At one point we Brits ruled the world.  The goods we consumed and traded were made by our own fair hands and considered some of the finest quality in manufacture.  We bought British because it stood for the best, our livelyhoods depended on the presence of the working factory and the union flag was our symbol that represented the British stronghold and we were proud of it.

Then we fell out of love with Britain as we were seduced by quicker foreign imports, lower prices and our demands for instant gratification before quality and substance grew into our throw away society where we no longer cherished what we wrenched with our hands.  Made in Britain was lost.

Thankfully, in strange homage to the days of the war, through our recent modern financial crisis we’ve re-ignited our interest with rites of passage we all used to live by.  The ‘Make Do and Mend’ revival has brought sentimentality and appreciation of what little we have.  British became trendy.  Made in Britain was back.

If you watched the Channel 4 show, Mary’s Bottom Line, you’ll recognise the name Kinky Knickers.  Mary Portas decided that enough was enough with our love of outsourced manufacture (yes, even stout British brand Marks and Spencer make their briefs in Sri Lanka: I know, I’ve just checked!), we had to bring our skilled trades back and fire up the factories that once were our country’s backbone.  So, Mary set about the inception of the new intimate apparel-wear to be crafted by British hands and using the finest British fabric.

Mary Portas at Kinky Knickers Image – Clara Molden

Having watched the series myself, I was so excited to find out what Kinky Knickers were really like.  I received two ridiculously cute boxes with the 50s stylised retro branding featuring a cheeky pin up girl. The detail in the packaging alone will stop you from putting the box out in the recycling bag!  Opening the box up you’re instructed to ‘Show your knickers’; Kinky Knickers are not shy about their product.

Cute ‘n’ Retro Packaging

Inside the little box

I was sent the scalloped edge Kinky Knickers which retail for £15 each: the Pink with Red and the Black with Cobalt Blue.  Both colourways are beautiful and vibrant.  My knickers are a size Small and they fit perfectly on my size 12 bum.

The Pink/Red and the Black/Coral Blue knickers

I was massively impressed when I took the knickers out of the box, I was honestly expecting the lace to feel coarse and it wasn’t.  The main body of the knickers are so soft and the scalloped lace edging is substantial and doesn’t feel like it’ll come loose at the seams.  All of the lace used is authentic Nottingham lace which is totally stretchy.  From watching the tv show I knew the people who constructed and stitched the knickers were training apprentices whose pasts made me dubious of the potential quality and workmanship: I’m eating my own words to say they are really, really well made.

The front of the knickers

The back of the knickers

A hidden note found in the gusset of every pair of Kinky Knickers

Mary Portas and the Kinky Knickers makers Image – Clara Molden

Kinky Knickers fly the flag for the Made in Britain brand which is something I passionately believe in promoting.  God save Kinky Knickers!