Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.
For a clothing category that traditionally involves very little fabric, there's a whole lot of thought that goes into buying lingerie. From the support that a bra offers to what's covered (or not) by a pair of panties, finding the right pieces is a crucial shopping mission.
Luckily, New York women have plenty of specialized lingerie shops to choose from throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, from the biggest names in the luxury market to family-run businesses that have been operating here for generations. Check out our map of 24 of the city's best lingerie stores, not ranked in any particular order, by scrolling below.
The family-owned business has been fitting New York City women of all shapes and sizes (as long as it's between AA and K) for more than 100 years, many of those out of this Upper West Side location. The number of years they've been in business is only rivaled by the number of brands they carry.
The West Village-based shop carries everything from sexy, seductive lingerie to cozy sleepwear, as well as a bridal collection. It got its start in 1988 to fill the need for attentive and well-informed sales associates who knew how to find customers' best fit, and now there's an Upper West Side store as well.
With bra prices starting in the teens, fashion-conscious bedroom vixens can find more than just one matching bra-and-panty set to impress her partner and still have enough left over to splurge on strawberries and champagne. Plus, every style sold at Linda's is road-tested for quality assurance before it's stocked on the shelves.
The slogan at Sugar Cookies is "decorate your pink parts," but women who don't normally use that kind of lingo shouldn't be put off. The shop is warm and welcoming, and stocks grown-up brands like Chantelle, Eberjey, and Elle Macpherson — and that other necessity, Spanx.
This multi-brand shop has been the go-to lingerie spot for New York women looking to upgrade their lingerie collection with quality styles built to last more than a couple years. In addition to this original Union Square spot, Journelle also has outposts in Soho and on the Upper East Side.
From Cosabella to Chloé, this West Village boutique is stocked with not only some of the best names in lingerie, but also a selection of dresses and jewelry in case you're looking to complete the outfit.
The employees at La Petite Coquette (that name translates to "the little flirt") are happy to offer personal yet non-intrusive assistance with picking out your most intimate of items. Their selection ranges from everyday cotton basics to special-occasion lacy nothings.
Intricate details and loads of sex appeal fill this luxury boutique. Obviously, Italian lace corsets with floral appliqués don't come cheap, but if you prefer three- to four-digit price tags on your lingerie, this is an excellent pick...
...but for those who prefer to stay firmly in the two-digit price range, check out AP's lower-priced diffusion line (with $30 panties and $74 bras designed in part by Penelope Cruz) at its dedicated Elizabeth Street store that opened in 2014.
This shop is another lingerie newcomer on Elizabeth Street, but the Natori brand has been a trusted favorite since its founding in 1977. In addition to lingerie and sleepwear for both everyday use and special occasions, the store carries its ready-to-wear, archival pieces, and merch from Josie's "global shopping sprees."
The womenswear brand that trademarked the term "inner outerwear" way back in 1981 designs and makes everything it sells in the Garment District, including its functional-but-flirty lingerie collection. Simple Second Skin panties start at $18, while the seductive Golden Key bralette-and-thong set (complete with blindfold) is the most expensive item at $132.
Despite its name, Bradelis New York is a Japanese company that made a stateside splash by opening three stores at once back in 2012. Along with cementing Elizabeth Street's status as a lingerie shopping destination, the brand also touts its bras' cleavage-producing powers all over its website.
Cosabella is designed in Miami and manufactured in Italy, so the massive amount of vibrant neon lace here isn't too surprising. Like lingerie from Journelle, the brand's lacy cotton bras and panties (which you can stock up on during their semi-annual sample sales) are staples in a well-dressed New York woman's wardrobe.
Emulating the pin-up style for a Valentine's Day bedroom romp? Pick up a corset — off the rack or custom-made — from the old-school shop that's been specializing in them since that era. And if you're just looking for a new bra, the second-generation "bra whisperers" running the place can figure out your proper size just by looking at you — no measuring tape required.
Owner Iris Clarke got her start fitting corsets, so she knows a thing or two about the contours of a woman's shape. Her shop is located underneath the Kimera bridal salon on Atlanic Avenue and carries high-end brands that meet demands for style, comfort, and (above all) proper fit.
