Charmelle 28

Pricey, yes. But for the expertise and quality, this store is worth it. The owner treats her customers like they are her best friends and is sure to pay attention to details. I came her after several weeks of unsuccessful shopping for bridal wear and left happy with the exact bra slip set I had in mind. Probably the easiest shopping I’ve done in a long time.

The only place to go for Bras — yes they are more than VS but they last much longer and fit much better. The Burlingame store is also great — both locations have ladies that are very helpful and will look at how every bra fits on you. every couple of years I go here and buy 5 – 7 bras, Once you switch to their brands, you will never go back. I even took a few of my older bras in and the staff told me they were still in good shape — which was really nice — they could have told me to throw them and buy new ones (at their store of course) but they give you the honest opinion on everything and aren’t pushing you to spend $$.
The staff always has chocolates, etc. and even loaded up my bag on the way out. Anything they don’ t have they will order for you.

Charmelle is a cute boutique situated in downtown Palo Alto that offers lingerie from Europe or the U.S.
While the european & french styles were shockingly expensive ($ 200 for a bra? I may as well finally make a splurge at Agent Provocateur), they did have some decent robes, sheer/​sexy accessories, and Hanky Panky thongs. Friend and I were shopping for a soon-​to-​be-​bride, so we bought two pairs of Hanky Panky’s for a reasonable $ 25-​$ 35 a piece with Swarovski decorations.
Great for special occasions or gifts.

Charmelle 28 advertises «professional» help with bra fitting. In reality, the owner will talk you into any bra that catches your fancy irrespective of whether it is the right style, size or fit for your body type.
A few weeks after your purchase, when you connect your backache to your bra that keeps slipping out of place, and return to discuss the fitting, you will be met with hysteria and absurd counter arguments: expensive bras are NOT to be used for everyday or they will give out. The only thing keeping me from laughing is the several hundred dollars I wasted at this store.
As evidenced by Charmelle 28’s current website, the store is riding on the coat tails of Gitti’s Fine Lingerie which it took over. This is no Gitti’s. Customers need to take their cue from Gitti’s staff and distance themselves from the new ownership.
My advice — spare yourself the headache and backache by avoiding this place. As one friend who lives in Palo Alto said «I wish you had asked me first. Everyone in Palo Alto knows the people at Charmelle 28 have no idea what they are doing»

I had been getting a bit tired of Victoria’s Secret, and dropped by Charmelle 28 for a wardrobe change. It’s a small shop off of University on Briant but there was a steady stream of customers while I was there. The staff were very friendly and helpful. There weren’t a lot of selections for 32D, about five different designs. But the ones they picked out for me were beautiful, and fit snugly. They had a large jar of hanky panky’s thongs and I got one for free after they wrapped up my new set of lingerie! Also, there were crackers, grapes and cheese you could nibble on while you browsed, too.

I’d come here in case I don’t want to go to Her Room and I’m in the area.
Here is the jist of my experience:
Pros:
–28 bands. Even Nordstrom doesn’t carry much of these
–Carry brands comparable to HerRoom
Cons:
–This is where it gets confusing. at 135 pounds, I was measured at 38 – 39 bust at Nordstroms, with a 32f bra size. At 117 pounds, I was measured at 35 bust with a 32c/​32d bra size. Currently, at 125 and 37 SNUG bust, Charmelle 28 measures me at 32d? Breast tissue popped out of the cup. Hrm.
If they review their measurement guidelines, they could REALLY compete with Nordstrom. Curvy Kate fits me great at 30G U.S. size. Please rethink your methods! 32 band is too big for me… you have the inventory for the smaller ribcages.

They have some nice things here but the selection is not great and the prices are beyond outrageous… $ 300+ bra outrageous. I know there are people in this area who have that kind of money to spend, but I can’t imagine that even if I did, I would spend it on clothing that rubs up against my lady parts all day.

From the moment I walked in this store, the sales lady was sweet as pie, she helped me find the perfect bra. I was buying the wrong sizes all along… no wonder they were not comfortable. its a little more than my budget can afford but its so worth it… Thank you Natalie for making me so comfortable. I haven’t been back to VS since.

I went here to buy some lingerie and also to get fitted for bras. Though they have some nice pieces, I don’t think they really had my size. I’m usually a 30D, but when the salesperson sized me, she never told me my size, just that she’d select a few items and have me try them on. She got me a variety of things in a 32 A-​B and needless to say, they were all a little small and ill fitting, though they provided great ‘lift’.
I bought something, but I don’t think I’ll be back. It’s a little pricey to be spending about $ 200 on a bra that doesn’t actually fit! I think I prefer the lingerie store in Menlo Park, which is full of cheery sales people, and have more variety in terms of brands and sizes.

Rachel was a dream. Super helpful. Selected every bra I tried on. Made picking a winner difficult. So many choices! Beautiful bras. Lovely shopping experience. Bras are your fancy French kind with lots of lovely everyday choices too. Higher end but worth treating yourself.

