Fitting Course Etiquette

Intimate information, like beautiful lingerie should be shared with discretion, but sometimes it is important to disseminate information which make things more comfortable, and beautiful for us all.

Even though I love many of its attributes, I am not an expert in corsetry. I have found many of my favourite items at What Katie Did, and I believe that Ms Katie is a reliable source for information on those items of underwear which have a significant impact on our figures and our confidence.

Recently Ms Katie published a salient account of what to consider when choosing corsetry. I found it an important reference point, and thought I would share it with you too.

You will find the article here, and all of Ms Katie's delightful items here.

The What Katie Did Morticia Corset. (One of my favourites.)

And you will find me here again soon. But if you miss me in the mean time, send me a little message and I promise to respond.

xx

Lingerie and the Woman You Love

As a part of my Honours coursework, my studies assess the effect of subcultures within society. This required a presentation on the particular subculture, and its interrelation with its immediate community.

It is a difficult subject, as there is often little available research on the particular subcultures, and time constraints prohibited the ethics clearance required for interviews which would have enhanced the anthropological aspects of the study.

I am sure many of you would not be surprised that my topic encompassed lingerie, femininity, and feminine agency. The study contrasted the effects of feminism, arguing that its embracing of masculine ideals as models for empowerment effectively devalued women's inherent value propositions, which centre predominantly around femininity and intrinsic female roles. 

Before anyone starts tossing quotes from Greer or Friedan from left of stage, the paper did not refute the important benefits of feminism, nor did it espouse pre-feminism. Instead it valorised the feminine not in response to masculine hegemonic predilections, but as a complimentary proposition to wrest balance between the sexes, and to re-appropriate the feminine ideal.

A presentation on such a subject would require a woman to be appropriately attired. As you know from this weblog of mine, this particular woman dresses in two distinct stages: from her underwear to her outerwear. There were some lovely new items of apparel I was keen to appropriate for my presentation, and a very lovely surprise which I am sure many of you would appreciate, and which I would like to share with you here.

Before we dispense with the formalities, I am pleased to concede that the presentation went extremely well and garnered considerable attention, even without me revealing [exactly] what I was concealing. There were certainly some raised eyebrows at the hints to my undergarments.

First, my ensemble in its entirety:

There is my beautiful cardi, my full petticoat and gorgeous What Katie Did stockings, suspenders, bullet bra and Morticia corset. But you clever readers have spied something else, haven't you ...

What an eye for detail you have! But first you must admire the detail of the beauty here:

and here:

How can a girl resist such divine luxury from her heel to her garter strap?

You can't wait, can you? Yes, you are quite right, it is she ... and it is her original autograph. 

You don't believe me do you?

It is true. I have it here.

Dita von Teese's autographed card. Just for me!

Let me know if you are more interested in my final paper*, than my outer- and under-garments, and I shall send you a copy ... 

... but I know you: Wicked!

xx

* on lingerie, femininity, and feminine agency  - in case you forgot! (pettichrome@gmail.com)

Invitation

My Dear Readers,

As you know, I have been besotted by many of the beautiful things in the What Katie Did range for quite some time. Just the other day I posted a lovely picture from their site to my blog.

Ms Katie has contacted me and asked if I would mind keeping her banner on my site. Because it is so beautiful, and brightens up the page a little, I thought I might. It is something I can change regularly, so you will always have something pretty to look at. And she has attached a little function so you can click on it and go straight to the WKD site. What a beautiful way to enjoy all the intricacies of those gorgeous undergarments.

And did you guess what was in my little parcel this week? Shall I give you a clue ... or keep you in suspense?

There now. (A girl can't give too much away!)

xx

Weekend Away

Sometimes, when a girl is all alone, she has to take her initiative for a drive.

A few weekends ago, that is just what I did.

After a little research into a providore and wine region just a few hours away I chose one of my favourite dresses, a flower for my hair, and planned my day away.

As I mentioned in a previous entry, a girl dresses twice: once secretly, and once overtly. As you know, by clicking on "Lingerie" on the list on the right hand side of my blog, I take my secret dressing very seriously. As my deportment teacher told me when I was just a girl "a woman must have good foundation garments that are both comfortable and beautiful". This is a tenet I still hold true.

I always like to match my pretty underthings to my outerwear. But since you couldn't spend the day with me, I thought I could share the simple, beautiful things with you here.

This is one of my most favourite vintage dresses. I have lifted it a little so you can see my layered pink petticoat which holds it out to its best advantage:

These are my delicate foundation garments. They always remind me of a Nick Cave song, Nobody's Baby Now:
"This is her dress that I loved best
With the blue quilted violets across the breast"

The stockings I chose were seamed and cuban heeled. In this skin tone you can just see the detail, with its gorgeous Art Deco-like stepped design. I do love the subtle beauty of them.

