“I love lingerie and feminine things…and if it turns (someone else) on — fantastic. But, no matter what, I’m getting off.” ~ Lorri Bagley

Now that I’ve got my rant out of the way, eet eez time to squee.

For *looks at wrist* a long time now, quality lingerie in SL has been limited to a handful of good designers. In fact, there are only three folders in my Clothes>Lingerie>Designers folder: Insolence, Intimizzio, and Solange. Occassionally, there are separates or ensembles that filter into the other folders (>bras >corsets >sets >stockings, etc). But as designers go, I’m generally not impressed. Let’s face it, there are scores of ugly, depressing stores out there claiming to offer “hot” or “sexy” or whatever adjective makes people embrace their inner slut and decide that “lingerie” includes ass-less short shorts. Don’t get me wrong — there is a time and a place for nipple tape, it’s just not when I’m in girly-girl dress-up mode and want to play in lingerie.

Yesterday, however, I wandered into Zaara. And that sound you heard last night that you thought was a mouse dying from cardiac arrest under your house? That was me, squeeing from thousands of miles away. I reached decibels even dogs couldn’t hear.

Zaara - Sumana Lingerie (In Crimson)

This is the Sumana Lingerie set from Zaara. For one of the few times in my fashion blogging career, I’m almost tempted to just let the photos speak for themselves. But you know I can’t. Although it’s hard to know where to start.

We could begin with the fact that the textures are sublime. The velvet panels really look like velvet. The satin bows really look like satin. The floral silk brocade really looks like silk brocade. This isn’t the same old “pretend” texturing. There is sheen and shadow and detail and it’s glorious.

The set comes with oodles of layer options — I’m wearing four of them:
(a) the strapless bustier is on the shirt layer,
(b) the cincher belt with garters is on the jacket layer,
(c) the panties are on the underpants layer, and
(d) the stockings are, obviously, the sock layer.

Zaara - Sumana Lingerie Stockings

Speaking of the stockings, the closest thing I have to a consumer concern worth mentioning is on them. While a lot of effort obviously went into giving the stockings character and not just leaving them as flat sheer textures with seams (squee!), they may not be to everyone’s liking. In a few cases, the shadows and highlights that were employed to give the impression of randomness in the fit of the nylon look like what happens when you over-stretch delicate fabric, or scratch it to the point where it scars but doesn’t quite run. I appreciate the work that went into this kind of reality. I’m just not sure I want my stockings to look like ones I’d switch out of IRL for a fresh pair.

As gripes go, however, “you made your textures too realistic” is something I wish I could say to every lingerie designer in SL.

Zaara - Ilaida Mojri Slippers

Complimenting the lingerie, Zaara also offers the Ilaida Mojri Slippers — which are currently only on display at the Shoe Fair. These flats are amazingly detailed and textured. Although made for a size-zero system foot, they can be re-sized on touch and the piping can also be changed to gold or silver on touch. Although I didn’t think it possible, my Shiny Things Brocattos finally have competition in my slippers folder.

If, however, you want something a little more high-heel for your lingerie, I suggest my favorite Shoe Fair find:

*G Field* - Ribbon Slingbacks

These Ribbon Heel Slingbacks from *G Field* are fan-flippin’-tastic and really hit the girly-girl spot for frilly heels. Wonderfully sculpted and textured with gold buckles and satin-shiny removable bows on the toe and backstrap, they offer invisiprims on or off as well and manage to make a system foot look better than it has any right to.

Oh, and they’re only L$180. So go grab a pair, or five. It’ll still be less than most of the overpriced crap at the Shoe Fair.

Where Does She Get Those Wonderful Toys:

Sumana Lingerie – L$250
Ilaida Mojri Slippers – L$345
Zaara

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Zaara/136/132/25

Ribbon Slingback Shoes[V2] – L$180
*G Field*

http://slurl.com/secondlife/YABU/155/130/24