le bustiere boutique | EffortlessCool

It’s time to run, they’ll string me up for all that I’ve done
I’m going soon, gonna leave tonight by the light of the moon
I did it all for you, I hope you know the lengths I’ve gone to

A little edgy with just the right breeze for summer; double light wash denim with some stark black cut out lingerie bra and layered gold chains make for a perfect menage of styles. My aesthetic has always erred on the side of edgy punk, but lately the DC influence has brought me up to a more prep state (read: I now own J.Crew and Ann Taylor). Seeing this bra and putting it on brought me back to my days in NYC where I was always breaking out and putting on something shocking and bold. I like the way I downplayed it’s sexyness with making it more of a background for the whole look. What do you think?

Tokyo Darling jeans from Aeropostale (available here)
Zara Basic chambray shirt
Bra by Ajour via Le Bustiere Boutique
Nine West pumps

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bra available at Le Bustiere Boutique

Imagine, if you will, that you are out on the streets. You’re homeless and haven’t had a shower in days. You have no clean underwear, your skin is starting to burn and itch… There are over 1,750,000 homeless in the United States, 40% of which are women. 25% have claimed abuse in the past year, whether that be domestic or sexual. The average American woman has nearly 30 pairs of underwear, whereas women in shelters have none. Lingerie may seem like a luxury we take for granted at times, especially when underwear is persistently the most needed item at homeless shelters around the county, alongside feminine hygiene products (which aren’t free, though condoms are). If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed my recent interest in these issues; they are emotionally charged full of angering statistics. Thankfully, I’ve been finding many corporations, small and large, doing something about this, even in my own backyard of Washington DC. Upon meeting Stephanie, owner of Adams Morgan’s Le Bustiere Boutique, you encounter a woman who has found her calling. Not only is she passionate about sexy little undergarments, she speaks so emotionally about her upcoming work with Thrive DC and how they will be donating over 500 pairs of underwear and bras to DC based homeless shelters. “These women, they don’t have clean underwear, they don’t have access to pads or tampons, and they run the risks of skin and internal infections. Not only that, but there is so much sexual violence, and to many women underwear is their last barrier in their fight against rape”, says Stephanie on why she feels it is so important to supply women with things we may take for granted. “Putting on clean underwear makes you feel human again.” Having a proper fitting bra does wonders for a woman’s confidence, and as we all know, all women do not fit one size. When reached out for donations, Stephanie was hoping to be able to procure 50 donations, but has managed to bring that number to over 500 with sponsors and donations. A Perfect Fit Day Undergarment design veterans Curvy Kate and The Little Bra Company have donated past and undersold styles in varying sizes to the cause. Want to do your part? Feel free to join me at Le Bustiere Boutique on July 7th from 1-4pm as Stephanie and her team measure and give out free bras and underwear to those in need. Thrive is also still taking donations via their Amazon Wishlist for smaller cup sizes. What do you think of what these companies are doing? What can you or have you done in your hometown to help those in need?