Boudoir Babe Guide, Part 1

due to popular demand

Lounging in a 1940s corset, captured by Glynnis McDaris

A light fluffy escapist cotton candy FREE post for your reading pleasure because the summer of 2025 (aka “Summer of Stress 2025™️ as I’ve coined it) is a bit of a clusterfuck, no? x Liz

As most STARF⭐️CKERS know, I’ve a stellar lingerie collection. 1940s bullet bras, 30s nightgowns, bedroom slippers, corsets, color coordinated bra and panty drawers—you name it, I’ve got it in spades.

Bugsy Malone knows where the action is.

In Berlin recently, (a city that honestly, gave me such bad lingering Nazi vibes I don’t ever need to go back,) one bright spot was finding this treasure trove of dead-stock 1940s brassieres at a vintage store a fellow collector turned me onto. (I will share the location with paid subscribers who request, gatekeeping for all you voyeurs.)

I’ve spoken on the record before about brains, boobs, and lingerie as essential for fighting fascism. Most recently with the brilliant Jess Cartner-Morley, for The Guardian UK, in her essay titled: ‘A marker of luxury and arrogance’: why gravity-defying boobs are back – and what they say about the state of the world

Perhaps the bullet bra, which can be seen as weaponising the breast, is perfect for now…..Goldwyn is a fan. “A perfectly seamed bullet bra lifts my spirits (and my breasts) if I am in a foul mood,” she says. “I hope we can reclaim it as symbolic of resistance, defiance and armour.”

Jess and I also discussed the all white with a visible corset outfit worn by wannabe fascist fashionista Lauren Sánchez Bezos to the inauguration of Evil Orange dictator United States President Number 45.

The vibe, Goldwyn agrees, “is very dystopian 1980s Dynasty meets ‘let them eat cake’. I would never disparage another woman’s body, but I have no problem disparaging her principles … in claiming to stand for women’s empowerment, yet attending an inauguration for an administration that has rolled back reproductive freedoms.”

I was also honored to appear on Fashion People, the podcast hosted by Puck News journalist and author Lauren Sherman. We discussed sexuality, fashion and LA/ NY hipster bros who wear high water pants, drink overpriced matcha lattes at Maru and obsessively download the latest episodes of

Throwing Fits

. (Hey guys, no shade, I swear! I’m a fan, you are the kings of iconic introductions.) You can check out our episode HERE or below:

Lauren wrote a fascinating book on Victoria’s Secret called Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and the Unraveling of an American Icon. Personally, I don’t find anything about the brand remotely erotic and I broke out in hives the one time I went into one of their locations.

I only wear “functional” underwear to exercise, and even then it’s basics from Princesse Tam Tam in Paris (and online) for bras and ideally, a 5 pack of cotton Brazilian underwear in black and white from Marks & Spencer in the UK but they need to restock sizes on their site.

I like the American brand Araks though it’s a bit more pricey. I normally don’t love a bralette but the cut of this one mimics classic bullet bra silhouettes and comes in a fun array of colors. Also Stateside, for a 5 pack of organic cotton high cut Brazilian panties, I found this brand Miiyu that’s cute (but still a bit more expensive than M & S) at approx $35 USD for five pair.

One must always consider how you’d feel if you suddenly had to undress. In America there’s an old saying, usually told to a young woman by her mother or grandmother as a warning, to always wear clean underwear in case you get into a car accident. I take that as general life advice to banish shape-wear and other unflattering under-things: dress to expect anything.

Although… period stains are on the rise as a fashion statement, which I do stand behind. Speaking of menstrual blood, my friend

Karla Welch

has a great brand of organic period underwear, called appropriately, The Period Company. I have several pairs of their bikini briefs in black and have gifted many to friends in an effort to convert people from using tampons with plastic applicators.

Photographed by Jeremy Scott for (I think) i-D magazine, 2003 ish? Wearing my vintage lingerie, his vintage kimono and makeup by Kate Lee in homage to and using Shiseido Cosmetics, who I was working with at the time. The pale blue bra is from the 1930s and my cream silk tap pants belonged to my mother.

I’m sure I’ll regret giving away this tip, but I regularly trawl Etsy looking for vintage 1940s loungewear. Using key word searches is essential. I can’t reveal all the tricks up my collector sleeves, but a brief perusal of this category should provide some clues. If wearing others cast off nightwear isn’t your thing (though it is the most eco conscious way to achieve the vintage glam look and modern cleaning is a miracle) here are some other sources for new / old style boudoir wear:

On the relatively inexpensive end of things is a UK brand I’ve adored for ages,

What Katie Did

. Top picks available now are the appropriately named “Liz Black Retro Bra” and this “1940s style Black Lace Camiknicker.”

Speaking of pin up babes, my pal

Dita Von Teese

makes great lingerie— her “Madame X” set is a staple. I have it in black, leopard, blue and with sequin pailettes.

Morgan Lane makes silk pajamas with a sense of whimsy. I have a pair of her silk striped shorts set when I want to channel Barbara Stanwyck or Jean Harlow at home. Right now on her site, I like this vaguely Gilded Age vibe two piece “Maebelle Nessa set in Cornflower.”

For a major splurge (or gift, I’m putting it out there) I am lusting after a floral robe from Berndatte. (The black one with purple wisteria, in case you are a secret admirer.)

Oh! I almost forgot— your loungewear look would not be complete without boudoir slippers. I am obsessed with Olivia Morris. I have a pair in green velvet with bows and a bubblegum pink ones with rhinestone hearts.

I made this one free (for a limited time only) ‘cause I’m feeling generous with my pro tips, but Part 2 which will include the best slips, vibrators and other bedroom accessories won’t be.

Love ya mean it!

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