Big on knickers

WHAT do Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron, "dirrty" diva Christina Aguilera, former Baywatch babe Carmen Electra and hot new Hollywood starlet Scarlett Johansson have in common? And no, before you ask, this is not a silly name game.

Instead, it is a bit of a silly fame game. This frisky foursome and all manner of Hollywood A-listers are queuing up - and, in some cases, begging - to dance about on stage in their undies as part of The Pussycat Dolls, a burlesque-style band of girls who dress up and grind out low-rent classics such as Big Spender, Fever and The Stripper.

Charlize, Christina, Carmen and Scarlett have already flashed their scanties in the LA nightclub The Roxy, as have actresses Brittany Murphy, Pamela Anderson and Christina Applegate, and singers Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.

Wannabe performers, apparently, include Madonna and Britney Spears who can't wait to strip down to their pants - or in their case, put some pants on and then strip off - in front of a celebrity-rich audience that has been known to include the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Justin Timberlake, Johnny Depp and Hugh Hefner, a man who probably knows more about Bunnies than Pussycats.

The troupe was started by choreographer Robin Antin as a celebration of traditional European burlesque dance acts, which titillated audiences rather than offering a Full Monty strip. They have just finished a tour of the US and are now planning to take their show on the road across Europe.

But are we ready for The Pussycat Dolls and their "smart tart" look, or are we still a nation of prudes in sensible pants?

According to Laura Noble and Lesley Johnson, who have the marvellous-sounding task of being Triumph and Fantasie consultants in the lingerie department at Browns in Davygate, knickers are big in Britain at the moment - in more ways than one.

"We've gone from thongs to the modern equivalent of gym knickers in the last couple of years," says Laura. "I think we have been inspired by Kylie Minogue and her short shorts. The only difference is that most of us actually wear something over ours."

But big knickers are not what they were - thank goodness. Gone are the sensible navy navel-warmers, making way for shorter-than-short shorts in vibrant hues from shocking pink to warm Burberry-style checks.

"Anyone and everyone can wear them," says Laura. "Younger women like the lacy, high-cut versions, while older women buy the softer, stretchy styles. Whatever the style, they all have one important quality: no VPL."

Which, for those of you now scratching your heads in confusion, is "visible panty line", the bane of every fashion-conscious woman's life since Eve discovered she had an unsightly VFLL (visible fig leaf line).

A basic pair of Sloggi shorts should set you back around £7, while something sexy and see-through by La Senza may cost anything up to £40. Most knickers can be matched with a similarly scintillating bra, some of which are available in sizes up to a generous J-cup.

"Statistically, younger women are getting bigger and curvier," says Lesley. "They have been calling out for fashion styles in larger sizes and the manufacturers have obviously been listening to their pleas."

Browns is running a promotion on April 10 called It Pays To Be Fitted, where customers can pick up a bra that fits them, as opposed to one they think should fit them but which actually has room for a pony in each cup.

It will also be offering 20 per cent off all Triumph bras, including the all-time bestseller: the Doreen. This rather staid-sounding bra is not a terrifically exciting piece of lingerie, but it does the job and has been successfully doing so, according to Lesley's calculations, for the best part of 35 years.

"Women come back year after year after year for their Doreen," says Laura. "Last year was the first time I can ever remember when we sold more of another bra - Triumph's Amourette. It's lacier and a bit younger looking, but I don't think it's going to put a stop to the Doreen."

But enough of the top tops. Let's get back to bottoms. Are our knickers sexy enough to make The Pussycat Dolls purr, or do we look a bit of a dog's breakfast?

"Women are much more adventurous with their choices now," says Lesley. "They have underwear for all occasions, not just white knickers for work and black for a night out. They have comfy knickers for work, posing knickers for the pub and goodness knows what for the bedroom.

"Knickers are no longer a boring necessity. They are necessary, but they are also a luxury, a treat and something to make a dull day a lot brighter."

The new short shorts are even tempting men out of their usual hiding places behind pillars and piles of stock and into buying something pink and lacy for their loved one.

"Men are getting much better at buying underwear," acoording to Lesley. "I think it's got something to do with the bright colours and the different cuts - they convince themselves they are buying a bikini or a fashion item, not knickers and a bra."

But what about their perennial problem with sizes. Do men, for instance, still describe their beloved's bosom in terms of fruit ("more than a satsuma, but less than a watermelon")?

"They are doing their homework a bit more, but some of them still struggle," says Lesley. "If in doubt, we always advise them to buy a size smaller than they think. It won't fit, but the woman in their life will at least be flattered."

You have been warned boys: opt for XL and you can forget The Pussycat Dolls - it's the dog house for you.

Updated: 10:20 Tuesday, March 30, 2004