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In need of an underwear drawer refresh? These are our fave lingerie brands to shop
From comfy to sexy, these bra and knicker labels cater to every body and budget
If you ask us, the best lingerie brands are those that sell underwear that is equal parts sexy, comfy, well-made and size-inclusive. Basically, we want bras and knickers that are intentionally designed to make us feel like our best selves. Admittedly, it’s not a short list, but we firmly believe there’s no such thing as asking for too much when it comes to your underwear.
Sure, we’re all guilty of wearing holey knickers now and again, or continually reaching for our favourite faded T-shirt bra. But it’s not an exaggeration to say the lingerie you wear has an impact on how you feel, even sometimes rivalling the power of your outfit. A strapless bra you have the confidence to dance in, or knickers without the risk of a VPL are game changers.
If you don’t have any lingerie you deem worthy, or simply want a complete underwear drawer refresh, we’ve compiled a list of alll the best brands to make shopping for lingerie that little bit easier. From classics such as Intimissimi to labels creating fresh designs in a wide range of sizes, like Lemonade Dolls, to those specialising in supportive styles for those with big boobs (hi, Playful Promises), we’ve got something for everyone. And every budget, whether you want to splash out on something special or find cute everyday sets that don't cost the earth.
Keep scrolling for Cosmopolitan's roundup of the best lingerie brands to know for every body, style and budget.
Best lingerie brands for every shape and style
Stripe & Stare
Stripe & Stare is the UK-based sustainable underwear company that’s home to the self-proclaimed “world’s comfiest knickers”. Not to mention, it’s another editor favourite.
The brand is famous for its ultra-soft Tencel everyday underwear, but makes equally cosy bralettes and loungewear. Plus, you can get fun embroidery options for personalisation, and with every order a tree is planted. What more could we ask for? Oh, and Oprah wears them. Yep, consider us sold.
Best for: Cute everyday knickers and bralettes.
Ann Summers
When you think of Ann Summers, your mind might automatically go to its NSFW offering but there’s way more to the brand than bedroom accessories.
With an extensive offering of lingerie sets on offer, simply pick the level of naughtiness you’re shopping for. There’s curve-embracing basques, playful babydolls and a huge variety of bras and panties – not to forget the super sexy accessories to go with them (we’re talking, suspender belts and stockings!)
Best for: Affordable (and sometimes daring) lingerie.
Kat the Label
Kat the Label is one of the most romantic lingerie brands around. Whether you’re shopping for an underwear set or camisole, the overall theme feels very intimate, soft and feminine.
While the pieces are special enough to be worn for rememberable occasions, we love that they’re designed to make you feel comfortable and confident no matter the moment – with the elegant lace trims making you feel a little more put together, even in the day-to-day chaos of life.
And while the brand’s lingerie collection is simply stunning, once you discover its adorable array of sleepwear, you will never go back to that fake-tan-stained tee of yours.
Best for: Balcony bras, romantic styles, cute sleepwear sets
SKIMS
While Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand started out specialising in shapewear, it has quickly expanded to cover *so* much more including swimwear and underwear. And trust us when we say the range of fuss-free bras and underwear is legit amazing. Available in a wide array of colours and sizes, be sure to check out the brand's extensive range of cool yet functional bralettes and seam-free underwear.
Best for: Minimalist lingerie, loungewear, and shapewear.
Knickerbox
Bringing together the best in the business, knickerbox.com is home to a carefully curated line-up of cult favourites and trusted names all under one roof — think iconic staples like Calvin Klein, Lemonade Dolls and Curvy Kate. And don't miss KBX, the knickerbox.com in-house brand, designed with comfort, confidence, and style at its core. It's lingerie made by experts, for everyday wear.
Best for: Multiple lingerie brands under one roof.
Boux Avenue
London brand, Boux Avenue, is one you’ve likely shopped before. In addition to offering loads of lingerie (the site has practically every bra style under the sun), the label also has loungewear, nightwear (including cool dressing gowns), swimwear and activewear making it something of a one-stop-shop for all your shopping needs. We’d say it’s reasonably priced for a high street brand too.
Best for: A bit of everything.
Lounge
Lounge has crept up on our radar as the go-to for gorgeous designs that don’t break the bank — its intimates section is full of delicately embroidered bras, babydolls, bodysuits and suspenders that look and feel ultra-luxurious.
Our fashion team love its push-up bras, wireless bras and T-shirt bras, but it’s extended its offering to dresses, shoes and pyjamas. The latest clothing edit, Bloom and Stripe, is inspired by the Cornish countryside and has us desperate to book a staycation!
Best for: Embroidered intimates and everyday bras.
Curvy Kate
Curvy Kate is a go-to for curvy gal lingerie, and with good reason. Offering 40–44 backs and D–K cups, there’s no shortage of sizing options to choose from.
In fact, according to its site, the average bra size Curvy Kate sells is a 34G. Plus, their bralettes are super supportive thanks to double-layered microfibre cups. Hallelujah!
Best for: Bralettes and all-in-ones for big boobs.
