The Prettiest—and Least Cliché—Bridal Lingerie to Buy Right Now
Photo:
Vera Wang
Whether the idea of “virginal” white for your wedding night makes you roll your eyes on reflex or you’ve been pinning lacy white lingerie to a secret Pinterest board for years, it’s your prerogative as a bride to splurge on a couple of indulgent pieces for your wedding.
The definition of bridal lingerie in 2016 has expanded past the typical corsets and garters of generations past, but there are still some considerations—what will look best under the dress, what will make you feel best after you take it off—that have held fast.
We talked to lingerie expert Jenny Altman for her insider take on what modern brides actually buy—both for under their dress and beyond. “I have brides come to me to build their bridal trousseau,” she explains. “It’s an old-school term that gives you license to splurge on a whole new lingerie wardrobe for your wedding night and honeymoon.”
Ahead, you’ll find our favorite bridal lingerie, from silk robes and shapewear to a lacy negligee, to make your day the best it can be from the inside out.
White Night
For most brides, white and ivory still reign for wedding-night lingerie—and if there's any time to throw yourself full-tilt into a matching wardrobe, now's your best excuse. Of course, choosing a classic color palette doesn't mean you need to be totally conventional. Buy that strappy lace bralette you've been eyeing in white lace, or pick a silk set with a matching slip.
For Love and Lemons Lucia Underwire Bra, $128; at Free People / High-Waist Undie, $188; at Free People
White Night
Freya Lauren Underwire Half-Cup Bra, $66; at Fig Leaves / Freya Laura Short, $22; at Fig Leaves
White Night
Only Hearts Silk Charmeuse Front-Tie Bralette, $73; at Oui Hours / Silk Charmeuse Bikini, $46; at Oui Hours
#RobeLife
Maybe our favorite part of this whole trousseau idea is the getting-ready robe—glamorous, sophisticated, and totally wearable after the fact. Pick one in classic white, or inject a little personality into your pre-wedding routine with a silky printed piece.
Fleur du Mal Haori Floral Print Silk-Crepe Robe, $595; at Net-A-Porter
#RobeLife
Araminta Roba, $165; at BHLDN
#RobeLife
Lace Wrap Mini-Robe, $41; at ASOS
#RobeLife
Dear Bowie Zoe Robe, $345; at Journelle
Let's Be Practical
Strapless wedding dresses are by far the most popular style on the market—but they're also one of the most difficult to navigate in terms of underpinnings. One tip Altman gives brides is to have your tailor sew a bra into the dress if you're going the strapless route. "If you're not busty and don’t need the support of a bra under the dress, then have pads sewn in," she says. "They can help with nip coverage and can also give you a little fullness and shape if needed. Need support? Get the bra sewn into the dress so it will NOT move—you won’t have to worry about it peeking out from under the dress."
Vous et Moi Strapless Bra, $78; at Chantelle
Let's Be Practical
Nubian Skin Essential Underwire Convertible Strapless Bra, $60; at Nordstrom
Let's Be Practical
Cosabella Marni Strapless Plunge-Back Bra, $117; at Shopbop
Beyond the Pale
It should go without saying that not everything in a bridal trousseau needs to be white—whether you just prefer something less traditional, or you want more options for the honeymoon, this is as good an opportunity as any to branch out into styles you may not have otherwise tried. Altman also encourages brides to choose lingerie as their "something blue" if they're into that sort of thing—whether in the form of a garter or a lace panty.
Maison Close Jardin Imperial Wire Bra, $124; at Journelle / Garter Belt, $99.90; at Journelle / Thong, $79.90; at Journelle
Beyond the Pale
Emily Lace Strappy Triangle Bra, $26 / Lace Thong, $13; at ASOS
Beyond the Pale
L'Agent by Agent Provocateur Odessa Wired Body, $180; at Zappos Couture
Shape Up
OK, so it's not the most glamorous part of your wedding ensemble, but shapewear can be a godsend if you're facing a full day's worth of photos in a less-than-forgiving white sheath dress. Fortunately, today's options aren't all of the sausage-casing variety—there are pieces in whisper-light tulle or mesh trimmed in velvet and lace. "I strongly suggest brides wear shapewear they feel good in," cautions Altman. "Don’t buy it too small—buy it in your actual size. This way you look smooth, but also can breathe, eat, and enjoy the day."
Sheer Touch Forming Skirt, $130; at Wolford
Shape Up
Wacoal Vision Control Shaping Slip, $95; at Nordstrom
Shape Up
Wolford Tulle Control Shaping Shorts, $150; at Neiman Marcus
