Luxury lingerie for the festive season The Times Farah Thorndycraft, Shopping Writer SHOPPING Luxury lingerie for the festive season The loveliest sets — the kind you would buy for yourself Fleur du mal Farah Thorndycraft , Shopping Writer Wednesday October 21 2026, 4.00am BST , The Times Listen 0:00 / · 6:00 min Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save Puzzles Challenge yourself with today's puzzles. Unwrapping your fifth pair of socks is one thing; discovering a frumpy pair of knickers under the tree requires an even better poker face. So why not spare yourself the blushes this Christmas by choosing your own festive lingerie. Or, at the very least, gently steer gift-givers away from the synthetic clichés. All recommendations within this article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue It seems the best lingerie has always been designed by women for women. In the early 1900s the socialite Mary Phelps Jacob invented the modern brassiere. Fed up with the uncomfortable restrictive corsets popular at the time, she tied together two handkerchiefs with ribbon and went off to a debutante ball. The concept became so popular among Jacob's friends that a few years later she was granted a patent for the design, leading to the bras of today. Most commented 1 The Horses review — lunch with an influencer, Topjaw's Jesse Burgess Food & Drink 94 comments 2 Tripsnacking? Finally a travel trend I can get on board with Advice 55 comments 3 Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: 'My kids tell me to back off when they cook' The Sunday Times Magazine 25 comments 4 My father's Facebook posts about 'our special angel' make me cringe Parenting 32 comments 5 Bill Bailey: A heckler told me to get a haircut — I refused for 40 years Theatre & Dance 34 comments Over a century later, the message still stands: when it comes to your underwear, you know best. More articles we think you'll like: 11 of the best luxury pyjama brands to shop now The best luxury loungewear Luxury bedding to help you keep warm this winter Our favourite luxury lingerie Cou Cou Intimates The Balconette bralette Cou Cou Intimates swaps traditional lace for pointelle, proving that everyday cotton can be equally as sensual. The founder, Rose Colcord, favours a coquettish aesthetic, using bows, florals and picot trims to create underwear that feels ultra-feminine and surprisingly grown-up. ￡58, Cou Cou Intimates Advertisement Coco de Mer Lace Renata bodysuit There's a fine line between festive lingerie and novelty costume. Coco de Mer gets it just right with this Renata bodysuit. The British label uses fine floral lace in scarlet red, enhancing the silhouette with a plunging neckline and open back. ￡545, Coco de Mer at Harrods Carine Gilson silk-satin robe For those fiercely loyal to their dressing gown, Carine Gilson offers an elegant upgrade. Made from fluid silk-satin embroidered with detailed lace, this floor-grazing robe will bring a real sense of occasion to Christmas morning. ￡2,450, Carine Gilson at Net-a-Porter Kiki de Montparnasse balconette bra Named after the French 1920s bohemian muse, Kiki de Montparnasse makes exquisite lingerie and classic corsetry inspired by the decadent era. Cut from mulberry silk-satin with sheer French lace panels, this balconette has sculpted underwiring that creates lift without pinching. It's a gift sure to get an “oh là là” upon unwrapping. ￡295, Kiki de Montparnasse at Harrods Aubade Vibes half-cup bra and briefs Aubade is responsible for several lingerie firsts: pioneering the matching set, alongside inventing the strapless, the backless and the front-fastening bra. This particular set sticks to a classic silhouette with its softly structured half-cup bra and matching Italian briefs. bra ￡110, pants ￡75, Aubade at Harrods Bordelle Theia basque and garter Bordelle's lingerie is designed in London using 24-carat gold-plated hardware. The Theia basque is boned and underwired to give a highly supportive, sculptural lift, fastening via a row of adjustable back hooks. Finished with matching garters, the sequined embroidery adds a hint of festive sparkle. bra ￡759, garter ￡189, Bordelle Advertisement Fleur du Mal triangle bra and flutter panty If red feels too on the nose, opt for Fleur du Mal's Ice Queen set in a cool, glacial blue. Cut from a high-shine satin, the understated triangle bra can be paired with the matching playful flutter briefs. bra ￡73.50, pants ￡51, Fleur du Mal Saint Laurent silk bodysuit Yves Saint Laurent never shied away from sensuality, famously posing nude for his own fragrance campaign in 1971. This black silk bodysuit carries that same confidence, detailed with scalloped eyelash lace along the neckline. Styled with high-waisted denim and structured leather boots, it can also be worn outside the bedroom. ￡1,275, Saint Laurent at Harrods Dolce & Gabbana satin plunge bra Dolce & Gabbana's ruby red plunge bra channels mid-century Sicilian cinema without the suffocating corsetry. Made from flexible stretch-satin and sheer tulle, it has softly padded cups and lace inserts that make it comfortable enough to wear all-day. ￡385, Dolce & Gabbana at Harrods Why trust Times Luxx Shopping? Times Luxx Shopping is brought to you by the award-winning team behind Times Luxx magazine. For nearly 20 years, our experts have curated an unrivalled selection of the best in fashion, jewellery, travel, tech, cars, design, food, drink and more. That same rigour, taste and insider industry knowledge underpins Times Luxx Shopping. Every product and experience we recommend is thoroughly researched and vetted by our team. If we love it, we think you will too Life & Style LUXX Fashion Luxury e-commerce Share Share this article Email Twitter Facebook Link Save