In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie

There are a lot of books on Lingerie. Most of them are about a specific type of lingerie or about how to make it. It is a complex subject, moreso than I think most people realize. Even having done quite a lot of independent research into vintage lingerie and corsets over the years for cosplaying and retro reenactment events, I never considered just how varied lingerie was... I never stepped back and looked at it as a whole. In Intimate Detail made me do that. It is nothing less than a comprehensive guide to lingerie for the modern woman. This book is amazing in several key ways. I'll give a summary of whats available in the book. I'll tell you what I like best about it and I will tell you who I think should read it. Then, stay tuned for final thoughts. I did receive an Advance copy of the book for review. This is my complete and honest opinion about the book. This book is broken down into several sections; Bras, Underwear, Shapewear, Hosiery, Loungewear, How to shop both in store and online, and care of your Lingerie. I found that all of them are comprehensive without feeling like you are slogging through a non fiction book. It's narrated by the author in a light hearted, kindly professor sort of way. You know those amazing teachers you only get to take a class from once who are passionate and are very good at explaining something without making you feel stupid? Then by the end of the explanation, you realize you are just as passionate about that subject? Yeah, that's Cora Harrington. Within each section on the main categories of lingerie, she breaks it down into historical evolution (something I find fascinating myself), basic information, main types of that category as well as some good guidelines to follow... best practices, if you will. There is also appendices which sounds droll but actually is a great, easy-to-navigate resource on bra sizing, underwear concerns, and what a good basic set of Lingerie should be to start. What I like best? There are 3 main things about this book that I find make it worthy to read: 1. While she is inclusive and body positive throughout the whole book, she has important sections in the appendices that really shine for inclusivity. She has sections for mastectomy fitting, trans/non-binary fitting, pregnancy/maternity, physical disabilities, fibromyalgia and other ailments, binders, breast augmentation, etc and give tips on navigating those special concerns when looking for and purchasing lingerie. There is no judgement in these pages. You can tell that Cora Harrington just wants to share her passion with you and help you find what's going to suit you best. 2. It's easy enough to read... entertaining enough to read, that your teenager who is just starting to wear real bras could read it but also any veteran of wearing lingerie would get something out of it. The Lingerie Addict Blog, started by Harrington, is a perfect companion to this book. My recommendation is that you should start with the book and go to the Blog to learn more. There is nothing else like it out there in one easy to reference place. I will find myself referencing this book probably for the rest of my life. It is such a handy guide. 3. There is no mention of lingerie brands in the book except brief historical citation. The book isn't about selling you anything. Its about educating and helping you, the reader. What I do not like: I would have liked to see the Corset section have more in it and have illustrations. In Intimate Detail is a book that educates in a cute, intellectual way. It is not hard to read. There are beautiful illustrations to help give visual representation to subject matter. It's inclusive and helpful for an array of troubles one might find in their journey to love lingerie and love their bodies in lingerie. I highly recommend this book. It was so good, I can't wait to buy the finished version; have it in my hands and on my shelf. I was starting to love lingerie before... Now... I am obsessed!

This book is superb. It's beautiful to look at, comprehensive, inclusive, and FASCINATING. I feel like there are these huge generation gaps when it comes to lingerie: for decades, no one really taught people about lingerie, its history how it should fit, what it should do, what it all meant; instead, there all these unhelpful myths and weird "facts" that are totally made up yet get repeated over and over again. Brands and retailers hoarded knowledge, leaving consumers and lingerie enthusiasts confused or having to wing it on their own. In Intimate Detail gives you an incredible crash course in lingerie history, what all the words mean, how to choose what YOU want to wear, how to fit yourself, how to shop, and includes information for trans and nonbinary lingerie enthusiasts. The watercolor illustrations are so beautiful, I want to leave the book open to a different page on my coffee table every day. As a person who developed a very full bust very early and had no idea what to do with this body I'd suddenly grown, I desperately wish a book this helpful and celebratory had been around during my preteen and teenager years. This should be a must read for anyone even tangentially connected to lingerie: shoppers, fitters, retailers, brands, costume designers, tailors, everyone! Lingerie really can be for everyone, and this book helps us understand why. I loved reading it, and I want to buy a copy for all my friends. There's no other book on lingerie really like it!

