The Influence of Pop Culture
on Lingerie Fashion
Fashion has always been heavily influenced by pop culture, guided by viral styles from top-rated music videos, films, television series, and the internet. In fact, lingerie fashion has also seen its fair share of transformations. From the unexpected comeback of the whale tail trend in 2021 to the recent resurgence of vintage-style intimate wear, popular styles are constantly evolving in response to what the masses love and enjoy.
With the growth of social media influencers popularizing iconic looks from trending media, brands are offering up more options for niche consumers. Some of these shifting trends in lingerie fashion have also come in the wake of diverse labels led by celebrities championing the cause of comfortable and inclusive lingerie. Here are 5 popular shifts in intimate wear fashion that are inspired by popular culture.
5 Pop Culture-Inspired Intimate Wear Trends
Coquette & Coy
Iconic figures such as Lana Del Ray, Audrey Hepburn, and Elle Fanning have inspired what is widely known as the coquette style. This delicate and flirtatious aesthetic embraces whimsical and playful elements like ribbons, bows, satin, and dainty lace.
Where traditional women’s lingerie often features lace and satin, the coquette style showcases a soft, vintage-inspired look. Some of these pieces, like satin slips, can even be paired with more casual articles to create interesting combinations for everyday wear. This is a refreshing reimagination of the conventional boudoir look as the coquette style unravels layers of dark mystique by framing intimate wear with a gentle, loving feminine gaze.
Kim’s Skims
Ever since their rise to fame, the Kardashians have exerted endless amounts of influence on fashion and makeup trends. Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and lingerie brand, Skims, has gained widespread recognition for its minimalist design that champions comfort and inclusivity.
The Skims brand is recognized for offering diverse size options and an inclusive range of shades to choose from within their shapewear collection. As a successful entrepreneur and a reality TV mogul, Kim’s influence has normalized the inclusion of shapewear into everyday fashion. Her practical intimate wear line is inclusive and empowering, and has created a whole new niche in lingerie fashion.
Regency Reimagined
With the recent surge of period dramas, regency-era designs have made a major impact on lingerie fashion. This interest in historically-inspired lingerie is credited to popular shows like Bridgerton that wear their racy sequences on their sleeves.
Lingerie inspired by this era evokes nostalgia and romance with elegant prints and dainty embellishments. These reimagined regency-era styles include delicately embroidered corsets made out of rich fabrics and sensuous linen nightdresses inspired by period dramas.
WAP Couture
When Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP was released, it quickly became a global sensation that inspired the inclusion of lingerie into streetwear trends. This sparked a bold, new style of lingerie from brands that sought to make their pieces seen beyond the bedroom.
The song’s music video also features its artists clad in bodysuits and intimate wear accessories like garter belts and harnesses. Cardi B and Megan were able to evoke unapologetically bold and provocative styles into the mainstream, compelling popular lingerie brands to cater to a whole new scale of femininity with more daring designs. Today, WAP’s bold visuals and provocative musicality continue to influence music and fashion enthusiasts alike.
Fierce Fenty
Rihanna’s iconic label, Savage X Fenty, has turned heads with its inclusive sizing options, fierce designs, and wide range of skin tone options. Its vibrant runway shows feature models of diverse sizes, challenging beauty standards set by more traditional lingerie brands.
In doing so, Savage X Fenty has also urged some of the biggest lingerie labels to redefine their approach to intimate wear. Rihanna’s influence as a musical icon has allowed her to set new standards for body positivity in the world of lingerie fashion, turning her brand into a global cultural phenomenon.
The influences of major films, celebrities, and social media brands continue to guide major fashion and lingerie trends. Some of these shifts can create fun opportunities for trying new styles and discovering historic aesthetics. Additionally, as awareness around inclusivity and body positivity grows, so do the sensibilities of leading labels and their outreach to customers.
