If you’re looking to expand the international contents of your underwear drawer but can’t necessarily fly all over the world in search of the best underpinnings, we’ve got you (skimpily) covered. We’ve scouted 13 international underwear brands from countries like France and Japan that offer everything from men’s cotton basics to lacy sweet nothings for women — all available on Amazon.
From France
Chantelle was founded in France in 1876 and came to fame for creating the first elasticized fabric for corsets.
Simone Perele also got its start from the world of corsets and was founded in Paris in 1948 by Madame Simone Perele, an expert corset maker who wanted to free women from restrictive lingerie and instead create pieces that catered to a woman’s natural shape.
From Japan
Wacoal is among Japan’s most popular lingerie and underwear brands.
From Switzerland
Nobody made a plain, cotton camisole-and-panty set look sexier than Nicole Kidman did in Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. In a pivotal scene, Kidman’s character confesses a sex fantasy she has of a naval officer she once saw on vacation to her husband, played by Tom Cruise (who was also her real-life husband at the time). Wearing just a strappy white cami and white briefs by Swiss brand Hanro, Kidman’s character burns with the memory of that fantasized encounter, while Cruise’s character squirms. Here’s a similar pair of panties.
Zimmerli of Switzerland, which is based in Aaburg, was founded in 1871 and got its start when Pauline Zimmerli-Bäurlin learned to make socks on a new knitting machine. She went on to invent a knitting machine of her own, establishing Zimmerli as a leader in manufacturing ribbed fabric.
From South Korea
Growing up, I remember receiving BYC underwear and pajamas from family members traveling from South Korea. It’s basic and reliable — all you really need for everyday wear.
From the United Kingdom
Men’s underwear from British heritage brand Derek Rose.
British luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur is known for its provocative underwear — its diffusion line L’Agent by Agent Provocateur offers similar styles at friendlier prices.
From Germany
German underwear brand Schiesser was founded in 1875 by Swiss manufacturer Jacques Schiesser.
From Sweden
Bread and Boxers is a Swedish underwear company founded on the principles of simplicity, comfort, and functionality using only organic cotton.
From Italy
And, of course, there’s Italian luxury lingerie brand La Perla, which was also founded by a master corset maker, this time in 1954 in Bologna, Italy. Today, it offers everything from sleepwear to ready-to-wear. These boy shorts are flirty yet functional.
Don’t let the chiseled models of Emporio Armani (David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo, anyone?) distract you from the fact that the Giorgio Armani brand makes some solid underwear for men (and women).
From Austria
Austrian company Wolford may be best known for its tights, but it also offers a range of body-hugging lingerie as well.
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