Underwear brands: Women x Men - Fashion by Marie Jo

Underwear is more than just what disappears under your clothes – it is the foundation of every outfit, a quiet statement about style, body confidence, and self-assurance. Whether it’s the seductive lace from Marie Jo, sensual lingerie from Passionata, or the timeless elegance of Wolford: the market for high-quality underwear is huge, and the differences between the brands are significant. Once you’ve worn truly good underwear, you’ll never want to go back. This guide shows you which brands are worth it for whom, what to pay attention to when buying – and why the right underwear also plays a crucial role in the runway and catwalk business.

Overview hide

An overview of the major underwear brands

Ladies’ Underwear: Diversity as a Principle

Men’s underwear: Underestimated, but crucial

Underwear and the Fashion World: What Models Need to Know

Shopping advice: Finding the right underwear

Frequently Asked Questions About Lingerie Brands

An overview of the major underwear brands

The European lingerie market is shaped by a handful of brands that have set standards for decades. Each of these brands has its own DNA, its own target audience – and its own quality promise. Those who know the differences buy more purposefully, wear better, and ultimately spend more wisely.

Marie Jo – Belgian precision meets feminine elegance

Marie Jo comes from Belgium and belongs to the Van de Velde group, one of Europe’s most renowned lingerie manufacturers. The brand is known for perfectly fitting bras in an exceptional range of sizes, luxurious materials, and a feminine aesthetic that is neither too playful nor too austere. Marie Jo is particularly famous for lace underwired bras that fit flawlessly even for larger cup sizes. Anyone who is professionally active in the fashion industry – such as a Curvy Model or a candidate at the Casting bei CM Models – knows that a perfectly fitting bra makes all the difference in set photos.

Passionata – modern, bold and approachable

Passionata is the younger sister of Chantelle and targets a more modern, lifestyle-oriented audience. The designs are more colorful, playful, and often significantly cheaper than the parent brand. Passionata combines fashion relevance with solid craftsmanship – ideal for everyday use. For aspiring models who want to understand how German fashion designers collaborate with lingerie brands, Passionata offers fascinating insights into the commercial side of the fashion industry.

Wolford – Pure luxury from Austria

Wolford from Bregenz is in a class of its own. The Austrian company produces tights, bodysuits, and underwear at a level that few other brands can match. The yarns used, the seam work, the fit – everything breathes artisanal excellence. Wolford products regularly appear on runways during the Paris Fashion Week and the Milan Fashion Week. Anyone aspiring to a modeling career should know the name Wolford – it represents the absolute premium segment in the field of bodywear.

“Good underwear is not felt – you forget it because it fits so perfectly. Bad underwear is felt all day.”

Ladies’ Underwear: Diversity as a Principle

While men’s underwear can essentially be reduced to boxers, briefs, and long johns, the world of women’s lingerie is almost infinitely complex. There are good reasons for this: the female body is more demanding to clothe due to its variety of shapes, and at the same time, women’s underwear combines function with fashion in a way that has few parallels in the men’s category.

Category	Feature	Top Brands	Price Range
Push-up Bra	Look & Seduction	Marie Jo, Aubade	€ 60 – 120
T-shirt Bra	Seamless, Everyday	Triumph, Passionata	€ 30 – 70
Bralette	Wire-free, Lifestyle	Hunkemöller, DKNY	€ 20 – 50
Body	Shaping, versatile	Wolford, Spanx	€ 50 – 180
Stocking (Premium)	Seamless, Luxury	Wolford, Falke	€ 30 – 90
Men’s Boxer Shorts	Comfort, Everyday	Calvin Klein, Hanro	€ 20 – 60

Bra Types and When to Wear Them

A common mistake: people buy a bra because it looks nice – and only realize at home that it doesn’t work with certain outfits. Here’s a quick guide:

Spaghetti-strap bra → Evening, date, special occasions
T-shirt bra → Under tight, light tops
Balconette → Emphasizing décolletage cuts
Bralette → Boho styles, layering
Strapless → Shoulder-free outfits
Push-up → Volume enhancement, evening look

Materials: What really matters

High-quality underwear is often recognizable by its material. Microfiber is easy to care for and skin-friendly, cotton is ideal for everyday wear and sensitive skin, silk is an absolute luxury for special moments. Lace – whether Guipure or Chantilly – is the signature material of luxury lingerie and requires careful care. Those who work as models and regularly attend casting calls should know that only branded products are used in lingerie productions, whose material composition is accurately documented.

