IN FORM®

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

Mannequin heads, that is.

Recently, I found myself in my local, suburban mall trying to make a dent in my holiday shopping responsibilities.  My long list directed me to pass by, or stroll into, most of the complex’s 125 or so shops, an eclectic collection of discount and high-end department stores, mass merchandisers, and many of the small chain stores commonly found in malls across America.  Of course, all of the clothing stores in general, and those carrying lingerie in particular, featured mannequins displaying their merchandise.  But what struck me as odd is that, except for those charged with hawking sunglasses, hats, or scarves, none of the mannequins – including those displaying lingerie – had heads. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

If you ask ten people where they think the greatest untapped source of demand for intimate apparel is based, all ten might answer, “China.”  With the world’s largest population and fastest growing economy, “China” certainly seems like a good answer.  But China isn’t the only developing country with enormous potential for underwear consumption.  An better response might be “India.”  The Indian market for innerwear, as intimate apparel is commonly referred to from Delhi to Mumbai, is set to explode due to the country’s inevitable, enormous, economic growth and the changing attitudes, demographics, and roles of Indian women. (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

It’s been more than six months since we posted our first IQ test. Since then, a lot of new, interesting facts about bras, panties, and shapewear have been discussed in these pages.  How many of them do you remember?  Do you want to find out?  Here’s our second test to measure your knowledge of these intimate fashion categories. Use the answer key at the end of the test to score yourself and determine your intimates quotient (IQ). (more…)

By Adam Welsch
Cupid Intimates

For women interested in wearing undergarments to smooth or transform their bodies, modern shapewear offers a relatively inexpensive, comfortable means to do so.  Made with flexible fabrics that conform to the wearer’s body, it’s lightweight and easy to put on and take off.  But modern shapewear and traditional girdles owe their existence to the foundation of foundations – the corset.  Though long supplanted as the everyday undergarment of choice, corsets continue to be worn by women all over the world for a variety of reasons.  But because their numbers are relatively small, they remain somewhat mysterious. (more…)