Spas and lingerie make great bedfellows. The spa experience makes clients feel and look their best, which is the perfect time to wear lingerie; clients can treat themselves or gift it to someone who's just gotten their glow on. Following a luxurious treatment with an elegant way of showing off the results? It's no wonder spas that pair their services with boutique options by including lingerie in spa retail do so well!
This synergy was evident at the recent Curve Los Angeles 2025 where over 75 international brands showcased the latest in intimate apparel and activewear. The event highlighted growing trends like inclusivity through expanded sizing, eclectic prints, bold patterns and lingerie designed to be worn as outerwear. Innovative swimwear also took center stage, with brands offering fresh designs and fits for a more diverse audience, pointing to exciting opportunities for spas to broaden their retail mix.
Kirsten Griffin, visitor promotion director at Comexposium Group, shared her insights, “Consumers are seeking elevated comfort and nothing basic. Everyone wants detail. I see a lot of burgundy, a ton of lace and a lot of silky garments. There was a lot of crossover. A lot of consumers are wearing lingerie out to all kinds of events from raves and red carpet to weddings.” This highlights the industry's shift toward statement-making pieces that blend luxury with versatility, reinforcing the growing trend of lingerie as both intimate and outerwear.
Fabric, Fit and Function: Lingerie’s Role in Skin Care
“Women’s intimate wellness goes hand in hand with what they wear closest to their skin,” explains Dr. Mary Laura Klesaris, a bioidentical hormone doctor at VSPOT and founder of Emelle Restorative Medicine. “Post-treatment skin—whether after 24k waxing, Femilift or other skin care procedures—is especially vulnerable, so it’s crucial to choose natural, breathable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo or silk that minimize friction, let the skin breathe and reduce irritation or clogged pores. I advise avoiding synthetic blends and tight elastic bands during recovery. Even beyond treatments, if you’re prone to irritation or hormonal changes like menopause, the same principles apply—opt for natural fabrics and looser fits to help maintain healthy circulation and pH balance. The lingerie industry is finally recognizing these diverse needs, offering more hypoallergenic, sustainable fabrics designed for sensitive skin, postpartum bodies and menopausal changes. At VSPOT, we help educate women about how their lingerie choices can support skin health, healing and overall intimate wellness.”
"The safest materials for lingerie are silk or cotton—both are breathable and gentle on the skin," says Bruce Katz, MD, founder of Juva Skin and Laser Center. "I always tell patients to avoid fabrics treated with formaldehyde, which is sometimes used to give garments their shape. If the material isn’t soft or flexible, it may contain formaldehyde, so it’s best to steer clear."
"Synthetic fabrics can be fine for many people, but they do carry a risk of skin allergies or dermatitis, which can show up as rashes or hives," he explains. "Fit is also critical. Lingerie should be loose, especially for sleeping, since tight garments can trap perspiration and even cause dyes to leach onto the skin. That said, compression garments have their place—for example, after procedures like liposuction, they’re necessary for healing. But if someone develops a rash from lingerie or any fabric, it’s a good idea to see a dermatologist for patch testing to identify the cause."
Here are the brands that successfully highlighted these trends, reflecting the industry's commitment to inclusivity, creativity and adaptability in the evolving fashion landscape.
“Today’s lingerie needs to do more than look beautiful—it needs to support women’s skin health and comfort at every stage of life,” says Octavio Quintana, executive vice president at Leonisa. “That’s why Leonisa is committed to designing intimate apparel with soft, breathable, hypoallergenic fabrics, seamless finishes and flat seams to minimize friction and irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin or [those] recovering from waxing, laser treatments or other skin care procedures. Every piece features a cotton gusset to help maintain healthy pH balance, and our moisture-wicking, antibacterial materials are ideal for women navigating hormonal changes like menopause. Our super-stretchy fabrics also adapt to changing bodies, providing comfort and support while embracing inclusivity with a wide range of sizes and compression levels. We believe lingerie should enhance confidence and wellness, and we value the role of estheticians and skin care professionals in guiding women toward choices that nurture their skin.”
Lingerie As Self-Expression
Lingerie is no longer just about functionality or special occasions—it has become a powerful form of self-expression. From bold colors and intricate lace to minimalist designs and gender-fluid silhouettes, today's lingerie allows individuals to showcase their personal style, confidence and identity. Whether worn as a hidden luxury or styled as outerwear, lingerie is evolving into a statement of empowerment, creativity and individuality.
