Nothing elevates your look from lackluster to va-va-voom like perfect-fitting undergarments. Fine lingerie can refine the silhouette, boost the spirit and set the foundation for flawless style. Whether you possess an A-cup or a cup that runneth over, these specialty boutiques have you covered.
1. Lula Lu
Petites
Catering to dainty-breasted dames who want the same choices in lingerie styles as their fuller-figured friends. The majority of the inventory is from the boutique’s namesake brand: a nuanced collection of beautiful bras and special-occasion corsets that start at hard-to-find Size AAA. Schedule a private fitting to determine your best size.
2. Carol Doda’s Champagne & Lace
Carol Doda, the 1960s North Beach icon and beloved topless entertainer, is now Cow Hollow’s specialty undergarment guru. Her hole-in-the-wall boutique’s array of lingerie and bridal bustiers, combined with Doda’s supernal knack for fitting (she can size you up in a single look), have made her a saving grace for panicked brides in need of unique foundation pieces.
1850 Union St. No 1, S.F. (415) 776-6900.
3. Eres
San Francisco is the latest on a short list of U.S. cities to welcome Eres. The luxury lingerie brand opens its doors in Hayes Valley this week, offering French-made underpinnings that range from everyday bras and panties in soft jersey blends to handmade Callie lace bodysuits and floor-skimming silk robes. Seasonal styles play with colors and fabrications, but the overall aesthetic is sophisticated minimalism.
471 Gough St., S.F.
4. A Revelation in Fit
Until A Revelation in Fit opened four months ago, Bay Area shopping options for the estimated 70 percent of women who fall outside the standard bra size matrix were limited. Using funds raised through a crowdsource campaign, the Oakland boutique stocks high-quality English and Polish lingerie brands (chosen for their superior fit) in a breadth of sizes, from A to KK with bands up to 46 inches.
3974 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. (510) 858-5459.
5. Alla Prima
You won’t find many bows and frills in Alla Prima. The 16-year-old boutique (with locations in Hayes Valley and North Beach) caters to the San Francisco sophisticate who prefers understated elegance to over-embellishment. Knowledgeable staffers help shoppers navigate exclusive designer collections from haute European labels such as La Perla, Andres Sarda and Fleur of England, and even jump behind the fitting-room curtain to assist as needed.
539 Hayes St., S.F. (415) 864-8180. www.allaprimalingerie.com.
6. Dollhouse Bettie
Craving Old Hollywood glamour? Look no further than Dollhouse Bettie. This destination boutique in Haight-Ashbury sells rare vintage pieces and retro lingerie. Its own vintage-inspired line, designed and manufactured in a SoMa atelier, artfully blends pinup and burlesque style with the latest construction techniques to create pieces that fit as darling as they look.
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