Happy Christmas one and all! We hope you’re having a wonderful Christmas wherever you are – be that at home with your loved ones, gliding down the ski slopes or sat sipping cocktails in sunnier climes!
In this post, we’d like to focus on how you can spoil yourself this Christmas. If you’ve received the gift of cash, or vouchers, this Christmas, then you might need some gift inspiration for yourself. Yes, forget about everyone else’s lists, this is all about you! You might feel inspired to head to the sales and get that camel wool coat or those leather boots you’ve been dreaming of. Or, if you’re hitting a New Year’s Eve party, invest in some plus size lingerie or shapewear. But if you’ve been lucky enough to be gifted some beautiful lingerie for Christmas, then you’ll want to take care of your new garments.
So here are some items that may not be on the top of your list, but will help you take care of your new underwear for many months to come. After all, we hang up a new coat, place spring-loaded shapers in new boots and … stuff that beautiful corset in a crammed drawer? No – it’s time to take care of those foundation garments that you love.
Here are our top five recommendations:
1. Drawer organisers
If you’ve recently visited Ikea, you’ll have seen the amazing storage ideas on offer. We particularly love the drawer organisers – they’re fantastic for separating out garments. Not only can you separate by type of item – keeping those beautiful bras away from your boot socks – but you can also divide up each item. Push up bras in one area, full cup bras in another, strapless and multiways, everything will have its own place and your bra selection will be divided up beautifully. You can also separate by colour, and keep your most precious, delicate lingerie safe from being snagged by a rogue bra fastener. You’ll save time and energy, and there’s nothing more satisfying than a well organised drawer!
2. Drawer liners
Rather than place your precious clothing in unlined drawers, why not invest in some beautiful cushioned drawer liners? These can be cut to shape and will protect your garments from getting crushed into wooden slats. As drawer liners come in a wide range of colours and patterns, they’re also fabulous for giving tired old drawers a much-needed facelift.
3. Scented drawer inserts
Scented drawer inserts can be found in just about every department store, or online. They come in sachets, or as fragranced drawer liners. Typically infused with lavender, or cedar (for its moth-repelling properties) you just pop the inserts in your drawers and your clothing will be kept lovely and fresh. However, given that we all have such distinctive tastes when it comes to perfume, you may prefer to make your own fragrance. Simply select your favourite essential oils – we particularly like blends that include luxurious ylang ylang – and mix with water. Decant the mix into a spray bottle and spray liberally on the drawer liner. What could be nicer than opening a drawer and being greeted by your favourite aromatherapy oil blend? It really is the height of luxury.
4. Bespoke storage
If you do find yourself in a furniture store, why not invest in new drawers, with wide, shallow storage specifically designed for your favourite undies? Alternatively, if your budget or living space is a bit more limited, then purchase baskets, and place them on shelves. Just make sure that any baskets are appropriately lined, to protect delicate fabrics.
5. New hangers
If you’re still using wire hangers, then now’s a great time to invest in new wooden, plastic or padded fabric hangers. If you need to hang up shaping slips or girdles, then choose hangers with strap slots. For strapless shapewear and corsets, use skirt hangers with clips. Just make sure the clips have padding, to prevent pressure marks developing on any flimsy fabrics.
We hope that’s given you a few great ideas for protecting your precious lingerie and shapewear. After all, it doesn’t matter how amazing the cut, colour or shape of your outfit is, if you don’t have the right foundation garments then the outfit won’t sit right, and you could be left feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious. So if you’re at the shops perusing the sales, spare a thought for your life-saving smalls, sitting cramped and unloved in a packed drawer, and show them some love this Christmas season.