And a girl does like to be corseted in.

My touring revealed a little out-of the-way place which hosted the most sumptuous lunch for me, even though I strolled in at a languid 2:00pm. With their signature Pinot Noir, a delicious dessert, and coffee over a Pinter play, it was difficult to leave this lovely tranquil place with the most divine view.

Next time won't you please come with me?
xx

Bra Bulletin

Click through for a little history on that iconic lingerie item or have a look at further deliciousness from What Katie Did.
xx

Underlying Intentions

In my last post I had something to show you. Something absolutely delicious and desirous. It was a fabulously overwhelming gift from the friend I mentioned.

It was one of those rare and treasured  occasions when a girl is surprised by something she could have only dreamt of calling her own. I had not mentioned my preferences to anyone, and it was only vaguely referenced here in my blog, so it was a wonderful surprise. What makes my dear endowerer even more incredible is that the selected sizing was impeccably accurate.

Most of you are familiar with my preference for many of the delightful items at What Katie Did. For a few years now I have been secretly lusting over a particular design in their corset range. What a very lucky girl I am to be able to cinch myself with the gorgeous Morticia.



If you have ever received a parcel from this gorgeous boutique, you will know how the pleasure begins as you unwrap your delicate items from the volumes of black tissue, which has been carefully beribboned and subtly marked for posting. Their corsets also come in lavish satin bags for safe keeping.

You can imagine how overwhelmed a girl could be to learn that her divine friend had been busily sourcing both the US and UK collections for such an indulgence. More than this, it was to be a part of an entire lavish ensemble!

After examining it on-screen so often, one would think that I would know the items in my favourite What Katie Did range by touch. But with my eyes averted and my fingers feeling those lines of stitching, soft satin and powermesh I could not believe my lingerie fantasies were being realised. I am entirely enamoured with so many of the items in the delectable Maitresse range. Can you believe what gorgeous things I found?

The Maitresse Bullet Bra

An essential item in a vintage girl's wardrobe

The Maitresse Knickers

Tasteful and glamourous

The most perfect Fully Fashioned Stockings

Authentic, specially made on rare machines, and with a keyhole welt.

and to hold that beauty in place

The Maitresse Girdlette

with six very fine quality garter tabs for a sure grip.

What a very fortunate girl I am. However, at the moment they are being admired in my drawers as I wait patiently for a visit from my very generous gifter.

A girl shouldn't wear them for just anyone.

xx

How Far I've Come

So much time has passed since my last post, and although it was filled with unprecedented activity, I must admit I have missed you.

As you know, I took a little sojourn abroad. Since then I was hurled into a whirlwind of obligations: at home and at university. In those first weeks of November I handed in my final assignments - some a little earlier than expected. A dear friend called me in those heady days to share some dreadful news: the company he owned had been sabotaged by a fellow director while he had spent the past 18 months, some 4000 km away, setting up a new office. The effects were devastating. Even though it was not due until the following week, I wrote into the early hours and through the next day so I could submit my final assignment, and be available if he needed me.

When he called the next day things had become worse. I sped down to the university to hand in my essay, which they thankfully accepted even though the faculty had closed. I arrived home to find the girl dearest to me with my favourite flowers to celebrate the end of my degree. I explained what had happened, and she agreed that I should help him pack his apartment and the new business address so he could return to head office immediately. How very cruel it seemed to ask her to cancel her celebratory plans and take those beautiful flowers back with her.

I had 30 minutes to organise my flight, taxi and suitcase, and negotiate a lift to take that sweet girl home. The plane was the last one to leave town, and I was exhausted when I arrived at my destination some six hours later.

The next few days were spent packing his home and office. I do not envy the personal grief he had to endure during those dark days. On the third day he flew back to head office while I spent that, and the next, packing and cleaning his apartment. After the removalists left I took his magnificent vehicle to the international terminal to be shipped home. Because of the airport curfew I waited seven hours before catching the last plane to his home town.

The flight travelled through the night to arrive four and a half hours later at 6:00am. With a chatty passenger beside me, I disembarked without sleeping. I was met and whisked to a shower, and then went into the office for a ten hour day. Although it is not my line of business, I did what I could there for the next two weeks before flying home. I had so much to do. My little house was evidence of serious neglect while I had studied. But I also eagerly awaited my final grades and looked forward to my graduation.

