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With all of the traditionally “sexy” Valentine’s Day ads floating around, you might be thinking, Excuse me, where’s the best plus-size lingerie? After all, larger bodies deserve to feel sexy in lingerie too. And thanks to (albeit slow) change throughout the beauty, fashion, and sexual wellness industries, there’s certainly more of a push for size and gender diversity now than there was a few years back.
In 2018, a Victoria’s Secret executive said that the brand didn’t hire plus-size models for their televised runway show because they aren’t part of the “fantasy.” Plus-size people, especially plus-size women, are no strangers to this type of thinking. We hear again and again that bigger bodies are not sexy. Historically, a plus-size woman doesn’t get to be in fashion shows. She’s not allowed to be anything more than the dumpy friend on TV. She’s supposed to buy into the massively lucrative diet industry and whittle down to a “sexier” size.
“We’re the thing people fear to be; the body people fear to have,” Caroline Quinn, a fat activist and confidence coach, tells SELF. “And so how can somebody who exists in that body feel sexy, or be sexy, or look sexy, or wear sexy things?”
Change has been slow and somewhat recent. Lizzo wears bodysuits and bikinis on stage and tells the world that she doesn’t care if you call her fat. Designers like Betsey Johnson have collaborated with brands built specifically for plus-size women. And we have mainstream lingerie brands created with bigger bodies in mind. These brands aren’t just selling everyday bras and underwear. They’re giving us the kind of lingerie you’d see strutting down the runway at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show—all straps and lace, garter belts, and corsets.
“I want people to know that we’re allowed to be perceived as sexy and attractive and hot and that there are brands out there that are finally starting to realize that fat people want to wear something sexy in bed or for themselves,” Quinn says.
The best plus-size lingerie
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’ve collected a list of places where you can buy sexy lingerie in sizes up to at least a 3X. And because sizing in the US isn’t standardized, we’ve also included measurements in inches when possible. You’ll find a range of sexy, romantic, size-inclusive options from lingerie brands and retailers like Savage X Fenty, Nordstrom, Etsy, Anya Lust, and more. Go ahead, you deserve a treat.
Amazon
If you’re still building up your lingerie staples, Amazon is a good place to start. You’ll find a surprising amount of affordable options. Most of the selections are modest, like sheer chemises or teddies, or stretchy lace bodysuits. Reviewers raved over the two selections below, mentioning how sexy they felt. Since Amazon is a mass retailer, there’s no standard size range, but, generally, the lingerie we found is sized up to 3X at least. Nicely, if you have Prime, these pretty pieces will be at your doorstep in a mere two days.
Nordstrom
Another large retailer, some brands within Nordstrom’s sizeable plus-size lingerie and sleepwear sections go up to a 4X and more. There are basic, sleek shapewear options from Skims and more romantic picks from Seven ’Til Midnight. Most of the items are, again, on the modest size. Silky chemises and rompers line the pages, as well as lacy underwire bras from beloved brands like Elomi and Wacoal.
Adore Me
Adore Me has more than 100 lingerie options in its plus line, including everything from body-hugging bustiers to V-Day-ready bras. There are plenty of sheer, flowy teddies and lacy bodysuits that offer more coverage (a trend that many plus-size lingerie brands have moved beyond). But that doesn’t mean these styles won’t make some people feel sexy and confident. In fact, Quinn tells more hesitant clients who are interested in exploring lingerie to start with sets like these.
Biggest size: 46DDD (cup size), 4X (bust: 55 to 58 inches; waist: 48 to 52 inches; hips: 60 to 64 inches)
Savage X Fenty
When Rihanna started Savage x Fenty, she was praised for immediately including lingerie up to a size 3X, instead of tacking on a plus line as an afterthought. Savage X Fenty was on a mission to be inclusive of body size and skin color diversity from the start. Though the brand has seen some backlash for making plus-size styles more conservative than styles for thin bodies, there are still plenty of sexy, strappy, skin-baring outfits to choose from. At Savage X Fenty, you’ll find a lot of cute floral patterns, as well as fishnet body stockings and thigh highs. You’ll also have a pick from several lacy or see-through bodysuits (some of them crotchless).
Biggest size: 4X (bust: 54.5 to 56.5 inches; waist: 46.5 to 48.5 inches; hips: 57.5 to 59.5 inches)
Etsy
You can count on a handful of Etsy sellers to make bespoke, handmade lingerie for all bodies. We scoped out skimpy, lacy five-piece sets, leather garter and cuff sets, chain thongs, corsets, and romantic bra and panty sets. Both of the best options we found go up to a size 4X.
Cacique by Lane Bryant
Lane Bryant has been a champion for plus-size women since the 1920s. In 2005, the store launched its Cacique brand with new, sexy lingerie styles. All of Cacique’s lingerie is made for bigger bodies. Here, you’ll find strappy bras and backless underwear as well as frilly robes and cute little bra and skirt sets.
Biggest size: 50H (cup size), U.S. 26/28 (bust: 51 to 56 inches; waist: 48 to 50 inches; hips: 56 to 58 inches)
Torrid Curvy Intimates
Like Lane Bryant, Torrid is a store that caters to plus-size people exclusively. Torrid’s Curve Intimates range from cute, lacy bralettes to leather bodysuits to rainbow teddies. If you’re looking for bondage-style mesh bodysuits, there are a number to choose from. There are also body-hugging chemises and ouvert undies.
