In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie

A comprehensive and accessible illustrated guide to lingerie from intimates expert Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict, the internet's top intimate apparel blog.

While many love the idea of wearing special underthings, lingerie can be intimidating. How is it supposed to fit? How do you take care of it all? Is lingerie really for me? In this beautiful and empowering guide, lingerie expert Cora Harrington demystifies intimate apparel, making it accessible to all sizes, ages, and budgets. Covering everything from basic bras and panties to special occasion wear, shapewear, hosiery, corsets, and more, this no-nonsense handbook empowers you to confidently buy, wear, and care for the underpinnings of your dreams.

“Beautiful lingerie… is a signal that you love yourself enough to take out the good stuff and feel special even on the most mundane of days.”
—Dita Von Teese, from the foreword
 
“An informative, empowering, and masterfully organized guide to lingerie. I’ve always said indulgence is a necessity, and for those looking to indulge, this book is a must-read.”
—Josie Natori, Founder & CEO of The Natori Company
 
“With passion and curiosity, Cora Harrington tackles every aspect of intimate apparel from technical construction to fit issues for varying body types to the emotional experience of buying and wearing. She has keen styling insights and clever, practical tips. This is a smart, savvy guide to a modern woman’s lingerie needs through all stages of her life. We finally have THEreference for intimate apparel.”
—Gale Epstein and Lida Orzeck, co-founders of Hanky Panky
 
"An incredible resource for anyone with an interest in lingerie—this is the book I wish I had when I was starting my line! The right lingerie has the power to change your life, which Cora Harrington’s vast knowledge of the subject wholeheartedly reinforces."
—Becca McCharen-Tran, founder of Chromat

“In Intimate Detail" . . . might also be the first of its kind, a sort of Cook’s Illustrated of underwear, full of technical details and illustrated with simple watercolors instead of glossy photographs."
—The New Yorker

“An empowering lingerie guide that breaks down the intimidating aspects of lingerie and makes it approachable for everyone.”
—Bustle

Cora Harrington is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Lingerie Addict, the internet's top blog dedicated to intimate apparel. Her mission is to make the intimidating world of lingerie accessible, understandable, and fun for people of all sizes, shapes, races, and gender identities. Cora's work has been featured by Teen Vogue, Racked, Cosmopolitan, and Jezebel, and she has been quoted as a lingerie expert by Allure, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Vogue Italia, CNN, and Forbes.

INTRODUCTION 

Let’s be honest: lingerie is confusing. There are thousands of brands, hundreds of styles, and dozens of sizes. Even if you like the idea of lingerie, intimate apparel can be a complicated and bewildering world. What’s the difference between a demi bra and a balconette? What’s the point of having seams on a bra? More important, how do you find the right bra for you? Moving beyond bras, what kind of lingerie should you wear for formal occasions, your honeymoon, or even a regular workday? This book answers all that and more.

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