How the Von Teese effect has boosted the desire for racy lingerie!

11:14 15 October 2009

Stars Dita Von Teese, Katy Perry and Lily Allen have given a boost to stocking sales, retailers have reported.

During the recession, women are splashing out for sexy lingerie in favour of spicing up a night in rather than going out.

Hold ups, suspender belts and briefs with suspender attachments have all seen a sharp rise in recent months as the 'Dita Von Teese effect' grips the feminine population.

The burlesque beauty recently launched a new Wonderbra campaign featuring a provocative shot of her leaning against a motorbike in a leather jacket, black stockings, suspenders and a racy bra.

And thanks to singers Katy Perry and Lily Allen recently stepping out in the racy lingerie, online underwear store Figleaves.com have reported a 35% year-on-year rise of stockings since August. Sales of suspender belts and knickers with suspenders have also seen a 40% hike.

Luxury brand Agent Provocateur has also seen a 14% jump in stocking sales, with the sexy silky seamed variety proving most popular.

Lingerie buyer at Figleaves.com Denise Fraser said: "The Dita Von Teese effect has certainly taken hold. Women are desiring a more feminine, sexy look and in the recession, they are buying something sexy to improve their mood.

"We are also attributing it to the return of forties and fifties trends, which we have been seeing on the catwalk.

"There are such beautiful fabrics and styles available that it is impossible for women not to feel glamorous and sexy."

In the forties and fifties, stockings were a symbol of Hollywood glamour and in the sixties Anne Bancroft's Mrs Robinson famously used hers to seduce a young Dustin Hoffman in 'The Graduate'.

However, sales slumped in more recent years with tights outselling stockings by 40 pairs to one in 2007.

Some women are choosing to fake the look, with Henry Holland's trompe l'oeil tights for Pretty Polly and Chanel's two-toned pairs proving to be this season's must haves, stockings could be here to stay - for a while at least.