Want to know what you’re going to be seeing filling your underwear and pajama drawers later this year? Bare Necessities just cruised the aisles of CurvExpo in New York City, the twice-yearly, industry-leading lingerie and swimwear exhibition, to find out what’s going to be in when it comes to in innerwear.
Read on for the 2018 lingerie trends you can look forward to:
PURPLE REIGNS SUPREME
We saw purple everywhere we looked. This year’s shade is a softer, smokier plum that could be inspired by your eyeshadow palette. It’s not exactly the Ultra Violet shade chosen by Pantone as the Color of the Year, but it’s definitely derived from it. We saw mauve in the upcoming collections from some of our favorite bra brands like Le Mystère, The Little Bra Company (near left) and Curvy Kate. Burgundy was hot on its maribou heels, as we noticed at Elomi and others.
Green is also a go, trending in an emerald-inspired tone that’s a lightened-up take on forest, deeper than Kelly green yet brighter than olive drab. Robins-egg blue also made several unexpectedly spring-inspired appearances for fall/winter.
Millennial Pink keeps on keeping on, as blush tones are such a natural fit for intimate apparel; ditto every shade of skin, from pale beige to rich cocoa colors.
When it comes to swimwear, blue still rules the pool, particularly when played up against black or white in graphic, geometric prints.
YOU’LL BE PUTTING ON THE GLITZ
More than a few brands integrated sparkly elements—silver glitter, gold stars, shimmering metallic threads and Swarovski crystal embellishment—making for some very extra night-out (be it with yourself or someone else) bras.
Other special little details we spied: buttons in untraditional shapes like stars, grommets and studs on bras, zipper details, appliqué flowers and the continuation of cheeky printed sayings.
EXPECT EMBROIDERY AND SHEER
Speaking of special detail, we noticed sheer mesh—often embroidered—at every turn. The look is modern and minimalist, not ornate and tutu-inspired. “Sheer and light” is the theme at Le Mystère; stitched pops of neon orange flowers dotted a shimmery beige mesh background at Adina Reay, the mistress of luxe metallics (near right). Sheer trim on ankle-length robes was a recurrent look, as well.
GO FROM “SLEEP TO STREET”
We also heard this trend referred to as “bed to breakfast,” and it means separates that effortlessly transition from in the house to on the go. The look that blurs the lines and defies strict categorization was a common thread at PJ Salvage, UGG and many others.
Now more than ever, celebrities are helping “to expand what ‘intimates’ means, to push the limits, to make them more visible,” said Sarah Healy of Commando, where leggings, bodysuits and mesh tops have transcended basic base layers and become pieces meant to be seen in their own right: “It’s not just about sizing up or down; every size has its own pattern. Fit, function and luxe, high-tech fabrics are being applied more broadly,” Sarah added, showing us real-world-road-tested features like built-in tummy shaping panels in the washable, dryable, faux-leather leggings to stretchy, snap-crotch bodysuits.
SETS SELL
Unlike ready-to-wear, innerwear is not a place where you’ll have to mix and match to create your own look. From timeless pajamas pairings at Karen Neuburger to a sexy-sweet Mapalé teddy (near left) with matching robe that also sounded the sheer trend note, pieces intentionally styled together take the guesswork out of getting undressed.
REACH FOR TOUCHY-FEELY TEXTURES
As one could hope to expect from intimate apparel, texture is half the equation. Inspired by outerwear and ready-to-wear were the nubby, fuzzy teddy bear robes and lounge layers, and faux-fur trim seen at the likes of Splendid, PJ Salvage and UGG. Smooth panne and crushed velvet carried over from last year in bras, sleep shorts and loungewear. Diaphanous waffle knits are as cozy as they are light. Modal fabric finds still more applications in everything from bras to pajamas. Super soft microfiber starred at Le Mystère, especially in wireless molded microfiber and mesh for light, smooth, breathable bras. Flat mesh is cleverly layered atop lace for a romantic look with a smooth finish at The Little Bra Company.
RUFFLES, RUFFLES EVERYWHERE
We noticed flounce details all around—on the hems of robes and bedroom jackets, nightgowns, bra straps, even eye masks—giving more feminine fashion interest to otherwise functional pieces.
CUTE EYE MASKS MAKE SLEEP CHIC
We saw them (ha!) all over the place, from PJ Salvage’s ruffled version to pretty and silky at Josie Natori to Kisskill’s edgy turns of phrase (“Go Away,” “Shhh…” and the more direct “F*** Off,” near right).
Brooke Glassberg
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