My mother used to have a clothesline in the backyard. I can picture it so clearly – the wafting scent of sweet lilac as the breeze gently blew by. I remember a cascade of colours as the laundry swayed back and forth – the sun hitting at all different angles and casting a prism over the green grass. It was there she would proudly and ceremoniously hang her panties, all in a line, two closepegs in each. As a young girl I would like to look at all the pretty designs, and watch her as she carefully hung each one, putting all the pinks together, the whites together, the brightly coloured, the polkadots.
30 years later, I can’t help but think of that clothesline – that special place in time where I learned to understand my mother as a woman, and not just a mom. Only now that I myself have two young boys at home and am working full-time do I truly recognise: the struggle is real! Some days I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror racing off to soccer practice and wonder where the woman went who generally looked pretty put together, had a closet full of nice clothes, and a lingerie collection to die for. In the early days of motherhood, my definition of feeling good about what I was wearing under my clothes was having underwear with no holes, or by pure coincidence only, my underwear matching my bra (the bra with the underwire jutting out of one side, poking me incessantly throughout the day, nonetheless). As women become mothers, they embrace their motherly role with all their might; they buy every motherhood book on the market, they pour themselves into all the expert advice on sleep, and potty training, and toddlers, and the best schools, and how to combat bullies, and how to raise kind, socially conscious kids. Mothers take great pride in being good at their job, as they should! It can be hard, grueling work, and more often than not, while mothers are busy taking care of everybody else, they forget to take care of themselves.
It occured to me one night while I was busy momming that I couldn’t remember the last time I had bought anything for myself. I had forgotten the side of me that was woman who likes cute purses, lipstick, a blow-out every now and then, and most of all, cute underwear. This was where the idea of Sexy Britches was born. It was a joining together of passions: making people feel happy, and really nice underwear. With Sexy Britches, I want to help women remember their sexy side with pretty underwear that is personally delivered to them every month. Out with the old and in with the new!
As women, we know how important it is to feel confident about what we are wearing under our clothes – it can completely change your approach to each day. Especially when taking care of everyone else in our lives, it’s only fair to also remember what our little indulgences are, and what makes us feel sexy and confident. Whatever that indulgence is, whatever you choose it to be, remember not to feel guilty about it. Carve out some time regularly to take care of yourself, and kindle your own fire. You deserve to love yourself as much as you love everyone else.
