Flip reverse it
Lingerie is so in this season, it’s out. We’re all well-versed on the style merits of a slip dress this summer, but the fashion world has embraced bralettes, bodies and camisoles as totally legitimate daywear too. Céline, Burberry, Dries Van Noten and Miu Miu are just some of the designers who went big on smalls this season. Each one, drawn to the sense of empowerment gained from taking something as intimate as underwear, and boldly wearing it by day. You see, this trend isn’t solely about provocation. To get what we mean, Google any Stella McCartney lingerie campaigns and what do you notice? There are no arched backs, heaving busoms and fixed heavy-lidded gazes. Stella’s underwear models are generally reclining on a bed, but in the same way that you’d slouch back after a solid day’s work, and not in a contorted, come hither position. Our favouite way to wear slinky camisoles and lacy bralettes is layered over cashmere or loose cotton t-shirts, with tough denim and stompy ankle boots. It’s (in essence) as simple as reversing the way you get dressed.
Scroll on to discover the best underwear-as-outerwear brands (disclosure: they all function just as well as just plain underwear, too).
Araks
Have you noticed stars such as Alexa Chung and Laura Bailey sharing Instagrams of one lingerie brand in particular? Meet Araks, the label all the stars are wearing, you just can’t see it obviously. Why? Marc Jacobs and J Crew alumna, Araks Yeramyan, has tapped into our yearning for underwear that is chic and simple with her handmade, colour-blocked, silken separates. Araks brought this sense of simplicity to her lookbook too, which was shot by Alexa, Laura, Michelle Williams and other ‘friends of the brand’.
'I love the brand and can't resist a creative challenge,’ Laura told us. ‘I took the disposable camera on a somewhat disastrous Easter trip - twelve stitches in my knee amidst other mishaps - but got by with a little help from my kids. In an age of iPhone editing addiction, it was kind of liberating to just point and shoot and wait and see..’.
Anine Bing
You know that lace bralette Kendall Jenner can’t stop wearing? It’s by LA label Anine Bing. Anine’s bohemian rocker-girl style has been honed over the years via a broad range of fashion careers - from model to blogger, to designer. Since launching her understated underwear, she’s amassed a cult following from those who share a love for laid-back style. (Pic: Instagram/kendalljenner)
PRAE
Designed and produced in New York, PRAE is known for its sporty, après-surf vibe. Based on a core collection of silk bralettes and cropped tops designed for layering with loose, breezy separates, the look is laid-back but the materials are sophisticated enough to wear alone.
Baserange
Based in France and Denmark, Baserange’s heartland is ethically produced, beautiful basics. Made from high quality, organic fabrics, their easy, classic shapes are designed as seasonless wardrobe staples that can be worn by themselves or layered up.