French style conjures up a certain aesthetic; for most of us, one that’s clean, classic, and sophisticated. But there’s a provocative side to this culture’s fashion history that has been unfurling since Queen Catherine de' Medici brought her collection of metal corsets over to France from Italy in the 16th century, and it is not to be overlooked.
It’s true: French lingerie has been a phenomenon for hundreds of years now—in fact, there was a long-running joke that the Eiffel Tower was designed to look like a woman’s legs in fishnet stockings. So, if you’re looking to add something spicy to your underwear drawer, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the 10 French lingerie designers and brands below.
Inspired by what it feels like to slip into a lavish set of intimates, we curated a list of the 10 lingerie brands French women swear by. From the iconic Maison Lejaby to the historical Etam, we’re introducing you to 10 French lingerie brands with luxe sets worth shelling out for. As they say in France: Oui, si'il vous plaît.
How We Found The Best French Lingerie Designers
To curate the roundup of brands below, our team of shopping experts relied on the help of Rank & Style’s data-powered ranking algorithm. Using data from reviews, best-seller lists, and social media, this tool accurately ranks the 10 best options in a given category. Then, we take that list and do our own research to make sure that you have all of the context you need to make the best shopping decisions possible. With that in mind, it's time to light some candles and set the mood, because our algorithm turned up 10 companies that are making loungewear look more luxurious than ever before.
January 22, 2024
Written By:Sierra Rogers
Product Expert:Georgia Jones
Top 10 Lists serve as unbiased shopping guides to the most trusted product recommendations on the internet. Products are scored and ranked using an algorithm backed by data consumers find most valuable when making a purchase. We are reader-supported and may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
The Rankings
Maison Lejaby
Best Sustainable French Lingerie Brand
THE BRAND
Maison Lejaby is a French fashion house with nearly 100 years of experience crafting corsetry and lingerie. The designer puts a heavy emphasis on "the perfect fit," using precision cuts and masterful construction to create high-quality pieces you'll feel like yourself in.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Maison Lejaby's Green Mind line is a collection of pieces created to minimize impact on the environment and includes everything from swimwear to lingerie sets.
Simone Perele
Best French Lingerie Brand For Shapewear
THE BRAND
A trained corset maker, Simone Pérèle has been committed to helping women embrace their natural shape for over 75 years. Every Simone Pérèle piece is designed in France and made with meticulously selected fabrics from the best embroidery and lace houses in Europe.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
In addition to bras, panties, and loungewear, Simone Pérèle makes shapewear. Called "Subtile," this line is designed to smooth and flatter without friction or panty lines.
Chantelle
Best French Lingerie Brand For All Sizes
THE BRAND
Famous for its girdles, corsets, and innovative bras, Chantelle is a brand with over 140 years of history behind it. They set the standard for quality in the lingerie space, requiring their corsetry experts to endure 10 years of training and carrying out 31 quality tests on each material they use for their designs.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
There's a whole category on Chantelle's website dedicated to best-sellers and styles that have gone viral on TikTok.
Le Petit Trou
Best French Lingerie Brand For Ready-To-Wear
THE BRAND
Former stylist Zuzanna Kuczyńska founded Le Petit Trou in 2014 after observing a lack of lingerie brands in the Polish market. Determined to create styles that catered to women's need for feminine and fashionable shapes, Le Petit Trou was born, and the rest is history.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Lingerie aside, Le Petit Trou makes lovable accessories (like this heart locket) and stylish, everyday pieces that look like something you'd see on the streets of Marseille.
ERES
Best French Lingerie Brand For Swim And Activewear
THE BRAND
Colorful and a little kitschy, ERES is a French boutique brand that makes swimwear, lingerie, and activewear. If a visit to their Paris flagship store (which is lovingly called Madeleine) isn't in the cards for you, a scroll through their beautiful pieces online will still bring delight.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The Body lace is one of ERES's signature materials. Combining beautiful, lacy mesh with the brand's iconic logo, this line is designed to deliver sexiness and simplicity.
LIVY
Best Luxury French Lingerie Brand
THE BRAND
Paris, New York, and Los Angeles: three cities with their own distinct fashion culture, and also, the inspiration behind LIVY's look. Self-described as a brand that "... emphasizes the body through assertive architecture," LIVY blends traditional French style with cutting-edge techniques.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
If you're looking for edgy styles, don't miss the LIVY x Crazy Horse collaboration.
Princesse Tam Tam
Best French Lingerie Brand For Loungewear
THE BRAND
Princesse Tam Tam is a French lingerie brand that creates undergarments and loungewear for women who want to be (and feel like) themselves. Characterized by comfort, femininity, and original prints, Princesse Tam Tam's styles are designed to be just as pretty as they are wearable.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
If there's someone in your life who is about to take on the monumental step of purchasing their very first bra, let Princesse Tam Tam make it as pleasant of an experience as possible. The "My First Bra" section of their website is a curated collection of all their most comfortable and versatile styles.
YSE Paris
Best French Lingerie Brand For Sophisticated Styles
THE BRAND
Ysé is all about freedom; freedom to feel sexy one day, and comfortable the next. As a women-founded and operated brand, Ysé understands the female form and how to flatter it without trying too hard.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Want to understand what shape of bra cup would be best for your bust size? Look no further than Ysé's Lingerie guide, which uses three questions to determine which of the brand's styles would be best for you.
Fleur du Mal
Best French Lingerie Brand For Brides
THE BRAND
Here's what we love about Fleur du Mal: They understand that lingerie is for the person wearing it more than it is for any potential observers. With a name that translates to "naughty flower," Fleur du Mal finds a way to strike the balance between whimsical and seductive designs.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Visit Le Panty Bar to purchase a bundle of three, four, or five pairs of panties for 10% off.
Etam
Best French Lingerie Brand Overall
THE BRAND
Corsetiers since 1916, Etam was born around the time of the "modern woman." Today, the company is known for its technology-enabled manufacturing, creating haute lingerie pieces with details that require hundreds of hours of work in their famous Marcq-en-Barœul tech center.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Despite their rich history, Etam's prices are relatively affordable. There's a pair of hipster underwear under $10 in the brand's best-seller category, as well as a 7-pack of panties that rings up for just under $35.
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