An In-Depth Review of La Perla Lingerie: Luxury Craftsmanship vs. Premium Prices
Brief Background on an Iconic Italian Lingerie Brand
La Perla has built a reputation over the past 60+ years as one of the most luxurious and coveted lingerie brands in the world. Founded in 1954 in Bologna, Italy by Ada Masotti, La Perla originally started by producing corsets and underwear. It has grown exponentially since then into an iconic luxury house offering not just fine lingerie but also loungewear, swimwear and other intimate apparel.
The La Perla brand hangs its hat on using the most sumptuous materials like silk, lace and tulle combined with intricate detailing and craftsmanship. As its website states: "Every single item is crafted according to the ultimate criteria of haute couture". The end result is lingerie and loungewear that looks and feels absolutely decadent.
La Perla charges premium prices ranging anywhere from $100 for a basic bra to $1000+ for an elaborate bodysuit or negligee. But the brand has cultivated a loyal following of celebrities, elites and stylish women who swear by the fit, quality and overall luxury La Perla provides.
So let‘s take an in-depth look in this review at the pros and cons of La Perla, evaluate some of its bestselling pieces and see whether the lofty price tags are truly justified.
Overview of La Perla‘s Strengths and Weaknesses
Pros
- Gorgeous, high quality materials and construction – silk, French lace, stretch tulle etc.
- Intricate detailing and hand-craftsmanship on pieces
- Timeless and feminine aesthetic for most designs
- Some eco-friendly/sustainable manufacturing initiatives
- Generous return policy if you don‘t like an item
Cons
- Extremely expensive, especially for bras and panties
- Limited size availability; underwear only goes up to XL
- Multiple complaints about poor bra cup fits
- Not as many customer reviews available as other brands
- Lack of discount codes or loyalty program
As you can see, most of the drawbacks of La Perla center around the lofty pricing which puts their collection out of reach for many shoppers. There are also some lingering issues noted by customers around bra cups fitting smaller than expected.
However, the consensus seems to be if you can afford La Perla and find pieces that fit properly, the luxury fabrics, details and overall aesthetics make it worthwhile.
Now, let‘s take a closer look at some of La Perla‘s bestselling products.
Review of Top La Perla Bras
Out of La Perla‘s extensive bra collection, a few options stand out for their elegant design, comfort and support:
Nude Cotton Non-Wired Bra
This non-underwired bra combines functionality with luxury, made from super soft stretch cotton with delicate lace detailing. It has lightly padded cups and adjustable shoulder straps for customized support. At $148, it sits on the lower end for La Perla but offers great bang for your buck. Just be careful of potential size issues; the stretch band seems to run tight.
Georgette Unlined Non Padded Bra
For those wary of padding or push-ups, this $240 bra provides light support through lacy sheer georgette and underwire without any extra padding. It gives a very lightweight and contemporary feel. The lace detailing is absolutely exquisite and the fit overall seems more consistent than other La Perla options.
Studio Line Push-Up Bra
If you love that enhanced "oomph" that comes with push-up bras, La Perla‘s padded Studio Line is the perfect combination of comfort and cleavage. Made from smooth microfiber, this plunging bra offers great lift. The lack of lace detailing also makes it suitable to wear under tighter clothing without lines showing through. At $250, it sits around the middle ground for La Perla‘s prices.
Review of Bestselling La Perla Panties and Underwear
French Knicker
These $168 mid-rise panties live up to the name with gorgeous floral French lace detailing over a sheer background. They offer cheeky rear coverage while still making you feel feminine and put-together. The lace also seems high quality and durable enough for constant wear and tear.
Portuguese Brief
For those wanting fuller rear coverage, these $195 briefs extend further down the backside while still featuring seductive sheer cut-outs along the top. The scalloped trim adds lovely detailing without being overdone. The Portuguese brief runs slightly big so consider going a size down.
Brazilian Thong
This racy little $155 thong is for those not afraid to showcase some serious skin. Made from soft lace and lycra, the barely-there style puts everything out on display both front and back while still being amazingly comfortable for all-day wear. Recently renamed to the "G-string" so don‘t get confused by the outdated label!
Review of Select Loungewear and Sleepwear
While best known for lingerie, La Perla also excels at creating sumptuous robes, gowns and loungewear apparel:
Long Satin Robe
Few things feel more indulgent than wrapping yourself in this flowing full-length satin robe after a bath or shower. Made from ultra-luxurious silk satin, it looks like something a 1940‘s movie star would prance around her boudoir in. The $870 price tag is certainly extravagant but the quality and style makes it worthwhile for some.
Silk Short Pyjama
Why settle for basic cotton PJs when you can lounge in pure luxury? These relaxed short silk pyjamas are perfect as summer sleepwear or a casual weekend outfit. The $670 price stings but the vibrant designs and loose cropped cut makes them far from basic loungewear.
Cashmere Bed Jacket
For those nights when you want to feel covered up but not constricted, this $795 cashmere bed jacket is the ultimate light layer. It combines the softness of cashmere with an elegant slim fit in options of black, navy or grey. The price makes it more of a special occasion piece but it‘s one you‘ll treasure for years.
