From Slightly Flirty to Va-Va-Va-Voom, Here Are Our Lingerie Picks for Valentine's Day (or Just Any Day, Really)

6:43 PM, January 21 2011

By Diane Vadino

While Valentine's Day might appear to be a holiday custom-built to aggravate literally everyone--including but not limited to people not in relationships, people in new relationships who wish it were August, people in relationships who sort of don't want to be anymore, etc.--it is unavoidable. In the spirit of fighting our sourpuss ways, we've decided to make the absolute most of it, and we're advocating fancy new lingerie for everyone, coupled up or not.

Lingerie can be tricky for the uninitiated (read: almost everyone), so we surveyed our favorite New York City lingerie shops for some top choices: pieces that managed that fine balance between sexy and somewhat subtle.

1. When in doubt, go with the French: "Maison Close is a French line that is alluring to both male and female customers looking for something sexy but not raunchy," said Cindy Kahng of East Village favorite Azaleas. "The French just know how to do sexy right!"

Above is Maison Close's Villa Caprice push-up bra, $65. "It's the sexiest item we have from them," Kahng says. 223 E.10th St., 212-253-5484, azaleasnyc.com

2. For those who prefer an ingenue vibe over vampy appeal, look no further than this butterfly-print bra (with matching bottoms, of course). Silk bra at Brooklyn Fox, $45.132 N. Fifth St., Brooklyn, 718-599-1555, brooklynfox.com

3. Looking to go all-out? Then there's nowhere better than Agent Provocateur, a veritable repository of high-end lingerie. This silk-satin chiffon corset promises to hold everything where you want it; blowout not included. Harri corset at Agent Provocateur, $850.133 Mercer St., 212-965-0229, agentprovocateur.com

4. This vintage cotton bralette has the sexiest, angel-winged back we've ever seen. Only Hearts bralette, $53. 230 Mott St., 212-431-3694,onlyhearts.com

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