La Magia

Television presenter David Domoney presents Catwalk in Bloom, a fashion feature at the Hampton Court Flower show. His imaginative and colourful show includes ‘Living Clothes’, real clothes made from plants and flowers that amaze the audience and stun the press.

We are very happy to have been invited to sponsor parts of the fashion catwalk show, and dress the models in a selection of vintage-inspired lingerie from La Magia, as well as a selection of our gorgeous retro swimwear from For Luna.

Key pieces we have selected for the lingerie segment include our Maya Hansen Amelie Corset and matching bloomers, Red Delicious Bra and Frill Knicker from Elegantly Scant, and Kiss Me Deadly's Vargas Girdle. Key swimwear pieces include our Red Retro Swimsuit, Red Polka Dot Pinup Swimsuit and Playful Promises Retro Bow Bikini.

The fashion show runs four times per day between 7–12 July 2009 and is divided into several themes all relating to floral design. We're so looking forward to seeing the show in action! You can visit the Hampton Court Flower Show website to buy tickets or for more information.

We couldn't resist adding to our collection of Elegantly Scant Silk lingerie, the quality of the lingerie is absolutely outstanding and we have had wonderful feedback from our customers. So we are now offering the beautiful silk camisoles from the 'Do You Think I'm Sexy' range.

Available in the two colourways (Parfait and Red Delicious) they coordinate with the rest of the range and just look stunning with their silk ruffle trim and sweetheart neckline. The shoulder straps are fantastic, you can either wear them as shown in the photos or you can tie them behind your neck in a halter style.

Made from 100% silk these are a snip at £55, and you don't have to keep these to yourself you could easily wear one of these as a smart evening top.

View our beautiful selection of Elegantly Scant lingerie.

We are very excited to share the news that we have launched a brand new website, For Luna, specialising in retro swimwear.

For Luna takes inspiration from a time when ladies carried themselves with grace and poise, whether by the pool or on the beach. All our swimwear has been chosen because it has some kind of retro or vintage design element, whether it is a modern bikini with a retro-style print or a faithful reproduction of a 1950's one-piece swimsuit. We have been very selective, and we have a stunning range that includes elegant one-piece swimsuits, cute retro style bikinis and adorable swimdresses.

For Luna is the perfect 'sister' for La Magia, and we are thrilled to be able to offer our existing customers the chance to buy swimwear that meets the same high standards as the lingerie and corsetry they know from La Magia. In fact, the two websites share a couple of suppliers because, along with several other fabulous brands, For Luna offers swimwear from Playful Promises and What Katie Did.

For Luna ships globally and delivery is a flat rate of £2 per order, worldwide.

Last week I picked three of our corsets for ladies with larger busts, and today I am looking at smaller chests. A corset is a great way to create cleavage from a smaller bust, you need to make sure you select the right style or the neckline can gape. Not a good look! So, here are my top three overbust corsets for A-C cups:

1. Boobie Trap Duchess Satin Corset £125 - has a straighter neckline giving a real oomph to your bust but the other thing we love about Boobie Trap is that they can build in padding for smaller cup sizes which just helps to give more definition to the bust area. Shown in black here but it is available in lots of lovely colours.
2. Maya Hansen Amelie Corset £195 - one of our bestselling corsets and this one really works on all shapes, but the reason I select this for smaller busts in particular is that it has a really gentle sweetheart neckline that creates a lovely cleavage.
3. What Katie Did Classic Corset from £100 - another corset with a neckline that is flattering to smaller busts, this is a great basic corset and a very good place to start if you are buying your first one. Available in satin and cotton.

We have so many corsets to choose from and I am always happy to give specific advice on sizes and styles, so help is at hand should you need any guidance when choosing a corset.

I couldn't resist sharing this snippet from Vogue's July issue. Barbie, who is celebrating her 50th birthday this year, shares her style secrets on the last page of the magazine and when it comes to lingerie she says:

"Nowadays, my curvaceous figure is best suited to structured pin-up-style lingerie by What Katie Did." She selected the stunning Harlow range as an example.