Ajour, the biggest lingerie line in the Ukraine, where they have 27 stores, seeks to blend masculine and feminine views on lingerie, not only enhancing women's sensuality but also instilling confidence, accentuating femininity and providing comfort to every one who wears them. According to their US sales rep, Natalia Nelson, “Women in the Ukraine are buying more lingerie than ever. They are not waiting for something special. They want to live right now.” This consumer behavior reflects that lingerie is no longer just an occasion-based purchase but a staple of personal style and empowerment.
"We are tender creatures with delicate skin—that’s why it’s so important to pay attention to what touches it, especially after waxing, laser treatments or other skin care procedures," says Natalia Nelson, sales rep at Ajour. "Lingerie closest to the skin should be breathable, gentle and supportive. I always recommend natural fabrics like cotton and silk, and adjustable styles that won’t rub or irritate sensitive areas."
Nelson adds, "If you're prone to irritation or going through hormonal changes like menopause, look for lingerie that regulates moisture and temperature with soft, wide elastics and cotton gussets to maintain a healthy pH and prevent infections."
Inclusivity is also shaping the future of lingerie in spa retail. "At Ajour, we test our designs on real women with diverse body types and common fit challenges, not just models," Nelson explains. "Estheticians and skin care professionals play a key role in educating clients about choosing lingerie that celebrates their body while supporting skin health—because comfort, beauty and care should all go hand in hand."
Julia Gonzalez, the co–founder of Entos, explains how her line features lingerie that can be worn inside or out, made for women of all ages. This mother and daughter company confirms that lingerie can be worn out, and that it looks beautiful and sophisticated whether someone's attending a business meeting, wedding, rave, a night out—or if they're simply lounging around the house. Lingerie in spa retail can blend fashion and wellness into a unique concept.
Undergarments That Demand To Be Seen
Undergarments are stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight, blurring the lines between intimate apparel and everyday fashion. With bold designs, intricate details and luxurious fabrics, undergarments are no longer just a foundation—they’re a statement. From delicate lace bralettes to sleek bodysuits, these pieces are meant to be styled, layered and proudly showcased.
World-famous Colombian shapewear brand Leonisa has jumped onto the underwear-as-outerwear phenomenon with their line of innovative bodysuits and their shaper shorts that shape your curves while providing extra coverage and protection from chafing. They've gone viral from their PowerStay short to InvisiLift short to InvisiPlunge short. Whether it’s wearing a pretty bra under a jacket or rocking a bodysuit under trousers, Leonisa makes it easy to try the trend. They introduced their new Boldly collection of shaper bodysuits, featuring the Core Boldly bodysuit, which is made of Leonisa’s signature DuraFit® fabric technology. It’s cool to the touch and has double-layered fabric for firm compression to sculpt the mid-to-lower tummy, plus super comfy compression to smooth out the upper tummy. There are also the Essential Boldly bodysuit and the Bare Boldly bodysuit and which have multiple compression levels for targeted tummy sculpting. Each of these bodysuits was designed with the intention of versatile wear: they can each be worn under any outfit as shapewear, or by themselves as outerwear. Underwear-as-outerwear styles aren’t new, but as the trend has been growing, so has the demand for options that do more.
Under Goodies are a wildly versatile, comfortable, easy-care and surprisingly stylish way to start any outfit. Under Goodies initially designed them for coverage under dresses and skirts, and they’ve proven to be much more than just solution-oriented undergarments. Many are rocking them as fashion meant to show a little or a lot.
The latest trends in intimate apparel, showcased at Curve LA 2025, highlight an exciting opportunity for spas to expand their retail offerings. Today’s lingerie blends comfort, beauty and skin-friendly innovation—making it a natural fit for spas that prioritize wellness and self-care. By offering thoughtfully designed lingerie in spa retail, crafted from breathable, hypoallergenic fabrics and inclusive sizing, spas can extend the pampering experience beyond treatments, helping clients feel confident, comfortable and cared for long after they leave. As the intimate apparel industry evolves with a focus on inclusivity, skin health and personalized fit, lingerie in spa retail is perfectly positioned to bring these benefits directly to their customers.
