The second shipment from our Fall VPL order has arrived!  This time around we’ve gotten several styles, including the popular Breaker Tank, (works as an outerwear piece for now and a layering piece for later,) the futuristic Bellmer Cami/Panty set and two colors of the Insertion Bra/Undie, which is totally reminiscent of 1940s athletic wear - very utilitarian, industrial chic.  I’m in love!!!

This month’s First Friday art installation is work by local artist and Lille photographer (incidentally, my husband) Alan Wizemann, founder of Cularis. Alan’s images approach everyday objects from an unusual perspective, lending his work an approachable quality not unlike the photos of William Eggleston. His graphic design background is evident by his use of color, dramatic composition and textural juxtaposition. He does an amazing job on Lille’s ad campaign, for which I am eternally grateful! Stop by Lille at 1007 E. Burnside between 6-9pm this Friday to check out the work and have a glass of wine - hope to see you then!

We’re big advocates of the peek-a-bra, but only when it’s intentional. A splash of color or a bit of delicate lace showing under a cocktail dress is one thing, but inadvertent exposure due to button bulge is quite another. Whenever I’m sporting a sleek top that fits a bit tight through the bust, I always put my husband on “button patrol.” It happened just the other night at a cocktail party - a strategically positioned button on my favorite vintage dress decided to wriggle free of its cumbersome buttonhole and join the party. I always wear a slip or camisole underneath it for that precise reason, but regardless, it is still so embarrassing! Being modestly sized in the chest, I can only imagine the frustration of someone more well-endowed, particularly in the workplace. Finding cute dress shirts is hard enough, but finding the perfect fit is even more elusive. Fortunately, Rebecca & Drew pioneered the TrioFit sizing method, which takes bra size and height into account. It’s amazing no one thought of it before! Even better news - they’re having a sample sale! I haven’t personally tried them yet, so I can’t attest to the fit, but I couldn’t resist the $35 price tag on custom sized, beautifully made dress shirts, and I thought it only fair to share with you, our faithful readers. Enjoy!

I’m a sucker for vintage accessories like finely tooled leather gloves, delicate hand mirrors, and complicated jewelry boxes. Anything superfluous that exists only to please the senses and make you feel like a lady is great in my book! This beautiful Pink Iridescent Art Glass Perfume Bottle fits the bill to a tee. It reminds me of my friend Crystal, who is a big fan of Dorothy Parker, brocade wallpaper, vintage oxford shoes and other beautiful things. She recently gave me a lovely new atomizer, which prompted an enthusiastic house hunt for something to put in it. I never liked the bottle that my Kenzo Flower came in because I was always knocking it over, so I decided to open it up and transfer the contents. What seemed like a simple enough task ended up taking nearly an hour and giving me a nasty metal cut on my index finger, but I finally managed to crack it open. Fortunately for you, we have an easier solution: the Violet Eau de Toilette by Côté Bastide comes in a glass bottle with an easy screw-on cap, so pouring it into this lovely antique perfume bottle is a breeze. I don’t know much about its history, but the brass fittings look very Art Deco to me, and the top needs some work in order to function properly. This website seems to specialize in antique atomizer parts, so if you’re looking for a weekend project, you could certainly get it working again.

Ok, I know I just posted about the arrival of the fish suits less than 48 hours ago, but the bikinis are already sold out! I told you they were cute, but seriously, that has to be a record. Here’s a pic of the adorable Fish One-Piece with hidden underwire, which we still have in most sizes (32-36 B-D.) They are literally flying off the racks, so if you are one of the many ladies who waited for this cute print to arrive, I urge you to act fast! They will be gone soon.

At the risk of offending the brilliant and talented Kristen Schaal, I’m going to suggest a few items in the store that may appeal to the Cougar demographic. If you haven’t already seen her hilarious spoof on late show animal acts, where she condemns the use of the offensive (but c’mon…at least mildly amusing) term, check it out here.

