Let's all give a hand to Bridgerton and the power of influence the Regency-era drama has on the latest fashion trends. No, we're not saying that people have decided to suddenly throw aside their sweaters and jeans for lavishly embroidered ball gowns. Instead, the show has reignited styles like opera gloves, empire waists, and sequins. Even the show's undergarments have sparked a trend. Corsets of all shapes, lengths, and styles are back in a big way, and the corset dress reigns supreme. And while a Bridgerton character wouldn't ever let her underpinnings be seen, in 2022, that's the least of our worries.
Just like there are varying types of corsets throughout history (no one was wearing Victorian-style, waist-cinching corsets in Regency-era column dresses, for example), there are plenty of ways to wear a modern corset dress. They're not all revealing or have visible boning (though we've found plenty of those options too).
To ease you into the trend, we've rounded up 16 corset dresses for first-timers and avid collectors alike. We want to assure you that there are various bustier-inspired frocks aside from the stereotypical mesh look, like casual dresses with a faint outline to even dreamy wedding guest-approved options. You'd be surprised how approachable the flirty frock could be and the difference the design makes in elevating a look.
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While cotton underwear and thongs are in regular rotation, one intimate, in particular, is finally getting the long-overdue attention it deserves: granny panties.
No longer sequestered to the back corners of our drawers, the ultra-comfy, full-coverage undie in the granny variety continues to see a spike in demand. And it looks like when it comes to underwear, the bigger-is-better motto applies — which is excellent news for the mother-daughter duo behind the brand Bloomers.
“I thought to myself, ‘I can’t be the only woman in the world looking for comfortable, sexy granny panties,” Bloomers’ co-founder Dr. Shaula Alexander Yemini explains to Refinery29. “Being an entrepreneur, when I see a void in the marketplace, I have to do something about it. And that’s how Bloomers was born.” All of the brand’s high-waisted undies are constructed with four-way stretch lace and offered in sizes XS to XXL, in six jewel-inspired colors such as pearl, amethyst, rose quartz, ruby, blue quartz, and onyx. The comfortable full-coverage bottoms veer into the “sexy” category thanks to the clingy, transparent fabrication and a scalloped hem that lends a boudoir-ish elegance to the sleepy silhouette. Each pair is $38 and comes with a reusable mesh laundry bag for easy machine washing.
“During the pandemic, shoppers started prioritizing comfort over style, and granny panties fit the new WFH lifestyle,” says Bloomers‘ co-founder Noa Arias — so a year into a global quarantine, Arias launched the brand alongside her mother, a former tech entrepreneur. She believes the designs by Bloomers — high-waist, fullback lace undies that are guaranteed to be wedgie-free — are poised for popularity, even with restrictions easing, more employees returning to offices, and couch-bound comfort-wear returning to a weekends-only rotation. “Now that we’re heading back to normal, we don’t want to give up being comfortable, [but] we’re eager to be fashionable once again,” Arias explains. “Bloomers’ briefs are the best of both worlds: They have all the comfort and coverage of a granny panty, but they’re made from a soft, stylish lace with a scalloped edge.”
According to the retail intelligence platform Edited, lingerie is expected to hit $325.36 billion by 2025, and “granny panties” Ã la Bridget Jones (who would more likely use the British term “big knickers”) are in. In the same way that comfort came first for all other garments during lockdown, bottoms with both high-waist and full-coverage are outselling hipster styles. Bloomers adopts this comfort-centric approach in a way that’s still sexy — evidenced by a flood of online reviews from customers who prize the brand’s signature mix of comfort and curb appeal. “These are worth every penny, I want them in every color,” wrote a reviewer named Charlotte. “Actually, maybe I’ll get every color. Happy divorce present to me!”Ashima G. wrote that “[t]hese undies are sexy with the benefit of full coverage,” and Jen commented that they made them feel “instantly cute and comfy. So flattering (with and without clothes) and great quality.”
These may not be your grandma’s granny panties, but according to reviewers, they certainly feel like it. So if you have any qualms about leaving your quarantine wardrobe behind as you reclaim your pre-2020 lifestyle, know that there’s underwear out there that offers a cute, comfortable compromise.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Although belts are the unsung lifesaver of jeans that are a tad bit big, they're not exactly a must-have, must-see accessory. Sure, they hold pants up, but the trend in the last few years has been for them to hide underneath oversize sweaters or tunics — not be the focal point of an outfit. However, aside from the classic black belt, there's now a plethora of show-stopping items with jazzy details like studs and stones along with subtle chic prints.
It's all about making a statement — albeit a minimal one. And the good news is you don't have to spend a lot to keep up with this fashion-meets-function trend — plus, considering how versatile belts actually are (you can wear one over dresses, skirts, and, of course, with pants), you're sure to get your money's worth and then some. Ahead, we've rounded up 16 outfit-finishers, all under $75, that will convert even the most anti-belters around.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Per tradition, 2022 brought forth a chaotic salad of sartorial trends: coastal grandmother, Barbiecore, Horse Girl. We saw leather trenches, Hawaiian shirts, Western boots (welcome palate cleansers on the heels of the stubborn, lingering prairie dress phenomenon). And while the new year is, indeed, fast approaching, there's still ample time for yet another sartorial obsession to take hold.
On that note, allow us to introduce you to "fancore," an answer to the delicacy of the whole balletcore phenomenon. It's the less dainty, cold weather-appropriate, athletics-inspired moment we've all been waiting for. It's democratic: designed for the tried and true football loyalists and the less, umm, committed spectators. Consider the timing at hand: Football season is looming. Inevitably, there will be games to watch and teams to stan. And if you plan on screening any football this season — or being in the general vicinity of other people who are committed to football spectatorship — you might as well seize the sartorial opportunity therein. We're talking vintage team tees, classic dad hats, beanies, and oversized coach jackets.
So, in service of your impending Fangirl Fall, we've culled together the trendiest NFL merch on the market. Whether you're heading to a tailgate, or the club, rest assured that you're spearheading a fashion movement in the process. As the old adage goes: clear eyes, cute tops, can't lose.
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