Looking to refresh your top drawer or spice up your lingerie game? You’re in luck. British Vogue has broken down the best lingerie brands that can help you do just that. No matter what you’re looking for, we believe that what you wear underneath your clothes should make you feel just as great as the outfit itself. We also stand by the notion that it’s totally acceptable to wear your most romantic lace bralette under a pair of sweats and a tee. Whatever the occasion, great lingerie is a rewarding find.
You may not have considered lingerie as an investment purchase before, but it’s just as important as say, a basic white T-shirt or a sturdy pair of shoes. Think about it: you want underwear that’ll provide a foundation for any outfit, lasting for years to come – so it’s essential that you track down something you love.
How do I choose the right lingerie?
Unfortunately in the lingerie world, it’s difficult to find a one-stop-wonder and you’ll need different bras for different outfits. A laid-back look will call for a bra without lace or too many textures. If you’re styling an outfit with a deep V-neck, or even something backless, you’ll have to make appropriate accommodations with your lingerie. You’ll need a different bra to achieve each look.
To get a sense of which style of bra you should buy, look towards the clothing that you find yourself reaching for the most. You can also do an audit of your existing lingerie collection – what is it that you wear again and again? What is it about your favourite bra that you really love? What is missing? And then go from there. You want to make sure you have all your foundations covered – like a strapless bra and a T-shirt bra, for example. It’s always worth having yourself measured to ensure you’ve got the right size and fit, and many of our favourite lingerie brands offer this in store.
What are the best lingerie brands?
There isn’t one answer to this question because there are so many different types of lingerie that cater to different needs. Do you want support? Shapewear? A plain T-shirt bra? Or something more delicate? Wiring or no wiring? We’ve rounded-up brands that our editors think make the very best lingerie, divided by categories and different factors, so you can find your perfect bra, whatever you’re after.
Our list below also includes many luxury brands that have a reputation for creating the best underwear out there, such as La Perla, Coco de Mer and Eres. Small start-ups and e-commerce sites are challenging what lingerie should look and feel like in this day and age. And if you’re looking to shop small, or more sustainably (or both), there are options for that, too.
- Best lacy lingerie: Coco De Mer Lace Underwired Balconette Bra, £145
- Best lingerie brand for basics: Hanro Cotton Sensation Soft Cup Bra, £70
- Best glamourous lingerie gown: Gilda & Pearl Silk Robe, £390
- Best comfortable lingerie: & Other Stories Floral Lace Underwire Bra, £35
- Best lingerie for bringing the romance: La Perla Maison Embroidered Silk-Satin Chemise, £540
- Best colourful underwear: Dora Larsen Embroidered Tulle Lucille Underwire Bra, £78
- Best shapewear lingerie: Skims Seamless Sculpt Sculpting Bra, £38
Covers all bases
The ubiquitous underwear uniform of influencers across the globe, Lounge deals in more than the cosy logo sets you’ll have seen all over your feed. Take, for example, its modular T-shirt bra, which transforms into a racerback, halterneck, one-shoulder or strapless support to suit every ensemble. Big-bust friendly, it’s also a great port of call for classic lingerie staples – like this flattering balcony bra and, elsewhere, lace-trimmed bodysuits that add allure under a boxy blazer.
Made with form and function in mind, Natori has something for everyone. The brand stocks everything from comfortable T-shirt bras to sophisticated pieces, offers a full size range, and has a silhouette for every occasion.
M&S is a truly tried and highly trusted stalwart in all things fashion, and lingerie is no exception. Their in-house addition to the underwear department, B by Boutique, offers up ’90s-inspired high-waisted cuts and delicate designs, while Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s edit is full of sophisticated two-piece sets. Soft bralettes, wired bras and lacier pieces await.
Lacy, beautiful lingerie
Coco de Mer describes itself as the “house of pleasure”. A one-stop-shop for all things sensual, the brand specialises in delicate lingerie in the prettiest silks and lace. Time to treat yourself, or someone special.
The Scandi high-street hero & Other Stories also delivers firm industry favourites for the knicker drawer. From simple, seamless sets to playful lace designs and gathered silk undergarments, there’s a plethora of styles fit for every occasion. Everything is also an affordable price point, but has beautiful quality compared to its high-street competitors.
