Alexis Kestler
Lingerie serves many purposes beyond just appearance. It can provide comfort, confidence, sensuality, or simply a smooth silhouette under clothing. With so many offerings across the intimates market, it helps to know the top lingerie brands leading innovation and quality.
As a lingerie expert with over 10 years of industry analysis, I closely track both emerging and established labels shaping intimates. In this blog, I‘ll countdown the 10 best lingerie brands to know in 2023 based on factors like materials, construction quality, size inclusivity, design originality, consumer sentiment, and more. I‘ll spotlight key background, iconic pieces, and differentiating factors for each while providing my informed perspective on their strengths.
10. Gooseberry Intimates
Founded in 2016 and based in Bali, Gooseberry offers intimate apparel that is custom-made and hand-dyed by local Indonesian artisans. The brand is renowned for its use of high-quality Indonesian lace along with playful prints, patterns, and color palettes across its 16 collections released annually.
Standout qualities: Commitment to fair trade and eco-conscious production, fun and flirty aesthetic, custom-made pieces, wide size range
Iconic styles: Flora Demi Bra, Calla High Waisted Brief
Price range: $$
Expert thoughts: Gooseberry brings an artisanal touch with quality construction and participation in the local craft economy. Their size inclusive, customizable offerings cater across preferences.
9. Dora Larsen
Launched in London by founder Georgia Larsen in 2016, Dora Larsen creates modern, comfortable everyday lingerie. The brand focuses on staples and basics made sustainably from certified materials.
Standout qualities: Affordable pricing, minimalist-chic aesthetic, sustainable production
Iconic styles: Nora Balcony Bra, Margot High Waist Knicker
Price range: $
Expert thoughts: Dora Larsen makes foundational intimates both ethical and accessible. Their direct-to-consumer model allows lower price points without sacrificing quality.
8. Intimissimi
Founded in Italy in 1996, Intimissimi has grown into an internationally recognized luxury lingerie label carried at over 700 stores. Their offerings span everyday staples to sensual lace pieces made from fine fabrics.
Standout qualities: High quality materials, elegant styles, wide size range up to EU size IV
Iconic styles: Sublime Push-Up Bra, Intense Lace Brazilian Briefs
Price range: $$$
Expert thoughts: Intimissimi balances affordability and luxury with quality construction that suits modern tastes across the price spectrum. Their wide size range and variety cater broadly.
7. Bluebella
Bluebella is an English lingerie brand creating signature boudoir-inspired pieces since 2005. Their collections offer an alluring, fashion-forward take on lingerie.
Standout qualities: Signature style fusing femininity and fashion, intricate detailing, elevated fabrics
Iconic styles: Emmeline Underwired Bra, Nova Suspender
Price range: $$$
Expert thoughts: Bluebella modernizes classics with delicate accents and on-trend touches. Quality matches style at reasonable price points.
6. Fleur du Mal
A favorite among celebrities like Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, Fleur du Mal brings Parisian boudoir inspiration stateside. Their offerings artfully toe the line between lingerie and luxury ready-to-wear.
Standout qualities: High fashion appeal, intricate lacework and embellishments
Iconic styles: Bullet Bra, Silk Chemise Gown
Price range: $$$$
Expert thoughts: Fleur du Mal redefines intimates as fashion with thoughtfully constructed pieces pairing edge and elegance. The quality merits the splurge for special occasions.
5. Victoria‘s Secret
Hardly needing an introduction, Victoria‘s Secret has topped the mass lingerie market since the late 1970s with their iconic fashion shows and supermodel "Angels" like Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks. While the brand has faced demands for greater diversity and female empowerment in recent years, their new leadership aims to evolve marketing while retaining VS‘s glamour.
Standout qualities: Brand recognition and legacy, strong variety catering across styles and price points
Iconic styles: Bombshell Push-Up Bra, Cheeky Panty
Price range: $-$$$
Expert thoughts: While efforts to expand representation are a work-in-progress, Victoria‘s Secret remains influential. Something exists for most buyers across their vast intimates ecosystem.