How very excited I was to be awarded four high distinctions for the semester, and a high distinction average for my course. My graduation day was such a special day for me, and I was so pleased to be offered Honours. I spent it with my beloved "flower" girl, and my dear friend who flew in especially.

The next day I packed up the car and my puppy and we took a 12 hour road trip - the first day of a four week holiday. I spent time at beaches, by the pool, with good books, but most importantly with family and friends.

Now I am back and am unpacking, I have something to show you. It is something delicious, and something you know I love especially.

Can you wait until the next post?

I promise to post pictures ...

I hope you have been good, and have accrued a few pretty packages of your own.

Shall we share?

xx

A Very Restrictive Souvenir

After arriving home last Monday I have been thrown back into my university obligations and have not had time to tell you all about my most perfect holiday. But I did get myself a little souvenir from here:

After browsing a very arousing selection, the Fairy Gothmother herself chose something for me and whisked me into the change room before I knew it. She laced me so tightly in this corset, but in ivory satin.

So tightly that she reduced my waist by six inches. I don't think I have ever moaned in pleasure as much as she tightened those laces so powerfully and without remorse. Well, perhaps not until I arrived in Barcelona a few days later.

I will have to tell you all about it soon.

Be good, my dear watchers.

xx

Basque in Barcelona

Sometimes a girl has to be a little spontaneous. And a little wicked. Sometimes she has to stretch herself a little further than she should. She should grasp a gorgeous opportunity when it is with such divine company.

She should not resist.

And so I have acquiesced.

                                                        Naughty, naughty me.


I do not mind how imprudent it is. I think that makes it nicer, and my inviter is so enticing.

A girl can sometimes do things she should not.

Or perhaps she should, after all.

I can't wait.

In just a few weeks I shall be here:

Can a girl have too much that she loves all at once? She might need you to hold her down.

I love it when you do that.

xx

Thank You Again, Ms Ann O'Dyne

Ms Ann O'Dyne must be one of my best blog-friends. She always has interesting comments, and turns up in exciting blog-guises that one wouldn't expect. And she always has very good lingerie advice.

She even has her own love list, Worn Out, which you really must visit. I just can't resist the pic in this post. She has also sent me to Carine and Aubade for some window shopping.

Her latest little expedition took me to Myla. Not the website per se but love sight: the images gallery. If you look at her comments on  States of Undress, you can see she gave me a page number. I am not going to give it to you here, because it can be tempting to rush. And that can truly spoil the purpose, as I mentioned in that very same blog. So unless you like to be hasty, and miss all the glorious scenery on the way, I would suggest you slowly make your way through those ladies who are kindly showing the lingerie to its best advantage. Consider it a little exercise in the slow manipulation of your amorous expression. And then tell me your favourites. A girl likes to know what interests a person.

How difficult it is for one to resist, and how covetous she becomes looking at a site such as this. I believe coveting is considered a sin in some religions. Is it so awfully bad to be desirous of such goodness?
And, Anne, you were quite right; I did know exactly which one you meant.

If I get some lovely replies, I might even list my favourite.

http://www.myla.com/lingerie/bras/balcony-bras/azalea-non-padded-balcony-db.html

xx

States of Undress

After a conversation with a friend today, I began to understand that I had some rather distinct KPIs for my intimate liaisons.

Now before you start pressing the big red button, or shouting "Warning, Will Robinson", I do want to assure you there will be nothing explicit or untoward on my little blog.

But in this age of electronica, I have begun to find that speed-dating, just like speedy everything-else seems to have permeated one of those rooms where we should be taking considerable time.

As I mentioned to my friend, she and I do love our lingerie, and we carefully choose delicious and delicate articles that don't just lie closest to our skin, but actually accentuate our womanhood. You have seen some of my preferences on this weblog of mine, but as I have intimated, there is quite a pretty collection in my bedside table, my chest of draws, my wardrobe, and in tiny boxes and packets hidden where they shan't be found.

As you lovely lady readers know, many of us are often pleasantly adorned beneath our outerwear whether we have an occasion or not. And when we actually do have an exciting evening planned, we often have something special lingering underneath our fabulous frocks.

As we slowly reveal our sensitivities, we are often surprised how some certain types of gentlemen tend to  race their libido to see how quickly they can remove those final garments.

Now if your lady is wearing some very unflattering beige items that look more like a woollen bathing suit, then yes, please use as much haste as possible to reveal your lover's better form.

However, as a little hint, if you are presented with a woman who is endowed with exquisite underwear, please do enjoy it with a lovely dose of acknowledgement and a hint of imagination.

xx

Vargas Video

Some of you may remember my post from November last year on the gorgeous Vargas dress.