Biggest size: 6X/U.S. 30 (bust: 66 to 70 inches; waist: 60 to 64 inches; hips: 72 to 76 inches)
Parade
Gen-Z-friendly brand Parade launched with an inclusive, genderless size range and hasn’t strayed. Contrary to some more traditional lingerie collections, you’ll find bright colors, kitschy patterns, and sensual fabrics like silky mesh and satin. Opt for BDSM-style corsets and harnesses, or embrace your sweet side with a cutout triangle bra and matching lace thong.
Biggest size: 5X/U.S. 28 to 30 (bust: 60 to 65 inches; waist: 48 to 50 inches; hips: 57.5 to 59.5 inches)
Cosabella
For simpler, everyday lingerie pieces, Cosabella is a high-quality brand to have on your radar. Though not for the adventurous wearer, these options are made to last with comfort in mind. Choose from pretty floral, geometric, and animal-printed unlined bralettes, chemises, and robes. You can also opt for soft sleepwear sets to round out your cart.
Biggest size: 36L (cup size), 3X/U.S. 22 to 24 (bust: 47 to 50 inches; waist: 40 to 44 inches; hips: 48 to 50 inches)
Bare Necessities
Bare Necessities sells a collection of lingerie from many different designers. You’ll find an extensive range of lingerie types here, with lots of options in the brand’s plus-size lingerie section. If a leather-trimmed bodysuit with a built-in harness is your style, you can find that. If you prefer a simple, see-through robe, you can get that here too. You can even get a full-body, crotchless fishnet suit.
Biggest size: 42H (cup size), 3X/4X (bust: 48 to 52 inches; waist: 40 to 44 inches; hips: 50 to 56 inches)
Playful Promises Curve
Playful Promises’ Curve section includes a lingerie line created by plus-size designer Gabi Fresh, who understands not only bigger bodies but also bigger busts. The brand also has pages and pages of other lingerie in bigger sizes. Here you’ll find pretty, high-waisted bra and underwear sets with garter belts, inspired by Dita Von Teese. You can also get see-through mesh skirts with feathered trim and your pick from a slew of strappy bras and underwear.
Biggest size: 44K (cup size), U.S. 24 (bust: 57 to 58 inches; waist: 52 to 53 inches; hips: 59 to 60 inches)
Ashley Stewart
There are only a few options in Ashley Stewart’s Dare to Bare lingerie section. The outfits are primarily belly-covering bodysuits and teddies, but anyone looking for something more revealing can also find form-fitting, see-through baby dolls, garters, longline lacy bras, and sexy G-strings.
Biggest size: 46H (cup size), 4X (bust: 53.5 inches; waist: 45 inches; hips: 56 inches)
Love, Vera
Founder Vera Moore started Love, Vera in 2018 to increase representation for Black women in the lingerie industry. At Love, Vera you’ll find several pages of lingerie in the company’s Curvy Collection, including many of the same styles made for thinner bodies. Though some lingerie brands roll out conservative plus-size lines that cover a lot of skin, at Love, Vera you can find tiny bra and underwear sets that lace up to your waist, see-through pencil skirts, and belly-revealing bodysuits.
Biggest size: 4X (cup size D to DD; bust: 51 to 54 inches; waist: 40 to 42 inches; hips: 50 to 52 inches)
Anya Lust
Black-owned lingerie brand Anya Lust is your one-stop shop for statement pieces, including bold lace bodysuits, sheer robes, babydoll dresses, and more. The brand also features erotic roleplay costumes, like maid skirts. You’ll find pieces from 30 other designers too.
Biggest size: 42I (cup size), 4X (bust: 51 to 54 inches; waist: 40 to 42 inches; hips: 50 to 52 inches)
Hopeless
Calling all dark romantics, self-proclaimed goths, and former Victorian-era royalty—we just found your new go-to lingerie brand. Based in Australia, Hopeless makes made-to-order pieces, which create a more environmentally friendly business model, and it means your pieces are made with care. You can find something truly unique from Hopeless, including body-hugging lace catsuits with cutouts, dressing gowns with corsets, suspenders and garters, and more classic sleepwear like camis and shorts.
Biggest size: 24E (Australian cup size), 5X (bust: 54 to 56 inches; waist: 46 to 48 inches; hips: 55 to 57 inches)
Thistle and Spire
If you recall the famous Medusa bralette, know that it’s just the beginning of Thistle and Spire’s romantic offerings. There are plenty of picks that offer little-to-no coverage, if that’s what you’re after, including sheer lace bodysuits, astrology-themed mesh bralettes and panties, and 1920s-inspired fringe chemises.
Biggest size: 40F (cup size), 3X (bust: 51 to 55 inches; waist: 43 to 47 inches; hips: 54 to 58 inches)
JBC Lingerie
Another bespoke lingerie brand, Aussie brand JBC makes sexy little numbers for everybody—regardless of size or gender. Seriously—if you don’t see your size listed, you can email the brand and they’ll custom-make a piece for you. JBC Lingerie makes beautiful plunge bralettes and panties in fun, whimsical styles, plus “outer lingerie,” like choker bralettes and suspender skirts intended to be worn on a night out.
Biggest size listed: 3X/U.S. 22 to 24 (bust: 47 to 50 inches; waist: 40 to 44 inches; hips: 48 to 50 inches)
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