Sometimes you just need to put on your big girl panties, but no one said those panties didn’t have to look cute as hell. Which is one reason we love the pretty bras, panties, and corsets these Black-owned lingerie brands have created.
Lingerie is just one area of the fashion world that hasn’t served Black people well. For decades, big-name lingerie brands like Victoria Secret hired mostly white models and promoted a narrow image of beauty that left out many women of color. And, customers with darker skin still struggle to find a wide selection of cute or sexy lingerie in “nude” tones that match their skin.
But now there are Black entrepreneurs making lingerie that is more inclusive, like the 15 lingerie companies we’ve highlighted below. BRB, just adding an extra pair of panties (or ten) to our shopping cart.
15 Black-Owned Lingerie Brands
1. Savage X Fenty
We’d be seriously remiss to leave out Rhianna’s brand. Savage x Fenty has a large selection of different sizes for everybody and every body with bras. Cups run from A to H and bands from 32 to 42.
Plus, most of the items are under $30 so your wallet will definitely say, “score!” Bonus points if that’s also your safe word.
2. Anya Lust
Anya Lust doesn’t just want to sell you fancy underwear from 30 designers — they want you to feel sexy when you wear them. The brand gives us big “lounging in a silk robe and swirling a glass of red wine after taking a long bubble bath” vibes. In case you need help joining us there, the brand also offers sensuality classes.
3. Liberté
Model Amber Tolliver founded Liberté in 2019 and her line has been creating beautiful lingerie using Italian fabrics since. Your butt works hard to support you every day – it deserves this.
4. Nude Barre
Sometimes you just need some supportive, reliable tights and undies that match every outfit. That’s where Nude Barre’s got you covered (literally).
The brand offers undergarments and body wear in a dozen different hues so you can find your best match.
5. Ojai Lingerie
Ojai’s loungewear is to-die-for, especially their Silk Assassin Robe. It’s so versatile you’ll wear it from the bedroom to brunch. Just don’t go store poison in your bra. We learned the hard way that’s how you get it confused with the llama potion.
6. Nubian Skin
Many lingerie brands focus exclusively on bras and panties, but you’ll also find some high-quality t-shirts, boxers, and briefs in a variety of tones at Nubian Skin. Want something for your him? Check out the adorable matching underwear sets.
7. The Underargument
Maïna Cisse’s lingerie brand The Underargument is making a concerted effort to produce sustainable, quality goods. They also make sure their packaging is recyclable if not compostable.
In addition, their mission is to “remind ourselves to always embrace authenticity so we can find our vision, fulfil our purpose, and simply live our best lives.” (And look amazing doing it, like the model below does in this bodysuit.)
8. Torlowei
Patience Torlowei is a Nigerian fashion designer, and her “Esther Dress” was the first couture fashion piece to be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art.
We don’t want to think about that price tag, but you can treat yourself to Torlowei‘s knickers, robes, corsets, and bralettes and show off the masterpiece you are.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CHir9X5lanV/
9. Love, Vera
If you’re looking for bombshell lingerie fit for any body type, check out Love, Vera.
From silk to lace to glitter, there are a number of fashion options for any taste. Except bad taste, that is. This is the last time we’re going to ask you to stop putting peanut butter in your pasta.
10. Suzy Black NYC
Suzy Black launched 2014 their embellished bodysuits, lace pants, and eyelet rompers will have you feeling yourself every day, whether you’re hanging out on the beach or in your bed.
11. Bum-Cake Vintage
Bum-Cake Vintage specializes in vintage looks. Shimmy into a little slip dress, pull on a sheer housecoat, and start living your housewife fantasy. You can still DoorDash some Taco Bell instead of making those weird Jello salads.
12. Beautifully Undressed
Before launching Beautifully Undressed in Berkshire, England, Annabelle Mu’azu, spent 15 years curating African art. Her same artistic eye brings a sensual, playful touch to her lingerie line that celebrates the art of boudoir.
13. Kelly’s Kloset
If you’re looking for sexy plus size lingerie, Kelly’s Kloset has everything from bras and panties to babydolls, teddies, and body stockings that go up to size 20. Oops, we ordered so much we ran out of room for anything else in our armoire.
14. LaSette
LaSette designed their line so that you can wear them day or night. The fabrics are intended to be comfy enough to wear to bed or… if you’re really running late, to work (and not just because you’re on a Zoom calls all day). Roll out of bed wearing this wrap top for instance, then layer under a blazer for a work-ready outfit.
We probably wouldn’t recommend this approach with their sheer bralette, but we’ll leave that to you and your HR department to decide.
15. Proclaim
If you awant to stray away from fast fashion, Proclaim has your back. The California brand makes shirts and undergarments in a variety of skin tones, using super soft, recycled fabric made from plant seeds, wood pulp, and recycled cotton and polyester.
When she's not lesson planning or editing, Laken might be hanging out with her Fulbright or graduate school colleagues, writing for sites like Entropy and Lambda Literary, or eating apple peelings.
Follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn and feel free to ask her how she was almost abducted by a cult while on a writing retreat in Ireland.
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