How This Lingerie Designer Is Bringing Sexy Back for 9-to-5

While a slip dress may suddenly top your spring wish list this season, it has always been a constant in TyLynn Nguyen’s wardrobe. The model turned lingerie designer makes some of the most coveted versions in the business for her Los Angeles–based namesake line, which, since its 2015 launch, has attracted customers like Gigi Hadid. Nguyen’s silk bra and pantie sets, sinuous camisoles, and figure-flattering bodysuits work as well tucked into a pair of high-waisted jeans as they do between the sheets. Every piece is injected with a sexy, laissez-faire aesthetic and appealing notes of L.A. minimalism.

In fact, the nearly 6-foot-tall mother of two incorporates her favorites from the collection into her professional uniform of perfectly broken-in Levi’s denim and a sleek blazer from her enviable collection of outerwear for a look that is as perfect for working in her office downtown as it is for a dinner date with her husband. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the stunning Boston native tells us how she uses lingerie to add a sense of allure to everyday dressing, and how showing just the barest hint of one’s back can make the biggest impression.

Statement-Making Underwear
I was always interested in beautiful things. Books, paintings, architecture, travel, and fashion were always something very beautiful to me. My first real fashion memory is shooting with Bruce Weber at 17. I was enchanted by this legend I had heard of and read about in fashion magazines. I first fell in love with lingerie when I realized it was a true expression of who my mother was. She was an army drill sergeant and would wear Eres lingerie under her military uniform! I also had a professor in college who spoke frequently to me about the importance of women understanding underpinnings and what they stood for. Wearing underwear is a statement for yourself; it’s learning to quietly love all that you are. Most people believe lingerie is to show another person, and although that may be true, I believe it is also a private sentiment to oneself.

Photo: Elias Tahan

Alexandre Vauthier peaked lapels blazer, $1,488, farfetch.com; Jennifer Fisher custom necklace, price upon request, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; TyLynn Nguyen Calla slip, $250, tylynnnguyen.com; Eres La Pagode Concorde lace-trimmed stretch-satin briefs, $200, net-a-porter.com; Givenchy star-embossed zip-around leather wallet, $618, matchesfashion.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Courtesy of tylynnguyen.com; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com

L.A. Means Laid-Back Lingerie
When I launched my brand in March 2015, my vision was to change the silhouettes of current lingerie and what is considered sexy. It’s great for some women to have a ton of frill in their lingerie, but I wanted to show the sophistication of women and sex through simplicity. The first piece that I ever made I did so sitting at my kitchen table, sewing on my machine. My original business plan included me sitting and sewing each garment. But after we launched and sales started coming through—and I was pregnant—I realized that in order to fulfill those orders, I would need a manufacturer. We found a production facility in downtown Los Angeles so we could keep the brand “Made in L.A.”—and we’ve never looked back.

Working Uniform
A typical workday for me starts early. Around 5:00 a.m. I am checking my email. I’m looking for store orders and anything from the factory or fabric houses I deal with. Once 7:00 a.m. hits, I have an idea of those things, and I get my daughter and son ready and head to my office downtown or to Soho House to take meetings and begin going over upcoming photo shoots and new collections. Each day is very different but the same. If I’m running around to the factory and shooting, I am usually wearing a TyLynn Nguyen bodysuit, a turtleneck, or an Ellery top with high-waisted denim or trousers and my favorite Newbark flats or Lanvin loafers. If I have meetings, I will most likely throw on a TyLynn Nguyen slip and one of my favorite blazers over my shoulders with heels. But since I clock in around 6 feet, my height can become overwhelming! Then “You’re so tall!” becomes the first topic of every conversation.