The East Village staple moved from East 10th Street around the corner to Second Avenue back in 2012 for more space to carry tried-and-true brands like Skivvies by For Love & Lemons, Lonely Lingerie, and the NY-based Clo Intimo that fit a wide range of budgets.
The small but inviting Meatpacking District shop is less about provocative lace and more about comfortable basics, including loungewear you wouldn't be embarrassed to be wearing while answering the door for a Seamless order. Men's pajamas and undergarments are stocked here as well.
Not into all the pink? Maison Close opened up a dark, moody, boudoir-like boutique in South Soho over the summer, with black walls softened by royal purple accents and a chandelier. Be on the lookout for sample sales from the French brand, which previously said they would operate as exclusive NYC events.
The luxury lingerie line recently said goodbye to Soho in favor of Tribeca, where customers can still find the same assortment of lacy and silky pieces that leave little to the imagination — same goes for its selection of sophisticated "bedroom accessories."
Owner Lexi Isadora recently closed her companion apparel store to focus on creating a "luxury lingerie experience" for Brooklyn women, both in Williamsburg and at this new Cobble Hill shop.
Kickstarter made Laura Henry's dream come true of opening a store that carries a variety of undergarments (especially for those with bigger chests) as well as fresh sneakers for women — because who ever said that heels are the sexiest footwear?
Narcisse sits in Honey's previous space and caters to not only what you wear in the bedroom, but also what you might play with in there, whether solo or with a partner.
Why shop at Stories' Fifth Avenue store, rather than Soho? This location carries its elegantly simple lingerie line, with bras and bikini briefs in seasonal shades that look more expensive than they actually are.
The pricy boutique underwent a huge makeover last year that provided a bigger space for men's items, but the ground floor still has the women's luxurious corsets and matching sets whose price tags demand that they be saved strictly for special occasions.
The family-owned business has been fitting New York City women of all shapes and sizes (as long as it's between AA and K) for more than 100 years, many of those out of this Upper West Side location. The number of years they've been in business is only rivaled by the number of brands they carry.
The West Village-based shop carries everything from sexy, seductive lingerie to cozy sleepwear, as well as a bridal collection. It got its start in 1988 to fill the need for attentive and well-informed sales associates who knew how to find customers' best fit, and now there's an Upper West Side store as well.
With bra prices starting in the teens, fashion-conscious bedroom vixens can find more than just one matching bra-and-panty set to impress her partner and still have enough left over to splurge on strawberries and champagne. Plus, every style sold at Linda's is road-tested for quality assurance before it's stocked on the shelves.
The slogan at Sugar Cookies is "decorate your pink parts," but women who don't normally use that kind of lingo shouldn't be put off. The shop is warm and welcoming, and stocks grown-up brands like Chantelle, Eberjey, and Elle Macpherson — and that other necessity, Spanx.
This multi-brand shop has been the go-to lingerie spot for New York women looking to upgrade their lingerie collection with quality styles built to last more than a couple years. In addition to this original Union Square spot, Journelle also has outposts in Soho and on the Upper East Side.
From Cosabella to Chloé, this West Village boutique is stocked with not only some of the best names in lingerie, but also a selection of dresses and jewelry in case you're looking to complete the outfit.
The employees at La Petite Coquette (that name translates to "the little flirt") are happy to offer personal yet non-intrusive assistance with picking out your most intimate of items. Their selection ranges from everyday cotton basics to special-occasion lacy nothings.
Intricate details and loads of sex appeal fill this luxury boutique. Obviously, Italian lace corsets with floral appliqués don't come cheap, but if you prefer three- to four-digit price tags on your lingerie, this is an excellent pick...
...but for those who prefer to stay firmly in the two-digit price range, check out AP's lower-priced diffusion line (with $30 panties and $74 bras designed in part by Penelope Cruz) at its dedicated Elizabeth Street store that opened in 2014.
This shop is another lingerie newcomer on Elizabeth Street, but the Natori brand has been a trusted favorite since its founding in 1977. In addition to lingerie and sleepwear for both everyday use and special occasions, the store carries its ready-to-wear, archival pieces, and merch from Josie's "global shopping sprees."
The womenswear brand that trademarked the term "inner outerwear" way back in 1981 designs and makes everything it sells in the Garment District, including its functional-but-flirty lingerie collection. Simple Second Skin panties start at $18, while the seductive Golden Key bralette-and-thong set (complete with blindfold) is the most expensive item at $132.