4. La Perla
Founded in 1954, this Italian luxury house creates some of the world‘s finest lingerie distinguished by artistic touches and designs highlighting the female form. La Perla also offers loungewear, swimwear, and accessories rendered from the world’s finest fabrics.
Standout qualities: Luxury craftsmanship with couture detailing, premium fabrics like Leavers lace
Iconic styles: Studio Line Brief, Silk Crêpe De Chine Pajama Set
Price range: $$$$
Expert thoughts: La Perla merits its premium price point through expert Italian construction accentuating beauty. Few lingerie makers execute luxury on their level.
3. Cosabella
Hailing from Italy since 1983, Cosabella‘s philosophy lies in "finding a balance between beauty and comfort" across their collections blending European style, vibrant Miami spirit, and New York energy. They specialize in delicate lace confections and barely-there bralettes.
Standout qualities: Lace detailing and patterns, made in Italy quality
Iconic styles: Never Say Never Sweetie Bralette, Curvy Sweetie Bralette
Price range: $$-$$$
Expert thoughts: Cosabella makes intimates women genuinely enjoy wearing with brilliant fabrics and construction. They balance beauty with comprehensive sizing.
2. Agent Provocateur
The ultra-luxury, ultra-sexy lingerie from British label Agent Provocateur needs little elaboration. Favored by the likes of Beyoncé and Madonna, AP‘s decadent, fashion-forward pieces embody power, playfulness and provocation.
Standout qualities: Show-stopping style statements, craftsmanship down to the smallest details
Iconic styles: Zuri High Apex Bra, Petunia Briefs
Price range: $$$$
Expert thoughts: Agent Provocateur makes zero compromises, blending haute couture techniques with daring designs. Their quality and originality justify costs for special intimates.
1. Savage X Fenty
Founded by mogul Rihanna in 2018, Savage X Fenty revolutionized intimates by celebrating fearlessness, confidence, and inclusivity across sizing, gender identities, and more. Their Membership program offers exclusive access to limited drops along with perks like free shipping and returns.
Standout qualities: Size diversity up to 3X/4X, signature bold prints and colors, seamless comfort
Iconic styles: Glossy Flossy Sheer Glow Lace Bralette, Criss Cross Catsuit
Price range: $-$$
Expert thoughts: Savage X Fenty made major waves, redefining modern intimates with diversity, accessibility, and membership programs catering to individuality. Rihanna shifted culture.
Several key trends prevail across many of 2023‘s leading lingerie labels:
Sustainability: Eco-conscious materials and ethical production
Inclusivity: Size, gender identity, and appearance diversity
Comfort: Soft fabrics, flexible underwire, barely-there lightness
Fashion: Elevated accents, couture touches, trend-driven patterns
Membership Programs: Early access, free shipping, exclusive content
Brands like Savage X Fenty, Dora Larsen, and Gooseberry notably champion sustainability and inclusivity. Meanwhile, labels like Fleur du Mal, Agent Provocateur and Bluebella reference runway looks. Comfort sees focus across the board with brands like Cosabella. Ultimately every top maker now recognizes buyer diversity.
With so many stellar labels to discover, choosing the best intimates for you involves identifying styles and qualities suiting your priorities. Consider these factors when identifying brands that could be a fit:
Your style: Glamorous, minimalist, sporty, classic?
Key support needs: Light, structured, compression, none?
Price point: Budget, moderate or luxury splurge?
Occasions: Everyday, special nights, functional?
Your build: Bra sizes, shape considerations, heights and weights
Materials: Preferred fabrics and lace textures?
The above elements all help narrow suitable brands. Be sure to also check size charts and range availability along with reviews from those sharing your frame and proportions.
Lingerie remains deeply personal, but the brands leading intimates innovation recognize individuality, diversity, and inherent sensuality within us all. Labels like Savage X Fenty now remove assumptions while welcoming self-expression.
Hopefully the above expert breakdown of 2023‘s top 10 lingerie brands aids your search for pieces boosting comfort and confidence. Our relationships with our bodies constantly evolve. Great intimates ultimately move with us on that journey of self-acceptance.
