies Dekkers or your retailer for specifics.  Marlies Dekkers is sold at leading retailers including Journelle (where I just bought mine!), Neiman Marcus, and Honey’s Lingerie.

Very special thanks to the AMAZING photographer of all these looks – Carin Verbruggen.  What phenomenal photos!!!

In the Micro Mesh range, there are four patterns (Deco Floral, Wild Paisley, Baby Bloom, and Tropical Holiday), with one arriving on the scene every month starting later this month.  In addition to a traditional babydoll and chemise, there is a more supportive, lined, built up lace chemise offering wider, adjustable straps for additional coverage.  Two piece options include here a bralette, lace cup cami, or built up lace cup cami that can be paired with either a lace back brief, lace back thong, or lace waist pant.

The soft jersey collection features solids including Black, Purple Orchid, Mandarin, and Ivory and is also mix and matchable.  In addition to the cami, chemise, babydoll, pant, thong, and brief, there is also a fabulous, easy to wear short robe.

For a more opulent look, the Silk Satin with Leavers Lace range is to die for!  Elegant Silk Satin is paired with delicate Leavers lace (from Calais, France) in a babydoll, chemise, cami, minishort, and thong.  Delightful!

Other ranges in the fall collection include Plain Powernet, Jacquard Herringbone Powernet, Jacquard Cotton Rib, and Pure Cotton.  The Samantha Chang collection retails at stores throughout the U.S. including Brooklyn Fox and La Mode Lingerie.

1. Mesh and Lace Thong

Why we love it:

I think there is nothing better than a wide lace, banded thong! This mesh and lace thong is no exception. What is so great about thongs like this is that no matter your size, they don’t dig! Ladies, you all know what I’m talking about. Those pesky, skinny strapped panties always have a tendency to pinch in your sides and, although we all try to deny it, point out our oh-so-lovable love handles. Not with a thong like this though! These are a must-have for any woman. This thong is available in a variety of colors and sells for $5.95.

2. Flirty Frills Satin Thong

Why we love it:

The Flirty Frills Satin Thong comes in a variety of cotton candy colors and features sassy, ruffled layers to create a fun and flirty look anyone will love. Pair one of these sexy thongs with a matching bra or some fun pasties and you’re sure to have a night in to remember. The Flirty Frills Satin Thong is available for the can’t-beat sale price of $8.37.

3. Uptown Thong

Why we love it:

The Uptown Thong adds definite sex appeal to any woman’s lingerie drawer. This sexy little thong features double lace side straps and a sheer lace front. When you wear this thong, it won’t matter what you have on over it, you’ll feel completely irresistible! The Uptown Thong is available in black or red and sells for $5.95.

4. Animal Instincts Skirted Thong

Why we love it:

Skirted thongs are such an easy way for even the tamest of women to feel sexy. Because they still leave a little to the imagination, and provide more coverage than the average thong, these frilly thongs are a must have. This one is especially notable because of the ruffled, cheetah print skirt. There is nothing better than mixing animal print and lingerie in my opinion! This Animal Instincts Skirted Thong sells for $6.95 and is also available in plus sizes.

5. First Kiss Thong

Why we love it:

This First Kiss Thong is so sweet and simple it just couldn’t not make our list. Not only does this lip printed thong feature adjustable side straps that allow for that perfect fit, but it also has an adorable heart cut-out in the front that reveals just enough to create that “wow” factor. The French Kiss Thong is available in hot pink or purple and sells for the amazingly low price of $4.95.

Affinitas Packaged Panties, available in hipster and thong styles, are great for the gal on the go!  Available in cute, butterfly adorned packages, these panties are easily transportable and perfect to toss in your bag for the gym or a weekend getaway.  However, they are also perfect as your every day go tos.  Each 3-pack retails for $28 and includes panties in color combos of ivory, nude, and black or aqua, hot pink, and turquoise!

Affinitas Packaged Panties are slated to hit stores any day now.  They will be sold at a number of retailers nationwide as well as online at Her Room and Azucena Lingerie.  (Keep checking!)

This past August (2009) the Smart Ass brand was purchased by entrepreneur and hard working Mom, Carla Gilley.

A natural born entrepreneur, Gilley was looking for a career challenge after spending years as a community volunteer and stay at home mom. Quality, practicality and fun were all attributes she was looking for in a product and this boutique business, started in her home town of Vancouver by women like her, was just the right fit.

Gilley was delighted to discover the Smart Ass opportunity. Friends were already fans of Smart Ass; one girlfriend even wore the “newlywed” thong at her wedding! So after encouragement by her husband and taking inspiration from her three teenage boys’ successful business venture, she took the plunge, dusted off her briefcase (literally) and bought the Smart Ass brand.

As Mom to three teenage boys, Carla was an accomplished multi-tasker accustomed to organizing school trips, classroom activities, community events, fundraisers, charitable events, three active boys, one large dog, cats and, oh yes, a husband of 24 years. While experience chairing Little League concessions, co-chairing the city’s largest school fair, committee work and billeting even more teenage boys was not an obvious precursor to running a business featuring a line of woman’s lingerie, Carla jokingly admits that owning a business that has nothing to do with boys was very appealing.

