Lingerie Quest

This is a rant and there will be no pictures, so move along now if you have more prurient interests.

This is the bitter me on trying to find the right pieces of undergarments over the last three years and how much it’s been a trial. I was inspired by Mrs. Micah’s post on the Lingerie ROI.

I worked for Express in college and I’d get a coupon for Victoria’s Secret and Cacique because they were owned at that time by the same parent company. Cacique is long gone now. It never took off like VS did. But they used to make 100% cotton undies and sell them 4 or 5 for $20. I’d use my coupon and get them for $15. I ended up with about 50 pairs after graduation, over 10 years ago. Yes, I can admit to hoarding them but they are great. I used to have a little cache of them with the tags still on but even that final stash is its last legs and I have to find suitable replacements.

I liked these because they were bikini style with encased elastic, 100% cotton in plain colors and cute floral patterns. They were full coverage bottoms, with a leg cut that was neither too high, nor too modest. Heck, I even made a dress out of similarly patterned fabric to match one pair because I liked the blue/white scheme so much.

Unfortunately, it’s really hard to find comparable underpants. I’ve tried Victoria’s Secret signature underpants and they do not cut the mustard. Neither does Hanes (in several types). The primary problem is that no one makes encased elastic waistbands anymore. I admit, I haven’t checked online for any, but I don’t feel like I should have to buy something so mundane as my skivvies online. Why can’t you go and just buy them in a normal store anymore? WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?

As for upper body undergarments, I curse Target for dropping my favorite lace demi cup design. They never stocked them in quantity so I couldn’t buy 10 of them at once. The last time I checked for them I was very sad. In my desperation though I found something suitable, also from Target. In fact, this new bra was $3 cheaper. It’s the Gilligan and O’Malley house line (same as the old one I liked) but this one is not a demi cup, but at least it fits ok and makes a nice line under your clothes. They are still understocked at the store, but this time, I’m going to buy them online. I have one reservation which is that the top of the cup tends to roll *outward* which is very bad under a t-shirt. I swear, I’d give my kingdom for Target to bring back the old demi cup I liked.

One of my friends asked me about finding a bra with no underwire. She told me it was driving her crazy because she couldn’t find one anywhere. I found one by Hanes (also at Target) and tried it, but it was unflattering and the tag placement is in the worst spot under your armpit. The new bra I like has the tag printed on which is much better, but it wears off quickly so I’ll have to write the size onto the fabric if I want to remember the specs later.

At any rate, the quest for a decent replacement for underpants is going nowhere. *harumph* I may end up going commando because all of my favorite Cacique pairs are dying rapidly. One of my dear hippie friends from California hasn’t worn them in 25 years, but I’m still skeptical. I’m a little too modest to be quite *THAT* frugal.