If a titillating wardrobe of intricate underwear takes your fancy, look no further than Boux Avenue. The British-born brand boasts a collection of lacy chemises, bras and bikinis in cup sizes A to G, giving a beautiful confidence boost to women of every shape and size.
A touch of boudoir glamour
Conjuring Old Hollywood with flirtatious cuts and fabulous feathered trims, it’s no wonder Gilda & Pearl is an A-List favourite. Seen on Hailey Bieber in Vogue’s very own Beauty Secrets, the label’s luxurious robes steal the show in a lingerie collection starring plenty of sensual silk, lace and sheer separates. Plus, the gorgeous adornments are all ethically designed, made only with sustainably sourced feathers. We’re in love.
Basic underwear and foundation pieces
Like the rest of Wolford’s coveted foundation pieces (think comfortable and performance-focused bodysuits, hosiery, slips, polo-necks, and shapewear), its lingerie puts the emphasis on quality. The brand’s offering of bras and briefs aligns perfectly with its approach to everyday essentials, and will be trusty foundations under any of your outfits.
Years of development and innovation means Hanro’s lingerie offering delivers peak comfort. Billed as “pure luxury on the skin”, its soft-cup bras and jersey briefs are a perfect foundation for any outfit.
Farewell VPL, Commando’s pieces create an “invisible effect”, achieved using innovative technical fabrics. Seamless microfibre thongs and briefs, sculpting bralettes – available with spaghetti or thick straps – and fitted bandeaus comprise its minimalistic range and make it stand out against competitors. Look out for the trusty multipacks.
The neutral modern basics by Baserange use natural fibres and recycled materials. The brand commits to both clean production processes and unfussy silhouettes for the best consciously crafted, minimalist separates. We also love how you can buy them in sets of two – perfect for those looking to bulk out their underwear collection with everyday staples.
Comfortable lingerie
Known for its exceptionally comfortable seamless lace and mesh designs, Cosabella will make you want to sleep in its bralettes, soft-cup bras and undies, in addition to spending your days in them. A no-brainer if you want light support and all-day wearability, these light-as-a-feather lingerie pieces come with no distractions. Wave goodbye to pulling up unruly straps and constant readjustments.
At Love Stories, pretty trims adorn comfy triangle bras, and its underwear is fashioned from recycled stretch-jersey. This is a perfect choice if you prefer simple, triangle bras without padding or wiring. It is also known for its day-of-the-week knickers.
True luxury lingerie
Celebrating the “art of the body”, French swimwear and lingerie label Eres designs uncomplicated and chic separates made from sumptuous lace and luxe silks. Eres presents its collections in a way that feels totally personal and customisable. Mix and match lace bralettes with a high-waist brief one day and a bikini the next – or you can add on a more supportive style with your favourite bottoms. This is lingerie designed to suit any woman’s needs or preferences.
Romantic lingerie
Sophisticated but romantic at its roots, Italian heritage brand La Perla brings stunning silk and lace-adorned lingerie sets and separates to the market that feel ornately beautiful and elegant. This is one of the most luxurious underwear brands out there.
Indulge in the romantic, empowering and intricately designed lingerie and boudoir-inspired accessories from Agent Provocateur. For those who are ready to be equipped with corsets, garters, and balconette bras, or barely-there tulle knickers with a hint of vintage design, prepare to delight in these daring yet irresistible pieces.
Sustainable lingerie
Based in Copenhagen, Organic Basics offers eco-friendly bras, underwear and essentials made from handpicked fabrics carefully selected with the environment in mind. The brand also stresses the lifetime durability of its products, so you can count on its pieces to not only be comfortable but also lasting. The products feature an array of natural, recycled, biodegradable and renewable textiles and fabrics, all at an accessible price point. You can even take a virtual tour of the brand’s factories and get the facts on sustainability in the industry.
