8 Canadian lingerie brands to gift this Valentine's Day
We wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to slip into some of these yourself
A day to celebrate romantic love, chocolates, flowers and poetry are all gifted on the 14th of February, every year. But the most intimate present of all is still lingerie. You'll find pretty underpinnings printed with everything from hearts, cupid's arrow, and cheeky little sayings. And then there are pieces that are just a little more stylish and sophisticated, and still undisputedly sexy.
We rounded up eight Canadian brands whose pieces you'll want to shop any time of year. Check out our Valentine's Day picks below, perfect for gifting, or for yourself. Happy Valentine's Day, indeed.
Thief & Bandit, Halifax
Thief & Bandit is an East Coast brand with staying power. The brand celebrated its 10th anniversary last fall, and every piece is hand printed and hand sewn in their Barrington Street studio. (Since everything is made-to-order, you'll need to wait one to three weeks for delivery.) Designer Amie Cunningham's line of unique prints is at once retro, whimsical and earthy.
Sizing: Bras, underwear and bodysuits, extra small to 3X.
Our Valentine's Day pick: The stardust set is a sweet and celestial take on lingerie that we can certainly get behind.
Stardust Bralette, $76, Stardust Underwear, $57, Thief & Bandit
Fortnight Lingerie, Toronto
Every piece the brand sells is made in its airy studio space in the west end of Toronto. Founder Christina Remenyi's designs consist of classic silhouettes, reminiscent of retro shapes while still remaining modern, made of lightweight jersey from Italy and lace sourced from a family-run mill in France. Poet Rupi Kaur and reality star Khloe Kardashian are both fans.
Sizing: Bras, 30 A to 38 G. Underwear, small to XXL. Bodysuits, 30 to 38.
Our Valentine's Day pick: The Vega set in rust is a chicly slanted twist on VDay-red, making it the perfect purchase without seeming too on the nose.
Vega Demi in Rust, $138, Vega Thong in Rust, $48, Fortnight
Mary Young, Toronto
With items made in Montreal, the Toronto brand creates its line with both style and comfort in mind, using rayon made from organic bamboo, as well as super soft elastic bands. Designer Mary Young has become a sought after speaker at events focused on women's issues and body positivity. The brand is sold in Canada, the U.S. and Japan.
Sizing: Bras, 32 AA to 38 DDD. Underwear and bodysuits, x-small to x-large.
Our Valentine's Day pick: This sexy black set is chic and cheeky thanks to well-placed cutouts, and are also feminine with adjustable bow details on the straps.
Myah Bra, $78, and Myah High-Waisted Brief, $57, Mary Young
Toni Marlow, Toronto
Toni Marlow has shown at Fashion Art Toronto, and was created with gender inclusivity in mind. Meaning literally anyone can wear, and feel super cute, in their flattering boxer briefs.
Sizing: Boxer briefs, x-small to Yummiest (four sizes up from than 3XL).
Our Valentine's Day pick: Go OTT VDay with a pair of chili-red boxer briefs.
T.O.M. Boxer Briefs, $35, Toni Marlow
Ellesmere, Montreal
On the market for four years now, the Ellesmere lingerie line is a modern and artful take on underthings. Inspired by designer Julia Rechel's upbringing in the Yukon, the line consists of painterly prints and soft laces, and even updates the garter-belt look for the modern woman. Bra sizes go up to 36G, and customers can also order custom fit options via email.
Sizing: Bras, 30A to 36G. Underwear and bodysuits, small to x-large.
Our Valentine's Day pick: The Silver Porcelain demi bra and matching high waist knicker are both so dreamy it hurts.
Silver Porcelain Demi Bra, $137, Silver Porcelain High-Waist Knicker, $63, Ellesmere
Sokoloff Lingerie, Montreal
Sold in over 80 stores in Canada, the U.S., Australia and Germany, it's hard to call Sokoloff a niche brand, but the business is still run by founder, Sophia Sokoloff, as it has has been since 2011. A lingerie line made with soft lace, no underwire or padding, it actually began as a school project for Sokoloff, who saw potential in the then Victoria's Secret-dominated lingerie landscape. The brand has done multiple collabs with Frank and Oak, and most recently launched a partnership with Addition Elle in the fall of 2019.
Sizing: Main line: Bras, 32A to 36D. Underwear, small to XXXL. Bodysuits, small to large. Addition Elle line: Bras and underwear, 1X to 3X. Bodysuits, X to 3X.
Ohe Valentine's Day pick: Sokoloff created an Olivia bodysuit for her main line as well as Addition Elle and it is so sexy it'll be hard to confine this purchase to just Valentine's Day. We see this being a 'worn all year' purchase.
Olivia Bodysuit, $96, Addition Elle x Sokoloff Deep-V Olivia Bodysuit, $110, Sokoloff
Sewn Designs, Calgary
Alesia Akehurst launched Sewn Designs in 2013 as a collection of lingerie and handbags, but now she focuses solely on lingerie. She recently quit her full-time job to dedicate her work hours to the brand, hand sewing each delicate piece herself. Akehurst also sources as much fabric locally as she can.
Sizing: Bras and thongs, x-small to large.
The Valentine's Day Look: This pink blossom pair is a quintessential Valentine's Day must-have.
Pink Blossom Bralette, $58, Pink Blossom Thong, $18, Sewn Designs
Saxx Underwear, Vancouver
Another brand coming out of British Columbia, Saxx is a major player in the men's underwear game. Comfort is top of mind for the brand, which has been featured in all the major men's mags, like Men's Journal, Men's Health and GQ, just to name a few.
Sizing: Boxer briefs, small to XXL.
Our Valentine's Day pick: The Vibe boxer short in Think Pink is cheeky and one of the brand's best selling styles.
Vibe Boxer Short in Think Pink, $34, Saxx