The sleek silk knit lingerie from the luxury German line, Wundervoll, has finally arrived, and it is even better than I expected.  Because the jersey is so fine, it’s incredibly form-fitting, with enough stretch to be comfortable, but more bounce-back than the similarly made organic cotton.  Several of the bras have multi-functional straps so that you can wear them in more ways than one, and the little details really make the garments.  Contrast top-stitching, delicate buttons and signature plaques are just a few of the design factors that make this lingerie so special.  Unfortunately, my favorite item - the Boogie Briefs - is on backorder, but I’m hoping they will get here soon.  Keep an eye on the webstore over the next few days for the Boogie Bra and Cami, Rock n’ Roll Bra and Top, Boom-Chick-a-Boom Bra and Shorts, Overtone Bra, and Pizzicato Thong.

Attention brides to be! First off, congratulations on your impending nuptials. Perhaps your sweetie popped the question over the holidays, or maybe you’re finally getting around to planning the wedding after months of putting it off. Regardless of your timeline, next Thursday you will have a prime opportunity to check out the best independent vendors in town at The Art of Weddings boutique bridal event. Lille will be there alongside The English Dept., so if you’re in the market for a unique wedding dress or some gorgeous honeymoon lingerie, you won’t want to miss this!

Our first Spring/Summer ‘09 shipment from The Lake and Stars includes the Dusty Pink Bra and Panty, as well as the Teal Garter Teddy, pictured above.  The soft mesh and vintage-inspired lace is reminiscent of the No Pressure collection from last season, but in completely different cuts.  The bikini is especially cute, with a hipster/low-rise design and just a touch of ruching on the bum.  I love the new trim they’re using on the straps - extra soft and stretchy for maximum comfort.  The teddy has all the same details, with a v-back, hook and eye-closures and garter straps.  It really does have a western flair and calls to mind the costuming from a burlesque performance on Deadwood.

The newest Nina Ricci shipment has arrived, and it includes a gorgeous garter belt! I know many of you have been wondering when we will have garter belts in stock to hold up the silk stockings, and I’m pleased to report that there are many new styles en route as we speak. But back to Nina. The Nymphe collection is made from lovely French Leavers lace in black on an ecru mesh, not unlike the Louise Dancing collection from Stella McCartney. The bra comes in a balconette cut, which many of you will be happy about, and the bikini has a cute keyhole cutout in the back. The garter has a little boning for structure, with soft mesh inserts at the sides and silky ribbon on the straps to keep them from digging into your legs. It’s a perfect Special Occasion lingerie set when paired with the Vintage Silk Stockings in Black or Tan. Valentine’s Day is coming up, so keep this set in mind!

Happy Boxing Day!  It’s time to make way for Spring ‘09, and that means it’s SALE time once again here at Lille.  Starting today, all the stock from Fall ‘08 that is not a basic or repeat item (does not include Holiday or Resort items) is marked down 20% off for in-store sales.  Those of you who read the blog religiously already know about the super secret discount code for December orders, so you can take advantage of that deal now since the sale won’t be live online until January.

It’s Christmas Eve!  For all of you out there who are snowed in, I encourage you to cozy up by the fire with a hot toddy and get ready to enjoy the lovely White Christmas.  But if any of you are like my husband (which I suspect you are), then you may have waited until the last minute to finish your shopping.  We know it’s not your fault - you’ve been mulling over the options, trying to pick the perfect gift, and then Old Man Winter threw your plans for a loop and decided to encase your house in icicles and snow drifts.  These things happen.  Fortunately for you, Lille Boutique is open, and your procrastination has paid off!  I’m offering 30% off storewide today only.  So throw on your snowboots and trudge through the Winter Wonderland to pick up something special for your sweetie.  I’ve got tea and cookies waiting.

Because of an email glitch, the announcement about the Arctic Blast Sale went out a bit late, so I’m holding over the Event to another day.  We will be open at 11am tomorrow, Christmas Eve, and I’ll stay as long as the weather permits safe travel, so stop by early to take advantage of 30% off Storewide!

We are open today! In honor of Arctic Blast ‘08, we are offering 30% off storewide, today only. Just print out a copy of this blog post and bring it in for 30% off your entire purchase, including sale items (up to 70% off) and a free gift with any purchase (minimum $20.) Lille feels a bit like that frozen rose up there, (image courtesy of Alan Wizemann) encased in ice, but toasty warm and full of lovely things. We hope to see you soon!

Fourteen inches so far, and it’s still snowing….will it ever end?

The overwhelmingly positive response to the Spaghetti Slip by Only Hearts has prompted me to order several other pieces from the Second Skins line, which is comprised of practical, everyday basics like nude strapless bras, smooth, seam-free soft bras (pictured above) and a wonderful racer-back bra, as well as undies to match.

The line is favored by celebrity stylists for its comfort, invisibility under clothing and affordable price point. The soft stretchy material also provides a little extra lift and hold where you need it most, without coming even close to resembling the crazy girdles and support contraptions our mothers used to wear. You won’t get any lines imbedded in your skin like they did, and you won’t be dying to take these off at the end of the day. Granted, they’re not my #1 choice for everyday wear, since they are not made of organic pima cotton or silk, but when you need a little spandex, there really is no other way around it, and this is the lesser of all evils.

Believe it or not, we are open today. The arctic blast cannot keep the people from their fine lingerie! There are Christmas gifts to be purchased, wrapped, and placed under the tree, and there’s not much time left. I’m planning on being here until around 5pm, and hopefully opening from 12-5 tomorrow. As long as I can walk to work, we’ll be open!

xoxo

Sarah

ps I’m not sure what’s going on with the Dutch Happy New Year Snow Baby up there, but it’s cute, isn’t it?