I was so excited about this book. I have always been into intimate wear, but life got busy, and things fell by the wayside. Anyway, I realized that my bras never fit well, and I was beginning to get those dark bra strap marks on my shoulders. I can remember the days when there were women in department store lingerie departments who would fit you, but those days are long gone. I also remember being fitted at VS, which was a disaster - only liked them for PINK cotton knickers that they don't really make anymore. Back to the book - it is a lovely gift to yourself, sister, teen niece, daughter, or anyone into feminine intimates. The author has included some history on each type of lingerie at the beginning of each chapter for context. It's not long, but simply a brief survey. Her bra chapter is excellent! I vaguely remember my mother talking to me about bra fit, but it is a topic that needs to be revisited - you can do that with this book. She also has a really good discussion on breast shapes. I used to feel a little insecure, but you don't realize how much indoctrination we receive through media/entertainment about the perfect breast shape. I took her suggestions about style for my breast shape, and splurged on some very pretty, high quality bras. This really changed the game for me. I will not go back. I also purchased delicates wash by Tocca -fabulous - and hand washed my bras. Friday night with a glass of wine - yes! The only section I really wish that she would've spent more time on was the knickers chapter. I still don't feel like I know what to look for, so I will continue to wear my cotton bikinis, and perhaps branch out one knicker at a time. Also, the print is a bit small. I can't wait for her next one! Treat yourself to this lovely book with a nice ribbon bookmark attached.

This book is incredible. Firstly, it’s beautifully bound and has a black ribbon bookmark which was a really nice touch. All of the illustrations are great, and add so much elegance to the chapters. I have owned maybe one truly good, beautiful bra in my life (got fitted while I was living in France!) and thought that was the exception, but Cora has convinced me that it should be the rule. This book made me feel beautiful even though I was reading it in grody sweatpants and a Hogwarts T-shirt. It seems a little out there, but the simple process of reading this book made me feel better about my body, and excited to look for proper fitting, comfortable lingerie, as opposed to being intimidated by the process. I whipped out a tape measure and took all of my measurements after finishing it, and I can’t wait to purge my ill-fitting, faded, stretched out lingerie and to start slowly investing in good pieces. Thank you, Cora, for a great book!

I've always been someone that loved lingerie since I was young girl and also love to collect lingerie. This book does an excellent job at encapsulating the most essential knowledge about lingerie in such a readable and easy to understand way. I think this book would also greatly benefit women that are intimidated by lingerie or find the whole process of getting well-fitted lingerie somewhat overwhelming and esoteric. For instance, the author in a couple paragraphs explains how bra sizes can be calculated in such an succinctly fool-proof way that most everyone stumbles through and most people at lingerie stores stumble through the explanation of. While much of this book was information I knew and found out intuitively through years of trial and error as someone that has collected a myriad of different types of lingerie, low end, custom, and high end pieces, this still further deepened my knowledge and appreciation and expanded lingerie beyond just what I know works for me: I think I'll have an even easier time advising my friends or know how to shop as my body changes without feeling as daunted. My props to the author, this is just the type of manual that should be mandatory reading for girls, women and anyone wanting to enter the fun wonderful world of lingerie.

It was a good book. I did learn a lot and incorporate the tips and shopping guides. Where it missed the math for me was the area of slips. It brushed over the topic. I was hoping it help understand how shop for it..should it be a size up, same or down. Full slip, half slip, long or a skirt. I think what’s missing today the most is a good slip for ladies in terms of looking together and flawless. The fabrics are so thin these days. There was so much history and less on today and the practical direction I was really hoping to find. With being said, I still recommend this to all women.

This book on how to select and wear lingerie, even the best places to purchase them. Great to give as a bridal shower gift.

Excellent discussion on fit challenges and special needs like surgery and disability. A lot of emphasis was on bras. I wish there were more discussions on panty styles and fit challenges for changing bodies, such as panties rolling down in front with weight gain and menopause. I skipped over the gender transitioning and drag queen advice.