fancy underthings with brook there.

This post is sponsored by Brook There, a sustainable clothing and lingerie company selling garments that are designed, cut, and sewn in the United States.

Sometimes you need fancy underthings; impending holidays loosely related to love notwithstanding.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: there’s something about a matching set of bra and underwear that just do a body good. Or, perhaps more to the point, they do a mind good. And at this time of year, fancy underthings are at least twice as magical as they are in the warmer months. At the time of writing, I’m sitting freezing near to death in a cafe. I have yet to take off my hat or scarf. My ears are starting to ache from the particular tyranny of wearing a hat all day long. I’m wearing wool sweatpants and thick socks tucked into my boots. I’ve got on a camisole and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Everything’s covered up by a blanket of a sweater. As my mom would say: It’s quite a look. And I admit I’d feel frumpy if not for the fact that I’m wearing the matching little duo you see above underneath it all. 

I’m the first to admit that I’m a romantic, but my love affair with matching underwear has everything to do with me and nothing to do with making myself appealing to a Valentine or anyone else (happy accident is all that is). A matching set of underwear is a secret, you see. It’s a private little thing to grin about while ordering a slice of pizza or standing in line at the post office. I might look like a disheveled worker bee hunkered in this freezing cafe, but actually I’m a hot little mama with matching silk undies. See?

Loving on myself and personal enthusiasm for matching lingerie aside, it’s clear that not all of these fancy things are created equal. The offerings in the Maine-based Brook There shop make a particularly lovely choice if you’re in the market for a little something new. Brook There lingerie is designed by owner Brook DeLorme, and cut, and sewn in the United States—from organic, US-milled cotton when possible. They take their dedication to sustainable fashion seriously. You can read more about the Brook There ethics and fabric choices, right here. And here’s a little more about three of their most popular styles right this minute:The Lilac and Black Lace Organic Cotton Lingerie Set is sexy without being cheesy; sweet but not saccharine. The organic cotton fabric made with with 6% spandex is soft as can be and stretchy enough to be comfortable, but not baggy. The bra straps are thick and substantial enough to feel practical without looking only utilitarian. Next up, the Tub Dye Blue Organic Cotton Triangle Set Lingerie acts as a bright spot in the dreary winter. (Talk about a little secret underneath all those layers.)Brook hand-dyes the organic cotton fabric in her studio in Maine before sending it to Massachusetts to be cut and sewn. The double-layer cups provide extra support.If you’ll allow me to play favorites for a minute, the Black Alchemy Organic Lingerie Set would be my choice. The old-fashioned, full-coverage cut of the bottoms and the little bits of silk strike just the right old-timey starlet note for me. No surprise, I love the understated neutrals.And just for you: Brook There is offering Reading My Tea Leaves readers a whopping 30% off with the code VALENTINE30RMTL. The code expires on February 2, 2016. You might not be able to tuck away your woolens just yet, but damned if you can’t still feel sexy.