Carefree and fabulous Carrie in lipstick pink.  Scintillating and successful Samantha in seductive black.  Confident and cosmopolitan Miranda in breathtaking barabados blue.  Feminine and sophisticated Charlotte in sexy cyclamine.

Cosabella is sold at retailers worldwide.  Check out the HBO store for the thongs and tons of other merchandise to get you movie ready!

I recently discovered a new possibility – Cosabella‘s Aire thong!  Made of hand cut power mesh, it truly is light as air!  This comfortable, seamless thong also has a matching soft bra. Aire is available online at the Cosabella website and at retailers worldwide.

Enjoy!

The pieces up for review are the “Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Triangle Cross-Back Bra,” the matching “Low Slung Panty” (both in fluorescent pink), and the “Screen Print Baby Rib Thong.” I’ve rated each piece on a scale of 1 to 10, taking in consideration each garment’s overall look, comfort, fit, and price. See the results below!

Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Triangle Cross-Back Bra:

Overall Look: 10/10. One of the great things about American Apparel is that each silhouette (whether it be intimates or regular apparel) is generally available in a wide variety of colors, giving it the ability to appeal to many customers. This bra also comes in black, white, nude, scarlet, sunshine/white, pop purple, magic pink, navy and royal blue. Plus, the new sexy mesh lets the nipples peek through, which I’m sure won’t generate any complaints from the boys.

Comfort: 7/10. Even though this bra is made of a nylon spandex micro-mesh blend, it feels like cotton on the skin. It’s virtually weightless and you can barely feel it when it’s on, which is always a quality I look for when shopping for bras. However, if you move around too much (and haven’t purchased the right size) a breast might pop right out, and since you barely feel the bra to begin with, you will not feel when this happens!

Fit: 7/10. If I were to follow the size chart provided on AA’s Web site, I would have purchased this bra in a medium, which I actually did do about a year ago when I bought the “Cotton Spandex Jersey Cross-Back Bra” version, but that was the incorrect fit.  AA sent me the small this time around, and even that, I would say, is a bit too big, which is unfortunate because the bra only comes in sizes S, M and L. If AA incorporated adjustable straps into the design, this problem would vanish and there would be more support.

Price: 10/10. Using the handy dandy cost-per-wear equation (item price divided by times worn equals the cost per wear) I decided that at only $14, this triangle bra is a super value. It is practical and comfortable enough to wear at least twice a week and it will last you at least a year, making the cost per wear as little as $0.14!

Overall score: 8.5/10

Nylon Spandex Micro-Mesh Low Slung Panty:

Overall Look: 10/10. This panty has the same appearance qualities as its matching bra: it’s sexy, sheer and available in the same 10 colors.

Comfort: 10/10. These panties manage to be far more comfortable than its matching countertop. The elastic waistband doesn’t dig into the body, which as always is a very positive attribute!

Fit: 10/10. I also wouldn’t follow the size chart AA provides on their Web site for this one — definitely aim for one size smaller. Seriously, I have a, let’s say um, plump butt (I’m Brazilian so there was no way around it!) and would normally buy a medium to get close to full-coverage, but AA sent me the small and it fit perfectly.

Price: 10/10. At only $11, if you wear these babies once every two weeks for a year, the cost per wear is merely $0.42!

Overall score: 10/10

Screen Print Baby Rib Thong:

Overall Look: 10/10. AA sent me a thong in lemon bearing the limited edition “Okay USA” print, and even though I don’t usually like written words on my lingerie, I think this piece is meant to be fun and a reflection of the company’s manufacturing standards, so I like it. Thumbs up. It also comes in nude, brown, orange, pink and lime.

Comfort: 10/10. Let me just start out by saying that I don’t particularly like to wear thongs. Maybe it’s a misconception, but I normally can’t see them as being comfortable undergarments. Perhaps it was the ultra-slim waistband that didn’t dig in to my body, or the fact that it’s 100 percent cotton, but whatever it was, something made me have a change of heart about thongs. In other words, it was super comfortable!

Fit: 8/10. Once again, aim smaller. AA sent me the size 0 and it fit — I normally fit anywhere between a size 3 and 7 in pants (US sizes), and always overlook any size “nothings.”

Price: 6/10. I found this piece a bit expensive at $17. If you were to wear it once a month for a year, the cost per wear would be $1.41, which, yes, is really inexpensive, but like I said I’m not a huge fan of thongs!

Overall score: 8.5/10

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Anything I didn’t cover? Let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!

If you are a designer, a retailer, a label or an importer and you would like us to review a piece from your collection: let us know by sending us an e-mail at info@the-lingerie-post.com, or if you choose to contact me directly, you may do so at bruna@the-lingerie-post.com.

Photos: American Apparel