• Bridal Lingerie
• Adult Costumes
• Thigh Highs
• Crotchless
• Babydoll Lingerie
• Bodystockings
• Sexy Shoes
• Plus Size Lingerie
• Sexy Lingerie
• Garter Belts

Lingerie has been worn for centuries. In the original French, it refers to undergarments worn by both men and women but, today it is commonly understood to refer to women’s undergarments solely.

Lingerie has served many purposes over time, including providing support and providing a second layer of clothing for modesty. It has only been since the 1950’s and ‘60’s that lingerie was marketed as garments to be appealing to others as well as the wearer. Companies like Fredericks’ of Hollywood and Victoria’s Secret glamorized lingerie to the point where it has become fashionable to wear it on the outside where it is visible to all. Lingerie stores began opening up in neighborhood malls to cater to the everyday woman, not just the rich and famous. Advertising campaigns emphasized that lingerie should be a part of every woman’s daily wardrobe and that more elaborate intimate wear should be worn for special occasions.

The lingerie industry began booming in the 1970’s as popular fashion magazines showcased women clad only in intimate apparel. Lingerie styles from all over the world but especially from France were introduced in the United States via these fashion magazines and demand for these higher quality and ornate pieces rose.

No celebrity has done more to glamorize lingerie than Madonna. In the 1980’s, Madonna’s onstage costumes frequently consisted of a bustier or tassled bra. At the time, her outfits were considered outrageous in fashion circles but her fans quickly changed that. Knockoffs of her stage costumes began appearing in lingerie stores across the country. Recent auctions have seen original Madonna lingerie sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Over time, women’s lingerie styles trended towards a more fitted look. Lingerie stores began carrying more sizes and custom fits, especially in bras. Since the 90’s, most top end lingerie retailers boast a bra fitter onsite to ensure that customers get the right fit.

In the past several years, online lingerie retailers began catering to those customers who find it uncomfortable or inconvenient to shop in their local store. As with any other industry, online lingerie retailers were able to carry a much larger variety of apparel than could a mall-based store with space constrictions. Online lingerie retailers were frequently able to sell identical products as stores for a lower price as their overhead was much lower. Not having to pay retail staff or maintain showcase space meant that online retailers could focus on reaching customers over the world wide web and providing a more tailored and responsive selection.

The worldwide intimate apparel market continues to expand and is estimated to be over $30 billion in sales annually. The majority of lingerie sold in the US is still bras and panties, but sales of more specialized lingerie items such as adult costumes and leather are increasing. There’s no end in sight for the growth of the industry. Styles may change over time but intimate apparel remains a favorite.