San Francisco has all the standard lingerie options that you would find in almost any city in America. There's the massive Victoria's Secret on Union Square, (along with smaller stores in Westfield Centre and Stonestown Galleria), American Eagle's Aerie, and department stores. But, for a more intimate intimates-shopping experience, you can find a handful of smaller lingerie shops around town, including brick-and-mortar locations for international brands like La Perla and Agent Provocateur, and homegrown boutiques like Alla Prima. (Sadly, San Francisco lost our beloved Les Cents Culottes in Russian Hill last year, so the city has fewer French lingerie options.) Below, explore the best to shop in real life, as well as a few can't-miss local e-commerce brands that should be on your radar.

Agent Provocateur

4 Geary Street

When you're searching for racy, bondage-inspired pieces, you'll be hard pressed to find a better store. Just come prepared to spend. This is, after all, a brand that sells $165 metallic pasties. There are plenty of sweet, lacy options, but if you're shopping at AP, you're better off sticking with the sheer or strappy numbers.

Alla Prima Lingerie

539 HAYES STREET

This Hayes Valley boutique's assortment spans the globe, with designs from Europe and the Americas. While brands like Eres and La Perla have their own stores in San Francisco now, you can shop both labels—and an assortment of other high-end lingerie brands—right here. In addition to lingerie, the store offers a selection of luxury swimwear.

Aricie

Crocker Galleria, 50 Post Street

Tucked away on Level 2 of the Crocker Galleria, this high-end lingerie shop favors French and Italian lingerie from designers like Aubade, Simone Perele, Christies and more. (They also carry American and Spanish designers; you'll have options.) Aricie has been holding down the downtown lingerie shopping fort since 1982.

Dark Garden

321 Linden Street

Hidden away on Linden Street in Hayes Valley, Dark Garden is one of the top corset shops in America. Celebrities including Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Kelly Osbourne and Dita Von Teese turn to owner Autumn Adamme for her couture designs. In addition to custom corsets, Autumn stocks beautiful, vintage-inspired ready-to-wear lingerie, perfect for channeling your inner pinup girl.

Dolls Kill

1475 Haight Street

While it's not a lingerie shop, per se, Dolls Kill sells a lot of lingerie. It's part of the company's whole rebellious-teenager-trying-to-give-her-parents-a-heart-attack-by-dressing-like-a-stripper persona. If your lingerie style is candy raver, you'll be in heaven. And yes, of course you can work those purchases into subsequent festival looks.

Eres

471 GOUGH STREET

Eres started as a French swimsuit brand in the 1960s, and expanded to lingerie 20 years later. The brand stands out in the field of luxe lingerie labels for its minimalist styles. The triangle—which has become Eres's signature cut—is a wireless bra that offers support structured by fancy cuts, elastic, finishes and bands. If you're looking to buy Eres in Northern California, this stand-alone shop and Alla Prima (around the corner) are your only options.

Felicity's Fetiche

1214 Sutter Street

In a lingerie world of sugar and spice, Felicity's Fetiche is definitely the spice. Exotic dancers have patronized the shop for years for stage costumes. (It's located on the mezzanine level above Foot Worship, which should be your first stop if you're in the market for "stripper heels.") Check it out if you're more into latex than leather.

La Perla

170 Geary Street

The luxe lingerie brand is part of the international luxury lineup on Geary, brimming with the Italian company's famous lacy pieces. Positively decadent slips and nighties can ring in around $1000, but with proper care, they'll last forever.

Pink Bunny

1772 UNION STREET

Pink Bunny pieces border on scandalous, so they're perfect for bachelorette gifts or Valentine's Day. (Really any occasion when you're feeling saucy.) You'll also find sex toys, lubes, and other accessories at this Marina mainstay. The staff is excellent at up-selling, so don't be surprised when you walk away with more than just lingerie.

Toujours Lingerie

2484 SACRAMENTO STREET

A closet-sized Pac Heights staple, Toujours has been outfitting local women with underthings for over 30 years. Owner Beverly Weinkauf can help you find the perfect fit from her selection of Hanro, Hanky Panky, Chantelle, Simone Perele, and more.

Online Options

In addition to the brick and mortar operations, Northern California is home to several noteworthy lingerie brands that you can shop online.

Evgenia Lingerie

Evgenia is a vintage-inspired line that's heavy on satin and delicate lace. Shop Evgenia locally at A La Folie in Oakland, (5461 College Avenue). If you have plans to drive to Tomales Bay, you can make an appointment to stop by to see designer Stephanie Bodnar at her Nicasio studio and showroom.

LES LUNES

A Parisian label that uses bamboo as the base of its fabric, Les Lunes makes some of the softest lingerie you'll ever touch. There are lace-trimmed bustiers, bralettes, bodysuits, and boyshorts, so it's easy to find the right style for yourself or a friend. The bamboo element is particularly important because it helps control body temperature and keep you cool if you actually sleep in a slip or skivvies.

Naja

Naja is your socially-conscious source for lingerie. The brand's factory primarily employs single mothers, pays above-market wages and healthcare, and uses eco-friendly textiles and processes to reduce its environmental impact. The designs are pretty, with lace and floral-printed bustiers and matching panty options. Try their Nude for All bras and undies for seven different skin tones.

Proclaim

It's by no means the prettiest lingerie on the market, but Proclaim has a lot going for it. First, the brand was created to solve a problem: bringing inclusive flesh-tone bras to market. Second, Proclaim is manufactured right here in San Francisco. Third, Proclaim’s ultra-soft fabric is manufactured in the USA from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic water bottles. (Feel free to insert your own turning bottles into cups joke here.)

Third Love

ThirdLove's claim to fame is half-cup sizing, which offers a better fit than your average A-B-C choices. In February, ThirdLove launched its New Nakeds collection of true nude bras in a range of five skin tones. While the company sticks to bras, panties, and a few cozy loungewear sets, their lacy undie options are both pretty and functional.

True & Co.

Not every bra design works for every woman, so True & Co set out to use data to help women find their best fit. The True experience begins with a fit quiz and gets better every time you try and rate a bra.

The Very Best Lingerie Stores in San Francisco