Treacle is a 25 year old knickers junkie who started writing because her friends threatened to tape her mouth shut if she didn’t stop talking about her underwear. She welcomes lingerie lovers of every nation and persuasion to her blog, The Lingerie Addict.

When online lingerie stores first began in the late 1990’s, people thought the idea of buying your skivvies online was absurd.  Fast forward ten years later and now online lingerie boutiques report millions of unique visitors a month and tens of millions of dollars in product sold—much more than typical lingerie boutique!

Still, nothing can compare with the “human touch” when it comes to buying your most intimate garments…especially when it’s been a little while since your last purchase.  With that in my mind, here are my picks for the 5 best brick and mortar lingerie stores in America.  Do you agree with my choices?  Disagree? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Nordstrom—For 75 years, Nordstrom’s employee handbook consisted of only one rule “Use your best judgment in all situations. ”  And customers can still see the legacy of that rule today.  Nordstrom carries everything from Betsey Johnson to Wacoal, but it isn’t the range of styles that keeps customers coming back, it’s the wholehearted dedication to giving you the best retail experience possible…no matter your budget.

Soma—Founded in 2004, Soma is one of the newer boutiques on the list, but with 110 stores opened in only 6 years, it’s also one of the fastest growing.  Soma prides itself on three things: comfort, fit, and quality.  With in-house bra fitters capable of sizing you up in 10 minutes or less, they offer a range of sizes from the most petite (32A) to the most curvaceous (42DDD).  Best of all, their prices are extraordinarily reasonable, with most pieces costing less than their analogues in the department store.

Intimacy—A personal favorite, the very first Intimacy is located in my hometown–Atlanta, GA.  Now Intimacy is located in 10 major cities (including Los Angeles, Miami, & New York) and stocks sizes A-K.  Unlike other stores, Intimacy takes a holistic approach to lingerie.  Their employees do more than sell bras, they also teach women how to eliminate back fat, properly wear a bra, and wash and care for it appropriately.  In addition, they assist with creating a bra “wardrobe,” which both gives women a range of choices and extends the life of their undergarments.  Finally, Intimacy carries some of the best luxury ranges from Europe including Aubade, La Perla, and Simone Perele.

Wolford Boutique—Wolford is at the pinnacle of the luxury hosiery market.  Though pricier than what you may find in the typical drug store, Wolford makes up for it with exquisite quality; I know of some women who’ve kept the same pair of Wolfords intact for over 5 years!  Most famous for their line of basics, Wolford also produces an excellent seasonal range with gorgeous, limited edition patterns.  Visit a store near you for the best selection.

Lane Bryant—Made infamous by the commercial banned from ABC, Cacique is the place to go if you’re a voluptuous woman.  They offer bras in a range of styles, colors, and sizes…freeing women from the confines of those boring, beige, bust-flattening bras of yesteryear.  Almost every mall has a Lane Bryant, which means almost every woman has access to their lingerie.

I hope these 5 stores help with you with your lingerie purchases.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via e-mail at thelingerieaddict@gmail.com.