Add Comment (0)
On our radar this holiday season: Everything you ever wanted to know about lingerie, but weren’t sure whom to ask. We’ve found some of the steamiest— and the most sensible— undergarments in the city. Set winter nights ablaze with body-skimming gowns and uplifting bras and underpants. Get the precisely right fit at the hands of skilled seamstresses. Learn to think of your undergarments as the all-important groundwork for a killer look head to toe.
Bare Necessities
This Green Spring Station favorite— owned by sisters Lynn Fram and Mindi Leikin— is a popular store for bridal items, lace chemises, nightgown and robe sets and separates. They offer virtually everything in the way of frilly underwear and sleepwear under one large roof. The bra and underpants selection is standout— price points vary. The sisters carry the ultra popular Hanky Panky and Commando lines. Commando thongs in seamless microfiber stretch to fit like a dream (regular rise, $20; low rise, $22); famously comfy Hanky Panky lace thongs come in great colors ($18/each). Snap to it with lines by Chantelle, Wacoal, Primadonna, Le Mystere, and Cosabella. Holiday hints: hand-embroidered Simon Perele bra and undies ($92; $55). Spanks control garments hug your holiday body into shipshape ($25-$35 each). A seamstress is available for light alterations— usually free of charge. The hosiery selection is extensive, too. Stocking stuffers: Jacques Levine suede slippers ($92), lipstick cases, and Kama Sutra massage cream. Ah! 2360 W. Joppa Road, 410.583.1383
The Love Ones
Caution: This adult-themed gift shop might make you blush and giggle. Bring your sense of humor and an open mind. The bawdy boutique packs a thorough selection of racy lingerie and fantasy-wear by Dreamgirl, The Sexy Bride, Exotic Body Wear, and Spring Kiss, an array of the most impossibly tall platform shoes you’ve ever laid eyes on by Highest Heel, and more, more, more, including intimate items for him. The Trouble Tank for men is a totally sheer black undershirt. Women in the market for underpants with attitude, step right in. Police Academy undies and rubber bikinis are under $15 each pair. Does a low-cut nurse’s outfit by Leg Avenue ($39.95) sound too cliché? Instead, be the only gal on your block to own a leather collar and wrist restraints ($39.95). If you are blushing, at this point, Hustler bra and undies sets say sexy without the crazy costume effect. Holiday hint: The ruffle babydoll gown by Exotic Body Wear is another fairly wearable bet ($22.95)—although it is see-through. The gifts section makes up half the festive store, stocking magazines, videos and toys galore. “Nina Hartley’s Guide to Sensual Domination” sells for $25.95. 420 1/2 York Rd., 410.825.2055 –with several other locations around town
Linens and Lingerie
Blair Franke’s elegant boutique is our first stop for gorgeous bed, bath, and table linens— the exquisite lingerie section is a winner, too. Having partnered with her mother for 23 years, Blair recently took on full ownership. Blair handpicks each designer herself, each decorator, each embroiderer, too, and the effect is that of art-gallery perfection. Though she doesn’t stock bras and underpants, she offers a lovely array of gowns, pajamas, and decadent toiletries. Natori’s Josie line is fun and youthful— silky top and capri bottoms in an artistic pink print ($68) are cozy/cute. Holiday hint: The Diamond Tea leopard print wrap robe ($158) is sexy and delicate. Blair also carries Ralph Lauren, Carol Hochman, Eileen West, Oscar de la Renta, Cotn, and August Silk. Her back room houses baby linens and beautiful old-fashioned baby clothing. Fun stocking stuffer: Ciccia Bella Chinese satin slippers ($38) and sculptural handmade sashays by Irene Hirose ($27). 7625 Bellona Ave., 410.825.1736
Lingerie, Lingerie
Owner Barbara Bianco orders the Hanky Panky no-line underwear, too— her sales have quadrupled since The Wall Street Journal talked them up a couple of years ago. She stocks every color thong in regular and low rise. Her A+ Kenilworth shop offers a terrific variety of sleepwear and undergarments by Betsey Johnson, Natori, Josie, Cosabella, Tam Tam, and more. The Freya lingerie line flatters average to fuller figures. As seen on Oprah, the Le Mystere molded bra supplies instant form. Bras by Felina, Wacoal, and iBra are solidifying choices, too. Holiday hints: Betsey Johnson bandana-print nightie ($72) and the flirty yet sophisticated Jones New York gown and robe in leopard print with satin blue ribbon ($48; $68). An Arianne gown in burnout velvet looks handmade— it’s a steal for $64. We love the Ralph Lauren mix-and-match PJs and the double-bright and playful ones by P.J. Salvage. The Wacoal leopard bra and undies set ($40; $19) is stylish and super affordable. Stocking stuffers: plush flip-flops by P.J. Salvage and bath wraps by Crabtree and Evelyn. (Bras are 20% off year round!) 820 Kenilworth Drive, Shops at Kenilworth, 410.296.8808