Lovehoney
You’ve defo heard of this brand before. Lovehoney is a virtual sex shop with the largest inventory of sex toys on the web. But did you know it also stocks an extensive selection of lingerie?
From crotchless knickers and plus-size lingerie to sexy slip dresses, there’s plenty of feel-good pieces to choose from. Whether you’re after something pretty for yourself or a partner, Lovehoney has something for everyone. Plus, get 15% off full price items in your first order when you sign up to the mailing list.
Best for: Sexy lingerie sets and crotchless knickers.
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Free People
Free People is probs already all over your radar – the brand does have that cool surfer girl, boho-chic aesthetic down to a T, after all. What you might not know though, is that FP also nails lingerie and its intimates collection is one of the best in the biz.
Comfy, seamless styles are what Free People does best, but there are a few sexy lace options on the site too. You know, for those special occasions.
Best for: everyday bralettes, comfy, seamless styles.
Dora Larsen
The candy-hued, colour-blocked lingerie, swim and sleepwear is just one reason we’re obsessed with Dora Larsen. With a range of embroidered, lace and tulle intimates available, responsibility and sustainability are huge pillars of the female-founded brand. It only releases two collections a year, making every piece all the more special.
Best for: Colourful, responsibly made lingerie.
Scarlett Gasque
Channel the mega glam looks of the ‘50s (you know, Marilyn Monroe vibes) with Scarlett Gasque’s uber luxurious lingerie.
Founded back in 2020 by Central Saint Martins fashion graduate Chloé Rogers, the label takes inspiration from the burlesque movement with its collection of vintage-inspired robes, suspenders and signature silk corsets. Bridgerton eat your heart out.
Best for: Corsets.
Fruity Booty
If it’s not already on your radar, get to know Fruity Booty. This female-led, London-born brand is “created by-women-for-women, away from the male gaze.” Because sometimes, y’know, you just want to wear some cute underwear without being perceived.
The brand is also sustainably-focused, creating limited product runs using mostly deadstock material. Expect the trendiest patterns, colours and sheer fabrics. We're hooked.
Best for: Sustainably-minded lingerie, on-trend prints.
Intimissimi
Intimissimi’s USP is classic lingerie that is still sexy. While the majority of the designs fall into the black, white and nude categories (read: minimal and wearable, definitely *not* boring) the summer collection, as modelled by none other than Intimissimi Global Ambassador JLo, includes bright pink, turquoise and lilac hues trimmed with lace and silk.
They’ve got all bases covered – from pretty, feminine and supportive sets to a trusty no-frills bra. Its plain strapless bra is one of the best we've come across.
Best for: Sexy classics.
Oséree
Blurring the lines between fashion and lingerie, feathers, gemstones and lurex are commonplace in every Oséree collection.
The luxury Italian label started out as a swimwear brand – you’ve likely seen Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa and Rihanna in its cult designs – before recently branching into lingerie with the same MO. Which is basically too good to hide under clothes...
Best for: Underwear and swimwear that doubles as partywear.
Lemonade Dolls
Inclusivity and comfort is at the forefront of the female-founded lingerie brand, Lemonade Dolls. With sets ranging from UK 6-24, the brand’s signature soft stretch lace is designed to be supportive on all body shapes yet still looks super stylish – perfect for day-to-day or cosy nights in.
The underwear sets are available to shop separately or, for a more economic choice, you can sign up to its subscription service and save up to 30% off, with underwear delivered straight to your door.
Best for: Inclusive sizes, first bras and comforting styles.
Elomi
Our Former Contributing Curve Editor, Lauren Nicole, recommends Elomi as one of her best brands to shop for plus-size lingerie. Its pieces are created specifically with fuller figures in mind, while offering a slew of different bra styles for every preference. P.S. they do great swimwear too!
Best for: Full-cup bras.
Fleur Du Mal
Fleur du Mal’s lingerie is made to be seen. Whether you’re chilling at home solo in your bra, or hanging with your S/O, these ornate lace sets are ridiculously pretty.
Fair warning, the price point is a little higher, but the products look (and feel) luxe as anything. Buying lingerie is a form of self-care after all, so consider this a worthwhile payday treat.
Best for: Boudoir lingerie.
We Are We Wear
Starting as a swimwear brand that then branched out into lingerie, We Are We Wear is all about size-inclusive confidence-boosting sets and teddies. The label is also committed to creating more sustainable fashion, which you can shop in the brand's eco range made from recycled materials.
This British, Black and female-owned brand wants to “encourage women to be themselves, no matter who they are.” Three cheers for that.
Best for: Inclusive sizing, sustainable lace sets.
Nudea
Nudea is shaking up the lingerie market. The brand has rejected the pressure to pump out seasonal collections and instead creates selected edits crafted from recycled materials that are designed to last.
And if that wasn’t already enough, Nudea is also carbon neutral, uses recycled and recyclable packaging, and donates 1% of sales to charity.
Best for: Sustainable, luxe everyday basics.
Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
Shadé (pronounced sh-ah-day) is the Senior Fashion & Lifestyle Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. From what to shop in the latest Revolve flash sale to how to style the hottest new trends, she shares shopping advice, reports on new collabs and reviews your fave fashion brands.