Our first Sonia Rykiel shipment is here!  The dreamy Passion Half-Cup Underwire Bra and Brief are made from a stretch silk in a subtle ombre pattern that fades gradually from steel blue to charcoal grey (pictured above in peach.)  The details really make the set - black leavers lace trim, vintage-inspired rhinestone accents and the signature SR logo in dark crystals - these little finishing touches add up to a very nice package, indeed.  I can’t wait to see the next shipment!

The Divine Push Up Bra reminds me of the Dolly Snogging by Stella McCartney, only without the racerback. It has the same light padding and deep plunging v-neck, which creates such a beautiful line on the decolletage. The lace is a combination of a traditional Chantilly pattern paired with an interesting honeycomb design, and the grosgrain ribbon at the center apex keeps it feminine and ladylike. The matching Divine Briefs have cute lace inserts at the hip, and there is even a nightie to match. These will sell out quickly, as they make the perfect Christmas or Valentine’s gift….more pix below:

More on Divine by Christian Lacroix

I must admit, I am wary of prints, so I always hesitate to bring them into the shop, but I just couldn’t resist the cute floral pattern of the Vintage Flower set by Christian Lacroix. Made from a stretch silk that feels amazing on the skin, with black lace trim and a velvet bow, the set seems very Japanese-inspired to me, though there is also a bit of a 60s vibe going on. Regardless of your take on the inspiration, it is a fun and feminine set that is sure to make you feel special. The soft bra with flexible side boning and boyshort make a perfect gift for that lucky lady on your list - more pictures after the jump.

More on Vintage Flower by Christian Lacroix

I’ve died and gone to lingerie heaven. The first shipment from Christian Lacroix has arrived, and it is as spectacular as you could possibly imagine. The Degas set is my favorite - pictured above (excuse the grainy scan) - made from the finest French lace in a unique olive green/khaki shade. There are a few different style options - a soft cup bralette with flexible side boning or supportive underwire bra, and a sexy lace shorty or sheer-back bikini. The lace is soft and stretchy, and the construction is impeccable. I love the little details like the asymmetrical bows and the signature elastic straps. This is lingerie fit for a princess, to be sure. I’m going to post about each line I received (Degas, Divine and Vintage Flower) in its own separate entry to give the proper respect to this beautifully made luxury lingerie!  Click through for more photos… More on Christian Lacroix Lingerie

Just in time for the sub-zero temperatures, we received some cozy crocheted caps from local designer Teija Liisa of Macadamia Threads. The hats are handmade here in Portland (and also Uganda) from soft cotton yarn with cute accents like antique buttons on the brim, lending a vintage feel to their style. Even more amazing is the story behind the hats… More on Macadamia Threads Handmade Brim Caps

It’s a veritable Winter Wonderland here in PDX today.  While we do occasionally get snow in the Pacific Northwest, it’s seldom this much so early in the season, and it usually melts within a few hours.  The unusually cold weather seems to indicate that the blanket of perfect snow-ball packing powder is going to be around for awhile, and I don’t mind a bit!  Nor does Sally, my pup pictured above, or her brother Henry, who loves to jump and catch snowballs in his mouth until he realizes how cold they are.  Unfortunately, due to the dangerous road conditions, the store will be closed today, but will reopen tomorrow morning at 11am.  Sorry for any inconvenience - happy snow day!

The Eberjey Prima Ballerina PJ Set has arrived in black with pale pink piping. As I mentioned before, this is the perfect cozy set to give as a Christmas gift to your deserving significant other or even a female relative. What woman wouldn’t enjoy a soft stretchy pair of pajamas to lounge around in on a cold winter day? Judging by the looks of it, we’ll have ample opportunities to huddle up inside this weekend! Yay snow!

I’ve decided to add some of my Gatsby designs to Etsy.com, so you can actually buy them online.  Here is the storefront: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6616791. Most of my garments are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces made from vintage silk and lace.  Sizing is tricky, so please email me with any questions if you aren’t local.  Happy hunting!

It’s that time again. If you haven’t already done your Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah shopping, then you’d better get a move on. I thought I was a step ahead of the game, having finished most of my international shipping last week, but I went to the post office today to ship a few domestic packages to family, and it was packed. Seems I wasn’t the only one trying to finish early. Likewise, I regrettably endured crushing crowds on Hawthorne last weekend while picking up the last few items on my list. I nearly had a panic attack in Presents of Mind. If you, like me, have a mild to moderate case of demophobia, then I would recommend visiting any of the following fine local establishments, all of which cultivate a tranquil shopping experience that is actually pleasing to the senses:

The English Department - Elizabeth Dye’s own inimitable sense of style pervades every corner of her lovely boutique. From stylish silk frocks to clever wool jumpers, her wares are always at the pinnacle of sartorial sophistication, and her bridal options are by far the best in town. It should be the first stop on your list if you’re planning to be wed in ‘09.

Stand Up Comedy - Diana and Rachel have painstakingly crafted a high-end general store, full of things you never knew you couldn’t live without. On my current list of must haves: their original, limited edition book bags - these would fit right in with my collection from Strand, Shakespeare & Co., City Lights and Powell’s.

Una - It goes without saying that Giovanna has mad style. This is absolutely the #1 place to go for a unique outfit for your upcoming cocktail party or a gift for the most stylish girl on your list.

Noun - I love this place! The merchandising is exquisite, and it doesn’t hurt that there are cupcakes within arms reach. Looking for a gift for newlyweds or a friend with new digs? This is your treasure trove.

Lille Boutique - Of course, no holiday gift guide would be complete without a mention of yours truly. For the gentleman who wants to give his lady-friend a more personal gift this festive season, there really is nowhere else to go for the finest lingerie in town. Here’s a brief rundown of my top picks for every price range and personality: More on Lille Boutique’s Holiday ‘08 Gift Guide