October 14, 2004

Bong the Thong

Jennifer Brown's Lingerie

Long before Frederick went to Hollywood and the Pussycat Dolls tossed gaudy fishnets to i-bankers, burlesque stars had perfected the art of the tease.

They knew that when it came to sexy, more was usually more.

The more things change … Under the Root, Rogers Park designer Jennifer Brown’s line of hand-sewn undergarments, will take you back to that golden era of erotic (er, artistic) Weimar Berlin, when life was a cabaret. No sleazy boas or raunchy hot pants here: Brown’s collection is flattering, comfy, modest — and surprisingly seductive. She uses cotton-blend fabrics and vintage elastic ribbons to craft low-rise bloomers, svelte ’40s-style slips, and lacy camisoles. This is what Bettie Page might have worn to bed.

Which is not to say that Under the Root doesn’t know from naughty, to the tune of velvet blindfolds, ruffled Victorian-inspired pantaloons, and cotton knee- and thigh-high stockings that tie with a flirtatious ribbon behind the leg.

Just, please, use them wisely.

And that doesn’t mean wearing them to practice your Cardio Strip Class chair routine.

Available at G Boutique, 2131 North Damen Avenue, between Armitage and Webster Avenues (773-235-1234).