Lingerie and swimwear in Palo Alto

Palo Alto has a small claim on lingerie history. In 1977 a Stanford graduate student named Roy Raymond and his wife Gaye opened the first Victoria's Secret at Stanford Shopping Center. Nearly fifty years later, the center still has a Victoria's Secret, now joined by Skims, while Town & Country Village across El Camino Real is home to a specialist bra fitter and a swimwear store. Add the department stores and the city covers most needs, from a first fitting to a suit for a beach trip.

This guide covers the specialists first, then the brand stores and department stores. Every store here is in Palo Alto. We confirmed each on its own store page or a shopping center's 2026 directory. Hours change seasonally, so check before you go.

Stores at a glance

Lingerie République, Town & Country Village

Lingerie République in Building 1, Suite 4, at Town & Country Village is the city's specialist for luxury bras, designer lingerie and loungewear. The center's directory describes expert bra fittings for all sizes, virtual fittings and extended, all-inclusive sizing. Brands the store names include Simone Pérèle, Cosabella, Marie Jo, Fleur du Mal, Chantelle and PrimaDonna, a mix of European and American labels.

A fitting here is the main reason to visit. The store says its fittings are honest and essential to finding the right size, which matters because many people wear the wrong band or cup size for years. Plan on half an hour if you want to try several styles. The center lists hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Our Town & Country Village guide covers parking and lunch nearby.

Everything But Water, Town & Country Village

A short walk away in Building 1, Suite 13B, Everything But Water is the city's swimwear specialist. It sells bikinis, one-pieces, tankinis and rash guards, with D+ cup sizes and suits cut for different figures, plus cover-ups, sundresses, hats and sandals. Unlike many swim shops, it stays stocked all year, which helps if you are heading somewhere warm in January. The center lists hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Swimsuits are hard to size from a chart, so try on several cuts in the store. The brand's website also has a Perfect Fit Finder that suggests styles by body shape and support needs, which is useful homework before a visit. Bring the bottoms and tops you like best into one fitting room, since many lines sell separates in different sizes.

Victoria's Secret and Skims at Stanford

Victoria's Secret and PINK

The Victoria's Secret and PINK store at Stanford Shopping Center stands near Tommy Bahama and Joe & The Juice, closest to the Quarry Road entrance at Pear Lane. The brand lists bra fittings and free in-store pickup. Departments include bras and panties, lingerie, sleepwear, PINK, Sport and beauty, with swimwear as a seasonal collection. The company's roots are local: after opening its first store here in 1977, Roy Raymond sold the five-store chain to Les Wexner in 1982, who grew it into a national mall brand.

Skims

The center's 2026 directory also lists Skims on the Garden Walk near Vuori and Reformation, a short walk from the El Camino Real entrance. The brand is best known for shapewear, underwear, loungewear and basics in a wide range of sizes and skin tones. Try on before you buy, since compression styles fit differently from regular underwear.

Department stores

Two of Stanford Shopping Center's four department stores make a point of their fitting services. Bloomingdale's lists free bra fittings in its lingerie department on Level 2. Nordstrom lists certified bra fitters, alterations and online order pickup. Department stores carry many brands at once, so you can compare fits from several labels in one fitting room. Brand lineups change with the seasons, so call ahead for a specific style.

Free People, between Bloomingdale's and Macy's on Lady Ellen Place, has an intimates section alongside its bohemian clothing and FP Movement activewear. It suits bralettes and loungewear more than structured bras.

Sleepwear, loungewear and robes

For pajamas and lounge sets, several of the same stores are useful. Victoria's Secret sells sleepwear year-round and adds holiday pajama sets each winter. Lingerie République stocks designer loungewear next to its bras. Skims sells lounge sets and basics in many sizes. For a luxury robe, Frette's boutique at Stanford Shopping Center sells robes and a small loungewear line alongside its Italian bed linens. That makes it a good stop for a gift that does not depend on knowing someone's bra size.

Buying lingerie as a gift

Lingerie is hard to buy for someone else. If you do not know the exact size, choose something with forgiving fit, such as a robe, a sleep set or a bralette. Keep the gift receipt. A store gift card is another option. It lets the recipient book a fitting and choose with a fitter's help. Ask each store about its return policy before you buy, since intimates are often final sale. Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday in 2027, so stores will be busy that weekend. Our Valentine's Day guide has dinner and gift ideas around town.

How to get a good bra fitting

1. Wear a thin top. It lets you see how each bra looks under clothing.
2. Start with the band. Most support comes from the band, which should sit level and feel snug on the loosest hook.
3. Check the cup. No gaps at the top and no spilling over the edge.
4. Move around. Raise your arms and bend forward to see whether anything shifts.
5. Expect sizes to vary. European brands size differently from American ones, so ask the fitter to translate.
6. Refit every year or so. Weight changes, pregnancy and exercise all change your size.

Swim season in Palo Alto

Swimwear here is not only for summer. Rinconada Pool on Embarcadero Road is heated and open year-round, with lap swimming every season. See our swimming pools guide for prices and schedules. The ocean is colder. The beaches along the San Mateo coast rarely feel warm, so a rash guard or a wetsuit is common even in summer. Our beaches guide covers Half Moon Bay to Santa Cruz.

Frequently asked questions