How Does La Perla Compare to Other Designers?
When it comes to luxury lingerie and loungewear, La Perla occupies a top position among other iconic designers like Agent Provocateur and Fleur du Mal. Its styles tend to be more timelessly feminine and delicate compared to edgier looks from other brands.
In terms of quality though, high-end lines from Agent Provocateur and Kiki de Montparnasse can go toe-to-toe with La Perla. Designer Josie Natori also offers comparable luxury at slightly lower price points.
For ready-to-wear intimates focused on everyday comfort, lines like Cosabella and Commando offer a scaled-down everyday luxury compared to La Perla. But the attention to couture detail still sets La Perla apart when you want to indulge in something truly special.
Who is the Typical La Perla Customer?
It‘s clear from the lofty pricing that La Perla caters towards an elite luxury clientele including:
- Celebrities and high-profile women
- Ladies who view lingerie as fashion, not just underwear
- Women shopping for honeymoons, anniversaries, weddings
- Those who buy designer goods frequently
For the typical middle-class shopper on a budget, La Perla is generally seen as aspirational but unattainable. That being said, regular consumers could justify investing in one special La Perla piece rather than an entire set. Just focus on ensuring it fits properly before taking the financial plunge!
Some alternate lingerie brands that offer a hint of luxury without the shocking price tags include French Knickers, Lonely, Journelle and Fleur du Mal. Each provides high-quality materials and feminine aesthetics for roughly half the cost of La Perla on average.
What Do Customers Have To Say About La Perla?
Overall, customer sentiment skews very positive for the La Perla brand across online reviews. Here is a brief overview:
- Positive feedback focuses on the stunning quality, intricate detailing and overall luxury provided. Many share that pieces feel worth the splurge for a special occasion or as a personal gift.
- Negative critiques home in on sizing inconsistencies, especially in bras where cups tend to run small. Poor experiences with trying to exchange items for a different size are also a complaints mentioned by some luxury magazine editors and customers.
To provide specific examples:
"I cannot say enough about the craftsmanship and quality of their products. Their robes are my absolute favorite!" * * * * * Elle.com review
"Stunning lingerie but disappointed in the bra sizing and fitting for such expensive pieces." * * * Popsugar review
Based on aggregate feedback, a few premises hold true if you plan to shop La Perla:
- Be meticulous about measuring yourself and ordering the right bra size.
- Read through all product details to understand materials and fits.
- Expect exceptional quality and luxury if you select the right items.
La Perla‘s Commitment to Sustainability
Alongside luxury construction, La Perla has ramped up its environmental and sustainability efforts in recent years. Some positive company initiatives include:
- Eco-friendly materials: Increased use of recycled lace, eco-cotton, regenerated nylon and other sustainable textiles.
- Reduced packaging waste: Switched to smaller boxes and tissue paper wrapping instead of ribbon and excess filler materials.
- Ethical manufacturing: Production done locally in Bologna, Italy or withEuropean partners under close supervision vsexploitativelow-cost labor.
While not perfect, it‘s encouraging to see La Perla making tangible commitments to ethics and sustainability alongside the luxury category they operate within.
La Perla Return Policy and Shipping
One nice perk La Perla offers is hassle-free returns to take the stress out of online ordering. You have 28 days from purchase to decide if you want to return an item for a full refund minus any shipping fees. Items must be unused with all tags still attached to qualify for returns.
La Perla provides free standard shipping within the continental USA which takes 5-7 business days on average. Expedited shipping usually reaches most U.S. addresses within 2-3 days but comes with additional fees based on cart value thresholds.
For international delivery outside the U.S., La Perla provides free standard shipping that can take 7-14 days depending on customs and remote locations. Faster expedited shipping is available for an extra cost.
One downside is La Perla does not currently offer any discount codes for percent-off or dollars-off qualifying orders. So take any sticker prices shown at face value.
The Verdict: Does La Perla Provide Value for Money?
For those with deep pockets not afraid to invest in luxury, La Perla absolutely delivers an exceptional level of quality, detail and design that justifies its premium price positioning. From exquisite lace cups on bras to slinky satin robes that envelop you like a second skin, the brand excels across categories.
However, budget-minded shoppers that typically spend <$100 on intimates will likely find La Perla out of reach unless saving up for a very special occasion. Based on common bra flaws noted and lack of inclusive sizing, the quality also seems to falter slightly compared to the 3-figure price tags.
So in summary, is La Perla worth the splurge? Our take is yes for those willing to put careful consideration into the perfect style and fit. Treat yourself to one jaw-dropping showpiece like a lace bodysuit or silk gown that makes you feel amazing rather than a whole set of mismatched pieces.
Just be extremely meticulous with measuring guides and size charts to avoid unpleasant return issues. And finally, check retailers like Saks OFF 5th and TheRealReal for rare discounted La Perla so you can sample the luxury for less.
