luxury lingerie

This is the final post in my 2020 gift guide series, and it’s time to delve into true, no-holds-barred luxury. The pieces here range from a smidge over £250 through to one piece that’s in the four figures, and represent some of the most breathtakingly-exquisite lingerie and loungewear I’ve seen all year.

Still hunting for that perfect holiday gift? This post is my penultimate gift guide, focussing on lingerie and loungewear in the lower end of the luxury price bracket.

When I think of French lingerie designs, delicate feminine pieces usually come to mind: Chantilly lace, wispy tulle, and elegant embroidery. Impudique by Catanzaro definitely has these components, but there’s also an added edge of daring cut-outs and strap details, and wet-look swatches mixed with lighter textiles.

I particularly enjoy the colour scheme here, which feels both playful and luxurious. Ruched lilac satin wraps around the neck and ribcage, connected by a multitude of draped, metallic cords that cover (well, partially cover!) the upper chest and bust.

Astrological-inspired lingerie continues to be a trend, and Love & Swans’ latest set takes the theme to a luxurious new level. Named Cygnus, the set is made from midnight-blue mesh that is lavishly embellished with a celestial array of stars and clustered constellations.

The Glycine long nightdress is made from 100% silk satin, which is cut on the bias (a fabric-intensive and therefore more expensive technique) for a better drape on the body. It’s trimmed with guipure, which is one of the primary reasons I chose this piece in particular.

SADA by Sarah is a relatively new brand to come to my attention, but that I hope to see featured a lot more in the years to come. Designer Sarah Dawson creates her signature pieces in Brooklyn, New York, after realising her passion for designing intimate apparel while studying the city’s Fashion Institute of Technology.

Have you ever been so excited to receive a parcel that instead of tearing into it the moment it arrived, you actually waited a day or two, because you wanted to savour the anticipation of knowing you were about to unwrap something truly special? That’s how I felt when my Love & Swans package arrived.

Created by Karolina Kobets, JTM Noir Lingerie focusses primarily on satin robes, though they also offer nightgowns and pyjamas and have a small range of linen pieces. Some designs tend towards a fairly minimal look, but it’s the swishy, lace-trimmed garments where the brand’s decadent vision truly shines.

I first featured Apilat on the blog in my 2017 round-up of brands making incredible robes, and they’ve only gotten better since. Couture techniques and luxury fabrics are central to their design process, and how could they not be when this label got its start designing wedding dresses?