Beyond the Bedroom: 9 unexpected occasions to wear lingerie

While you may think of lingerie as inherently intimate, at Angela Friedman, we believe that our luxury designs are far too beautiful to stay behind closed doors! Our timeless lingerie and loungewear pieces can be incorporated into many different occasions to elevate your daily style, from brunch to evening strolls to music festivals, adding a unique and elegant touch to any outfit. Let’s explore how these exquisite pieces can transform into versatile, outerwear-ready essentials!

1. Brunch with friends

Weekend brunch outfits benefit from a relaxed elegance with a focus on comfort, and a touch of silk or French lace adds just the right balance. Try a soft silk camisole in blush or champagne layered under a light cardigan with high-waisted trousers. For daytime innerwear-as-outerwear styling, less is more! You only need a small peek of the camisole to complete your look. Similarly, you could opt for a lace bralette under an oversized sweater with either a low v-neck or low back, allowing the lace patterns to show for added texture. Pair with tailored jeans and ankle boots to balance casual with sophisticated.

Pro tip: Opt for soft, understated hues and solid blocks of color for that “quiet luxury” look.

Muted, summery hues and floral lingerie sets are perfect for brunch with the gals

2. Music festivals

Outdoor concerts are ideal for creative layering, because you’ll likely already be dressing for a long day and possibly unpredictable weather. Lingerie-inspired pieces add an extra edge, but also give you one more safety layer you can dress down to! If the warm weather sets in, you can always ditch your top so long as you have enough lingerie coverage underneath. Try a lace bodysuit under a distressed denim jacket or a loose kimono robe, for a carefree, festival-ready look. Or go full boho with a crochet bralette and flowy maxi skirt, adding a wide-brim hat or large statement necklace to complete the outfit.

Pro tip: Focus on natural fibers like 100% silk, cotton, or bamboo. You’ll be so glad to not be sweating into sticky synthetic fibers when you’re dancing in the sunshine all day!

A fitted base like the Evelyn bodysuit makes a great layer for a festival look

3. Museum outings

Art galleries and museums call for timeless style with a hint of artistic whimsy! A classic silk triangle bralette under a sheer blouse would be perfect; pair it with a high-waisted midi skirt for a mid-century aesthetic or go for drama with extra wide palazzo pants and heels. For a more structured look, try a silk camisole under a tailored blazer in a contrasting color. Both looks will perfectly balance softness and tailoring, ideal for when you’re feeling statuesque yourself!

Pro tip: This is no time to fear color! When art is the topic du jour, feel free to go all out with brights or deep jewel tones and contrasting shades.

100% pure silk bras offer opacity and breathability under a sheer blouse

4. Date night

A romantic dinner is, of course, the traditional opportunity to incorporate luxurious lingerie into your going-out look. Try an embroidered bralette or lace bodysuit under a fitted jacket and pair it with a pencil skirt to show off your curves even more. The lingerie layers will offer just enough of an alluring peek at what’s underneath, while layering keeps some things as a mystery! Alternatively, you can cover up a bit more by adding a flowing, high-waisted skirt and topping it off with a cropped leather jacket to play with contrasting textures.

Pro tip: For this look, focus on more fitted and curve-hugging pieces. This is a great opportunity to really push your style boundaries and show off a little extra!

Layer a jacket or wrap over a plunging bralette for the perfect date look

5. Casual shopping days

It’s not only for big date nights or vacation; lingerie can still shine for even a casual shopping day. A simple silk camisole under a cotton jacket, with skinny jeans and loafers will keep things relaxed but still cute. Or style an opaque cotton or silk bralette under a loose-knit sweater, with denim shorts or cuffed jeans. These looks blend everyday comfort with a nice and soft feel against the skin, ideal for an effortlessly stylish day out.

Pro tip: Layering your lingerie under a sheer oversized top or sweater is ideal for a shopping day, because it’ll make things easier in the fitting room! You’ll be able to quickly ditch your top layer without smudging your makeup or messing up your hairstyle.

A silk camisole or loungewear set is ideal for comfort while on a casual shopping day

6. Cocktail parties

Cocktail attire and semi-formal gatherings call for a hint of glamour, and lingerie can bring that extra touch of elegance to an otherwise simple look. Pair a structured corset or bustier top with a silk midi skirt and let the contrasting textures create a visual story for you. If coverage is a concern, you can easily add a semi-transparent shawl or pashmina wrap to hide your upper arms or keep warm on cooler nights.

Pro tip: Keep in mind whether you’ll be sitting or standing for most of the night. No matter how fashionable you want to look, you’ll also want to prioritize comfort; so don’t lace your corset too tightly if you’re going to sit down for a long meal!

A corset paired with a tulle or silk skirt is a great way to venture into underwear as outerwear if you don't want to show any midriff.

7. Artistic photo shoots

Lingerie adds so much romance to photography, especially as a focal point in an outfit. And it doesn’t have to be a full-on boudoir shoot to incorporate your favorite Angela Friedman lingerie pieces! For a chic editorial look, wear a silk kimono robe over tailored pants. The flowing drape of the silk will add visual interest without showing too much skin. Another fun option would be to layer a fitted outfit under a sheer, flowing robe or tulle dressing gown for a soft, ethereal vibe that photographs beautifully.

Pro tip: For full-body photographs, the more fabric the better! Think of how dramatic it’ll look to have swooping silk or ethereal sheer tulle flying through the air around you. You might even sneak in a quick iPhone video of the beautiful movement!

A voluminous tulle robe or dressing gown makes for high drama at a photo shoot!

8. Holiday parties

Seasonal parties and holiday gatherings are the perfect excuse to add a bit of sparkle and sophistication to your look! For a festive and outerwear-appropriate outfit, layer a silk satin camisole under a sequined or metallic jacket, pairing it with wide-leg palazzo pants to balance out the more fitted top. Or try an opaque silk bodysuit with a velvet wrap skirt and a cozy shawl or pashmina for warmth and style.

Pro tip: You don’t have to show too much skin around the family; that’s what layering is all about! Think of showing small amounts of lingerie texture along with larger proportions of your outerwear pieces. A pop of metallic jewelry or glittery eyeshadow will make the whole look shine!

Layering silk camisoles or bralettes under a jacket and long skirt makes your innerwear feel more like outerwear.

9. Evening strolls and casual dinners

A cozy evening outfit doesn’t have to sacrifice style, and even the most casual occasion can bear to add some pretty skivvies! Try layering a longer lace-trimmed slip under your dress and allowing just the hem to peek out. Pair the look with heeled ankle boots for a comfy walk or kitten heels if you’re driving. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also go for a full Y2K revival by wearing your slip dress over jeans, for the best of both worlds!

Pro tip: Slip dresses are meant to be more fitted, but if you’re thinking of layering one over a pair of jeans or trousers, you may want to size up to ensure there’s enough ease for movement.

Don't be afraid to let a silk and lace slip peek out from under your dresses!

We hope these fun suggestions will help you be a little more open-minded to the possibilities of lingerie wearing on a daily basis! From festive events to casual outings, Angela Friedman’s designs are versatile, heirloom-quality pieces that are meant to be seen and celebrated. Embracing innerwear-as-outerwear as part of your everyday wardrobe will inject a new life into pieces you already own, as well as making each occasion a bit more memorable.