4C
SEX ON THE HILL
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
BOXERS OR BRIEFS? What your undies say about you
mhaines@kansan.com
BY MARILYN HAINES
mhaines@kansan.com
What's going on under there? With the almost infinite options of boxers, briefs, boxer-briefs, thongs, boy-cut, bikini, manties, tighty-whites, and even nothing at all, the act of unzipping and unbuttoning has the potential to devolve into the less carnal act of unwrapping a gift in suspense.
Will what lies beneath be everything you had hoped for, like your very first gleaming ten-speed bicycle (for instance, clean boxes a guy bought in the years after eighth grade graduation)? Or will it be a little disappointing but still tolerable, reminiscent of that mp3 player that isn't quite as cool, new, or shiny as an iPod, but is still better than nothing at all (the old floral print panties strike again)? Then again, you could get stuck with something downright confusing that you never asked for, like a concrete statue of a gnome. (Where did all of these straps come from, and why?) How could you ever be sure where a person's underpinning preferences lie when the possibilities are endless?
Corrie VanAusdal, co-owner of Birdie's, a sweet little store located at 116 W. 18th St. in Kansas City, Mo., that puts lingerie and swimwear on display like saccharine confections in vintage candy cases around the shop, explained that it could have very little to do with outward appearances.
"The most conservatively dressed women will be attracted to the most wild and sexy underwear," VanAusdal said. "Then again, some woman that might seem like she wears some crazy clothes might say, 'I only wear black lace.' And sometimes, it's
exactly right on — a customer walks in wearing plaid and leaves with plaid underwear"
While slinky undergarments have been known to be visually appealing and an aid in exuding overt sexuality, VanAusdal said that it could also be what wasn't being shown that added to the sensuality of lingerie.
"Lingerie is so sexy because it's always been about what you reveal," VanAusdal said. Showcasing unexpected areas like the neck or the ankle can trigger just as much of a response as the often-displayed hint of cleavage.
"Something that shows less skin isn't necessarily less sexy than something that shows a lot of it," she said.
In a day and age where Victoria's Secret has Brazilian models stomping down the runway in ornate lingerie as if it's a ready-to-wear collection, it can be difficult to remember a time when lingerie and underwear held any mystery. It's easy to become a bit jaded when the sight of the whale-tale shape of the top of a thong peeking out from a pair of low-rise jeans is as much of a regular classroom occurrence as seeing someone sleeping or sneakily text messaging.
Monika Kennedy, Kansas City, Mo., sophomore, said she thought the cultural acceptance of underwear as outwear was too sexy.
"Please, cover your goodies," Kennedy said.
However, don't think choosing something to slip on when it comes to underwear isn't an afterthought for her. Not only does the attractiveness of an undergarment appeal to her, she also mentioned that she feels unprepared if she doesn't put some thought into her
skivies. "This buzzer goes off in my head. I can hear my mother saying, 'Make sure you have good undies on. You never know what's going to happen!' she said.
Kennedy avoids the possibility of embarrassment should anyone catch her sans clothing by making sure her bras and panties match, but not everyone is dressing to impress. Emilio Breyer, Topeka sophomore, said he wasn't so eager to please anyone but himself.
"If a girl doesn't like my Monty Python and the Holy Grail boxers, then she is not worth it," he said.
Aside from serving as an extension of your personality or a way to impress someone else, VanAusdal said that lingerie could help its wearer achieve a bit of escapism. For example, she said that times of war would turn out beautiful lingerie. Although people might be suffering through dismal economic times and constantly doing without, sexy little articles of silks and laces provide a good distraction.
"It has to do with people being able to get themselves a tiny bit of luxury. You might not be able to afford silk sheets, but you can afford silk underwear," she said.
Lingerie can often resemble an elaborate costume, and not unlike theatrics, VanAusdal said the fantasy of the garment could easily transform the wearer. A beautifully delicate creation of silk crepe with lattice-lace overlay has the ability to take hold of someone "in the same way a beautiful dress can make you feel beautiful for the night," she said. And when it comes down to it, VanAusdal said, lingerie and fantasy "all depends on your imagination."
Edited by Matt Hirschfeld
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED by Ron Berg
Peregine Honig, left, and Corrie VanAusdal own Birdie's, a store in Kansas City, MO., that specializes in linierie. VanAusdal said you could often learn more about people based on their underwear and their outerwear
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED by Ron Bera