Fashion police be damned! Today, there are many who feel that it is okay to have peeking lingerie. Especially since it probably costs more than the dress you wear. Jostling alongside halters and spaghetti tops, bra straps peek out merrily making lingerie the next thing to be coordinated after the shoes and the bag. But yes, the said lingerie should be worthy of being display pieces and not some plain prose. This is where luxury lingerie steps in. Women are enticed with trendsetting innerwear that fashion their silhouette. Leading brands have positioned lingerie as a luxury product that women need to indulge herself. Aubade has the distinction of making the first strapless bra, G string and now mini string. The fit, contours, material and the style gives this garment a cutting edge.

Indian market has seen some major changes in terms of perception. No longer a risqué topic, there is even a magazine devoted exclusively to lingerie news. Lace and Lingerie (www.lacenlingerie.com) is a glossy discussing the latest trends, materials and brands in delectable lingerie. Shopping for lingerie has also become easier and better with exclusive boutiques retailing almost all brands. Premium brands like Aubade and Enamor have their own stores. The pioneering online retail model shopimagine.in is a venture promoted by a California based NRI which sources luxury lingerie from Europe, America and Asia. The price range that averages at Rs 1,500 is aimed at Indian urban professional women.

But before shopping in this increasingly niche market, take a look at the lingerie available today.  The variety is confusing enough, leave alone the brands. Take the basic bandeau that began as a simple band around the bust. This style was in vogue in the West when a boyish silhouette was preferred. Today most brands carry some kind of inspired version of the bandeau like the bustiers. Then there are bras that can be used with or without straps or as cross straps that will suit a halter dress.

Also available are under wired bras, seamless bras, pushup bras and bras meant specifically for t-shirts, sarees and dresses with low necks. Look for camisoles that cover the top part of the body. These are sleeveless and tight fitting and can be worn with or without bras and are usually paired with boy shorts. Chemise, a loose fitting garment worn under clothes, is pretty popular and gets as pricy as the designer and the work on it. Stella McCartney's sequined chemise is about $325 (USD) which makes intimacy that a woman has with her innerwear precious in feel and cost. But the favourite is easily the babydoll that is a short hip length gown often fitted at the top. It is paired with matching panties. A babydoll is flattering, sexy and can be worn as a nightwear too.

Coming to the briefs, there seems to be two schools of thought among women — one that is okay with VPL and one that is not. VPL or visible panty line has always been a debatable issue. Maybe this is the reason why there is an enticing range comprising thongs, G strings, V strings, mini strings that completely eliminate such issues. Seamless panties are definitely more everyday affair for women who find the rest a tad saucy for daily wear.
Combining the two innerwear into one is the teddy.

Teddies are bodysuits that lingerie designers fashioned into ultimate seduction ticket. Luxury brands market them more for the visual appeal than function. There are numerous kinds of teddy including the fashion teddy which combines a thong, bra and a top.

Buy the right lingerie
nWomen do not have it as easy as men who may just buy innerwear in packs of three and be done with it. Selecting the correct lingerie is about the right fit and feel. Bras that do not fit well do not feel good either. Keep in mind the following checklist before you go shopping for a bra:

*Bra cups should not pucker. This means the size is larger than the actual measurement. Conversely, if the breasts spill out from the sides, the bra is a size small.

*If the underarms spill out or fold into creases then try out a different style.

*Make sure that the band size is correct. Take the correct measurement of under bust and bust. Ask a salesperson to help you find the correct band and cup size based on these two measurements.
nChoose comfortable fabric that will add to the support.

*While trying out the bra see that the back strap does not ride high, the shoulder straps do not pinch or fall off the shoulders and the centre panel is exactly on the sternum.

*If you want to buy an under wired bra, check that wires do not extend upwards, poke at the sides or pop out of the bra itself.

*And unless you don't mind it, try to avoid fancy trinkets at the base of the centre panel. First, it may poke you and second, they may show up under the clothes as unsightly bulge.

Brief on briefs
*Buy only what you are comfortable with. If that is G strings then good for you! nThe styles are many, coverage ranging from the bare minimum to shapewear. The latter is great in tucking the tummy and slimming the waist. A must-have for those with extra inches in the wrong places.

So if you now have an idea of what is what, take a peek at some brassy knockouts in the luxury range of scant innerwear:

*nEnamor: Enamor aims at women from 18 onwards. Every fabric and trim has been selected to suit the Indian skin. Their latest March 2008 collection, Enamor 18, presents 'innerwear too sexy to hide'. This collection especially makes teen spirits soar with summery floral chic and pastel shades. Enamor is available at Lifestyle outlets, large retail outlets and exclusive stores.

*Amante: Touting 'Value premium' as their USP, Amante combines glamour, right fit and affordability into their lingerie. Their SS 08 collection Colour Fiesta comes in two ranges Karishma (laces and scallops) and Dots and Stripes. According to its designer, "…the onset of summer is marked by bright hues giving everything a fresh and joyous feel." Stop and watch out for their second summer collection Spice Market.