Estelle Puleston

It’s coming up on a decade since I became a mother, and breastfeeding feels like a distant memory. That said, I do distinctly remember feeling unimpressed with and uninspired by the nursing bra options available at the time, especially those in my size range.

Thinx recently settled a much-publicised class action lawsuit for not disclosing that its products contained PFAS, so you might be wondering if these period swimwear brands also contain toxic chemicals. For each brand, I’ve noted down whether they contain PFAS or what they say about the matter.

Founded in 2021 by Ella Campion, Hermit London is fighting against textile waste by creating stylish sleepwear out of old hotel bed linens. Hotels dispose of their bed linens after an average of just 9 months, and the tiniest stain, tear or pull in the fabric is enough to get them thrown out.

As a late eighties baby, the original Lucy Jones Lingerie was before my time. It was founded by Lucy Jones in Liverpool in 1980 and went on to what I can only describe as phenomenal success for a small, independent brand, being stocked in leading department stores including the likes of Harrods.

I’m slowly coming around to appreciating swimwear in its own right. It’s not just a water-appropriate bodysuit or bra set – it’s a whole other garment type, one that’s designed to be seen so why not have fun with it? Since it doesn’t have to fit sleekly under clothing, it’s the perfect opportunity to opt for big, 3D details.

In case you’re new around here and haven’t seen the numerous times I’ve gushed over this brand before, the ethically-made indie label Love & Swans is truly one of the most exciting lingerie brands to come out of the 2020s so far, and now it’s getting even better with the launch of swimwear.

Pagan Poetry’s aesthetic is, I think, different enough to be interesting. This is a gothically-inspired lingerie brand. However, it doesn’t feel costume-y, which means you can still appreciate these pieces even if you just like black lace underwear.

The standard bra fit advice in this situation is to choose the cup size that fits the larger breast, and then fill in the excess space on the other side with a removable cup insert. However, I’ve found a few more off-the-rack bra options for unevenly-sized breasts!

Uncomfortable underwires, cups that gape/wrinkle or dig in, constantly having to pull the straps back up onto your shoulders… all of these are signs that you may need a different bra size. Breasts change size and shape as we go through life, so if you’re still just buying the same size you’ve worn for years and years, it may no longer be the best one for you.

I’m a little late with it this year but… new year, new lingerie trend predictions! As usual, we’ll be reviewing my 2022 lingerie trend predictions and whether I got them right or wrong first. My top 2022 lingerie trend was vibrant colour, and boy did we see a lot of that.