We had an amazing response from the crowd about the jewelry featured in our fashion show, and I thought I should mention it here since it’s not on our webstore yet. Talented local designer, Anna Korte, has created a beautiful collection of pendants and earrings inspired by the book, “Bird and Bough” by J. Burroughs. Using vintage charms and recycled leather gloves, Anna crafts unique and balanced pieces that look equally stylish dressed up or down. After the jump, you’ll see photos of the styles we have available right now -sorry for the quality of the pix- just call or email if you’d like to place an order! (more…)

We were fortunate enough to have a couple of Mercury staffers at the Fashion Show, and we’re grateful to Minh Tran for taking some amazing photos of the lovely ladies. You can see them (lots of them!) here:

http://mod.portlandmercury.com/2008/04/lille_boutiques_anniversary_fa.php#more

Part of our Princesse Tam Tam spring order is finally here! So far we have a slew of styles from the romantic and very bridal-friendly Georgette line (picture white tulle with sophisticated heavy cotton embellishments). There are also 2 new colors, lavender and clay, from the ever popular Delicate line (pictured above). And also, for the lounge wearers, soft and snuggly cami/short sets from the Audacieuse line. Did I mention the bikini? Yes! The retro-style Escale Bikini set in a pretty terracotta color. I’m a huge Tam Tam Fan Fan, if you didn’t notice, and I am really excited about all of these pieces. Princesse Tam Tam’s are always beautiful and lacy, but totally everyday bras. We’ve got more on the way too, including a few pieces from their swim line. Pictures to come.

Our anniversary party and fashion show was yesterday and, I must say, it was amazing.  The guests were all wonderful and we’re so grateful that they came.  The models all looked fabulous thanks to Galen from Burnside Proper who did their hair and Amy Callahan who did make-up… and, of course, just because they are all lovely women. Anna had the girls all blinged out with her fantastic vintage inspired necklaces. Our swag bags were stuffed with generous coupon donations from The Chesterfield, Grendel’s Coffee House, The English Dept, and Stand Up Comedy (booze, coffee, and fashion.  So Portland!) and Stila Comsetics donated kick ass makeup for everyone.  We’re just so grateful for everyone’s help.  It was a wonderful event and we couldn’t have done it without our friends.  Thanks guys!  You’re the best, seriously.

I have to go nurse my champagne hangover now.

I thought our readers might be interested in this recent New York Times article regarding an intellectual property lawsuit against Victoria’s Secret: Saying She Patented Bra, L.I. Woman Goes to Court

Vicky, vicky, vicky…. let’s have a little chat. It’s bad enough that you manufacture your bras in third world countries where workers’ rights are violated. On a more superficial level, you perpetuate an image of female sexuality that is not only unattainable, but also downright tacky. And now this- stealing from a Long Island paralegal (love her quotes, btw - I can’t help but think of Amy Poehler in Bronx Beat!)

You can’t come up with your own janky designs? Really? Ripping off a bra patent (allegedly) is so senior year of fashion school. I guess you’re not paying your interns enough to churn out hot pink flowery foam contraptions at a reliable clip. Granted you’re not the only ones borrowing ideas in the fashion world, but this sounds like a pretty clear cut case of bra banditry…or panty pillaging….plunge-padded plundering? Ok, I’ll stop now.

YES! We got our very first pieces from Stella McCartney’s new lingerie line in today! It’s the Eve Giggling bra and bikini set in bright blue mesh. The bra is the one in the picture up there ^ (the picture that I’m a little bit gay for). The matching mesh bikini is a low cut hipster bikini in the same blue mesh. The bra is sexy but it’s pretty utilitarian too. It offers lots of support and the straps are soft and satiny and wide, so no digging. It’s a winner. I’m excited to see the rest of the Stella McCartney lingerie line in our shop!

Just a quick reminder - our One Year Anniversary party and Spring Fashion Show will be held at the store this Friday at 7pm. If you haven’t already RSVPed, be sure to send us an email at info@lilleboutique.com so your name will be added to the list, as space is limited. In addition to the show, there will be live entertainment, free champagne, and we’ll be giving away prizes from Araks, ElizabethW, Ciel and Miss Dater, so you won’t want to miss this! See you then…

We’ve gone RIT crazy here, due in part to a preponderance of spectacular color choices (weren’t there like 5 options when we were kids?) Seriously: Tangerine, Golden Yellow, Pearl Grey, Aubergine?! All amazing options. The newest batch of lingerie from Mama Sarah’s Stovetop Collection includes these cute Hipster Panties with lace trim made of 95% cotton, 5% spandex for just the right amount of stretch. They retail for just $8, so snap them up quick because they will go fast.