Photo: Courtesy of TyLynn Nguyen

Anita and Green khaki waterfall trenchcoat, $51, newlook.com; Ellery Mickey merino wool blend roll-neck sweater, $1,103, matchesfashion.com; Vetements distressed slim jeans, $1,395, mytheresa.com; TyLynn Nguyen Rose pantie, $74, tylynnnguyen.com; Maison Margiela leather ankle boots, $995, stylebop.com; TyLynn Nguyen Rose bra, $160, tylynnnguyen.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of newlook.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of mytheresa.com; Courtesy of tylynnnguyen.com; Courtesy of stylebop.com; Courtesy of tylynnnguyen.com

Lingerie for the Day-to-Date-Night Look
I definitely get dressed from the inside out. My favorite everyday pieces are the TyLynn Nguyen Rose bra and pantie. These pieces always make me feel powerful and seductive. Because the items are higher waisted, I tend to wear vintage Levi’s with a great button-up and leave a few buttons undone, or I’ll throw a slip on top with a power jacket. Just makes for easy dressing! My Orchid bodysuits are a weekly staple for me. I wear them with a great pair of jeans and flats for everyday running around. My slip is perfect for day to night—it’s literally power dressing in meetings to date night with my husband. I transition my look by taking my jacket off and revealing my silk camisole and bare shoulders. The low back of the Calla cami is a sure date-night success!

Photo: Elias Tahan

Westcott wood ruler, $1, homedepot.com; TyLynn Nguyen Calla cami, $110, tylynnnguyen.com; Acne Studios Heather biker jacket, $2,065, matchesfashion.com; Lanvin multi-braided metallic leather flat sandal, $1,390, saksfifthavenue.com; Givenchy medium Nightingale bag, $2,450, kirnazabete.com; J.W.Anderson ruffled-front buttoned skirt, $686, matchesfashion.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Home Depot; Courtesy of tylynnngyuyen.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue; Courtesy of Kirna Zabete.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com

Jackets Bring the Chic Vibes
I love jackets—a standout coat or blazer or bomber can make any outfit look superchic, as well as lend an air of sophistication. I have an incredible collection of jackets that I’ve either inherited or bought over the past decade or so. Style is a feeling, and I feel jackets. I have an amazing Acne Studios half-leather/half-corduroy jacket and an insane Chanel robe I use as an overcoat—my favorites. Alexandre Vauthier, Vetements, and Dior also have some great jackets I have my eye on to add to my jacket collection.

East Coast vs. West Coast Style Battle!
I love the East Coast, but it’s much more conservative. Both of my parents had their hands in banking, so it was always power dressing and black-tie events. Los Angeles is so much more laid-back. I love black, brown, tan, white, army green. I have a saying for it: “I love colorful neutrals.” My dressing has a greater sense of freedom to it these days in L.A.

Photo: Courtesy of TyLynn Nguyen

Vintage Scores
California has also opened my palette to denim and vintage styles. I have piles of Levi’s I found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market for $20, and I can wear them with everything—always a staple for when I am running around in Los Angeles. There are so many vintage shops in L.A., and there are always those one or two pieces you find sporadically that turn out to be pure gold. For some of my designer vintage pieces I love to shop at What Goes Around Comes Around and Decades.

Accessory Game
I’m not a huge jewelry girl, but I wear pieces my husband gives me. He has great taste! It makes them very special. I wear my wedding rings, my daughter’s and son’s name necklaces, and my diamond earrings. I also have a few pieces from my great-grandmother on my mom’s side that I love so much and wear on a date here and there. As for bags, I have a black Givenchy carryall in which I store all of the patterns I am working on at the moment, rulers, my computer, samples, my wallet, kids’ clothes, you name it!

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The 7-Day Lingerie Experiment

If you’re a busy, on-the-go woman (and I’m pretty sure you are!), you probably know how easy it is to lose track of your libido, forget about your sensual side, and totally deplete all of your sexual energy. It’s as if one day you embraced and enjoyed your sensuality, and the next day you couldn’t even remember if you ever experienced it! So frustrating!

One of the primary reasons you lose track of the sensual woman inside of you is that everyday life just pushes her to the side. And once she’s off to the side, you start to ignore her. And pretty soon, you forget she’s even there. Because she’s usually not loud or brash or pushy. Instead, she’s just sitting over there, waiting for you to notice her and give her some attention. (But if the sensual woman inside of you happens to be loud or brash or pushy, that’s completely normal too. And I’m jealous of you.)

