5 pieces to upgrade your lingerie drawer

When it comes to luxury lingerie, it can be hard to know where to begin! You likely already have a drawer full of pieces you rarely (or never) wear, so you might be hesitant to spend more money until you're sure you've found the "perfect piece" or until you have a special occasion. But if you treat clothes shopping like a chore or something you have to work to deserve, you'll probably never enjoy anything you buy, even if it's the perfect fit or your favorite color.

Well forget all of that, because we're here to help and demystify the bra and lingerie shopping experience for you! No more throwing out pieces that never get worn, spending your hard earned money on a compromise, or wishing you had bought that one special item before it sold out. Here's our list of the 5 must-have lingerie pieces that are actually worth investing in, no matter where you're starting from:

1. A black lace bra

Black lace is the #1 lingerie staple for a reason! Browse black lace lingerie from Angela Friedman for more ideas.

A black lace bra is the perfect upgrade for absolutely anyone. It's an easy way to feel a little special when you're getting dressed, can work well under work clothes or for a sexy date night, and is widely available in any size and any style.

Why start with black lace? Importantly, it's likely to match a lot of other garments in your wardrobe: You can pair a black lace bra with any black knickers, whether they're simple cotton, different black lace, or textured like embroidery or satin. Black always goes with black, so this will be an easy win! (More on why black lace bras are our #1 recommendation here.)

Here's what to look for in your black lace bra upgrade:

• Fit is key. Stick to a brand you already know and love, or spend some extra time trying on a few options to ensure you love how it feels on the body. Does the underwire dig in or lay flat? Do you love the shape it produces? Does it leave uncomfortable marks on your skin? Is the fabric soft?
• Keep it simple, and don't go overboard with trims or trendy details like extra straps, large bows, or complicated closures. The point of this bra is to cover as many "dressy" and semi-dressy occasions as possible. A classic plunge bra in lace or a silk bralette with a lace overlay would be great!
• Think about how you'll style it underneath your clothes. If you wear a lot of fitted blouses, choose a flat lace that's more smooth on the surface. Or if you love a racerback top, consider one with convertible or crossover straps. Remember, this bra is meant to fit into your life, not the other way around!

2. Natural fibres / Dress for comfort

There's nothing quite so luxurious as 100% silk lingerie and loungewear

For your next upgrade, we're going to focus on the feel of lingerie against your skin. It's important to remember that you won't look good if you don't feel good! Even the sexiest, best fitting bra or underwear isn't going to make you look your best if you feel uncomfortable. That's where high quality, natural fibers come in:

Believe it or not, you may look and feel your best in 100% cotton! When you wear something soft, breathable, and gentle against the skin, you'll feel ready to take on the world and be completely confident. So consider 100% cotton, 100% silk, or even merino wool or cashmere for undies that will elevate your entire experience. Organic fibers will help you feel good about your environmental impact, and breathable textiles will keep your skin healthy and glowing. You will definitely pay more for natural fibers than synthetics, but once you make the shift, you'll feel an immediate difference. Those old scratchy polyester sets will soon be relegated to the back of the drawer!

Pro tip: Remember to check garment tags for actual fiber content - You may be surprised. Different weaves like satin or lace can be made up of any fiber, so you might purchase a 100% polyester satin lingerie set if you don't check your labels. Look for clear labels like 100% silk and steer clear of meaningless buzz words like "silky" or "vegan silk" if you want to avoid wearing plastic.

3. A multipack of your favorite underwear

A gift set of 3 pairs of silk and mesh panties is the perfect lingerie upgrade to keep you feeling your best every day!

There's no rule that says your underwear drawer has to contain a wide variety of different styles or even colors! If you love wearing something, pick up as many pairs as you can, whether in a luxury lingerie gift set or by scoping out new colorways of your favorites each season.

We always recommend buying multiples of the same underwear you love, especially when you want a matched set to go with a bra. At least 2 knickers for every 1 bra means that you can wait longer between laundry days and still enjoy matched sets. Also, because underwear tends to wear out faster than bras, then you won't accidentally end up with a lonely bra that doesn't have any coordinates down the road.

4. Loungewear that you actually love

100% silk slips, anyone? It's time to upgrade your luxury loungewear options!

The world of lingerie is bigger than just bras and panties! Don't forget to show some love to your pajama drawer or your options for extra warm layers like slips and robes. It's easy to forget about these "extras" but often they're the pieces we spend the most time wearing.

Invest in a high-quality, cozy warm robe or silk dressing gown for cool-weather layering, or a silk slip to wear under your dresses. (More on why you should start wearing silk slips here!) An investment in lounge wear can actually be a better value for money than underwear, because typically these pieces last longer and endure less daily wear-and-tear, meaning you can enjoy them for years to come. When you break that down to cost-per-wear, it could literally be pennies for each!

5. A gift to yourself

Something as small as a sleep mask can be a game-changer once you find a high quality one!

Finally, we don't always have to be so practical and utilitarian all the time... So what do you love wearing the most? What brings you joy and makes you smile, even if for no reason at all? That would be the perfect thing to invest in!

Do you love bright colors? Maybe a zany combination of neon hues will brighten up an otherwise gloomy work day - Then you should invest in a bold, colorful lingerie set for exactly that purpose, and who cares if it's really practical or trendy anyway?!

Are you focused on self-care and taking better care of yourself lately? Then maybe your #5 piece is a high quality sleep mask that can help you make the most of a nap or air travel. (Maybe add a pair of well-fitted ear plugs, too!)

Maybe you're a gym girlie, but you always complain about the discomfort of your workout gear. That means it's time to do a deep-dive of research and find the perfect sports bra that actually fits your body, even if it costs more than any bra you've ever bought in your life.

Final thoughts

You only get one body in this lifetime, so please give yourself permission to properly care for it! Remember, your wardrobe is an investment in you, and that's always worth the time and money that you put into it.

We hope this guide will be just the push you needed to allow yourself to upgrade your lingerie chest. Whether it's shopping for a black lace bra, natural fiber lingerie sets, a mulipack of your favorite undies, luxury lounge wear, or a special "just-for-me" gift... You're worth the investment!