The sweet spot
Eberjey’s signature bralettes and boy shorts reflect brand’s inclusive approach to lingerie, achieving the perfect balance of femininity and comfort. The line’s selection of dainty lace bras is mostly made up of soft bralettes, which come in the prettiest range of refined hues and neutrals that you’ll want to reach for day after day – with just the right touch of flirtation. The brand also offers comfy sleepwear.
Add some vivid colour to your underwear drawer by way of sustainably focused and consciously minded lingerie brand Araks. The label mixes laid-back cottons with unexpected colours for a twist on playfully sweet bralettes that comfortably enhance your natural shape. If you’re looking for something that ticks the boxes for both everyday and special-occasion lingerie, look no further.
Colourful lingerie
Contemporary lingerie brand Dora Larsen uses bright, punchy colours to create playful lingerie magic that will actually lift your mood. For a more whimsical take on what it means to be sexy, consider a bra, brief, or bodysuit from this kaleidoscopic brand. Even people who hate wired bras will find these comfortable, thanks to the comfy, soft fabrics.
Fruity Booty not only makes some of the sweetest lingerie around (Kendall Jenner is a fan), its products boast sustainable credentials, too. Released in limited quantities, 80 per cent of its pieces are made from deadstock fabrics, while non-deadstock materials are sourced ethically from the UK, Spain and Portugal.
Lingerie for bigger busts
Rihanna’s earth-shattering Savage X Fenty shows are a total reinvention of what traditional intimates and lingerie presentations can look like. Her inclusive underwear is unabashedly cheeky, too. Consider a cut-out brief, a thong, or even a delicate lace baby doll top.
The team behind Rigby & Peller “understand the importance of choice”. It stocks upwards of 20 brands, with bras available in every size from A to K. Each piece is a labour of love, made using over 40 components. (Use its six-step fit guide to discover handy at-home tricks.)
Shapewear
At Skims, underwear and shapewear are rebranded as “solutionwear”. Its offering, which is made to stretch to twice its size, is meant to enhance curves. You’ll find its range of bras, undies and loungewear in muted neutral jerseys, velvets and more, and in sizes up to 46H and 4X. Founder Kim Kardashian wanted shapewear she could rely on for the red carpet – and it’s now considered one of the best brands out there when it comes to sculpting.
Spanx needs no introduction. There for you when you feel like you need it and comfortable to ensure you’re confident, its shapewear is a must-have in any modern wardrobe. From innately flattering bodysuits to sculpting shorts and high-rise underwear, Spanx has got you covered for every occasion.
For every body
The game-changing founder of Nubian Skin, Ade Hassan, set out with the aim of creating an inclusive lingerie brand that offers “a different kind of nude”. Sleek T-shirt bras, tulle thongs, soft-cups and briefs all feature, available in a variety of nude hues.
True & Co’s seamless and soft bra designs are based on a multi-question “fit quiz”, taken by nine million women. On its site, you’re given the option to see models in A to D cups and DD-plus cups. Not only is the brand known for its super-supportive bras, True & Co also supports organisations like I Support the Girls, which helps supply bras and underwear to women in need, and Keep a Breast, which promotes breast cancer awareness.
Lust-worthy, luxury lingerie
When perusing Kiki De Montparnasse, you might find more than lingerie. The luxury lingerie brand describes itself as the intersection between celebrating intimacy and inspiring confidence. The range includes everything from bridal lingerie to “items of pleasure”.
It’s easy to fall for Le Petit Trou’s frilly and feminine finds. The intimates are delightfully designed and not overly sexy, plus the Polish brand offers a range of luxurious loungewear and even a few pairs of boudoir-ready shoes.
The best briefs
Ex-Farfetch employees Amelie Salas and Oria Mackenzie founded Underdays “with the ambition of creating a progressive underwear brand that speaks to the values of a new generation of women”. Extensive research and user-testing eventually resulted in three key styles that each serve different needs: The Everyday, The Workout and The Lingerie, all of which are made from OEKO-TEX® certified materials.
Hommegirls has pioneered a “borrowed from the boys” approach with its underwear. The brand’s design DNA is “dedicated to women who shop the men’s department” – the pieces resemble boxers and Y-fronts, tweaked to fit just right. The best part? Everything is ridiculously comfortable, and finished with a stretchy logo waistband.
