I’m talking about “Flirt,” the lingerie store on the Corner. Please take a moment to visit the website, www.cvilleflirt.com. Call me an old-fashioned (and garnish with a cherry), but the boutique’s offerings strike me as somewhere between flirtation and seduction. Flirtation: clothes on. Seduction: clothes on the floor. Or perhaps call me a cosmopolitan: why not a men’s collection, or an entirely separate undergarment shop on University? Then, everyone’s clothes are involved.
I am all for women feeling attractive under their clothes and having fun behind closed doors, and I like Flirt’s collections. I do not, however, care for its location. Flirt sells its own necessity with its Corner location. By this, I mean that Corner businesses become student norms by their very proximity to Grounds. This has debatably positive and negative effects. Because Ethiopian and Thai restaurants are on the Corner, students are likely to forego burgers at some point and take a culinary foray into the unknown. Because the Satellite Ballroom is behind Little John’s, students will see great musicians. But some businesses, while “awesome,” are not explicitly noble or healthy. Because the White Spot sells a burger with a fried egg at 3 in the morning, students will go there drunk and eat three. Because there’s a tattoo and piercing parlor over Coupe’s, students will think about getting a tattoo of a symbol in a language they’ve never studied on their back, where they can’t see it but I can… and make fun of it. (As a non-student, I did get a superfluous ring or two there, so I swear I’m not a hypocrite!)
The Corner is not just for students, of course. The Corner serves hospital staff and University of Virginia faculty, and heck, I’ll park there for QDoba or the imminent Christian’s. I’ll even drink at Buddhist and play Trivia at Mellow Mushroom. But I think we can all agree that it serves mostly students.
I’m blabbering.
All I’m saying is that I’d hate for first- or second-year women to feel pressure to shop for boutique lingerie, because it’s there and their friends are doing it. Progressive though we may wish we were, I think buying lingerie still has overtly sexual connotations. Buying lingerie implies wearing lingerie for someone, no matter how many times my friends insist they just like to “feel pretty everywhere.” Go back to when you were 18. What did you think of the girl who announced that she wanted a buttery nipple body shot? College is an important time for experimentation, but this should come when women are ready. More power to the women who are ready to go wild. My heart goes out to the women who just aren’t there yet.
Any students who want to volunteer their dads’ reactions, I would love to hear them. I’m imagining there were some swerves, maybe a, “If that appears on the credit card statement, I’m cutting you off!” or a, “I hear it gets really cold in the winters here.” Or, better yet, “I need a drink.” (“Redheaded slut, dad?” For those, I recommend Maarten’s.)
Popularity: 9% [?]
Tagged as: Graphic, Gripes, Humor, Local Business, The Corner, UVA
Women are buying/wearing lingerie in high school and junior high now.
Hell, even some of the girls I was with in junior high and such had some, and that was 12 years ago!
I hardly think this is really that much of a new societal pressure on them.
I meant 14 years ago, oops. Christ, I’m getting old.
Now get off my lawn.
I’m not saying young women don’t buy it or shouldn’t, I’m saying I hope the sexually cautious and vulnerable new college women don’t feel like they have to buy it because it’s there, or act on it because they’re wearing it. I hope Flirt does really well, too. I love small business and empowered women! I’m just taking a dubious position figuratively on a dubious position literally.
I just think we’re desensitized enough now by it .. I mean, Victoria’s Secret puts this stuff in mall windows all the time, where you have people of all ages walking by, not just new college students.
Just sayin’.
Pressure to shop for boutique lingerie? Being convinced of necessity *solely by virtue of proximity*? I sure hope these same women weren’t trusted to choose their own college…
I think its great something like Flirt exists in Cville. This town needs every bit of help to push it into an area the rest of the world have already embraced. The food scene is definitely helping…and Flirt could be the proverbial cherry on the pie.
I’d just like to say GIVE ME A BREAK. I’m not sure what kind of first year girls you hang out with, but most of them have already slept around in high school. They are screaming for a good lingerie store, and Flirt is giving it to them. Furthermore, who says that wearing a nice looking bra means you have to throw out all of your morals?
Katie, I agree… it’s kinda like saying if alcohol is around it creates alcoholics or if lingerie is around that makes women more promiscuous.
