Kiss Me Deadly Fall/Winter 2009 Collection

Vicki at La Magia just sent me these brand, spanking new pictures of Kiss Me Deadly's Autumn/Winter lingerie range. These pictures are so new that they're not even on the KMD website yet!

I think the Jezebel longline knicker (i.e. highwaist panty) may be my favorite piece of the entire collection, but the L'Amour steel-boned corset style basque runs a close second.

It really makes me happy to see that the folks at Kiss Me Deadly are always adding new and innovative designs to their label, but don't forget about the classics...namely the uber-sexy Vargas girdle dress--one of the top three pieces in my ample lingerie collection.

Plus, you always get 15% off plus free shipping at La Magia with the code PINK123. Tell 'em that Stockings Addict sent ya!

Photo Friday: Carlo Pieroni's Pin-ups

I first saw Carlo Pieroni's art on the lingerie blog Frou Frou Fashionista. His pin-up portraiture reminds me of a modern day Gil Elvgren. Like what you see? Don't forget to check out my other Photo Friday posts here!

Stockings, Tights, and Pantyhose 101: A Primer

Frou Frou Fashionista's "A Brief Lesson in Hosiery" is one of the best articles I've ever read for distinguishing between stockings, thigh highs, tights, and pantyhose. I hope you enjoy it as much I did! :-)

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Whenever someone wants to spice up their lingerie ensemble, they typically end up adding hosiery to up the ante! We just wanted to provide a few basic concepts regarding hosiery, in order to make your purchasing decisions a bit easier.

Basically (and for purposes of this post we'll keep it brief), hosiery can be divided into a few different categories: tights, pantyhose, stockings, and thigh highs (no need to discuss socks here).

We will start with what we consider the sexiest: stockings. Stockings require a garter belt to keep them up on your leg. For those of you wishing to create a vintage look, this is the best way to go. More often than not, stockings are made from nylon rather than silk - this is due to the innovation at Dupont back in 1937. One of our best-selling stockings are those with the black seam along the back, which are very retro-inspired. See images below for example:

Photos below all via Wolford

The next category is the Thigh High (also known as Stay Ups). The thigh high is basically a stocking that can stay up without a garter belt because of the silicone strips around the top of the leg. See image below for an example.

Of course there are Pantyhose, which are nylons that extend up around your waist. Most of you have some experience wearing these! Pantyhose aren't just for the office anymore - they are a great way to accessorize. There are so many tasteful patterns out there that can really glamorize an outfit!

And lastly, there are Tights...good old tights. These are typically opaque and have a heavier consistency than pantyhose (which is why we all wore these to school on cold days when we were young girls). Tights can come in a variety of materials such as cotton and merino wool and have textures such as cable knit and ribbed (we wore the ribbed style back in the early 90s...in red...yikes!). Tights can be incredibly sexy, and we believe everyone should at least own a black pair to wear with high heels or boots.

Lust!--Sequined Leggings

Maybe it's an early case of holiday fever, but after posting those TopShop Sequined Hotpants a few weeks ago, I haven't been able to get sparkly, spangly skivvies off my mind.

Alas, I have a little too much "junk in my trunk" to make booty shorts street-appropriate, but I am checking out their more modest sibling--sequined leggings.

Like many popular trends, this look is available at every price point. Unfortunately, I haven't met my sugar-daddy yet so we'll focus on those leggings costing $99 or less. What do you think of this look?

Forever 21, $29.80


Spiegel, $39


ShopBop, $62


Victoria's Secret, $88.50


Express, $98

An Anecdote on La Magia Lingerie...

I'm sure you all have noticed that the same few stores get mentioned again and again on this blog. There's a very good reason for that, and it's not just because they carry the kind of old-fashioned lingerie I crave. These stores also have the best customer service of any business I've worked with on the internet.

You hear so many horror stories of scams and frauds and outright theft that, as a consumer, it takes a huge leap of faith to put your financial information in the hands of complete strangers. Even my addict-addled mind hesitates before buying something from a new vendor because the last thing I want is for my very pleasant lingerie fixation to turn into a decidedly unpleasant case of identity theft.

Anyway, this story is about La Magia and how the owner, Ms. Vicki, went out of her way for me last year. As you know, I decided to backpack across Europe on a lark. I'd just dropped out of school, broken up with my then-boyfriend, and had no idea what to do next. However, I'd always wanted to travel, so I used my savings to purchase a plane ticket and a Eurail pass and took off for three months.

The only problem? I had several lingerie orders, both custom and ready-made items, in the pipe at the time. La Magia was one of those companies. When I told her that I wouldn't be home to receive my lingerie, I asked for the monumental favor of having her hold everything until I could get it in December. I asked for this in September; it was going to be an entire three months before I even got close to her part of Europe.

Ms. Vicki agreed. When I made it to England, she shipped the lingerie to where I was staying. Things got a bit mixed up, and Vicki even took it upon herself to track the package and make sure I received it. Everything worked out wonderfully.

Only now, after interacting with many more lingerie retailers and having a bad experience or two under my belt do I realize how far out of her way I asked Ms. Vicki to go. She had every right and every reason to tell me "No." She had absolutely no obligation to either hold my order, ship it to my hotel in London, or do the legwork of tracking it down when it was delayed. But she did.

And that, more than the selection, more than the free shipping, more than the amazing sales, is why I will always be a faithful La Magia customer. And I also know better than to ask for those kinds of favors again. ;-)

Falke Tights Fall/Winter 2009-2010

For my new readers, Falke is a high-end German hosiery company famous for combining comfort and style. The quality, durability, and fashion-forwardness of Falke is on par with that more well-known luxury hosiery brand, Wolford. My most favorite hold-up stockings of all time are made by Falke.

Earlier this year, I took a look at Falke's Spring/Summer 2009 Collection, and I'd be amiss not to not give the same treatment for their Fall/Winter Collection. Here are my three favorite tights from the new collection.

Most designers are working the lace trend this winter, and Falke is no exception. The Alizee tights are a modern spin on ever popular trend. They retail for $29.71.
















If floral tights are more your style, why not take a glance at the Eve tights? I am in love with the vine and bud design that seems to wrap around the legs. Available in amethyst and grey, these tights sell for $25.26.














Last month, I dedicated an entire article to the faux-fishnet trend, and the Maxime tights were one of the brands I highlighted. MyTights calls these a twist on "argyle," but whatever the inspiration, they are hella sexy. Get them for $29.71.

TASCHEN Books: The Exotic, Erotic Pin-up

After taking a turn through the bookstore tonight, I've added three new lingerie books to my Christmas wishlist. They are 1000 Dessous: A History of Lingerie, 1000 Pin-Up Girls, and The Big Book of Legs. From one stockings addict to another, these are must-haves for your personal library. You'll see why when you take a glance at the preview pics below...

From 1000 Dessous--A History of Lingerie:



From 1000 Pin-up Girls:



From The Big Book of Legs:

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