I received a message from a customer today regarding our ad campaign and its alleged lack of diversity. It’s always very upsetting to me when someone criticizes our ads or the email newsletters we send out because we work so hard on them and ultimately just want people to see the great lingerie we have in the store. We’re passionate about what we do, and that is reflected in the quality of our merchandise and level of customer service. I just thought I should write a quick post to clarify a few things: (more…)

No kidding, I always thought that the lyrics to Brass In Pocket were “gonna use my sassy”, not “gonna use my sidestep”.  Ha, I guess you learn something new everyday.

Speaking of sassy, since we don’t have anything new in today, I want to take a minute to talk about the Social Hour Silk Mesh Bikini by The Lake and Stars because it’s very sassy.  Nothing, first of all, is cheekier than mesh panties, and this isn’t your typical itchy nylon mesh, this is a 71 silk/29 cotton blend, so it’s caresses the skin while teasing the eyes with all that see-through action.  The colors are great too.  The Mocha/Blush is pictured, but I prefer the Blond/Blue Eyes which is a color I call “neon powder blue” with bright white trim.  It’s very unusual, and it happens to not be pictured on the website, so, you’ll just have to take my word for it!   It also has a surprising embellishment.  Two small yellow PVC tabs are sewn to the back and underneath each of them is sewn a little silver sequin.  Why are they there?  I don’t know.  I guess it’s The Lake and Stars girls version of that non-functional bow that’s sewn on so many lingerie pieces.  It’s just for fun.  And it IS fun.  And fun is sassy.  And I don’t really know where I’m going with this…  I just like those panties.

I think everyone in Portland knows about my two major obsessions: accessories (i.e. lingerie, shoes, umbrellas, etc.) and all things Japanese (i.e. goyaman, takoyaki, nihon buyoh, etc.) So it should come as no surprise that I am a little crazy over the socks I bought on Takeshita-dori last September. Amazing colors, intricate patterns and something just a little vintage about them - not unlike our knit silk stockings, only shorter. I brought several pair back to give as gifts, and of course kept a few for myself. Because of all the compliments they elicited, I realized I wasn’t the only one in love with Japanese socks and decided to bring some in for the store. They will be arriving soon, but you can check out a sneak peek here: (more…)

The Bodas Cotton Basics Underwire Bra has a cult following and we’ve got good news for the cult members, a new shipment of them arrived today (sizes ranging from an A-cup to an E-cup)! Along with the old favorite, we also got the same cotton basics garment, but in a very cute and supportive triangle soft bra. What’s even more exciting is the Cotton Mousseline line. A wonderful triangle soft bra (shaped much like the Eres Aubepine Bra, but without the lace) as well as a great pantie that’s cut on the bias and an adorable cotton chemise. I have a feeling that these are going to be very popular. The colors are Ivory and Pebble (a great brownish grey). They have a simple, vintage appeal and they fit amazingly. I’m stoked!

*Pictures to come.

You have good taste. You buy beautiful lingerie that feels good on your skin and looks great on your body. You can’t be fooled into buying push up wonder cookie bras with removable inflatable water-filled cushions and itchy scratchy synthetic thongs to live up to some image of “sexy” you don’t agree with. You’re special, so special. You may or may not want to use your side step. Point being, we here at Lille are happy to do Special Orders for you. Apparently we underestimated the demand for fantastic lingerie, not just in Portland, but also in cities like New York, LA and Tokyo, because we are blowing out of styles left and right! Fortunately, our wonderful and accommodating designers are usually able to help us fill your panty drawers with whatever colors and styles your heart desires. This month alone, we’ve done SOs for Araks, Dessous, Bodas and Eberjey styles. So whether you’re looking for the Lily Teddy (sold out), the Jasmine Hipster Panty (one left) or the Pima Goddess (slim pickins), we’ve got you covered. Even if it’s a color we don’t have in stock, we can try to get it. That’s how special you are. Yay you!

When someone says “bloomer”, and yeah, I know that word comes up a lot in day-to-day conversation, “sexy” isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind. But Dessous is re-inventing the good old fashioned bloomer and putting a little sex appeal into a 1910 favorite with the Kira Bloomer. It’s still not exactly a black mesh g-sting, but it’s not your grandma’s panties either. Is it billowy and extra full coverage? Well, yes, it’s a bloomer. But most of the coverage it’s offering is actually super sheer silk. Sheer is like coverage, but not really coverage, and that is sexy. The soft and clingy viscose top hugs the pelvis in a provocative way too. Yes, I used the word “provocative” to describe a bloomer, and no, I’m not high. I’m telling you, this bloomer is different. So, if you’re feeling like something unusual, I’d suggest giving the Kira a try, hiking up your petty coat, and having a good time.

