- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Finesse model Eanna wears sheer lingerie. This outfit costs $3900+tax at Touch of Silk.
Alicia Roache, Staff Reporter
WHO SAYS monogamy has to be monotonous? For people who have been married or in a committed relationship for some time, lingerie and other sensually-charged items can make the bedroom a very interesting and exciting place after years of familiarity.
The same candy in a different wrapper somehow seems sweeter, they say.
Daintylee Myers, who has been married for 10 years to husband Prince, says that crotchless panties drive her husband wild. "The whole excitement and surprise turns him on," she said.
For many, lingerie is a special treat reserved for special occasions such as honeymoons, birthdays, Christmas and wedding anniversaries. However, for others, buying and wearing lingerie is a way to add some excitement to the action in the bedroom, while still others just wear lingerie as a 'feel good' outfit.
Whatever the reasons for adding the art of undress to the wardrobe, the right choice is key to achieving the desired effect. Variety does not seem to be a problem, however, as a few lingerie stores in the Corporate Area are serving up some delectable items.
From Touch of Silk which has been in existence for over 15 years, to the newly-formed Baba's, lingerie has taken on a tasty appeal. Cecille Fagan, the proprietor of Baba's Lingerie, says that edible underwear has piqued the interest of the undies lovers. "That is the one that I find that most women will get for their men and that's the one that they (the men) will get for themselves," she said.
While edibles are popular at Baba's, Judy Allen, the manager of Passions, says that the Playboy thongs for men are among the most popular items. "People are more liberal than before, more open-minded", she said.
Andrea King, an assistant supervisor at Touch of Silk, agrees with Allen that male thongs are popular, but they are more popular with the women who buy lingerie for their men. "They want to be funny," she said. "The women say if they have to wear it then the men must wear it for them too."
But it appears as though the men are also willing participants in the thong takeover. As Allen observed, "Men want to look sexy in the bedroom too."
However, while the thongs are current, they have not usurped the sheer fabrics in their bedroom appeal. For both men and women, the skimpier the better. From see-through lace nighties to breastless tops, crotchless bottoms, sheer outfits and thongs, the more revealing and sexy the better.
CLIENTS
Fagan claims that though most of her clients are men, they buy mostly female products. "Men think about how they want to see their women and what they want to see them in," she said. For these men, the more accessible the body the better it is, but the women like the skimpy outfits as well. Camille says she likes to look and feel sexy, even if it is not for her man. "I like to think that I'm hot, even if you're not you want to think that you are," she said.
Camille is a full-figured woman who is comfortable with herself and confident of her sex appeal. She knows from personal experience that lingerie for the full-figured woman was once difficult to come by in Jamaica. However, that may not be the situation anymore, as all the lingerie stores The Sunday Gleaner visited had fashionable outfits, as well as bras and panties for the full-figured woman. Most stores had sizes ranging from 32AA to 46G and from XS to XXXL. There are bras for women who have small breasts and would like to have a bigger look, as well as for those who have very large breasts and need more support, but also with a little style.
SILICONE
My Secret Closet also has a rarity - silicone breast forms that look and feel like real breasts. These can be used by women who have lost one or both breasts, or for those who just want to add a fuller look to their bosoms.
Where you shop however, will depend on how much you are willing to spend and the kind of service you want. Baba's, My Secret Closet, Passions and Touch of Silk all claim to offer personalised shopping, with consultations regarding what will look good on you.
Baba's, located in the Seventh Avenue Plaza on Constant Spring Road, St. Andrew is set up like a conventional store, with the lingerie placed at vantage points on racks and in the storefront. There is not much attention paid to decoration and setting. However, the prices are very reasonable; a robe and nightie combination is sold for $1,900 plus tax, (their prices don't go much higher than $4000) and the proprietor is very friendly and attentive.
Touch of Silk, located at Lane Plaza on Constant Spring Road, is not very shopper friendly if you like attention and not much space is available to move around freely, but they have the widest selection of lingerie of the shops The Sunday Gleaner visited. Prices start at $1,300 but go to the high end. Nighties and robes are sold separately and costs are $4800 plus tax for the robe and $3300 for the nightie. However they have a discount rack for those who cannot splurge too much. Passions is intimate and romantic with red drapes and soft bedroom lights. When you enter you think "passions". Their prices are reasonable, beginning at $1300 and they also offer some very unique items such as a bathrobe with small straps and a Velcro fastener at the side.
By far the most impressive in terms of setting and service is My Secret Closet. Set in the reclusive and private Eden Gardens, My Secret Closet offers privacy and personalised service at its best. The store, which looks and feels more like a nice living room area than a business, is delicately lit, with a large armchair in the centre and tall bar stools and a wine table near the entrance.
SERVICE
Yes, wine and tea are served to customers while they wait for their outfits to be brought to them.
The changing room is decorated with sheer, lush pink and cream drapes, it is spacious and has a large bench on which bags and other items can be placed. A socket is provided in case you need to charge your phone while you change. The opening hours are also very convenient for those who have to work late and appointments can be made if you require special attention. However as one can imagine, this level of service has to be paid for. Prices are quoted in US dollars and begin at US$40 per pair of underwear.
