The last time we saw a shift towards lingerie as outerwear was the 1980s, and while I exude a general disdain for that decade I can't help but admit that certain fashion elements which emerged from it do have a place in this decade and the next. And so it is that we see various pieces ofunderwear return to the fore as outwear to feature amongst 2010 and 2011 fashion trends. And in many ways this may become one of the ubiquitous fashion trends; one that is transseasonal, and one that emerges as we pay fresh attention to tights and stockings as a feature piece, and not just an accessory, courtesy of the ripped stockings trend.
But what elements exactly? And how do women play to the racy element without going so far as to look cheap?
- Suspenders and Stay-Ups
- Camisoles and Slips
Stay-Ups and Suspenders
Of all the looks to emerge around underwear as outerwear, exposed stay-ups and suspenders are inarguably the most risque and the most difficult to pull off. But that hasn't stopped the most daring of women trying, and I've already spotted it on the streets, in street style blogs, and on the celebrities such as Mischa Barton (see more updates on who has worn it below).
Though difficult to pull off, thanks to a come-back of patterned-stockings and tights women have a huge array of options. Take, for instance, Agent Provocateur's snake stay-ups whose snake-motif will distract from the fact that these are indeed stay-ups.
One thing I would say in this area: avoid wearing stockings as outwear. Yes, Sienna Miller got away with it at the New York after-party of Factory Girl. But there are two points to make here: the first is that it already looks dated, the second is that she is Sienna Miller. And it's the second point that allowed her to get away with it.
