The most outrageous and exuberant lingerie in the world comes from a place youd probably never expect: Syria. Adorned with everything from faux fur, artificial flowers, and feathered birds to plastic toy cell phones, these intimates flash lights, play music, even vibrate. Well known across the Middle Eastin Syria the lingerie forms an important part of the folk tradition around trousseaus and weddingsit is openly displayed in the markets and souks. Authors Malu Halasa and Rana Salam have brought together a diverse and dramatic collection of photography and writing, including the voices of Syrian women, celebrating this little-known niche of fashion design in all its playful glory.

Pauline Kramer-Saxon tells her story as well as those of a wonderfully diverse cast of women and men who pass through her lingerie store Secret Womens Business. "It's amazing the things people will tell you while they observe themselves, near naked, in the change room mirror " says Pauline . The stories run a gamut of emotions involving love, marriage, divorce, sex of many kinds, joy, sorrow, loss and body image. While each story is based on true life experience, names and personal details have been changed to protect identities. What they all have in common is a love of lingerie. Representing the third generation of a family of lingerie manufacturers, Pauline has that rare ability to just look at someone and know their size and the perfect garment to fit them. Her story reaches back three generations to wartime Europe. By a mere twist of fate her family survived and emigrated to Australia as refugees in the late 40's and as 10 pound Poms in the early 50's and started making lingerie again. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry and sometimes compel you to do both at the same time.

With just a sewing machine and some inexpensive materials, you can learn how to make your own unique and beautiful bras, knickers and camisoles. Work your way up from super-easy, Tie-side knickers and Wedding Garters that can be customised in endless ways, to sewing with silk, tulle and other delicate fabrics. With more than 25 projects that can be personalised to suit your shape, size and style, from a Skirted Lace Thong and Chiffon Camisole to a Silk Soft-cup Bra and Roll-on Suspender, explore the vast scope for personal, creative expression in traditionally private items of clothing, whether making them for yourself or as a gift.

French women seem inherently more confident in their bodies, able to embrace the sensuality of life and love. What's their secret? Lingerie. Yet, despite an insatiable curiosity for all things French, most women still find lingerie an enigma, a tangled mélange of silk and lace, and are confused about how, when, and where to wear it. (Hint: it's not just for special occasions.) Many aspire to having a drawer full of silky, lacy undergarments, but have no idea where to start: How should my bra fit? How exactly do I wear a garter belt? Do bras and knickers always have to match? With illustrations by French lingerie designer Paloma Casile, Paris Undressed: The Secrets of French Lingerie will help women feel at ease with their figures and show them how to integrate a lingerie lifestyle à la française to enhance their own femininity, confidence, and joie de vivre. It will transform the way women perceive their undergarments - and their bodies - and reveal how to co-ordinate a lingerie wardrobe to reflect personality and to meet lifestyle needs with the right dose of reverie. The book also includes a hand-selected guide to the most confidential addresses and lingerie boutiques in Paris, and discloses where to find the perfect bra, couture camisole or cheeky knicker. Paris Undressed goes behind the seams, combining cultural references, expertise, and practical advice to inspire every woman to reconsider her underwear drawer.

A comprehensive and accessible illustrated guide to lingerie from intimates expert Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict, the internet's top intimate apparel blog. While many love the idea of wearing special underthings, lingerie can be intimidating. How is it supposed to fit? How do you take care of it all? Is lingerie really for me? In this beautiful and empowering guide, lingerie expert Cora Harrington demystifies intimate apparel, making it accessible to all sizes, ages, and budgets. Covering everything from basic bras and panties to special occasion wear, shapewear, hosiery, corsets, and more, this no-nonsense handbook empowers you to confidently buy, wear, and care for the underpinnings of your dreams.

Since its release in 1980, The Lingerie Book has drawn thousands of captivated readers, both men and women, into the secret boudoirs of the 20th century. The book captures women's most intimate apparel, decade by decade, since 1900, and its photos show top models in authentic period lingerie. 90 photos.

"Beauty Secrets" explores the links between appearance, gender and sexuality; it empowers women to share the secrets of their relationship to imposed standards of beauty showing how women are constantly required to 'pass' by wrapping their 'unacceptable' and 'undisguised' selves in layers of conformity to acceptable beauty standards. -- back cover.