The creators, Kiss Me Deadly, are asking for videos in their loveliest shape-wear.

Without a boy in the boudoir, a girl needs to ask nicely if there is any kind and discreet person out there in my ethernet who is handy with a camera (or vidphone) and has a few luscious ideas to make a fun little film-o-matic.

 ... but you have to promise to be nice because I am a very good girl.


xx

Legitimate Lingerie

Fine lingerie is just not complete without the appropriate accessories, and so I believe beautiful stockings and tights are an essential component of a girl's lingerie wardrobe.

As I am with all lingerie, so am I absolutely desirous of stockings and tights. As hosiery patterning seems to change seasonally, I have found myself eagerly stocking up on quaint styles regardless of room permitting in bedside drawers.

Recently I found three gorgeous little numbers which I would love to share with you. The first is like a fine fishnet with art nouveau flowers around the thigh;

http://www.voodoohosiery.com.au/fashion

the second, was a subtle design which I do not yet have a photo for; and third, was my beloved, luxurious cuban heel seamed stockings. These traditionally come in a chisel ended style, but my favorite is the Deco-esque stepped finish which seems a little more elusive.

The following photo shows generic versions of heeled stockings. I do love the Manhattan.

 

(What incredible colours they have!)

I also prefer the traditional keyhole welt in the garter of my stockings when I can get them. Which fortunately I can at What Katie Did.  Some of their range are still made on the traditional machines. (Because a girl has to love that devotion to an authentic aesthetic.)

Here, for your perusal, is a little stocking anatomy:

These, from What Katie Did, are my stock in stockings:

Now, all I need is a little night out ...

xx

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things

I have a secret.

A few years ago I went to a fair a long, long way from home. It was something I had wanted to do for such a while, but had been prohibited by, let us say 'a big bad wolf'.

So I snuck out in my hooded red jacket, with my best and brightest frock, cutest shoes, and tortoise-shell sun glasses packed in my tiny cardboard suitcase, and caught the plane to a city some 1000 kilometres away.

I may have been bold, but was getting naughtier. I met up with a 'woodcutter' at the airport and he whisked me away in his car. He fed me and lured me to his cabin, but a good girl always says "no" especially when certain parties are already 'engaged' and should not be playing with girls when they visit strange cities. But my woodcutter was very respectful, and afterwards kindly dropped me off where my girlfriend was waiting in a safe clearing.

The next day she and I went to the fair. Can you imagine seeing everything you love all in one place? Outside there were chromed cars from the late 1950s and inside there were patterned dresses and pretty old-fashioned china and homewares, lots of gorgeous boys dressed impeccably, a hairdresser who put everything from pin-curls to victory rolls in your hair, and in the background lots and lots of music to make everyone dance.

Amongst all this heady excitement I saw something I had never seen before. The most delicate and gorgeous pasties. I was a demure lass and not prone to anything racy, but these were made for us, dear ladies. A little shy, I quietly took the business card and slipped it into my handbag. I believe it was a culmination of the digression of the weekend and this little card that turned me from that demure lass into a determined but discreet woman.

Finally, when I returned home I was in a considerable amount of trouble. My absconding was taken very seriously and I was firmly repremanded. But girls, I still had my secret little card! One evening, I found her site on the internet and was lost in all the dreamy and beautiful selections of pasties. I did not have an occassion to wear them, but I needed a momento of my special day, so I ordered some online.
 -- Shh. Don't tell anyone! I have to hide them in the back of my drawer. --

They are the most gorgeous and decadent thing, and I love them so. They came in the most beautiful box with costume tape and instructions.

But did you know they custom make them? By hand! You can choose your favourite fabric, bows, buttons, bells, and brocade from her collection if you ask her nicely. She is very kind and discreet.

It's like a lolly shop for your loveliest.

I have several pairs now and only have worn one pair - for myself. Unfortunately I do not have a man who shares my pastie-passion, so they languish hidden behind my most delicate lingerie.

Ladies, you really should buy some for yourself this Valentines. And if you are a lad with fine taste, perhaps you could choose something lavish and alluring for your favourite feline.

Here is her Valentine Collection on Facebook. She will ship them to you, direct to boudiour.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=268049&id=71821524000


Kiss Me Quick.

xx

Corset of the Month

This may have been corset of the month for What Katie Did in September, but it is a long term favourite of mine. They only make one of each size, so a girl (or her very generous lover) has to be quick.

They are not making one this month, because they are so busy with a big job that is all hush-hush at the moment, but we will have to be vigilant. And if December is as delightful as this, I must ask you to please, please leave the 22" for me.


Here is the website for What Katie Did so you can feast your lovely eyes!