Example: “Hey UVA girl, here is a gift certificate to Flirt. As soon as you buy something you can come hang out with me.” Guess what happen next?
That would be quite the business opportunity…
keep dreaming, guys.
Should we also not provide condoms on the off chance that they will inspire a virgin to give it up, or keep umbrellas out of sight so that students aren’t dwelling on the possibility of anything other than blue skies? I would hope that of all of this things that require reform on a college campus we will focus on things like equal opportunity, binge drinking and fair wages before we wonder if the suggestion of panties is going to turn one of the country’s more reputable colleges into a lingerie bedecked harem. Perhaps we should focus on, oh I don’t know…educating women on sounds choices rather than reverting back to archaic habits preaching out of sight, out of mind as a means of promoting a society of good clean decent folk.
Okay, okay, you’re calling me old-fashioned.
I’m kind of tired of seeing all these protests in comments and few new users posting. HINT! How about a full rebuttal in praise of sorority panty parties? Come ON! It would be boring if this were just Thor and me. Sometimes I post “contrarian” stuff to make people react on purpose, and still! Question: is Italian lingerie the undergarment equivalent of Polos and Lily as the (dare I say it) “uniform” for UVA girls? Is there an equivalent for men? Another question: yes, in NYC and LA, lingerie boutiques are not hard to find on main streets, but does it matter that they’re obscured by tons of businesses besides and are in non-restrictive/socially liberal places? Is Charlottesville / UVA less uptight than I think?
Already have an idea…lets make a survey on this site regarding this topic and target the UVA undergrads. Now that is investigative journalism!
What Flirt says to me is I am not rich enough to be a student at the University. Uncomfortable underwear for top shelf prices that will eventually end up on the floor- no thanks. Just say yes to rebelling against dumb trends.
What’s the lingerie shop like on Water Street? It’s coincidentally located next to what used to be the baby supply store.
Jennifer: if we all wore functional clothing, there would be no tight jeans and no thongs…Isn’t the point of lingerie to look even better while taking it off?
You cant put a price on the final tease;)
I am sorry cocoNUT, are you speaking a different language because I dont understand what you are saying or talking about. j/k.
the one on water street– derriere de soie (silky bottoms) is great! well priced well made, beautiful undergarments for women of every size! (my ‘fat’ friend[her words, not mine] LOVES the place.) Susan, the owner, is a sweetheart and helpful. She grabbed my boob at a bar one time and told me my bra size! of course, i had given her ermission for such a touch…
anyhow, flirt. whatever. its for sorority girls. and i dont think sluts even wear underwear these days so, you know…
here’s what really gets me: why did they open a SECOND head shop on the corner? why not open one in belmont, where the real stoners live??
So let me get this straight. The mere presence of a lingerie shop on the Corner is going to send subliminal messages of pressure to women who may not be ready to have sex? Wha?? That makes absolutely no sense, and it’s paternalistic and patronizing to boot. Most college women are adults, so what exactly is the problem? Plus, it’s a damn sight closer than the Victoria’s Secret at Fashion Sqaure mall.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Charlottesville a pretty blue spot in a state that’s awfully full of red, particularly toward the central and southern regions?
And one more thing: There are plenty of students at UVA who are not conservative, who do not wear Polo, who are gay, and liberal, and otherwise socially progressive. Just because the chipsters and their popped collars get all the press doesn’t mean the secret underbelly doesn’t exist. I managed to get through four years of school there quite happily (I was even in a sorority!), and I’m a tree-hugging pinko commie liberal.
Don’t wear the stuff (never fits well - maybe that’s why I can’t get a date?) But I agree with Jennifer - not something I care about, and it is a dumb trend. Businesses open and close at the drop of a bra these days. We’ll see what sticks around.
There is a car dealership a half a mile from my house.
There is a vacuum cleaner store on my way to work.
Sometimes when I take my lunch break I drive by the Indian restaurant.
Do I have any urge or inclination to buy any of those items on a daily basis because they’re there flashing shiny metal at me? Nope. I don’t need a car or a vacuum cleaner and I don’t particularly care for Indian food. Do I know where I could go if I wanted a car or a vacuum cleaner, or Indian food? Yep. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it.
