Women's Lingerie

Lingerie covers the full range of intimate apparel — bras, underwear, slips, corsets, bodysuits, robes, chemises, and sleepwear. The distinction from regular underwear is partly fabric and construction (lace, silk, satin, embroidery) and partly intention: lingerie is underwear made to be noticed, either by you or someone else. At Journelle, the category spans everything from seamless everyday bras to embellished sets made for occasions.

A lingerie set is typically designed as a matched pair — bra and knicker in the same fabric, lace, or print — with more attention to detailing than everyday basics. The construction tends to be more considered: underwire bras in the set will often have embroidery, lace trim, or hardware details that a plain T-shirt bra won't. Sets are worth buying when you want pieces that work together from the start rather than building a match over time.

Start with a current bra fitting — most women are wearing the wrong size, and lingerie fit depends on it. Once you have an accurate band and cup measurement, check the size guide for the specific brand: sizing varies significantly between European, UK, and US brands, and between designers even within the same market. If you're between sizes in a set, size up on the bra and down on the knicker, since most sets offer some flexibility in the bottom half.

Silk and silk-satin offer the most luxurious feel against skin — smooth, temperature-regulating, and genuinely wearable as outerwear. Lace (typically nylon or modal-based) provides texture and stretch; quality lace sits flat and doesn't scratch. Modal and microfibre are the best choices for everyday pieces — soft, breathable, and easy to care for. Embroidered mesh is worth seeking out for special pieces: it's lighter than woven lace and tends to be more flattering against the body.

Hand-wash in cool water with a gentle detergent, reshape, and lay flat or hang to dry. If machine-washing, use a mesh laundry bag on a delicate or hand-wash cycle — never without a bag, as hooks and underwires will damage both the piece and the machine. Avoid the dryer entirely: heat degrades elastic and breaks down lace. Silk should always be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Stored flat or loosely folded, not compressed — underwire bras in particular hold their shape better when not stacked.

For daily wear, prioritize fabric and fit over detailing. A well-fitted underwire bra in modal or microfibre lace, a few pairs of seamless or soft-cotton underwear in your correct size, and one or two slip styles that transition between underwear and outerwear. The most-worn pieces in any lingerie wardrobe tend to be the least decorated — quality basics in neutral shades that sit underneath everything without requiring thought.

A two-piece set includes a bra and one matching bottom — typically a thong or bikini. A three-piece set adds a third item, most often a suspender belt, garter belt, or additional underwear style. Three-piece sets are popular as gifts because they feel more complete and considered. At Journelle, most collection-based sets offer both two-piece and three-piece combinations so you can choose how far you want to take the matching.

Mesh lingerie uses a sheer, fine-knit fabric — usually nylon or a nylon-spandex blend — that's lightweight, close to the body, and intentionally visible. It ranges from barely-there sheer styles to structured pieces with mesh panels as a design detail. Mesh tends to be more graphic and modern in feel than lace, and wears particularly well as outerwear layered over a slip or under an open jacket.

Ouverts — sometimes called crotchless — are panties with an open gusset. The French term is used by most luxury lingerie brands. They're designed as intimate occasion pieces rather than everyday wear, typically in lace or embroidered styles, and are sized and fitted the same way as standard underwear.

Size is the main consideration — and the reason Journelle's fitting rooms exist. If you're buying for someone else and don't know their size, a robe, slip, or hosiery is safer than a fitted set. If you do know their bra and underwear size, a matched set in a neutral or classic colorway is the most reliable choice. Our <a href="/blogs/ask-the-experts">From The Fitting Rooms</a> guide covers buying lingerie for a partner in more detail.