Despite its name, Bradelis New York is a Japanese company that made a stateside splash by opening three stores at once back in 2012. Along with cementing Elizabeth Street's status as a lingerie shopping destination, the brand also touts its bras' cleavage-producing powers all over its website.
Cosabella is designed in Miami and manufactured in Italy, so the massive amount of vibrant neon lace here isn't too surprising. Like lingerie from Journelle, the brand's lacy cotton bras and panties (which you can stock up on during their semi-annual sample sales) are staples in a well-dressed New York woman's wardrobe.
Emulating the pin-up style for a Valentine's Day bedroom romp? Pick up a corset — off the rack or custom-made — from the old-school shop that's been specializing in them since that era. And if you're just looking for a new bra, the second-generation "bra whisperers" running the place can figure out your proper size just by looking at you — no measuring tape required.
Owner Iris Clarke got her start fitting corsets, so she knows a thing or two about the contours of a woman's shape. Her shop is located underneath the Kimera bridal salon on Atlanic Avenue and carries high-end brands that meet demands for style, comfort, and (above all) proper fit.
The East Village staple moved from East 10th Street around the corner to Second Avenue back in 2012 for more space to carry tried-and-true brands like Skivvies by For Love & Lemons, Lonely Lingerie, and the NY-based Clo Intimo that fit a wide range of budgets.
The small but inviting Meatpacking District shop is less about provocative lace and more about comfortable basics, including loungewear you wouldn't be embarrassed to be wearing while answering the door for a Seamless order. Men's pajamas and undergarments are stocked here as well.
Not into all the pink? Maison Close opened up a dark, moody, boudoir-like boutique in South Soho over the summer, with black walls softened by royal purple accents and a chandelier. Be on the lookout for sample sales from the French brand, which previously said they would operate as exclusive NYC events.
The luxury lingerie line recently said goodbye to Soho in favor of Tribeca, where customers can still find the same assortment of lacy and silky pieces that leave little to the imagination — same goes for its selection of sophisticated "bedroom accessories."
Owner Lexi Isadora recently closed her companion apparel store to focus on creating a "luxury lingerie experience" for Brooklyn women, both in Williamsburg and at this new Cobble Hill shop.
Kickstarter made Laura Henry's dream come true of opening a store that carries a variety of undergarments (especially for those with bigger chests) as well as fresh sneakers for women — because who ever said that heels are the sexiest footwear?
Narcisse sits in Honey's previous space and caters to not only what you wear in the bedroom, but also what you might play with in there, whether solo or with a partner.
Why shop at Stories' Fifth Avenue store, rather than Soho? This location carries its elegantly simple lingerie line, with bras and bikini briefs in seasonal shades that look more expensive than they actually are.
The pricy boutique underwent a huge makeover last year that provided a bigger space for men's items, but the ground floor still has the women's luxurious corsets and matching sets whose price tags demand that they be saved strictly for special occasions.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50226887/KikiDM_Harkin_09.0.0.JPG)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522811/town-shop.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522812/196593_154129187982075_1670595_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522813/lindas.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522814/sugar-cookies-nyc.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522815/DrielyS-1687.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522816/6816574732_1e53bf3d43_b.0.0.0.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522817/la-petite-coquette.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522818/Agent-Provocatuer__Harkin_04.0.0.0.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522819/4f62a38cacafe5d22a9bd992519fdf47.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522820/josie-natori.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522821/11402979_10152832093541046_6452044261150369706_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522822/12508925_944852895552427_1360310914564492894_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522823/Cosabella_Harkin_05.0.0.0.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522824/orchard-corset.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522825/12105895_1174323882594719_4519741166040580651_n.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522826/unnamed.0.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522827/NYStore1-2.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522828/IMG_3189edit_web_2.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522829/KikiDM_Harkin_01.0.0.0.jpeg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522830/Screen_Shot_2016-02-10_at_1.55.10_AM.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522831/rack-shack.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522832/narcisse.0.0.0.png)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522833/_DSC9067.0.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62522834/11088343_10152522511629649_574724382456611840_n.0.0.0.jpg)
Loading comments...