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Britain v Italy: the underwear round

"Dear Brits, we’ve beaten you at everything and it’s time you realised it," proclaimed Italian newspaper Il Giornale (part of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's media empire) the other day. When it comes to tourism, fashion, crime and even football, we are in a sorry state compared to our Italian friends, they say.

But how do the two nations stack up when it comes to underwear?

In the Italian corner: the wonderful La Perla, of course (find Malizia in our Designer Outlet), for women; and an array of fabulous designer names for men. Emporio Armani, D&G and Diesel are all worth shouting about.

And in the British: well, you can't beat British brands like Fantasie, Freya and Panache when it comes to style and comfort in DD+ sizes, but the likes of Made by Niki and Mimi Holliday show that we are no slouches on the fashion front either. And for men? Paul Smith's classics with a quirky twist take some beating.

Too close to call? Let us know what you think.

Trend: high summer florals

Here's a cheery trend to take us into the weekend: big, splashy florals for high summer. Just arrived on figleaves.com and looking fresh as a daisy are this sunny yellow Elle Macpherson Intimates set (how cute is that culotte-style shorty?) and this Calvin Klein chemise, part of its new Dolce Vita range that also includes a bra, thong and brief.

Left, Elle Macpherson Intimates bra £40 and shorty £25; right, Calvin Klein chemise £42.

Feeling haute

The autumn/winter 09 haute couture shows have been taking place in Paris this week, so here's a pic of the Georges Chakra catwalk to get us in the mood. What's news? The Christian Lacroix show - possibly his last - was an emotional affair, says the Wall Street Journal; and of interest to all us lingerie fans was the Christian Dior runway. It was a riot of lingerie influences, reports the Daily Telegraph, with suspender-style straps adorning even the shoes.

If all this has given you a yen for some vintage-style lingerie, then fear not; figleaves.com has plenty. Check out our suspenders; or treat yourself to this rather couture-like Aubade set, complete with retro waist cincher.

Couture image: Julien Hekiniman/Image.net

Get a Yummie Tummie this summer

There's a new star on the shapewear shelves this summer - yes, the much talked-about Yummie Tummie has arrived at figleaves.com (and just in time for any high summer soirees you might be attending in a body-conscious dress).

Yummie Tummie is the brainchild of designer and celeb stylist Heather Thomson, who has worked with P Diddy, Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez on their own fashion lines. With credentials like that, it's little wonder that her smoothing and shaping underwear, made from sweat-wicking microfibre and designed not to ride up, has rocketed to the top of the stars' must-have lists.

Left, strappy camisole £62. The range also includes a slip, £78, and nursing cami, £69.

Elle Mac to the G

The news on the DD+ front just gets better and better. Our latest arrival? Elle Macpherson's super-feminine Artistry range, in semi-sheer lace interwoven with ribbon, now goes up to a G cup. Bra, £35.

Vintage style goes undercover

We're feeling cultured today - in the mood to visit a museum, in fact. Luckily the Fashion and Textile Museum in London has just the ticket: Undercover, an exhibition devoted to the evolution of lingerie with exhibits ranging from the first ever patented bra dating back to 1915 to the high tech, cellulite-busting knickers of today. The exhibition opens tomorrow and continues until 27 September; more details here.

In the meantime, if all this has inspired you to seek out some lingerie with a vintage feel, check out these retro styles by Princesse Tam-Tam, Aubade, Maidenform and - one of the designers whose pieces you can find in the exhibition - Elle Macpherson.

image: La Perla Atelier Collection, photographer Michelangelo di Battista

Isle of Man gardeners, Lisa Snowdon and bra bows

Latest bra news on the (under)wire:

• Catwalk Queen did a nice round-up of "bras for the larger-chested lady" last week - with a few choice styles from figleaves.com, of course.
• What to do with your old bras? There are a few gardeners in the Isle of Man who could make good use of them, says IOM Today.
• Lisa Snowdon would like to design her own bras, reports This Is Bristol.
• Vogue is looking forward to the Triumph Inspiration Awards.
• And now a poll: why is there a bow in the middle of your bra? Arizona Central wanted to know, and concluded that it dates back to when women wore corsets and the bow held a piece of whalebone - known as a busk - in place. Agree? Do let us know.

poll by twiigs.com

Bridezillas in the boudoir

Here's a scary new trend from the States. It's not enough, it seems, to spend your entire wedding day posing for photographs; these days, brides are indulging in "boudoir sessions" - where they are photographed in lingerie - before the big day too, reports the New York Times.

The perfect treat for your husband-to-be or too bridezilla for words? Must admit that we're leaning towards the latter, but if you do decide to go for it, here are a few sexy lingerie suggestions.

Left to right: bridal lingerie from Odille and Pour Moi?; animal prints by Aubade.

In the news: husband-hunting bras and more

• Looking to find a husband in Japan? You need the Triumph marriage-hunting bra, says Reuters.
• Men find women's lingerie complicated enough, but now there's a bewildering choice available for their own underwear drawer too, finds a confused Wall Street Journal.
• Elf and safety, Nordic style: the Swedish air force is demanding fire proof bras.
• However bad you think your own lingerie habit is, you probably can't match Jennifer Ellison: she once spent £1,000 on lingerie in one go, she tells Celebs On Sunday.

Softly does it

Female police officers have been told not to wear underwired bras on duty, The Daily Telegraph reported last week - if they get shot, there's a risk of the bullet pushing underwiring into the body, apparently.

Even those of us who are not police officers like to wear a soft cup bra from time to time - and, no, they are not all maternity or sports bras or even Triumph's beloved Doreen. Above, three of the more glamorous examples: left to right, Calvin Klein, Made by Niki and, just in, vintage style from Princesse Tam-Tam.