For your first (or your 10th) order, select a store that is proven to satisfy.
Making beautiful lingerie appear in a package in your hand, from the internet, is easy if done with some judgement. Your lingerie store online needs to deliver the shopping experience and the product you expect, with no hassles, no surprises; just satisfaction.
I have a list of my Top 5 lingerie stores online, that I can safely recommend for your first purchase. I know from experience they will deliver what you expect; because they did for me.
All of them share several traits:
1. User friendly. Easy and quick to navigate, load shopping cart, check out, etc. Intuitive.
2. Reasonable prices. Good lingerie is also affordable, in fact it MUST be.
You are buying something that MUST make you feel good, inside and out. You should wear it often, and admire it on your body; all satisfaction and no guilt!
Which brings me to the next point...
3. Excellent quality. While these sites feature affordable lingerie, they are not "bargain basement" brands, or prices. Your lingerie needs to last in the real world, so the quality has to be excellent.
4. Robust customer service. Each of these companies has a reputation of being proactive in resolving any customer concerns. They each have a real customer service department, with a real phone number, where you can talk to real people in the company, not to some call center in God knows where.
5. Size matters. Each of these sites does a high volume of business, they are major players in this beautiful industry, with an average of over 11 years each, in the online lingerie business!
Those are the common points, but each is different in many ways, and will meet your needs with their own special touch. So, below I have listed them, and pointed out key features of each lingerie store online, to help you decide which may be more suitable for your needs.
The list is not in a particular order (best to worst, etc.). I recommend each of these equally; but I know that no one site can fill the needs of everyone, equally well.
Unique features to the site, like the "Try It Under" feature which allows you to see how the bra fits under a variety of necklines and sleeve treatments. No other site has this. (Look on the left side of the bra picture, for the different tops to "try on" with the bra.)
Monthly "What's She Underwearing" feature is unique and helpful to all women - showing the same outfit on four different figure types, and show the undergarments used to achieve the best look for that style for all body types.
The most comprehensive fitting information about their bras, panties, shapewear, active wear etc.
Tomima's blog - the founder, Tomima Edmark blogs about different trends and challenges in the lingerie marketplace.
Extensive videos featuring lingerie fashion shows and bounce tests for sports bras.
All this, plus 170 top lingerie brands, thousands of items nicely organized for easy navigation, and with an excellent price spread.
Plus Sizes: Yes, very excellent selection Maternity: Yes, excellent selection Bridal: Yes, excellent selection Shipping Fees: Free with $70+ purchase. For purchases under $70, pay $5 for standard shipping. Based In: USA (Dallas, TX) Ships To: Worldwide Sales Tax: No Order Tracking: Yes Prices: Low-Med-High Sales: Yes. Special pages updated daily. Return Policy:30 days. If you want to exchange, they will pay the return postage. Gift Wrapping: Yes FIGLEAVES
What's So Special?
If you have ever wanted to have stunningly beautiful, romantic and stylish lingerie from Europe, this is the site I recommend. They also have many of the brands you are familiar with (Wacoal, DKNY, Elle MacPherson, etc.), but I am most intrigued by their European or UK brands, such as Passionata, Lejaby, and "Pour Moi?".
If you are A cup to J cup, a bride, or soon to be Mommy, or recovering from mastectomy surgery, petite or plus size; they have the beautiful lingerie you have always wanted. No matter your body type or time of life, they can help you to look and feel great in lingerie. I think this is commendable, and good business sense.
An area of specialty is larger bras, sizes DD+. They really work to make sure that large busted women can find a perfect fit here.
Plus Sizes: Very excellent selection Maternity: Good selection Bridal: Good selection Shipping Fee: $4.95 Based in: London, England Ships to: Worldwide Sales Tax: None! Order Tracking: Yes Prices: Low-Med-High Sales: Yes, regular sales with deep discounts. Return Policy: 20 days (when received by them). Gift Wrapping: Yes, small extra fee.
What really appeals to me most about Freshpair (and their outlet section, cheapundies) is their very low prices, which I think must be the lowest that they can go, and still operate.
