Where to Find Lingerie You’ll Actually Wear

Or: the search for Mila Kunis's robe from Friends With Benefits.

Lingerie

Loungewear, done right. | Shutterstock.

A few months ago I stumbled across Friends With Benefits on TV, the movie with Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. In one scene, Mila wears a drapey, kimono-like robe, and that’s pretty much where things ended for me. I spent the rest of the movie searching for the robe online — and apparently I wasn’t the only one. A Google search for “robe worn by Mila Kunis in ‘Friends With Benefits’” garners over 46,000 results, most of which link to pleading questions like this: “I have wanted … No NEEDED the robe that Mila Kunis wore in Friends with Benefits since I laid eyes on it. This is the closest I’ve found” (from a Pinterest page; the robe she found looked nothing like it), and this: “i must know who makes the silk nightgown mumu looking thing Mila has on when her mom walks in on her and Justin. It is amazing! who makes it/where can i get it?!? [sic]” (from one of many comments concerning the robe on Possessionista, a blog that sources clothing worn by celebs).

My Quest for Mila Kunis’s Robe highlighted something I’ve long suspected: It’s tough out there in the pajama world. There’s no shortage of sexy lingerie options, and there’s a whole host of things that hover at or around sweatpants level (see: athleisure), but it’s hard to find something right in the middle, in that sweet spot between X-rated and do-not-care. This is what I’m looking for.

While I never find the exact robe from that movie, I did find great options elsewhere. Here, in no particular order, are great places to find lingerie, sleepwear and loungewear that you’ll actually, well, want to wear:

1. Anthropologie
The lingerie here is really, really good. Some of it is sexy, but in a subtle, girl-next-door way. There aren’t cheesy buckles or garters or cut-outs. The chemises are gorgeous, the rompers are adorable, and the robes are almost as good as the Mila Mystery Robe.

2. The Geisha House
The lingerie selection at this Old City boutique isn’t huge, but it’s all covetable. To wit: Daisy-lined bralettes, illusion tulle bras and underwear, and stretchy scalloped lace bras, all by Skivvies, the intimates collection by For Love and Lemons.

3. Old Navy
Really! It’s no secret that Gap’s little sister is killing it lately (even GOOP endorsed it!), and the winning streak continues in its intimates section. Here you’ll find gems like these pretty lace cami bras and great crochet-trimmed shorts (I love the tassel tie!).

4. The Outnet
This is my favorite haunt for designer steals, and its lingerie section, though mostly underwear and bras, has a few gems. For instance: The top and short sets by Tibi and Equipment, easy-wearing rompers and gorgeous silk shorts. Oh, and the occasional $1,600 robe (no, I’m not kidding).

5. Journelle
This site stocks all manner of bras, underwear and shapewear, but head to the loungewear section, and you’ll find beautiful, high-end chemises, robes, tops, shorts and everything else you’ll dream of wearing. Go here to shop it.