Pistol Panties is well known for its gorgeous vintage swimwear, but now, after what seems an unbearably long wait, the delightful retro brand has launched its debut lingerie line exclusively at John Lewis.

The new lingerie line, named Disco, is said to reflect the brand’s super-feminine vintage style.

“Lingerie was a natural progression from our swimwear collection,” said the brand’s founder and designer Deborah Fleming.

“We have always wanted to reach a wider audience, but it is sometimes more limited with swimwear/beachwear. Since the start of our swimwear brand six years ago, our customers have always been asking us when we will start doing lingerie. I am so excited that now people can not only wear my designs on the beach but all day long.”

The lingerie pieces have been inspired by iconic pin-up stars of the Fifties and Sixties, as well as “eccentric British tea parties”, with liberty prints, pretty frills and bow trims galore, all designed to flatter any womanly silhouette.

“In a lot of ways it was very similar and the lingerie was an extension of swimwear,” explained Fleming. “We have been making Liberty print swimwear in our collection since the beginning, so we’ve always been on the bridge between swimwear and lingerie. The concept of the figure-fixing fit is also very similar but it is our first time introducing cup-sizes, which was a great learning experience for us.”

The collection is now exclusively available at John Lewis, and the company’s head lingerie buyer is convinced the line will be a surefire hit this season.

“We feel it has wide reaching appeal as not only does it offer great shapes in unique striking prints, it also offers fabulous fit,” she told Vogue UK. “There are a variety of shapes from plunging T-shirt bras to boosting balconies – together creating a unique and distinctive collaboration. As a story, we felt it really embodied Deborah’s retro styling with a fun fashion twist. ”

That’s our summer smalls sorted.