Estelle Puleston

As always, my blog gift guide this year is a mix of some of my very favourite pieces I’ve seen over the course of the year, plus some things that I just think are great for gifting. There are metallics, velvets, festive reds and icy ivories… plus ideas whether you’re looking for something cosy, glam, or not lingerie at all.

Shapewear is not my favourite part of the lingerie industry. But I’m getting served more social media ads than ever for colourful, trendy shapewear designs, which made me do a little research and I was pleasantly surprised at just how many not-at-all plain and beige pieces I was able to find.

As I soon as I saw Maison Louve, I just knew I had to share it with you all. What really makes this brand special are the pieces created in collaboration with other designers outside the lingerie sphere, which brings a completely new dimension to the designer’s work.

Lounge is a very trendy brand with pretty affordable, high street-level pricing (£25-£45 for bras), so I was interested to learn whether there was any emphasis on quality and fit or only aesthetics.

Based in the UK and owned by Hungarian designer Linda Miller, Divaurae is a handmade brand that pulls inspiration from a wide variety of sources. I spoke with Linda to discuss colour, cohesion, and creating lingerie that conjures up a specific mood.

Earlier this year I wrote about the lingerie brands providing a repairs service as a way to embrace sustainability, and it got me thinking about other things that brands can do beyond simply choosing a sustainable fabric. One important thing to consider is what they do with the leftovers from that fabric.

Some of you may recall my Keòsme Augusta dress review back in 2020 – it’s truly one of the most special pieces I own, and just seeing it in my wardrobe makes me happy even if I find very little occasion to wear it. (My Keòsme Dominata belt on the other hand is something I’m still wearing very regularly half a decade after I got it.)

Studio Pia was launched in 2017 by Pia Harpur, and I was an instant admirer of the brand. Right from the debut collection, the brand’s now-signature elements were present: bespoke embroideries, cruelty-free peace silk, and the silk-wrapped straps with gold-plated hardware that allow for a highly adjustable fit.

It’s been quite a while since I last did a ‘lingerie/loungewear I love’ post, but I’ve not been able to stop thinking about this Apilat pyjama set since I first saw it. After focusing on robes and nightgowns for the longest time, this year the brand decided to branch out into pyjamas, and the designs did not disappoint.

Did you know that there’s an annual online conference for bra-makers and wannabe bra-makers? I didn’t, until International Bra Sewing Bee contacted me and suggested I might like to try one of their online classes. I used to make and sell lingerie so I’m not entirely new to this, but I am very much out of practice.