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Men’s underwear: Underestimated, but crucial

“For men, it’s simple” – this statement is only true at first glance. In fact, the market for men’s underwear has become significantly more professional in recent years. The era of carelessly assembled three-packs from the supermarket is at least over in the premium segment.

The most important cuts for men

Boxer Brief → Tight material, full leg length
Trunk → Shorter leg, modern look
Slip → Classic, sporty, little material
Long John → Warmth, outdoor, winter
Jockstrap → Sport and special occasions

Brands like Calvin Klein, Hanro or Zimmerli have elevated the men’s underwear market to a fashionable level that can keep up with the women’s range. Anyone who is under contract with a model agency in Berlin or a model agency in Hamburg as a male model works regularly with exactly these brands – lingerie shootings are also a fixed part of the agency’s daily routine in the men’s sector.

Underwear and the Fashion World: What Models Need to Know

Anyone wanting to make it in the fashion industry can’t avoid lingerie productions. Brands like Wolford, Marie Jo or Passionata regularly commission agencies to find the right faces and bodies for their campaigns. This means for aspiring models: You should know the brands, understand their aesthetics, and be aware of which model measurements and requirements are in demand in this segment.

Lingerie Shoots: Special Requirements

A lingerie shoot differs from a fashion shoot in several aspects. The main product is the body itself – the underwear should showcase it, not hide it. This means: skincare, posture, and natural self-confidence are absolutely crucial. Whoever knows the requirements for models and has consistently gone through the steps to become a model is well prepared for such productions. In addition, one should know what a model portfolio for castings should include – especially in lingerie productions, a strong portfolio is expected.

Size Inclusion in the Lingerie Market

One of the most exciting developments in recent years: luxury brands like Marie Jo have significantly expanded their size ranges. Where once the Cup D was the limit, today there are professionally tailored models up to Cup J and K. This is also reflected in the modeling market – models in larger sizes now work for the same premium brands as their slimmer colleagues. Those wondering whether it’s possible without a size 36: Yes, and a model agency without a minimum size is no longer a rarity. The topic of minimum size at model agencies has also relaxed – the market is opening up.

Shopping advice: Finding the right underwear

High-quality underwear is an investment – in comfort, appearance, and durability. The following checklist will help you make sure you don’t compromise on your next purchase:

☐ Have your size professionally measured
☐ Check the material for skin compatibility
☐ Test the wearing comfort when standing and sitting
☐ Read the care instructions before purchasing
☐ Compare the brand’s DNA with your own aesthetic
☐ Divide your budget according to occasions of wear
☐ Separate everyday items from highlights
☐ Prioritize quality over quantity

A practical tip from the stylist’s practice: Divide your underwear collection into three categories – everyday wear, special occasions, and sports. Each category has different requirements, and accordingly, your budget should be distributed differently. Anyone who works as a model on the side should also understand that investments in high-quality basics contribute to a professional appearance in the long run.

Anyone interested in a career in the fashion industry and who wants to know how much a model earns should keep an eye on the lingerie sector – it belongs to the most revenue-generating segments in the fashion market. It’s worth understanding early on how reputable modeling agencies operate and what to look out for when making a choice. An overview of the Top-10 modeling agencies can serve as a first point of orientation. Those who want to take action can apply directly now and take the first step into the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lingerie Brands

What sets Marie Jo apart from other premium lingerie brands?

Marie Jo is known for its exceptionally precise tailoring and a particularly wide range of sizes. The Belgian brand uses high-quality lace and fabrics made in Europe. Compared to brands like Triumph or Hunkemöller, Marie Jo clearly positions itself in the luxury segment – with correspondingly higher prices that are justified by quality and durability.

Is Wolford really that much better than cheaper hosiery brands?

In many aspects: yes. Wolford uses exclusive yarns, produces in Austria under strict quality standards and offers models that last significantly longer than mass-produced items. Particularly the seam-resistant lines and body-shaping bodysuits are hard to beat in the premium segment. Anyone who has worn Wolford understands the price difference immediately.

Which underwear brands are suitable for models?

This depends strongly on the segment. For lingerie photoshoots in the luxury sector, Marie Jo, Wolford and Aubade are the most relevant names. In the commercial sector, Triumph, Passionata and Hunkemöller dominate. Those who want to prepare optimally should know the aesthetics of these brands, build a strong model portfolio and register for a casting.

How do I find my correct bra size?

The best method: professional measurement at a specialty store. Many women wear the wrong size for years because they have never had themselves measured. The underbust measurement (in cm) determines the band size, while the difference between the bust and underbust measurement determines the cup size. Online size calculators can be a first reference point, but they cannot replace personal advice – especially with premium brands like Marie Jo, which offer very precise fits.