(Let me stop for just a moment and say that this post is intended for women in generally healthy marriages and healthy situations, who just need a little encouragement to boost their sensuality and sexual energy. If you’re dealing with difficult personal or health issues or an unhealthy marriage, I know that this post won’t be helpful for you. If you find yourself in one of those situations, please talk with a doctor or professional counselor and get the help you need. Friends and even people with some expertise, like a pastor, may offer some helpful advice, but it’s likely that a professional will be able to help you more quickly and effectively. I’m not a professional, but if you’d like for me to pray for you, feel free to email me – gc @ calmhealthysexy.com.)

So, if you’ve lost track of your sensual woman, is there anything you can do? Or is she going to be MIA for the rest of your life? Fortunately, the answers are “yes, you can” and “no, she isn’t.” You can find her and embrace her and build her up. We’ve talked in the past about some ways to do that. Things like reining in your family’s schedule (so it doesn’t run you ragged), making time for exercise, getting enough sleep, learning to say no, and simply prioritizing sensuality and intimacy in your life and marriage. (I’m including links to some of those articles below.)

But today I want to suggest another idea, something very simple that could make a difference in the way you and I feel about ourselves as sensual women – a 7-Day Lingerie Experiment. I haven’t tried it yet but I think it could work, and I’m inviting you to try it with me. And although we could do this any time of the year, Valentine’s Day seems like a great time to give it a try.

The premise is simple – if you wear lingerie that makes you feel sensual and sexy, you’ll begin to think of yourself as a sensual woman. And if you wear frumpy old underwear all the time, you’ll tend to think of yourself as a bit frumpy. Because I don’t know about you, but my typical day-to-day “lingerie” is neither sensual or sexy. It’s functional, but that’s about it. And the sensual woman inside of me really isn’t all that crazy about it.

So I’m encouraging both of us to try this - beginning on Valentine’s Day (or any day this weekend) and continuing for 7 days, wear lingerie that makes you feel great. Not lingerie that’s supposed to be “hot,” but in reality feels like an instrument of torture. Not lingerie that only a size 2 model could love. Not even lingerie that your husband likes. Wear lingerie that you like, that makes you feel good and sensual and maybe even a little bit sexy. Wear it all day, even if you’re going to work or homeschooling your kids or chasing toddlers. Wear it for you, and let it encourage you to embrace your power as a sensual woman – every day for 7 days.

Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t have any lingerie that makes me feel that way.” But you might and just don’t realize it. Because if you’re like me, the sensual stuff gets pushed to the back of the drawer, while the ho-hum stuff hangs out in the front. So dig around and see what you can find. And if you don’t have enough, consider heading to Target or Wal-Mart or any discount store near you in the next day or two. Because lingerie that feels good doesn’t have to break your budget.

Listen, I know that this is a very simple proposition. And I know it’s not a panacea for finding your sensual woman if she’s seriously missing in action. But it can be a start. At the very least it sends your mind a message that says, “Hey, this is important to me. I’m trying to get things going. How about if you cooperate?”

What do you think? Are you interested in giving the 7-Day Lingerie Experiment a try? I’m planning to start on Sunday, which is Valentine’s Day. Maybe you need another week to get organized for it – that’s fine too. If you’re planning to try it this week or sometime soon, let me know in the Comments or email me at gc @ calmhealthysexy.com. I would love to hear from you.

You may want to check out these articles too:

• Simple Ways to Feel Sexy
• Here’s Why You Need to Manage Your Family’s Schedule
• Exercise Can Improve Your Health – and Your Sex Life
• 5 Words Every Woman Needs to Learn to Say
• Essential Oils and Sensuality
• Don’t Forget – Sex is About You Too

Gaye Groover Christmus shares healthy ideas for your life and marriage at CalmHealthySexy.

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