What a stunning endorsement, the lady has taste!

It's here! The naughtily nautical Sailor range from What Katie Did has arrived and is available for purchase at La Magia now! Sailor comprises a bra, knicker and suspender belt made from navy blue satin and powermesh with a white trim. It's a limited edition set and we expect this to sell out quickly.

As an extra bonus for summer Katie has also designed a gorgeous Sailor corset, it's made from a different type of satin to the Sailor lingerie (corsets require stronger fabrics for obvious reasons) so the colour isn't a perfect match but we think this is just perfect for summer parties.

One of the things we love about What Katie Did is that they are always developing new styles, so their collection stays fresh and exciting. Take a look at our selection of What Katie Did pieces for more fabulous retro lingerie and corsetry.

An overbust corset is one of the most exciting garments you can own. The history of the corset is fascinating and often romantic, it can change your shape dramatically and we are spoiled for choice these days when it comes to styles and designs.

I find it interesting that this garment, once worn to restrict and almost 'tame' the female form beneath clothes, is now worn by confident, empowered women who have reclaimed the corset as a garment that embraces and celebrates their curves. Having said this, when you have a larger bust, corsets can squash you or fail to provide enough coverage. I have selected three (off the rack) corsets that offer you the support and modesty you need.

At this juncture I have two very important things to say about overbust corsets:

1. You can find less expensive corsets for sale but (as with most things in life) if the price seems to good to be true, it usually is! All our corsets are steel boned and made to very high standards, the price reflects the quality of workmanship and materials, and one of our corsets should last a lifetime if looked after properly.

2. Our corsets are not designed to be worn beneath clothes, not even wedding dresses (see my bridal corsetry post for more information). They are designed to be shown off - not hidden beneath your outfit!

So, with that out of the way these are my top three overbust corsets for big-busted girls:

1. What Katie Did Laurie Overbust Corset £150 - features the same hip line as the Morticia underbust corset, with gored hips and cups designed to fit up to an E cup, making it absolutely perfect for hourglass figures. Avoid Laurie if your hips are narrow compared to your bust, this corset expects child-bearing hips!
2. Lulu and Lush Overbust Corset £155 - with an absolutely stunning sweetheart bustline which flatters all bust sizes but really works best with D+ cups. Gently curved over the hips resulting in a fantastic hour glass figure.
3. What Katie Did Dolly Over Bust Corset £125 - specifically designed for bigger cup sizes (D and upwards). It has shaped cups and is cut higher around the bustline to offer more modesty and to ensure you remain securely contained!

If you fancy something a little more exclusive you could opt for one of our made to order corsets, these can be made to fit your exact measurements for an extra fee (starting at £30). Choose any corset from Angelic Weapons, Maya Hansen, Boobie Trap or Velda Lauder and simply select the made to measure option. As always we're on hand to help with any sizing advice or general help on picking the right corset for you.

My next post will look at making the most of a smaller bust with the right style of overbust corset.

We receive emails from women of all shapes and sizes asking which items we would recommend for their body shape. So I thought it would be handy to have some recommended items that we can refer to in future. Over the coming weeks I'll be exploring different products and making recommendations based on my experience of seeing real women in these items.

An underbust corset, or waist cincher, is a wardrobe item every girl should own. They are so versatile, and can be worn over a blouse and skirt, with trousers, or in a burlesque-boudoir style with nothing but a pair of nipple tassels and some frilly knickers! Choosing the right underbust corset for your shape is very important, they will reduce your waist by up to 4 inches, and if you go for one that is well suited to your body shape you will find they do this without any unsightly bulges or lumps! These are my top three for voluptuous figures:

1. What Katie Did Mae Corset £120 - a longline corset with gored hips making it perfect for curvy figures. In Katie's words, it allows really tight lacing without any hip squidge!
2. Lulu and Lush Underbust Corset £125 - cut with a distinct curve to ensure dramatic waist cinching and definition.
3. What Katie Did Morticia Corset £140 - this longline, curvy underbust corset also has gored hips. It gives a very defined, nipped in waist and the shaped hipline is very flattering.