Also, their selection is very wide, covering the top brands (Spanx, Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Wacoal, Sassybax, among others), so you do not compromise on choice, for price.
I appreciate how Freshpair has streamlined the whole process of internet shopping, from browsing to shopping to check out, they have made it so quick and easy, actually enjoyable!
Plus Sizes: Yes, excellent selection. Maternity: Yes, limited selection. Bridal: No Shipping Fee:Free for USA (incl. AK and HI), Free for Canada, Other international: Starting at $9.95 Based in: USA (New York City, NY) Ships to: Worldwide Sales Tax: No (except yes in NY and TX) Order Tracking: Yes, depending on method of shipment. Prices: Low-med Sales: Yes, daily deep discounts, close-outs, etc. Return Policy: 60 days Gift Wrapping: No
Their beautiful and flattering lingerie items have been featured on Oprah, Ellen, and Rachael Ray, and are worn by women from all walks of life, all phases of life, and all body types!
Stunning selection of over 2000 styles spans from luxury designer fashions, to everyday traditional styles and includes top brands like La Perla (my fave), Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Puma, Dolce & Gabbana, Wacoal and Bali.
With their extensive online guides, tips, trend info, etc. it would be hard not to find exactly what you wanted.
Plus Sizes: Yes, excellent selection. Maternity: Yes, excellent selection. Bridal: Yes, excellent selection (selected as "Top 100" website for bridal, by Modern Bride magazine). Shipping Fee: Free on orders over $100. For orders below $100, standard Shipping is $5.00 (in-stock items are expected to arrive within 4-7 business days) Based In: USA (Avenel, NJ) Ships To: United States (incl. APOs and FPOs), Canada, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands. Sales Tax: None Order Tracking: Email sent to you when order ships, usually the same day as you order. Tracking enroute is available if UPS is used. Prices: Low-Med-High Sales/Promotions: Yes, special Page (link here) lists all items on current sale or promotion, great price reductions. Return Policy: 60 days. Gift Wrapping: No
If you love lingerie that adds real glamour and classy style to your wardrobe, you really need to check out Secrets in Lace, in detail. Here you will find the best of the class, in classic/retro lingerie with modern benefits; the best of all worlds! Make sure to pay special attention to their world renowned nylon stockings; every Goddess should have several pairs!
Plus Sizes: Yes, good selection Maternity: No Bridal: Not specifically Shipping Fees: Varies depending on the dollar amount of the order. Based In: USA (Leesburg, VA) Ships To: Worldwide Sales Tax: Order/Shipping Tracking: Optionally Prices: Med-High Sales: Yes Gift Wrapping: No
Their amazingly beautiful bra selection, from top designers (including their own brand called "Black Label") are certain to fit just about any woman, from cup size AA to M (otherwise known as DDDDDDDDDD!). For this wide range, Bra Smyth has made sure that stunningly attractive bras are available, bras that you will WANT to wear!
Not just a specialty bra store, Bra Smyth offers a full spectrum of panties, sleepwear, shapewear and even shaping clothing (which I think is an idea that other stores will pick up on). All of obvious better style and quality, from top designers.
In addition to their online site, Bra Smyth started from actual "brick and mortar" stores in Manhattan and New Jersey, where you can still walk in and be fitted for the bra of your dreams. Also, they uniquely produce an actual (paper) catalog of their full line of styles, several times each year, which you can order.
Plus Sizes: Yes, excellent selection. Maternity: Yes, limited selection. Bridal: No. Shipping Fee: Fee varies depending on amount ordered. For example, $51 of merchandise will ship for $7.95 to the continental U.S.. Areas outside of the continental U.S. are at additional rates. Based In: USA (New York City, NY) Ships To: Worldwide. Sales Tax: California and Ohio only. Order Tracking: Prices: Low-Med-High Sales/Promotions: Yes, special page lists all items on current sale or promotion, at prices unheard of (example: I saw a La Perla bra that is normally $90-$100 on sale for $15!). Return Policy: 30 days. Gift Wrapping: Yes ($5 fee per box).
Your lingerie store online needs to deliver the shopping experience and the product you expect, with no hassles, no surprises; just satisfaction.