The Best Lingerie Boutiques

Our favorite off-the-beaten-path stores (no big chains here!) in New York City.

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Intimacy

Acclaimed bra boutique Intimacy's founder Susan Nethero has quite the pedigree, training under the Queen of England's royal bra fitter and making guest appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now she has stylists of her own, who carry out free 30-minute consultations (reservations are recommended) with clients to determine their perfect fit out of the more than 90 sizes (from A to K cup) the store carries.
1051 Third Ave., 646-395-3885, myintimacy.com

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Coco de Mer

This decadent London import carries exquisite (and pricey) lingerie, but Coco de Mer is most known for its high-end, often eco-friendly bedroom accoutrements like fair-trade silk blindfolds and candles that double as massage oil in unusual scents like truffle gardenia. The naughty side of the boutique culminates in its unusual dressing room: A confessional-style door lets a partner peek in, and a built-in camera allows you to take pics and upload them to the store's website.
236 Elizabeth St., 212-966-9069, cocodemerusa.com

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Town Shop

Expertly fitting New York women since 1888, Town Shop's mind-boggling longevity is a testament to its customer service and ability to size up customers at a glance. From sizes AA to JJ, it has a bra to fit every body, as well as all-important shapewear, hosiery, and even swimwear.
2273 Broadway, 212-787-2762, townshop.com

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Jean Yu

This luxurious line of exquisite lingerie isn't cheap ($350 and up), but when you see what's on offer, it's easy to understand why. All of the pieces look like impossibly delicate architectural works of art—they're designed by Jean Yu and crafted by individual seamstresses using dressmaking techniques—and there's not an underwire or push-up pad to be found.
37 Crosby St., 212-226-0067, jeanyu.com

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Orchard Corset Center

The place to go for a practical, no-nonsense bra that fits like a glove, this jam-packed store has been a New York mainstay since the family-owned business opened in 1968. The walls are stacked with boxes of all manner of underpinnings from tried and true lines like Wacoal, Felina, and Le Mystère with totally reasonable bra and shapewear prices (from $18 to $109).
157 Orchard St., 212-674-0786, orchardcorset.com

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La Petite Coquette

Owner Rebecca Apsan literally wrote the book on unmentionables with her 2006 The Lingerie Handbook and has the celebrity following—from Cindy Crawford to the ladies of Sex and the City—to prove it. All members of the sales staff receive a three-month crash course on the art of lingerie fitting so they can expertly pair clients with beautiful pieces from Aubade, Simone Perele, Cosabella, and many more unique, limited lines.
51 University Pl., 212-473-2478, thelittleflirt.com

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Brooklyn Fox Lingerie

The cheeky logo of a doe-eyed panting fox says it all at this cute Brooklyn boutique that's full of myriad pretty underpinnings set beneath romantic chandeliers. It carries everything from wear-them-every-day bras to special-occasion treats like a burlesque-show-ready feather skirt and fully boned corsets.
132 N. Fifth St., Brooklyn, 718-599-1555, brooklynfox.com

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Journelle

Coming from the archaic French word "journellement," meaning "daily," Journelle sets out to provide everyday lingerie—pieces that feel and look beautiful but aren't just for special occasions. Owner Claire Chambers stocks wearable yet still sexy lines like Elle Macpherson Intimates and Chantelle, along with smaller designers like Brulee and The Lake & Stars.
3 E. 17th St., 212-255-7800, journelle.com

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Linda's Bra Salon

Headed by bra fit expert Linda Becker (she's been in the business for more than 20 years), the salon specializes in sizing up clients who seem to have struck out in chain stores. The shop is neatly edited with a limited array on display, but during a fitting, consultants will measure you and bring merchandise to you rather than making you go through the racks—and with more than 165 sizes available, it's hard not to find the perfect fit.
828 Lexington Ave., 212-751-2727, lindasonline.com

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