If you fancy treating yourself to a waist cincher but aren't sure what size you would need, we just ask you for the narrowest part of your waist in inches. You can see our sizing page for more guidance, and we'll even send you a free tape measure if you can't lay your hands on one!

We are thrilled to report that the eagerly-awaited new ranges from Kiss Me Deadly have arrived! Once again these new items were so popular that we had to create a waiting list, and we expect the Vargas Long Line Girdles in particular to fly off the shelves over the next couple of weeks.

Read more about the amazing Vargas girdles here and don't forget to take a look at the equally exciting Black Alouette which is also available now!

View the entire Kiss Me Deadly collection

Many women dismiss the idea of wearing stockings because they believe it will be uncomfortable and complicated. This often stems from wearing boudoir suspender belts which are designed to be fun and flirtatious but not very functional, and the two garments are incomparable. A well designed suspender belt should be so comfortable that you forget you are wearing it.

With summer on the way we wanted to try and dispel this myth because stockings really are the best option in warm weather. So here's my list of things to check when you are looking for a good, hard-working suspender belt.

1. Make sure the suspender belt has six (adjustable) straps. A lot of people think this will make it feel less comfortable but I promise you it is quite the opposite. The extra two straps at the side stop irritating sagging stocking-tops! The six strap rule is essential for those of us who wear stockings with back seams, as it helps keep them straight!
2. Wide straps are more supportive than the narrow ones. If you are wearing stockings without lycra (non-stretchy stockings) wide, elasticated straps will be preferable.
3. Make sure the suspender clasps are made from metal and not plastic. Otherwise you'll find they are forever popping undone which is most annoying!
4. Go for a deep suspender that sits on the waist, not low down on the hip - like the one shown in the photo above. This will feel more secure and will not be pulled down by the tension of your stockings. They also help create a smoother line beneath clothes because deeper suspenders avoid the muffin-top effect.
5. If you need extra tummy support, go for a suspender belt with control mesh or a girdle dress, girdle or cincher.

We have a fantastic range of suspender belts at La Magia and these five simple tips should give you the basic information you need. Beyond this it is all down to personal taste; choice of colour and fabric preferences, and if you need any advice please just ask away!

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a very special ensemble from What Katie Did, due here over the next few weeks. Entitled 'Sailor' it is the Summer Gold Label collection from our favourite faux-vintage specialists. The What Katie Did Gold Label collections are more exclusive than their standard lines, using more expensive fabrics and created in very limited numbers.

Sailor comprises a bra, knicker and suspender belt made from navy blue satin and powermesh with a white trim. It includes authentic sailor detailing; covered buttons on the front of the knickers and star embroidery on the deep suspender belt. We look forward to making this available to buy over the next few weeks, and very limited numbers are available. If you would like to reserve your sizes please email us and we will contact you as soon as the stock is here.

In the meantime browse our What Katie Did collection for some fabulous retro lingerie and corsetry.

We have another fabulous film here from Maya Hansen, showing the behind the scenes action at the photoshoot for the latest Maya Hansen collection, soon to be available at La Magia.

This lovely film shows the beautiful Ulorin Vex modelling a selection of these new creations. It is so amazing to see how vivid the finished photographs are, and how all the accessories and props bring so much to each photo. Of course this is also thanks to the experience and beauty of the models Maya chooses for her photoshoots.

This is just a tantalising sneak-peek into the collection, which will be launched very soon. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this short film.

Maya Hansen - Cake Corsets Around the World from Maya Hansen on Vimeo.

Browse our Maya Hansen collection.

Silk lingerie is delicate, but nothing to be afraid of. Caring for it is not difficult or complicated at all, you just need to follow a few simple rules.

Washing Silk Lingerie

The very first time you wash a silk item you need to check for colour fastness, especially when you are dealing with a strong colour. Choose an inner seam or another area that isn't visible from the outside. Dampen the fabric lightly with water and then gently run a soft, white cloth over the damp fabric. If color comes off on the cloth make sure you wash this item on its own (or with a matching item of the same colour). Otherwise you will stain lighter items with the dye. Test it again in the same way next time you come to wash it.

