brubenow

And don't say La Perla, because technically that's Italian, right?

Any French lingerie stores you would nominate? Locations in the 6th are a plus...

Any why do you like the store you're nominating?

grandmere

Sabbia Rosa is known for its beautiful lingerie. rue des Saints-Pères in the 6th.

brubenow

Thanks grand mere!

cigalechanta

Here's a list of the well known shops. Be aware that you can't look through the merchandise as we do here in our department stores. At Sabbia's and a few others, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a bra. French film stars shop here.
http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/20...shops-in-paris. Sabbia doesn't sell underwire or padded. Most French women go braless or soft cup.

brubenow

Cigalechanta- thanks or the info! Why no underwire or padded at Sabbia? And how do you decide what to buy if they don't let you look at it? I take it someone brings the items to a dressing room?

cigalechanta

I remember an old article about. i'll look for it now.

cigalechanta

I should have said the Women of Paris, not France.


Here's the article. http://awomansparis.com/2011/04/29/f...us-and-flirty/

bilboburgler

it does depend if you want off the shelf or hand made, certainly the off the shelf will be sold under brand names (you know the stuff, cheap as chips costs but sky high prices) you have heard of, the hand made will obviously take time (normally 2 weeks or so) with a fitting half way through. Do you want to invest 2 weeks in having the best underwear made for you?

http://www.cadolle.fr/ has a good reputation and a twin-town exchange girl who stayed with us one year did her apprenticeship with them

Pvoyageuse

"I should have said the Women of Paris," are different from the women of France?

Pvoyageuse

"I should have said the Women of Paris,not France"
Oops.... I meant : do you really think that the women of Paris are different from the women in France?

Whathello

Same for me Voyageuse.
Btw does braless means Parisians wear no bra ?
Next I'll hear that we don't shave in France either. Legs nor armpits.

Pvoyageuse

"Btw does braless means Parisians wear no bra ? "
Yes ! ...... It seems that Parisians are considered a different breed !

Whathello

I wonder where and what kind of french women some people meet... and make a generalization from.

Lois2

not sure about the comments above and can only speculate that this poster is looking for some of the brands that are more expensive in other countries...I enjoy browsing in peace at Galleries Lafayette which carries many lines...some of which used to be made in France per the label and probably are not made in France anymore. Anyway a good place to start.

brubenow

Thank you, Lois for the suggestion.

And thanks again Cigalechanta for the article- loved it! Not sure how I feel about spending that kind of money at Sabbia if I can't pick the items out myself, and not sure if I really want a stranger in the dressing room with me! But maybe worth visiting, nonetheless.

I may look at Aubade and Carine Gilson as well, since they are in the same location. I wonder if they have the "no touch" rule as well? And someone making the decisions for you in the dressing room? Hmmmm.

Many thanks for the info!

fuzzbucket

You have to get over being squeamish if you want quality lingerie that will fit you correctly. Many women don't actually know their "true" size, but a trained salesperson can show you how much of a difference this can make - especially after you put your clothes back on.

Rest assured that nobody will judge your body or touch you inappropriately while you're in the fitting room. The salespeople are taught to be very discreet - they're better than doctors.

Believe me - if you can survive being patted down by the TSA perverts in the airport, you'll think buying lingerie is a piece of cake.

Laure Sokol is a nice shop which sells underwire bras for women who need this kind of support. The word for this is "avec armature", while a push-up or demi-cup bra is "un balconnet". Cup size is "bonnet" and uses the same letters as in the US. Google a size chart for bras, to get your measurement in centimeters.

cigalechanta

good post, fuzzbucket.

denisea

I have bought things at Sabbia Rosa and while you are not free to just rifle through things, you will be shown anything you want to see. They have beautiful things and a wide array of gorgeous colors. It is a small boutique. I would go there again and the lingerie holds up well.

janisj

>>and not sure if I really want a stranger in the dressing room with me! <<

Have you never had a bra fitting at home? Surely there was a <i>stranger</i> in the dressing room with you. And if you <i>haven't</i> had a fitting, you should. The results may be very surprising.

brubenow

Thanks for the info, Fuzzbucket- very helpful!

Janisj- Nope- never had a bra fitting. I'm pretty sure that it wouldn't change much for me, though. But thanks for the suggestion.

Denisea- thanks for the insight. I will probably give Sabbia a try as well as a few others.

Many thanks!