Like all good design, form usually follows function when it comes to lingerie. Young women with A-B cups tend to veer towards the cotton crepe bralettes from Araks, whereas the ladies sporting C-D+ cups will opt for more supportive options like Vera Wang’s Plunge Padded Underwire Bra. Beyond that basic distinction, I’ve found that you can’t always determine someone’s lingerie taste based on their outward appearance. A casual girl in jeans and a tee may opt for the frilliest lacy underthing in the shop, while a high-fashion lover may just want comfy cotton basics. That being said, I’m always a bit shocked when an older woman asks to see a black lace thong. This is primarily because I’m not a huge fan of thongs, (as I’ve stated before, with the exception of the Araks cotton g-string) and I can’t imagine wanting to endure any self-imposed discomfort in my golden years. But far be it for me to judge! Ladies, if you’re looking for sexy lingerie that works at any age and flatters even the most seasoned bosom or derriere, look no further than these lovely options: (more…)

At long last, the elusive Fish suits from Princesse Tam Tam have arrived. I have to say, it was worth the wait - in part because Portland Summer took so long to get here that I haven’t even been to the river yet, and in part because THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!!! The bikini (pictured above) is every bit as adorable as I remember, and the one-piece is even more spectacular. With supportive underwire, center ruching, a cute halter-neck tie and flattering italian bikini cut on the leg, it is definitely a show stopper! Fortunately, we got just about every size, including Ds, so there will be many patient Portland ladies rejoicing this weekend at the beach!

We got a cute little chemise and bikini in from Eberjey today. The Colette is very reminiscent of the Tangled Love, only in an even better color - a dusty mauve that they’re calling “Mocha.” It’s made from a sheer, super-soft rayon that feels a lot like the Dessous viscose camis, with a delicate scalloped lace bodice and a dainty bow. The matching panty is constructed from the same galloon lace, which is incredibly soft for nylon and has a pretty Princesse-Tam-Tam-ish pattern. At just under $100 for the set, it would make a perfect bridal shower gift or just a nice way to treat yourself without breaking the bank. Judging by how fast we sold out of the Tangled Love last spring, I’d be willing to wager that these will be gone by the end of the month!

Here at Lille, we’re usually so busy gushing over the lingerie on the blog that we often forget to mention that we carry other things too, like antique furniture, knick knacks, vintage books, locally made jewelry and bath products. Next week, I’ll be featuring some of my favorite bric á brac that I’ve recently added to the mix, such as a 1920s art deco tin pail covered in peacocks and a vintage silver-handled umbrella. We try to price the decor really affordably so that we can keep the store looking new and fresh (plus it gives me an excuse to go antiquing!) In the near future, we’ll be able to let you know what’s new in stock through a handy dandy link on the site that’s been a long time coming. Also, we’re happy to ship to our online customers, and the shipping calculator isn’t always as accurate as it should be, so if you’ve got your heart set on an art nouveau bench or english armoire, just email us and we’ll provide you with a more accurate quote! Happy nesting!

Due to the amazing demand for our vintage silk stockings (both natural and hand-dyed), I realized not too long ago that we just didn’t have enough garters in stock. As soon as they arrive, they are snapped up, leaving the rest of you high and dry. We have a few great ones coming from The Lake and Stars, Princesse Tam Tam and Stella McCartney this Fall, but I predict that those too will fly off the shelves. Once the weather cools off a bit, girls will be clamoring for thigh-highs, and they’ll need something to hold them up. Fortunately, there will be another option: custom made garter belts by Gatsby (my soon-to-be launched new line of handmade lingerie.) All Gatsby garments are made of vintage silk or organic cotton with antique lace trim and cute details like pearly snaps and delicate buttons. The inspiration is obviously 1920s-1930s flapper style, but with a clean, modern twist. I’ll be posting lots more on the styles that will be available, but I just wanted to give you a heads up!

I’m so sorry to report that The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, that East Village bastion of style, has closed its doors for good. The fun, innovative ambiance that Judi Rosen painstakingly crafted in the tiny boutique will be sorely missed. She was one of the pioneers of the high-waisted, skinny leg movement that has only recently swept Portland and is a true fashion trailblazer. There is good news though - we’ve been told that she will continue to produce her own line of clothing and accessories. So hopefully we will still be able to carry the adorable Miss Dater Sock Garters, Nylon Knee-His and Angora Thigh-His that have been adorning the legs of lovely Portland ladies for the past year!

