Under Where?
Leah Long
Atmosphere: Soft pink walls and rows of lacy lingerie greet you when you walk in the door. The romantic décor makes you feel like you've walked into a private boudoir and not a retail shop. The staff is friendly and ready to help without being pushy. Don't be surprised if they take one look at your chest and correctly guess your bra size. They're amazingly good at it regardless of what size you're wearing when you walk into the store. They know getting fitted for a bra is about as fun as a mammogram, but they're determined to put you at ease and make the experience a pleasant one.
Key Person: It took some prying to get owner Shawn Jett to admit she's in charge. She was just 25 when she opened The Lingerie Boutique 24 years ago and has made it her mission to make every woman look more beautiful under her clothes. Jett learned the bra-fitting trade during her college years when she worked with Betty Dye at Levy Wolfe, then located in downtown Springfield.
What You'll Find: It's not every day that you walk into a store and expect to flash someone your underwear, but it just might happen at The Lingerie Boutique. After all, underwear is their business. These ladies are professional fitters, and they won't be happy until you've left with the perfect-fitting bra. Jett makes sure women of all shapes, sizes and ages are comfortable shopping in her store and her team consists of a variety of women ranging in age from early 20s to late 70s.
Bras are the foundation (pun intended) of this store, and they carry a dizzying array of them, in sizes 30AA to 50J. I had no idea bras even went up to a J, but Jett told me that she sells a lot of them, and many women who need special sizes can't find them anywhere else. I asked if all this specialty sizing and brands came at a premium price, and Jett assured me it doesn't. "Being smaller, we can compete because we don't have the overhead," she says. I glanced around and saw several racks and two walls of sale items in all styles and sizes. They also honor manufacturer coupons and have two major sales annually-in January and June. "We sell service. That's what we're here for," says Jett. Besides the basic styles by Bali, Wacoal, and Olga, The Lingerie Boutique also carries imported lines such as Chantelle, Fantasie, Goddess and Freya. It is also the only store in Springfield to carry bras and panties by Mystique, which are gorgeous.
No matter where you turn, something new and exciting awaits. The Lingerie Boutique has swimsuit shapers, clothing tape, silicone bras that adhere to your body, nightgowns, robes, pantyhose, slippers, a small selection of swimwear and a huge array of specialty foundation garments to fit women up to a size 6X. But one of the most fun areas of the store is the playwear. You know... playwear, or what I like to call "30-second lingerie." You name a theme, and they probably have it-from NASCAR to Pocahontas. Forget standard animal print lingerie and expand your horizons with mesh, feathers, faux leather and suede, studs and sequins.
The idea is to have some fun with your partner. The offerings are more tasteful than trashy, and every one working in the store is professional. To compliment your playwear, the store also offers massage oils by Kama Sutra, boudoir slippers and matching garments for your playmate.
417 Verdict: The relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff make shopping for unmentionables worth talking about. Take some time, and discover the hidden treasures inside The Lingerie Boutique. Remember that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so now is the perfect time to get fitted for a new bra.
Savvy Shopper is a monthly opinion feature guiding readers to independent local stores. Have one to suggest? Please e-mail us via editor@417mag.com.