Ever wonder why men went from nightgowns to pajamas?

6:26 PM What were they afraid of?

  Now it’s happening to women too

6:27 PM most sleep in shorts and a t shirt instead of gowns

  what are we all afraid of?

  FREEDOM?!

She has a good point.  When Sarah and I were on our first buying trip Sarah’s love for the pre-McCarthy era woman kept drawing her to these exquisite full length nightgowns and I kept saying  “Do people ever wear nightgowns anymore?  Who wears nightgowns? I haven’t had a nightgown since I was 10. It had Garfield the Cat on it.”  Yeah, so I’m a jerk.  We compromised and got some really great nightgowns, but nothing full length and that was that.  Fast Forward to the Chloe Chemise by Poet.  Chloe made me eat my words.  At a certain point I found myself with a store credit that I had to get rid of and I had already bought most of the things in the shop that I had my eye on (because I completely lack self control). I was hemming and hawing when someone else suggested that I get the Chloe and I was like “well, ooooookaaaay…” even though I’m definitely a t-shirt and shorts girl.  I wore it to bed that night and WOW!  Freedom.  There was nothing bunching, or pulling.  It was just me, swaddled in free flowing cottony goodness.  Since then, other additions to my ‘after 11 wardrobe’ such as the stylish Susie Chemise by Araks and the flirty OGirl Organic Chemise by Eberjey have made me a true believer.  I love freedom! I wear nightgowns!

It’s FINALLY really nice out here in Portland!  Thank God.  Now I’m officially in Summer mode.  I want to wear all white all of the time to celebrate.  I want to get a big floppy hat.  I want to sport the new Araks Antonia bra and Isabella Panty set in awesomely soft and breathable summery white cotton.  It’s sure to make me feel sassy and fresh while I sit on my back porch and sip Iced Tea with mint leaves in it.  Or maybe it will spark up my attitude as I get ready to attend one of many barbeques.   BARBEQUES!   OhMyGodOhMyGodOhMyGod!   I love barbeques so much!   I’m putting on sandals and a Desmond Dekker record as soon as I get home.

The organic cotton Dasha Teddy by Araks just arrived today, and man is it cute! It’s loose fitting on the bottom, not unlike the popular Adrienne romper by Dessous from last year (remember the cute hoodie pocket?!), so it will flatter a variety of figures. Made of the same super-soft fabric I mentioned in my last post, it’s one of those pieces you won’t want to take off. It comes in that lovely shade of seafoam blue, with a pale green trim, and features the signature Araks touches: ruching and keyholes!

I’m totally stealing Sarah’s idea…

In the case of this young lady, a lacy blue Idylle Bra by Princesse Tam Tam (a personal favorite) and a vintage silk cami are pared underneath of an otherwise tomboyish blue plaid shirt.  Since the blue in the bra ties in with the blue in the shirt, it’s obvious that the peek-a-bra is no sloppy mistake.  The femininity of the silk and lace mixed in with the masculinity of the button down is a little cheeky and wry.  It takes a look that would at first be deemed “trucker” and turns it into a look that’s more like “f… well, you know”.  Ok, that sounds trashy, but really every once in a while it’s fun and empowering to take on the latter look.  Besides, in these days of sensationally plunging neck lines, there’s really nothing that scandalous making it’s way to the forefront here. So, in the words of many of my old friends, “Bring em out!”

The organic cotton line by Araks has finally arrived! These pieces are so incredibly soft and luxurious - you will want to live in them. The amazing Ingid (or Ingrid? not sure if that’s a typo) tank in white is my #1 request for summer lingerie. Sheer enough to wear on those days when you’re sweating a minute after you step out of the shower, it even has a sexy keyhole back for added ventilation. The Phoebe bralette and Filippa panty in Foam will be sure to please the staunch Araks devotees, as they resemble the Antonia/Josephine, but with added touches like tiny loops at the apex of the strap and, again, cute keyholes on the panty (Sara will be so happy!) Coming soon….the Dasha organic teddy in foam. We’re nearly sold out of the Lily teddy, so here’s your second chance to snap one up!

Here is a prime example of a stylish way to highlight your lingerie and integrate it into your ready-to-wear wardrobe:

Jessica has layered the Lois Bralette in Milk with Alpine trim by Araks under her beaded Lux Tinseltown Tank to add a splash of color to her outfit. It’s sassy without being trashy, and it really makes the most of the intense spring colors we’re seeing so much of these days.