We Fit Shop Incorporated
Established in 1944 by Rena Sugar, We Fit is now owned and operated by Rena’s daughter, Ann Rosenberg, a woman who prides herself on expert fitting and compassionate customer service. Ann’s bold grandmother gutted her Model T, filled it with corsets, and made “fitting” calls around Baltimore— carrying on the pro tradition, Ann measures customers carefully and often enlists her professional seamstress to make alterations, always free of charge. She caters to larger women, offering bras up to size L, underpants, slips, corsets and girdles in a generous range of sizes. Brands include Lady Marlene undergarments, Wacoal lightweight and molded bras ($40-$50), Rago girdles ($32), Olga bras and undies, Farr West housecoats, the near extinct Model’s Coat brand duster, and more. Holiday hint: on the more glamorous end, sexy Felina black lace underwear fit everyone ($19). Ann also fits women who need surgical bras— she stocks a vast array of prostheses by Amoena and American Breastcare, and she’s happy to walk customers through their first post-op fitting experience. 1416 Reisterstown Rd., 410.484.1022
*Surgical bras and prosthetics are also available at Bare Necessities and Lingerie, Lingerie. Both stores carry Amoena. Bare Necessities offers alteration and will alter customers’ own non-surgical bras to fit prosthetics.
The Bottom Drawer
Julia Elgert opened her lovely lingerie boutique in October— she formerly owned a handbag and accessories shop in Annapolis— and we’re even more psyched to visit Federal Hill now that’s she moved in. Her retro-feeling store is decked in black and white— the cute old-fashioned counters are pewter. Hanky Panky underpants, and bra and undies sets by Cosabella, La Mystere, Mary Green, Fleurt, and Lucy B. range in gentle prices ($60-$250). She ordered the La Mystere bras— in strapless, convertible and molded— strategically to match Holly G’s sexy party dress cuts. Holiday hints: We love the lace-bust Mary Green chemises, in rouge and chocolate ($59-69), and the chemises by Fleurt are soft as can be ($76)— Julia says, “It’s like sleeping in a t-shirt.” Nightgowns are precious, too. Julia also carries a line of jewelry from Israel, bold pieces and dainty chains, all silver and handcrafted. A less expensive silver and copper line set with semiprecious stones is equally special. 1003 S. Charles Street, 410.783.8998
Under Your Radar: Frilly Undergarments on the Side - Several of our most beloved Baltimore boutiques carry a sampling of pretty lingerie, too. Holly G stocks one corner with lacy bras and undies by Bella BumBum and Only Hearts. Classic Serendipity sells Hanky Panky, Commando, and Cosabella. And Fresh! orders up Honeydew cotton and lace undies, thongs and boy shorts, in a confetti array of colors— they also carry Poleci underpants and a new line, Passport thongs. Next time you find the perfect dress, find the perfect underwear, too— in one boutique trip.
Just Don’t Say the “P” Word
What is it about the word “panties” that makes women cringe? Former Harper’s Bazaar editor Kate Betts cites it as one of her pet peeves. One Baltimorean remembers her mother banning it from the household. And another won’t let her daughter use it. “It’s coarse,” she says. “A lady wouldn’t say it.” Where did this seemingly harmless word come from? Seems that, in the late nineteenth century, women’s undergarments were a major hassle— great-big pantaloons kept legs strictly out of sight. Fast forward to the twentieth century’s start: gals stepped into the slightly more feminine bloomer style of undergarment. In the 20s, bloomers crept shorter and stockings came into play. Fashion was finally making its voice heard beneath the skirt. “Step-ins” were the first version of modern underpants, though they contained about three times as much bunchy fabric. Edgy flapper fashions of the era soon paved the way for more finely tailored lingerie. The 60s welcomed hip huggers and bikinis, and the term, “panties,” perhaps a shortened version of the antiquated pantaloons, was born. Now you know. Hey, it’s better than step-ins, no?