Over and under

By Nicola St John

As spring’s vibrant colours fade, we start to see a return to the monochrome fashion palette of winters past.

But underneath all those grey layers, there’s plenty of room to shine bright, says Amanda Lee, manager at lingerie store Simone Perele at Harbour Town in Docklands

“Foundation garments have that name for a reason, they are the base layer upon which a woman’s image is built,” Amanda said.

What we wear on the inside can change how we feel on the outside. So when the weather gets cold, brighten yourself up with something perhaps a bit fiery, steamy or some lovely French lace.

“Whilst bras are of course offered in the basic colours every season, most women like to look for something eye catching and special and, of course, they will be influenced by current fashion trends,” she said.

“Electric blue has had a big presence on the runways for Spring-Summer 13 as well as bright oranges and both of these are represented in the collection currently
in store.”

Wearing elegant and luxurious outer-layers should also be reflected in what’s underneath them. Lingerie often delicately toes the line between old-fashioned nostalgia and modern style.

“One of the sources of inspiration for the current season was the Simone Perele archives, and the glamour and detail in the foundation garments of generations past.”

“In the past few years high-waisted briefs have been making a steady comeback in fashion, and not just for reasons of constraint. This retro-lingerie look is a reflection of the general 50s trend that is becoming more common in fashion,” Amanda said.

Amanda also expresses the importance of a correctly fitted bra.

“The great thing about a well-made and cleverly-designed bra is that it can give you the right level of support without sacrificing aesthetics. Not having to wear a daggy supportive bra is a huge confidence booster. We believe in making women feel good about their bodies and encourage them to embrace their unique shape and celebrate it with refined lingerie.”