Most people know someone who has been affected by Breast Cancer; whether it’s first hand experience or someone you know, the impact of this terrible disease is devastating. The survivors are some of the bravest people we’ve come across and we have nothing but admiration for them. As we all know, the effects of harsh treatment and surgery can have a profound effect on womens bodies, leaving some feeling unfeminine and unable to find underwear to suit their new bodies. After seeing many mastectomy bras on the market, most of them functional and not terribly pretty, we’re delighted to see the emergence of elegant and feminine designs for those affected by mastectomies.

English Rose Mastectomy Bras: Dawn and Dusk Collection

Natalie Eley, a fashion student, was researching her dissertation on lingerie boutiques when she visited the Harrogate lingerie trade show; her close friend had been diagnosed with breast cancer at 35 years old, and, having searched through some 150 stands at Harrogate, Natalie was appalled by the lack of (pretty) mastectomy bras on the market. After discussions with her friend, Bev Mullen, Natalie realised women who had undergone mastectomies wanted bras that not only fit well, but also concealed scarring in order for them to feel sexy in their lingerie.

English Rose: Dawn Collection

With the help of her mentor at De Montfort University in Leicester, Natalie studied pattern cutting and lingerie design, and set about designing a collection of mastectomy lingerie. Her Dawn and Dusk collections are made with custom prosthesis for comfort and confidence, and include hand-printed, sexy, silk bras and knickers as well as beautiful cotton kimonos. Having had a very positive response from both medical and fashion professionals, Natalie now plans to concentrate on refining her designs and expanding her collections at English Rose to include swimwear and nightwear.
Check out the rest of the English Rose Collection where prices start at £18 for briefs and £55 for a silk bra.

Mastectomy Bras by Lingerie Illusions

Lingerie Illusions was set up by three ladies, two of whom were diagnosed with breast cancer only a few years ago, the third being their friend who supported them throughout their treatments. As they all experienced trouble finding well-fitting bras, they opened a shop that offered pretty, feminine bras with expert fitting advice for those who have experienced mastectomies. With cup sizes from a AA to G, and band sizes from a 32 to 52, this is one fantastic selection of lovely looking bras!
Lingerie Illusions is opening their new online store on the 7th July, so don’t forget to put it in your diary!

Other Online Stores for Mastectomy Bras

Kim Ashmand, based in the US, offers a range of mastectomy lingerie, including a glamorous, front fastening bejeweled bra; Figleaves US and UK;
Eloise Lingerie in the UK; and Lady Jane Mastectomy Boutique in the US.

Before the Knickers HQ lingerie buying ban took effect (we’re about two weeks in so far and only a few cheats), I snapped up a new set that I’m just crazy about. It’s the “Wild Orchid” plunge from Rigby and Peller, and it’s just wonderful.

No time for a review, just go buy it!

I was originally going to write a review about this bra, but it’s not really necessary: if you can afford this bra, go out and buy it. It’s a fantastic plunge bra for larger cup sizes (I got 36G), it’s comfortable, the fabric is both luxurious and sturdy, and it looks beautiful on. I can’t find anything wrong with this bra, and I keep making excuses to wear v-neck tops so I can wear this bra again. It’s brilliant.

it’s not just the fuller cup women who get the love, either - they have an equally beautiful padded plunge for A-DD cups, a fuller-cup version of the D - H, and three different styles of matching knickers. On top of all that, the set is also available in a lovely pink and white colourway as well.

The only drawback is the price - for this much bra heaven, you’ll have to spend around £70 for the bra and £40-£50 for the underwear. If you can scrape together the pennies, though, you should absolutely take the plunge!

We’ve always said: shopping for beautiful lingerie is the grown up version of a kid in a sweetie shop; the choice is always overwhelmingly exciting, and, inevitably we never have enough pocket money to buy everything we want!
Our sweetie shop metaphor has now turned into reality; Patrick&Skinner, designer of all things ‘edible’ and gorgeous has come up with a beautiful new collection: The Sweetie Shop!

The Sweetie Shop Collection

With unbelievably gorgeous imagery, Patrick&Skinner’s new collection, ‘The Sweetie Shop‘ has really given us something to drool over. Inspired by the era of classic Hollywood glamour and 1950’s and 60’s ladylike swimwear patterns, this opening assortment is named after traditional British sweeties and is stunningly indulgent. The Custard Cream collection is a pick and mix of vibrantly coloured knickers, soft bras, robes and eye masks, all in different ‘flavours’, and all wonderfully glamorous. With Banana and Custard (right), Apple and Custard (left), and Rhubarb and Custard (below) to choose from, it’s won’t be an easy choice to make - we’re loving all three Sweeties, especially with their custom-made shoes and hair bands to match!

Rhubarb and Custard by Patrick and Skinner

We couldn’t help but show you the whole collection, which is all hand-made to order; the Custard Cream assortment from the Sweetie Shop is all available at Peacock and Strutt from today. As the pieces are made-to-order, they will take around 10 days to deliver, but we’re in no doubt it’ll be worth the wait!
Bras are priced at £170, Briefs at £120 and the robes at £220.

We frequently come across designers who, as a result of not being able to find what they want on the existing market, will start making their own lingerie. With so much lace and silk around (that’s not a complaint!), it’s inevitable that those with more of a penchant for cotton lingerie will find it harder to find something to their liking - especially those concerned with the environment. Today’s offerings are all very different, however they all have something in common - the lingerie is made of cotton, and its designers are all environmentally friendly.

Sandmaiden Linen Boudoir Bra Set

Sandmaiden’s philosophy is to use as many eco friendly fabrics and dyes as possible; using bamboo, cottons and linen, Sandmaiden, who previously worked in the fashion business for over 10 years, enjoys small production runs of sleepwear, inspired by her love of homelife. We instantly fell in love with this linen boudoir set; the trousseau-style simplicity gives it an innocently sexy look with delicately laced edging, making it perfect for a bride as well as the cotton-loving lingerie fan.
Sandmaiden offers a free alteration service to her pieces (within 14 days of purchase), and sizing goes up to dress size 18 to 20; prices start at $18, and if you hurry you can catch the 20% off sale which runs until 30th June.

Under the Root

With a touch of ‘utility chic’, Under the Root is dedicated to making you feel comfortable yet sexy, with a hint of burlesque thrown in. As one of the sets is called ‘Blumen’, and we’re greeted with Wilkommen Fraulein und Herr, we’re presuming this designer is of German descent; Jennifer Brown, creator of Under the Root, is passionate about making sensual, sexy lingerie and uses fabrics which are kind to the skin as well as the environment. Her sexy ‘Knickhers‘ (we presume the ‘h’ is deliberate), are made with organic cotton and are enchantingly simple which somehow always gets us going! Ms Brown’s offerings go beyond Prop Tops and Knickhers, with blindfolds, suspenders, hats and even arm spats, all made with the same environmentally friendly passion as her lingerie.
Under the Root prices start at $22, and can be shipped worldwide.

Louella Bloom Organic Dainties

Every woman needs her basics; while we love fussy frills at times, a good plain cotton, yet feminine camisole is essential in every lingerie drawer. Louella Bloom’s creator, Callie Parham found it nigh on impossible to find eco-friendly, cotton underwear that still took into account her need for something feminine, and so, took it upon herself to start making her own label. Highly conscious of the detrimental impact pesticides have on the environment, Callie makes all her dainties with organic materials “..to ensure a level of purity and safety above and beyond current industry standards”. Available in a number of styles, including the cutest hipsters with little bows,the Louella Bloom collection also offers bottoms to match its camis.
Prices start at a remarkably modest $14, and custom-made items can be requested.