13 British Lingerie Brands To Check Out Now
By
11 months ago
Say ‘I love me’ with some beautiful British lingerie
Spending more time lounging around these days? Why not up your intimates game with some luxury pieces from the best British lingerie brands out there? From household names to boutique brands and slinky silks to cute lace bralettes, you’ll find something that makes you feel fabulous in no time.
The Country & Town House Responsible Buyers’ Guide
The Best British Lingerie Brands
1. This Belongs To
Best For: Playful designs
The home of quirky knickers and playful bralettes, This Belongs To was set up London-based designer Alia Mehta. Mehta, who was born in New York but raised in the UK capital by British and Indian parents, fuses her designs with international inspirations – ‘Here you’ll find cowboys from the West, Indian dyed fabrics from the East, and all hand made in the middle, in London.’
EXPLORE: this-belongs-to.com
2. Gossard
Best For: Elegant and sexy sets
While founded in Chicago back in 1901, heritage lingerie brand Gossard made the move to the UK in the 20th century and has been a British staple ever since. Now based in Nottingham, Gossard is known for its sexy and eye-catching lingerie – all of which is designed to spark confidence in its wearer.
EXPLORE: gossard.com
3. Dora Larsen
Best For: Colour
Who said sexy lingerie had to be stay within the limits of black, white and red? London-based label Dora Larsen is all about bringing together striking colour combinations to create its contemporary lingerie pieces – think mesh embroidered bras, candy-coloured knickers and delicately laced bodysuits. The brand was founded by ex-lingerie and fashion buyer Georgia Larsen, who wanted to create something elevated for the everyday, that would empower its wearers.
EXPLORE: doralarsen.com
4. Stripe & Stare
Best For: B Corp buys
This female-founded British brand has carved a niche for itself between the ‘ultra sexy Victoria’s Secret and ultra frumpy M&S’ knicker, by placing emphasis on designs that are comfortable, fun and colourful. Stripe & Stare is also keen to make its business as sustainable as possible, and is well on its way there – in 2022, it announced it had achieved B Corp status, a rigorous certification that assesses a brand’s commitment to people, planet and transparency.
EXPLORE: stripeandstare.com
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5. Lucile London
Best For: Classic styles
Heritage lingerie brand Lucile was founded all the way back in 1890, led by iconic British fashion designer Lady Duff-Gordon. It has since become a leader in contemporary lingerie design, with bras and knickers crafted using pure silk, fine georgette and delicate lace. This is luxury lingerie with plenty of romance thrown in for good measure.
EXPLORE: lucileandco.com
6. Gilda & Pearl
Best For: Ultra feminine lingerie
Gilda & Pearl crafts some of the most gorgeous lingerie sets, robes and pyjamas out there, and has attracted quite the star-studded clientele as a result (the list currently includes Margot Robbie, Kate Moss and Hailey Bieber). The brand was founded by British designer Diane Houston, who uses golden age Hollywood glamour as her main source of inspiration when designing – think silk and lace pieces with a vintage finish.
EXPLORE: gildapearl.co.uk
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7. Emma Harris
Best For: Bespoke services
Starting out as a womenswear brand in 2008, and then relaunching as a lingerie label in 2013, Emma Harris is synonymous with sophisticated design and attention to detail. Inspired by the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements, each design is made to convey timeless elegance with French seams, pin hems and delicate topstitching acting as key features throughout. Everything is handmade to order, and you can even get in touch for bespoke service that is tailored to you.
EXPLORE: emma-harris.com
8. Stella McCartney
Best For: Trendy styles
A pioneer of sustainable fashion and vegan materials, British designer Stella McCartney is known in the lingerie space for her lacey bras, broderie anglaise bodysuits and logo-printed knickers. This is the place to go if you’re after something cool and trendy, as well as sexy.
EXPLORE: stellamccartney.com
9. Rigby & Peller
Best For: A range of sizes
London-based lingerie brand Rigby & Peller dates all the way back to 1939, when it was founded by female corsetieres Bertha Rigby and Gita Peller. Today, the brand stocks an extensive size range from cups A to J, and stocks over 20 brands alongside its own designs. Styles are trend-driven, while also paying attention to timeless design and year-round popularity, so whether you’re shopping online or in one of the 45 Rigby & Peller stores across the globe you’ll no doubt be spoiled for choice.
EXPLORE: rigbyandpeller.com
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10. Coco de Mer
Best For: Special occasions
Celebrating female pleasure and sensuality, luxury lingerie brand Coco de Mer is the home of super sexy lingerie and toys. Founded in 2001 and now owned by Lucy Litwack, the brand has been turning heads for its stunning (and flirty) visuals as well as its dedication to female empowerment; Lucy in particular uses her platform to support multiple NGOs and activists fighting against FGM. Coco de Mer recently moved its London outpost from Covent Garden to Primrose Hill – ‘a safe space to discover your own desires’ (as described by the team), the space offers private one-to-one VIP appointments among other services.
EXPLORE: coco-de-mer.com
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11. Agent Provocateur
Best For: Luxury lingerie
Lingerie label Agent Provocateur is known for its playful take on underwear, specialising in luxury sets, corsetry, hosiery and nightwear that empowers its wearer to feel powerfully sexy. The brand was first founded in 1994 in Soho, and has made a name for itself as the leading punk heritage brand when it comes to lingerie. Agent Provocateur currently has four stores in London that you can visit today, two of which are located in famed department stores Harrods and Selfridges.
EXPLORE: agentprovocateur.com
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12. Adina Reay
Best For: Bust support
It’s often unnecessarily difficult to find lingerie that is both sexy and supportive, and those with a fuller bust will know all too well. Adina Reay believes that you shouldn’t be limited by your cup size when searching for the perfect lingerie set, and so tailors its designs to offer the correct support for busts sized 28DD to 38G – without compromising on style.
EXPLORE: adinareay.com
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13. Fantasie
Best For: Support & style
This British-born lingerie brand was founded in 1951, and continues to kit out women with beautiful sets designed to support all your various curves. Fantasie is now designed and produced by Wacoal Europe, and offers its bras in sizes 30 to 44 back and B to JJ cup – and the brand even offers a range of swimwear.
EXPLORE: wacoal-europe.com
Featured image: Olga Korolenko, Unsplash
