Back Story

French women are very particular about the graceful rear view of their torsos. Clothed or unclothed, they pride themselves on a beautiful back. The careful cut of their lingerie and loungewear contributes to the overall effect of chic, nonchalance, and sensuality. Jane’s Vanity takes a peek.

The style of a bra cup figures into the bra’s fit across the back. Bullet-shaped bras are a case in “point.” The look is youthful and coquettish, fore and aft. JV offers two such showstoppers from Cadolle, both modern recreations from their archives: the Feather Lingerie Set in transparent ivory tulle with gold emboridery and the Bali Rose Print Set in a cheery rose-print pink jersey.   

Studio Pia bras take a bold approach to an alluring back. The Kana Silk Bodysuit is a feat of engineering in black silk. Hidden support panels open up the back to show off four rows of adjustable straps, making for a very flexible fit. The lovely golden Yuna Lingerie Set tells a longline story with two sets of low and similarly adjustable straps.  

The bias-cut dress adds attractive drape to one’s backbone. Olivia Von Halle demonstrates with the Bettina Willow Dress in olive bronze silk and the Aureta Heaven Dress in patterned teal silk with a deep key-hole back closure. For good measure, Violet & Wren add black lace to the plunging backs of their bias-cuts: the Evergreen Bias Slip, the Camo Bloom Bias Slip, and the Ultra Blue Peony Silk Gown.  

Ella Fitzgerald sang “over my shoulder, he digs me” in her interpretation of Duke Ellington’s Satin Doll. Everyone will dig you in your JV tributes to a backward glance.