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If there is such a thing as a lingerie store where you could comfortably shop with your mother—and both leave with something in the bag—Laina Jane is probably as close as it gets. Hanging racks tower three-high on the exposed brick walls and hulking wooden bureaus explode with underwear; it's hard to pull out one item without two others flying across the boudoir. This means a selection of bras and panties that can rival the largest of department stores and a sprinkling of lacey, harder-to-find labels, like Le Mystere, Cosabella and Hanky Panky. Laina Jane realizes, sensibly, that sometimes you need a little more help than elastic and lace: girdles get just as much floor space as garters, and they proudly display many time-honored tricks of the trade (ever heard of petals or cutlets?) guaranteed to keep you perky. Overall, there are more cotton undies and tank tops than the kind of sexy lingerie that raises heart rates. Nevertheless, a kitschy bridal display of embroidered or bedazzled bridal tanks and boy shorts takes over an entire corner, and their West Village location carries an adorable, if not petite, selection of baby clothes, too. — Katy Ansite

Key Departments

Bridal

These friendly boutiques attract women looking for basic bras, as well as downtown hipsters and starlets (Liv Tyler is a fan) who want sexy, glamorous things to wear under—or as—party clothes. The stores offer a seamless corset that’s an inexpensive option for brides whose dresses—or bodies—don’t require serious whaleboning for support; lacy numbers from Cosabella won’t work under white silk, but they’ll certainly heat up the honeymoon.

Related Stories

Best of New York Awards

• Best Bras (2007)

Featured In

• The Search for the Right Bra (12/10/07)