The Telegraph posted an interesting article today on the hullaballoo about Helen Mirren’s hot bikini photos, taken this week while she was on vacation in Italy. They point out how refreshing it is for a woman approaching 63 to be confident about her body, particularly in this age of botox and anorexia. If you haven’t already seen the amazing shots of the grand dame, which spread like wildfire on blogs yesterday, check them all out here. (more…)

Providing travel recommendations is one of my favorite things to do. I get green with envy when I meet someone who writes for a guidebook or travel blog. Can you even imagine how amazing it would be to be paid to seek out the best food, shopping and entertainment the world has to offer? One can only dream. We get a lot of tourists here at Lille, visiting from New York, San Francisco and LA - particularly during our lovely summer months. Upon request, I always inundate them with lists and maps of the best and brightest Portland has to offer. So, in the spirit of extending a helping hand to anyone out there who is thinking about visiting our fair city in the near future, here is a tiny travel guide for your perusal… (more…)

One of our happy customers who shops online from her hometown of Nogi (in the Shimotsuga District of the Tochigi Prefecture on the island of Honshu, Japan) was kind enough to send us a couple of snapshots of her in her favorite new Lille lingerie.

Pictured above is the cute Lulia short in Tangerine from Araks Organics, paired with a vintage top. From what I gathered on their website, Nogi is an eco-friendly city not unlike Portland, except with more sunflowers. Their town slogan roughly translates to: “Water and Green Cleanse, Moisturize and harmony among people in the town”

Here is a message from their friendly mayor: (more…)

Missing out on the Shirley Bikini top and matching Maggie Bikini bottoms is one of my biggest summer regrets. We had my size in the black when it first came in way back in the spring, but they sold out fast and I never had a chance to snap one up. The cute ruffles make the set super-flattering on just about every body type, and the fit is just perfect. It’s sweet but still edgy, thanks to a bit of retro inspiration coupled with streamlined, elegant design. But I have good news! (more…)

It’s officially hot in here. When the heat index hits 90 degrees, I always have a hard time figuring out what I’m willing to wear under my clothes, not to mention what to wear to bed. I’ve never been able to sleep in the buff (too worried about emergencies in the middle of the night forcing me to stand naked in the street with my neighbors!) PJs are usually unbearable in the summer, so I typically opt for a pair of my husband’s boxers and a tank top, but sometimes even that is too much. (more…)

I know we’ve been a little Araks-crazy with our blog posts in the past week, but the new stuff is just soooo good- we simply can’t stop gushing about it! Take, for example, the Agnes tank, pictured above. It’s made from the sheerest, softest organic cotton in the world, so it’s incredibly breathable and lightweight. The cut is basic and clean, with a low neckline and long torso. Though my shoddy cell phone pic may fail to transmit its elegant simplicity, you must trust me when I say this is no ordinary wife beater. Unlike those thick cotton rib knit, indelicate things, the unbelievably flat seams on this close-fitting tank make it the perfect layering top, and its sheerness evokes a much more sophisticated sensibility. It’s lingerie for the modern woman, like all Araks’ genius work!

We’re still working hard on the new site, which will launch soon, but I wanted to let you know that we’ve updated the sale section online and added some of the new Araks items to the webstore. We also have a ton of bathing suits in stock from Araks and Princesse Tam Tam that aren’t yet online, so feel free to drop us a line or call us if you can’t make it in to shop and want to know more.

The summer sale is in full effect, with discounts of up to 60% off of great designs by Beau Bra, Vera Wang, Poet, Dessous and more! Here are some of my favorite picks to help make your shopping experience a little easier…

1. Lilly Boyshort - $26 - super sheer and comfy cotton/modal blend short that you’ll want to live in

2. Divorcée Bralette - $56 - adorable bra with flying fish charms by The Lake and Stars

3. Leland Panty - $85 - take advantage of a rare Araks sale on a beautiful cotton/silk piece

Ah, those illustrious garments of royals, holy men, judges, and scholars. It seems that anyone who’s important earns a robe, and why shouldn’t they? They worked hard to get where they are and the have a right to be allowed to walk around in a comfortable, breathable, and flowing garment. Well, maybe the royals didn’t work so hard, but they have a lot of responsibility too, it’s hard to do that spiral-elbow-stiff-wrist wave. No, wait, I just tried it, it’s not really that hard. Ok, forget the royals, my point is that robes are pretty awesome. (more…)