Use a gentle detergent specifically designed for delicate fabrics. You can buy these at most supermarkets or opt for a specialist lingerie wash, we use Soyelle. Use cool water, never hot!

Rinse gently and either drip dry or roll the item in a towel to absorb the water. Never wring or squeeze silk and do not scrub it!

Drying and Ironing Silk Lingerie

Hang the item on a padded hanger if available, let it dry away from direct sunlight and don't put it near a radiator or fire as this can damage the material.

The gentlest way to remove creases is to steam your silk. You can steam it using the steam setting on your iron, but be sure to keep the iron at least 6 inches away from the fabric at all times. If you must iron, bear in mind that pure silk dries very quickly and must be pressed whilst still damp all over. Set the iron to the lowest temperature and do not steam iron. Iron on the reverse.

General Care Tips

Never use a stain remover or bleach with silk.

Do not allow your garments to become too creased as over time this will damage the fabric.

When your silk garments first arrive they may be creased from being in transit, the best solution is to steam the creases as described above.

If you need to have your silk lingerie dry cleaned, be sure to take it to a dry cleaner who has experience with silk or who has been recommended to you.

Following these tips should help you keep your silk lingerie beautiful, and as always we are on hand to help if you have any questions or problems. View our beautiful selection of silk lingerie.

The Playful Promises Spring/Summer 2009 Collection has been a popular addition to the website since it arrived in February. A firm favourite has been the Miss Showgirl range, and we've teamed up with Playful Promises to bring you a fabulous 20% discount throughout May on all items from this range.

The Miss Showgirl range includes a longline bra, underwired bra, deep brief and skimpier brief so you can choose how retro you want to go! The modern twist really comes through from the materials used; lilac tulle with fluorescent pink stitching and button details.

With prices starting at just £9.40 this is a great way to brighten up your Spring lingerie collection without breaking the bank! Stocks are limited so buy now or it will be gone forever.

The rough estimate is that 70% of women are wearing the wrong bra size. This is actually not very surprising, as there is so much stacked against us. Different brands use different grading techniques to arrive at their sizes, there are variations between different countries, and the 'old fashioned' tape measure method of bra sizing simply does not work.

It doesn't work for many reasons, all to do with anatomy and the way women's breasts are put together. Having been trained in bra fitting I am always delighted to help individual customers personally with bra sizing issues, and I thought it might be a good idea to highlight some common problems, and make some suggestions.

How to try on a new bra

1. Make sure the shoulder strap adjusters are in the middle of the straps.
2. When you try on any new bra you should always use the loosest setting on the hook and eye back closure. As the bra gives with wear you can move onto the tighter setting(s). The only exception to this is for teenagers and pregnant ladies who expect their ribcage to expand.

When trying the bra on you should look for:

• A flat centre front to the bra.
• The underwire (if there is one) should sit flat against the body and should not sit on any part of the breast itself.
• The underwire should contain all of the breast and sit on the firmer areas beneath the bust and to the side.
• The band should not ride up the back, and should sit well below the shoulder blades.
• You should be able to slide two fingers beneath the band of the bra, but not much more than that.
• It should feel supportive and comfortable, and your breasts should be high with nipples lifted and central.
• Remember to try the bra on beneath your clothes to see how it looks.

Many women are surprised to learn that bra band sizes correlate to UK dress sizes, the general rule is as follows:

• 30 - Size 6
• 32 - Size 8
• 34 - Size 10
• 36 - Size 12
• 38 - Size 14
• 40 - Size 16

So if you look at this and realise your dress size and bra size don't match, you may like to try some other sizes! The most common mistake is to wear a bra that is too big around the band (i.e. a size 10 wearing a 36B when she should perhaps be in a 34C). Every woman is unique, so feel free to get in touch if you would like any bra fitting advice or general sizing assistance.