In this summer’s perennial heat wave, my saving grace has been the sheer LWD. It’s the perfect solution for barely-there dressing. So onto the question of suitable underpinnings: at the beach, an airy little number is a no-brainer over a bikini. Back in the city, should you wish to keep it sheer, try a colorful, opaque bralette and hotpant set, a la Jemima Kirke’s character on the HBO series Girls. On one recent episode Jessa sports neon pink underwear under a white maxi (above), proclaiming the look “totally current.” My favorite LWDs are by the Australian designers Susien Chong and Nic Briand of the cultish label Lover, who revived some of their iconic archived pieces in a capsule collection.
From left: White lace dress from Lover’s current “White Magick” capsule collection, available at The Strand Arcade, Sydney, loverthelabel.com;
Cosabella “Dolce” soft bra and boyshort, shop.cosabella.comI recently met with Girls' costume designer, Jenn Rogien, who dished on Jessa’s bohemian aesthetics and how to wear underwear out: “With Jessa, there’s usually an ethereal quality or sheer fabric incorporated into her looks. She’s not like the other girls – we’ve made a conscious choice that showing her underwear is just something that happens in her life, it’s sexy, and it’s a fun accessory to the outfit.” She added, “If you’re wearing a sheer white dress, just make sure to play into the lightness of the fabric by choosing underwear that is more structured and nondescript." Like the Miami-based Cosabella line (worn by the actress on screen), which comes in more than 30 vibrant colors and gives great coverage. Tres cool—in every sense.
Dresses from Lover’s current “White Magick” capsule collection, available at The Strand Arcade, Sydney, loverthelabel.comPhoto: Girls: Jojo Whilden/HBO; others: courtesy of the subjects