Assuming that having a lingerie store pressures little undergraddie girls to buy sexy lingerie is just plain insulting to everyone’s intelligence. They’ll buy what they want, when they want. Assuming that it pressures them into it is just plain paranoid. Even I don’t think that, and I constantly think everyone’s out to get me. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I’ve run out of tinfoil to make hats.
Beside, if they really wanted to play into your theory of subliminating the stupidity of undergrads, they’d be open at 2 in the morning after everybody gets plenty tipsy and more willing to spend money.
But they’re not.
The pressure to spend big bucks on fashion was around at UVA long before Flirt ever existed. Let’s keep in mind that Flirt isn’t selling sex toys and raunchy crotchless underwear. They sell cute underwear and bras, clothing and cute gifts! It’s also the best place in town to get the random neccesities that are hard to find…underwear to hide unsightly cellulite and unruly nipples. How can you be worried about a boutique on the Corner when Victoria’s Secret is baring it all at our local family friendly mall?
Ok Lilith just admit you weren’t 100% serious. Sorry ladies, I’ll punish her for you.
Kiss my well dressed ass Lilith. Flirt is by far my favorite store on the corner with the cutest things. Just to piss you off, I think I’ll open up a store next to the “White Spot” and “Sweet Spot” and call it the “G Spot” and specialize in sex toys and erotic videos. I’ll give you 50% off your first vibrator because it looks like an orgasm might just loosen you up a bit.
… now ladies
Well, well, seems to me that the ones that are pissed off are the ones not getting a piece of any sort of action. Grow up ho’s. Just because you are wearing some hot ass undergarments does not mean that you are a slut. It is quite invigorating to be the only one that knows how sexy you look under your clothes. Maybe no one will ever know (that is sad by the way), but if and when the time comes you will be prepared.
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be in an accident and your clothes have to be removed, only to reveal your undergarments. I sleep better knowing that if that time comes, I won’t be wearing some raggity ass hand me downs from my mother or Wal Mart. Take it how you like it ladies, these are just the facts. Don’t be a hater because Flirt thought of all of this and you didn’t. Maybe one day your UVA education will get you some where too, but with that attitude the only place you are going is back to mama’s house where you can sit and wonder what it would be like to have a little experience…….
I think that it is king of funny that this topic was even mentioned just because it is located on the corner. what about the rest of charlotteville? what about the people that don’t go to UVA and the corner is not part of college life? what do you say to them about buying lingerie. The store isn’t sending sexually suggestive messages, and it has more than just lingerie. Most of it yes is lingerie, but there is more to it than that. And when you look at it a lot of the stuff is very cutesie instead of just “sexual”. As for the affordable part. I’ve never been one to shop in victoria secret, but FLIRT i will go to. Especially when they have promos which the have quite alot. It’s another way for women to express themselves. If some group isn’t comfortable with it that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily a bad thing. I think that this article isn’t getting at the right thing. You want to talk about inappropriate or not aiding charlottesville talk about the gentrification going on around low income housing, talk about the problem of diversity just being about skin color and not just about diverse minds, heck if you wanna talk about sex talk about the sex store that is located right at KFC where a bunch of teenage kids go to. Talk about spencer’s in the mall where there is more of a chance for it to affect teens. I understand what your saying and it’s nice to be concerned, but I really don’t think Flirt being on the corner is that big of a bad thing. I personally like it and i bet you tons of women on campus do to, and not just for it’s sex appeal for men, and I really highly doubt there is a large percent of high schoolers shopping on the corner in general. I’m from charlottesville and they’d much rather go to the mall, or out of town in general.
This thread is awesome. I’m eagerly awaiting Lilith’s rebuttal.
No need for a rebuttal. I just got 26 comments, many from new people.
Mission accomplished. I even said I was writing something contrary to the norm to see what people would say! I dislike lingerie shopping and lingerie boutiques in general. I feel peer pressure to spend a lot of money on uncomfortable clothing items with tiny surface areas that are appreciated for less than 30 seconds. It’s an unpopular point of view. So what? Feel sorry for me.
Sorry, Ethan, but I have no need to be right or prove a point. Life is so much more enjoyable this way.
i think i just figured out lilith’s identity and true motive for her strange take on Flirt. if i’m wrong, i’m not far off…
thor, pick something you want to see me in and put it on hold. let’s have a last hurrah before we sign the papers.
