Baubles, Bangles, & Bright Shiny Lingerie

Fashion books from wonderful Assouline Publishing are my weakness. Lately, I’ve been absorbed in their 2008 large-format American Fashion Accessories by Cindy Pratts Price and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Fabulous photos and fascinating text. Who knew that the first left and right shoe lasts were produced in Philadelphia in 1822 (what did people do before?). Or that a carpet bag could be taken apart and turned into a blanket?! And I love the descriptions, such as that of the California lifestyle as a combination of “glitz and casual elegance.”

But the photos tell the fashion story. Unforgettable shoes and bags, mouth-watering close-ups of jewelry by the likes of Jean Schlumberger, and droll fashion stills cancel any doubt about American ingenuity in the last 75 years.

However, as I adjust my plastic sunglasses, nylon stockings, and costume jewelry, I notice that this celebration of American imagination and mass-production barely mentions lingerie. Well, nice to have an ecumenical approach to getting dressed. Who could mind a European touch (or Canadian or Japanese) to the lace and silk confections that provide the ultimate accessory?

Consider, for example, the versatility of a bodysuit. Jane has several stunners.

Valery’s Luna Soutache Lace Bodysuit uses its sheer mesh to cover, yet reveal, with sumptuous lace in just the right places.

Or, choose the off-the shoulder elegance of Cadolle’s Coeur Lace Bodysuit. Sweet under a jacket or sexy little sweater. The long sleeves complement your sparkling jewels on wrist or fingers.

Don’t miss the Epure Beaute Macrame Long-sleeved Bodysuit from Lise Charmel. Its shapely stretch-lace, in shipshape navy, travels easily from day to evening to night. Great under a shirt in the office. Be sure to roll up the sleeves!

Frank Sinatra might have been singing about you when he crooned “Sparkles, spangles, your heart will sing, singa-linga…”