Lace, lamé and glitter: lingerie that’s hot to trot

There’s no shame in wanting to have a little fun with lingerie. What’s the harm? But first, you need to know how to say it: lenceria, pronounced just like it looks: len-sayr-ee-a. Now, read on, grab a girlfriend or your honey, and let’s go shopping!

For a Frederick’s-of-Hollywood-style lingerie experience, head to Centro, to the bustling corner of Melchor Ocampo and Teniente Azueta, one long block up from the mercado. Feminina anchors this corner with often eye-popping displays of barely-clad mannequins in peek-a-boo teddies, colorful fishnets and other naughty “outfits” ostensibly designed for the bedroom. Owner Lety D’Rodriguez opened her shop 25 years ago at the suggestion of her hubby and it’s been going strong ever since.

In terms of everyday lingerie, you’ll find hundreds of bras in a smorgasbord of colors and styles, sizes up to DD, as well as a wall full of panties in every imaginable style. For a more titillating experience, check out the lace-and-glitter teddies, corsets and bustiers, garter belt sets in satin and lace, cheeky cut-out bra and pantie sets, and pretty, feminine nighties and camisoles. Guys, there’s even a section for you with boxers and (ahem) playful thongs to surprise that special someone on holidays (Rudolf, Easter Bunny, Santa, pumpkins), with cute animals (elephant, rooster, puppy) and of course, fruits and veggies (banana, chili pepper).

Two doors up Teniente Azueta at #1821 is the aptly named Sexy, a shop that’s geared to the adventurous among us. Yes, you’ll find thongs and bras – but look further inside and you’ll find, discreetly facing away from the door, all sorts of lotions, lubes and sex toys, condoms and “costumes.” Feeling frisky, or have a bachelorette/bachelor party to plan? Check out the naughty cake pans in, umm, certain shapes, all sorts of “inflatables” (big ahem!) and the shiny pleather platform shoes and over-the-knee boots that are straight out of a Betty Paige photo shoot. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Next up, on Ejercito Mexicano, near the corner where the bus station is, you’ll find Ilusión, a neat and tidy shop with more inventory than there’s room to display. It’s a more “tame” experience than either Feminia or Sexy; at the counter, you’ll find helpful saleswomen and big catalogs with photos and size charts for all sorts of lingerie, undergarments and clothing for women and girls. (There are a few garments on display, but not many.) Everything is in stock, though – all you have to do is point and ask, sort of like the old J.C, Penney catalog stores. What I like is that there are lots of all-cotton panties, thongs, bras and sports bras, a nice selection of 100% cotton T-shirts and tank tops, and some really cute boy shorts (they call ‘em “boxers” here) sets and baby-doll kind of things. Hours are Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Another option – that I never, ever thought I’d use or God forbid, recommend – are the lingerie departments at the …grocery stores. Yes, if you search the racks, even Soriana, Mega and WalMart can yield some good finds. Look for Hanes and Vassarette, and also Vicky Form and Contorno brands. And every once in awhile you’ll come across a cute little sumpin’-sumpin’ you could surprise your honey with. The tricky thing at these stores is that you’re not supposed to be able to try on any undergarments; depending on who is (or isn’t) watching the dressing rooms you may be able to anyway.

In my research I also found D’Aerobics, a sparkling clean, air-conditioned “sportswear” shop. They have oodles of nice workout clothes – shorts, tops, sports bras, hoodies (as if), capris and long pants, all made with good-quality cotton/lycra blends. There’s a rainbow of tasteful solid colors in every style, nice dressing rooms, and prices are more than reasonable: Capri work-out pants range from $99-$189, shirts are less, and only the jackets seemed to be more than $200. One location is about three blocks in from the malecon on Av. Rotarismo (the light just north of IMSS), between Mariscos El Torito and El Guayabito Jugos – look for the bright turquoise and hot pink building on the left. A second store is in Juarez near the flea market, both owned by the same sister-brother team, Yosed and Zenaido Herrera. Cash only; open Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.