I guess I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum - far from wanting to have anything to do with preserving the moral fortitude of our recent influx of nubile wonder, I’m running around like Steve Martin in The Jerk: “THE NEW FIRST YEARS ARE HERE! THE NEW FIRST YEARS ARE HERE!”
d’oy (”A” jerk, not “The” jerk)
how about this:
http://www.toysperu.com/McFarlane/OzWizard2.jpg
or
http://www.toysperu.com/McFarlane/OzDorothy2.jpg
wow.. the internet is full of strange things.
You know, some girls might need a trip to a real lingerie shop (though I doubt Flirt is one…do they have an old lady with a tape measure around her neck?).
I found myself walking on The Corner this morning behind a young lady in a green, cotton dress. The cotton was light weight and clingy. She was wearing cotton bikini briefs that were bunched up all over, so she looked ridiculous from behind.
I’m not saying the girl needed sexy lingerie, but she needs to upgrade her undergarments from those sold in three-packs.
You should read the story that goes along with those Thor. It’s very…different.
I really don’t think Flirt is driving first years to be promiscuous. The booze, frat guys, and lack of parents take care of that. Flirt just makes it a better looking experience.
Upstart, so true. I mean, I still buy the stuff! (Duh.) My pet peeve: bra straps. Big, chunky, visible bra straps.
Solution: don’t wear a bra.
I find it rather interesting that you think there is a direct correlation between Flirt and Sex. Honestly, they have nice, decently sized bras, panties, nightwear, jewelry, bags, tummy controls, makeup, and dresses. My friend is a rare bra size and can only find it at flirt. I desperately needed a garter and got one for $14 regular price (I wear dresses and thigh highs- it is practical for me). That is $20 cheaper than anywhere else. I am a poor college student with little money. I was excited to get WAHOOWA! underwear there! Some bras are $16 before being 40% off. There are a grand range of prices in the store, really reasonable prices for the money minded- and more expensive for the more indulging folk.
People don’t decided to have sex based on undergarments. My friend who is not sexually active at all loves to wear pretty bras and underwear. It makes her feel better and happy. I like cute bras. Also, I bought a lovely night gown and cami-pant set for a decent price and they feel so soft and wonderful. They are quality garments that aren’t going to get a hole in them after a few wears like most other things (Walmart, target,etc).
Nothing that they sell is overtly provocative. I don’t see where this: “Oh no! We must hurry and have sex because there is hot lingerie here!” attitude is coming from. Most of their stuff is rather conservative, while maintaining and aestetically pleasing characteristic. The garments are soft and aren’t the least bit uncomfortable. Have you even TRIED their stuff on?
Also- they even have wonderful beauty products for $1 each- like an eyelash curler (which works like a dream) and other fun aspects to treat a woman. As for a male section, you have to consider that it is indeed a store- wanting to make a profit. Women are more apt to buy attractive undergarments NOMATTER THEIR SEXUAL ACTIVITY. VIRGINS EVEN LIKE CUTE UNDERWEAR! Men are less likely to spend money on such things or enjoy them as much. Look at men in general. Many don’t even try to take the time to buy nice shirts or clothes that fit them right- but you think that they would be devoted shoppers to a male-undergarment store?
Women love choices of where to shop for undergarments- not just Victoria’s Secret (which has long-lasting bras by the way) or another large corporate store. Flirt is a close proximity that you don’t have to fight to get to. Traffic is horrible in Cville- and it is nice to know if you are going out for a date function in a pretty prom dress, that your underwear isn’t showing, or your nipples aren’t poking out do to the cold. They have pasties and other things. Fabric tape even!
Really, what are you arguing about? Truly? They aren’t hurting anyone- and they are selling things that people wear. I wear what I want for myself- no one else. I may have a boyfriend- but I don’t buy undergarments solely thinking, “Oh, my boyfriend will LOVE me in this.” I have to love it, like it, and feel comfortable in it. I have to want it for myself. It is my money and I can damn well spend it where I want to. I work hard for it.
What if you are a man and you want to buy lady panties at Flirt? Is that OK?
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I love this look. I keep trying to add a few pieces like this to my collection, but I can never seem to find them, when I’m out shopping.
Layla - don’t you have enough of those? Branch out baby.
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