Lingerie as Outerwear: A Casual Affair

Most of the outfits I’ve seen people creating for Valentine’s Day seem to focus on big grandiose evenings out and decadently dramatic lingerie installations that probably only remain on the body for all of 30 seconds. Which is all rather nice, if that’s what you have planned {you lucky thing you!}.

But what if you’re more inclined to more casual fare? Does that mean you have to err on the side of overdressing/underdressing in order to properly honor the fashion muse on Valentine’s Day? Nah, we’re all about individuality and choice in our Lingerie as Outerwear outfits here at Bella Bella Boutique, so I decided we needed to show just how glamorous a casual and subtley sexy outfit could be!

It all began with Marika Vera’s absolutely stunning Bella Silk Chiffon Teddy. The beautifully draped, deeply plunging neckline is so pretty while still being rather sexy. Once again, if you are of the shyer type and like to keep a little bit back, feel free to pop on some pasties for delicacy. However, if it’s really a night in, then I say let the candle light provide the cover and enjoy the sensation of silk chiffon on bare skin!

Speaking of candle light, I’ve included a Naked Princess massage candle, in my favorite flavor to provide you with an after dinner treat. Having burned through out your meal, imparting a soft, subtle scent of deliciously warm vanilla and almond, you can use the all natural, melted oils for a sweetly relaxing massage.

The teddy ties with a lovely wide silk satin ribbon that will add that touch of shine and sophistication and save you from having to let your belt out a few rungs after dinner. The bare back of the Bella teddy will show off your every muscle and curve, but you don’t need to reveal that sensuous detail until you remove your Lanvin cashmere shrug.

Fendi’s tailored wool trousers are the perfect accompaniment to the teddy, as their structured styling offsets the fluid movement of the lingerie and gives all the naturally neutral tones a base to work from. If they weren’t from different designers, I would swear that these heels were created expressly to compliment the teddy with their soft fabric edges and petal-like embellishments. They also pick up the silk flowers in your necklace and shrug without overdoing it all.

Each of the accents in this comfortably sexy outfit enhance one another and raise the bar on a night spent at home with your favorite company. The feminine bow detail of the ring, the metal worked knots of the earrings and brass ring hearken back to the idea of a couple tying the knot and making a loving commitment. Not a bad idea to pay homage to on this day of lovers. That handmade leather bound book is just begging to hold all of the details of your wonderful evening and could fit quite nicely in your roomy Gucci shoulder bag. Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?

1. Marika Vera Bella Silk Chiffon Teddy: This teddy is meant to be seen, so please don’t relegate it simply to the bedroom. With it’s leather details in the back and the draped coverage at the front, it can easily play the part of a top, however, it really shines on it’s own as a teddy! The multiple layers of chiffon pleats create an opaque cover for your body, while luxurious silk whispers gently against your skin.

2. Naked Princess Love Lust Light Vanilla Blanc Candle: Multi-tasking at it’s best! Not only does this candle provide light, warmth and a seductive fragrance but it can also be used as a moisturizing massage oil! Pretty impressive right? After a delightful meal and cuddle by the fire, you can take turns soothing away all the knots and worries and reconnecting through loving conversation.

3. Badgley Mischka Dusk- Nude Heels: These shoes actually beat out a phenomenal pair of Louboutins for pride of place in this outfit. I love how delicate they are next to the solid wool trousers and they way the echo the design of the teddy and the silk flowers. The heel is still fairly towering, and keeps the outfit from becoming so casual, that you may as well have shown up in your bathrobe.

4. Fendi Tailored Virgin Wool Cigarette Trousers: The beautiful green color of these pants is so luscious and versatile. They can be dressed up or down and their superior styling and luxurious details will make them a classic piece of your wardrobe. Frankly, I am very much coveting them and doubt they will be absent from my closet for very long!

5. Lanvin Flower Embellished Cashmere Shrug:A cashmere shrug with a silk flower is the perfect accessory for that fireside, after dinner cuddle, while you listen to Adele vocally punish the idiot who was stupid enough to lose her. Don’t be surprised if after you remove the shrug to get more comfortable, you find your date stroking the super soft fibers, and who could blame them? It’s even lined in silk chiffon, you may as well be wearing a cuddly cloud.

6. Kreativlink Journal Handmade: Now that we’ve set the stage for a fabulous evening in, what better activity is there then to start writing the greatest love story of all time! Starting with the day you first laid on eyes on that Marika Vera Teddy. Oops, I meant recording all of the wonderful shared experiences and memories you’ve created with your Valentine.

7. Anthropologie Knotted Weave Ring: The minimalist nature of this ring is fabulous. It’s all about smooth curves and undulating knots in a butter soft, gold color of brass. What more do you need on Valentine’s Day?

8. Gucci New Jackie Large Shoulder Bag: Good friends always recommend Gucci. As your good friend and fellow lingerie lover, it behoves me to point out how fantastic this bag is with the entire outfit. You could even fit a small giftie for your date in there. I hear underwear is a universally pleasing gift on Valentine’s Day!

9. Mallarino Caroline 24 Karat Vermeil Bow Ring: Okay, I admit it. This ring is incredibly girly. I’m sorry, but you may have noticed that I successfully avoided including lingerie that was either red or pink yet again! That took a lot of effort and quite frankly, I think it’s pretty darn cute, don’t you?

10. Lanvin Silk Flower Necklace: I love this whimsical necklace. The silk flowers are so innocently cute, yet distinctly decadent that I just couldn’t resist adding them in. Whether you decided to wear the cashmere shrug or not, you’ll have your date enthralled with all the soft textures of your outfit.

11. Kate Spade New York Sailor’s Knot Hoop Earrings: Once again I found the long lost twin of something from another designer. I swear they were all on the same page last season, weren’t they? How did they know exactly what I needed? These Kate Spade earrings are perfect with the Anthropologie knotted ring and you need to make sure everyone knows it, so keep twirling that curl over your ear, the candle light’s bound to catch a glimmer at some point!

I hope I’ve given you a few ideas to create your perfect Lingerie as Outerwear outfit for your date with that special person, I know my biggest issue now is whittling down the choices to better suit my planned activities. I’ll be going for a slightly more casual evening on the actual Valentine’s Day, but on the weekend preceding, I plan to whoop it up in pure Bella Bella style!

Cheers,
Maggie (Blog Contributor for Bella Bella Boutique)

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