The Experience: The Lingerie Fitting

Image La Perla F/W 2014 campaign via Pinterest

I'd never been properly fitted at a lingerie store before. 

I mean, I've been measured for bridesmaid dresses a million times, and I've had my bust measured to figure out my bra size as a teenager, but that's about it. I arrived to Avec Plaisir, an upscale lingerie shop in Yorkville, a bit nervous about the whole thing, until I met Vasilia. 

Vasilia Panagakos, the owner of the shop, immediately made me feel comfortable. She was warm, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of lingerie. I'm not someone that does well with exhibitionism, or talking about my body, but Vasilia knows what she's doing. Within half an hour, I was in a tiny change room with her, topless, asking twenty questions about the new bra I was wearing. 

"Lingerie is your foundation. It makes your clothing. It doesn't matter if you're wearing a t-shirt, or a ball gown, you have to have the proper bra," she said. 

Vasilia knew my bra size without using any measurement tape. She conducts all of her fittings with her eyes, which she says is how a proper fitting should be done. I was impressed.

Her clients range in age from 14 to 80 years old. The shop has everything a woman could need from pajamas to corsets. She carries a lot of European brands, and says her shop is reminiscent of the lingerie shops in France. 

All of her staff goes through intense training to be able to work with customers and provide fittings. She told me that every woman can look beautiful, and to ignore the photos of women in lingerie, because even those women don't look like their photos. 

She also debunked a myth that I heard once, and always followed. It's that you have to wear your bra on the middle hook. Apparently this is bogus, and if you have a well-fitting bra, you can wear it on any hook you like. Anarchy! 

Afterward, I left with a new black lace bra and underwear set from Simone Perele, probably the most beautiful set I've ever owned. The next day I wore it around my apartment and I swear, my ratty university sweatshirt never looked so good. 

To have your own fitting, visit Avec Plaisir, 136 Cumberland St, or follow them on Twitter and Instagram.