Confession: I buy almost all of my lingerie at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
Over time, I've amassed a decent collection of brand-name lingerie at rock-bottom prices.
But if I'm honest, I've always dreamed of having a drawer full of La Perla and Agent Provocateur underthings -- bras and panties that cost far more than I'm accustomed to paying, like this lovely $230 La Perla bra.
I always imagined that this kind of lingerie costs so much because it feels like pure luxury against your skin -- or better yet, nothing at all.
I didn't think I'd be able to justify the price tag of La Perla any time soon -- but then Gilt Groupe, the invitation-only flash sale site (you can get an invitation here if you want to check it out), had a La Perla sale. With credit I had stored up, I bought myself a bra and and panty set. Total price at deep discount: $150.
When the bra and panties arrived, I eagerly ripped them from their packaging, only to find that they felt... ordinary.
I honestly couldn't tell the difference in the quality of fabric between La Perla and any other decent brand I've found at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
And that was pretty damn disappointing.
I figured the difference, though, would be obvious when I put them on.
The bra fit very well, which was a nice surprise (it's always tricky ordering a bra from a new brand when you haven't had an opportunity to try it on), but again, it didn't feel any more special on than any other bra I own.
Even worse, it had a scratchy tag right in the middle of my back. All day long, I was scratching and twitching and repositioning, and well... the truth is, I haven't worn that bra since.
I'd say it was a waste of... credits, but the truth is I'm kind of glad I got them. I'm now rid forever of the notion that I'm somehow missing out by not owning expensive lingerie. The fact is, those of us who find pretty underthings for under $20 just might be a whole lot smarter than women who are spending $240 on a bra that isn't noticeably any different from the $19.99 version.
Where do you buy your special lingerie? Have you ever splurged on expensive lingerie? Would you?
Written by Lindsay Ferrier for CafeMom's blog, The Stir.
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