Brown lace lingerie: the EXPRESSO collection, handmade in France

Looking for brown lace lingerie, as a change from black and nude? The EXPRESSO collection by atelier culotté brings together five pieces in the same sheer, coffee-coloured lace, all sewn by hand in the workshop in Andoins, in the Béarn region of south west France. Here is what sets them apart, how to pair them and how to choose your size.

Why choose brown lace lingerie

Brown is still a rare colour in lingerie. Softer than black and bolder than a skin tone, it sits naturally with warm shades: camel, cream, terracotta, raw denim. Under a white shirt or an open knit, brown lace shows through without taking over, and it works as well in winter as it does against tanned skin in summer.

That is the whole idea behind EXPRESSO: one lace, one colour, made into tops and bottoms designed to go together. Every product page gives the same composition, 79% polyamide and 21% elastane, and the same origin: a Turkish fabric, which Chloé, the designer, makes up herself. The elastane gives the lace its stretch, so it moves with the body instead of squeezing it.

You will find every piece together in the EXPRESSO collection.

The pieces in the EXPRESSO collection

Tops

• The EXPRESSO bralette (€55): a bra in sheer lace, with a minimalist cut and light support, fastened at the centre front by a jewel that doubles as the clasp. It is a new design the designer was asked for, to go with the tanga bloomer. Available in S, M and L.
• The EXPRESSO draped top (€65): a strappy top in brown lace, with a lined front (not see-through) and a strap adjustable at the back, which you can cross or not. It comes in one size, which fits from a French 34 to 40.

Bottoms

All three bottoms have a mid-rise cut and a 100% cotton gusset. They come in S-M or L-XL.

• The EXPRESSO tanga bloomer (€35): its product page calls it, quite simply, “the best-seller”.
• The EXPRESSO bloomer briefs (€35): a fuller-coverage version of the tanga bloomer, also created on request.
• The EXPRESSO ruffle thong (€35): in sheer lace, for “a feeling of optimal lightness”.

Putting together a brown lace set

At atelier culotté, tops and bottoms are sold separately, so you can build the set that suits you. A few pairings stand out within the collection:

• Bralette and tanga bloomer: the original duo, since the bralette was made to go with this bottom.
• Bralette and bloomer briefs: the same look, with briefs that cover a little more.
• Draped top and its matching briefs: the designer created it to be “2 in 1: with jeans by day, with its matching briefs by night”.
• Bralette and ruffle thong: the lightest combination, for those who like to feel as little fabric as possible.

The draped top is the piece that most easily leaves the lingerie drawer. With jeans, pleated trousers or under a jacket, its lined front means you can wear it as a top in its own right, with the brown lace taking over from a classic camisole.

For more pairing ideas, Lingerie and swimwear: putting a set together looks at the pieces designed to go together.

Choosing your EXPRESSO size

The product pages say which size each model is wearing. They make useful reference points:

• Bralette: Noémia, a French size 36 with a B cup, wears S “for a minimalist effect”; Audrey, a French size 38 with a C cup, wears L “for a fuller-coverage effect”. So the same bralette can be chosen according to the look you are after.
• Tanga bloomer: Audrey, a size 38, wears S-M.
• Ruffle thong: Noémia (size 36) and Audrey (size 38) both wear S-M.
• Bloomer briefs: Noémia, a size 36, wears S-M.
• Draped top: in one size, it is worn both by Noémia, a size 36, and by Audrey, a size 38.

To go further, the size guide gathers the sizes available and the models' reference points for the whole shop.

Caring for brown lace lingerie

For the bralette, tanga bloomer, bloomer briefs and ruffle thong, the product pages give the same instructions:

• Wash at 40°C maximum
• Do not bleach
• Iron at low temperature
• Do not dry clean
• Do not tumble dry
• Always wash the item before wearing it

Fine lace is a delicate material. Washing by hand, or in the machine inside a mesh bag, and drying flat away from direct sunlight help keep its shape and colour. Every step is covered in how to wash lace lingerie. The draped top’s page gives no care instructions: before the first wash, the safest option is to ask the designer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EXPRESSO lingerie see-through?

Yes for the bralette, tanga bloomer, bloomer briefs and ruffle thong, which are all in sheer lace. The bottoms do, however, have a 100% cotton gusset. The draped top has a lined front and is not see-through.

What is the difference between the EXPRESSO tanga bloomer and bloomer briefs?

Both are mid-rise, in the same brown lace and with a cotton gusset. The bloomer briefs are the fuller-coverage version of the tanga bloomer: choose them if you prefer a little more fabric.

Can the draped top be worn as more than lingerie?

That is the whole point: the designer made it to be worn with jeans by day and with its matching briefs by night. Its lined front and adjustable back strap make it easy to wear as a top.

Where is the EXPRESSO brown lace lingerie made?

Each piece is sewn by hand by Chloé in her workshop in Andoins, in south west France, from a lace of Turkish origin. Orders are prepared in 2 to 5 working days and sent by tracked Colissimo, with free delivery in France on orders of €120 or more.