I had 2 Groupons as gift for my ex but for some reason she never wanted to go to Charmelle. I think she felt embarrassed that after three kids she does not want someone to measure and size her since she has lost a lot of weight recently. So I tried to come in before the Groupons expired but I missed it by one day. After driven for an hour and a half in traffic from San Jose and got a little lost I managed to get there but not in the best mood.
But once at the store I met with Natalie and she was extremely helpful and patient. Also a good thing another male customer came in so it got better as we nervous men feel a bit out of place in a lingerie shop. Natalie was awesome showing me different ideas. I had forgotten that each piece is considered a different item not an entire set. But got a couple of really fancy matching sets and settled on one that I saw on a mannequin (as a guy that helps me see what and how something would look on a person) and bought it. Natalie then told me a nice surprise that she would honor the full value of the Groupons even though I was a day late! She encouraged me to see if I would get the second set I had already selected or some nighties she had shown me before. I resisted the temptation because I wasn’t sure how the ex is going to like the one I bought before I commit to another set because it is difficult to buy her things. 90% of the time she will return even her own purchases. I hope she likes this one because it is more detailed and elaborate than anything she has ever owned.
Oh, keeping things nice w the ex helps defuse tension when I visit my kids. I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m going out of my way for an ex besides just being a nice douche, there’s a practical side as well. I’m just saying.
I would definitely come back here for classy gifts for my future girlfriends as well.

Did I spend a frightening amount of money? Yes, yes I did. Did I get fondled by a stranger? Also yes (for the record, her name is Natalie, and she knows her stuff). Was it worth it? Yes again.
I’ve never had a bra fit so well, and as soon as I can replenish my bank account (let’s not lie, $ 100+ for a bra hurts, I don’t care how well it fits), I’ll be back.

I love, love, love this place! Unlike New York which seems to have a designer lingerie store on every other avenue, the Bay Area seems to be a bit underrepresented. At least we’ve got the likes of this shop to make sure the girls are well taken care of. They have a great selection of the fine European lines, and while pricey, are gorgeous and wonderfully made. Quality isn’t cheap! Natalie is a total sweetheart and she definitely knows what ‘s in stock that will make you look and feel your best.

My bf got me a gift certificate for this place. He called them and asked if they carried plus sizes. They told him yes and that they had a good selection. Oh boy did they lie! I guess they consider XL plus size.
I was able to find a very nice, comfy rode that was XL that fit. But that was about it. The sales person was friendly and all, but this is not for plus size women, no matter what they tell you.

I had a really great experience here. I was told by the woman who is selling me my wedding dress that I need to bring underwear to my fittings, but the neckline of my dress is such that a normal bra simply will not do. The dress is low in front and low in back, but it has plenty of fabric over the shoulders, so I should be able to wear a bra with straps.
Charmelle 28 has lots of lovely things to look at. But for me, the thing I liked best was that I showed a picture of my wedding dress, front and back, to Rachel and she found me the one style of bra in my size that will work with the dress — something I didn’t even know existed. I was very worried that I wouldn’t be able to wear a bra with this dress, and now I have the perfect one.
The only reason this place isn’t 5 stars is that the gorgeous lingerie in here is so expensive that I can only purchase items for occasions as special as my wedding day.

*Note: store name has been changed to Charmelle 28.
First of all, the bras here really are an investment – some will run up to $ 200. If you’re looking to shop for that one fancy bra to complete your wardrobe though, this is a great place to check out. Being a bit petite myself, I love that they have a wide range of sizes to choose from. I had Natalie help me out today, and she was very nice. She brought out a variety of sizes and styles, and even called the Burlingame branch to get a bra I wanted to try out sent over.

I love this place–
The ladies that work here are great, and there is, like other’s have said, good, quality merchandise. Seriously, undergarments are very very important, and make or break an outfit on some level, so one should be fitted correctly, and these folks make sure that you are. The more well made, the more it lasts… just saying.

The salesperson I encountered was rude and not knowledgeable. She looked bored and was snappy. Wasn’t interested in making a sale, I guess.
The store has great selection and carries lots of products that I like. It’s on the pricey side, but I don’t mind if the customer service is good.
Unfortunately, if the customer service continues to be so bad, I would not return again.

One of the more expensive places to buy designer lingerie, bra’s and panties, but it’s so worth it if you have the bank to spend.
It used to be #1 when Gitti owned it… I knew her very well as we used to own the business nearby. A darling lady, and a beautiful soul with a fabulous taste in ladies undergarments.
She ended up selling it and it’s now under new management.
From what I’ve heard/​seen, the new owner there has let the establishment go down from what standards it used to be at.
Sad to see it go! Hopefully it perks up.

I am back to update my review. So after writing the poor review below the owner contacted me to apologize for the poor treatment. I went in today and she profusely apologized for the rude lady the day before. Then, kindly sized me and pulled some bras she thought might work. Ultimately, they didn’t have what I wanted in my size, but the owner gave me a few catalogs, the website and her card and told me she could order me anything. On my way out the door she threw in a free pair of undies. It’s nice to know she values her customers.
I went yesterday and this place has changed names. It is now Charmelle28. Ok, so I went in cause I’ve lost some weight and my boobs have inevitably gotten smaller. I was looking for a pretty non-​padded bra. I told the sales lady what I was looking for and she gave me a disgusted look and told me that they only had padded bras in my size (34A) and that I would never be able to find what I was looking for because the manufactures don’t make anything that small. She never offered to size me to make sure this was the right size. She just stood there and looked at me like she couldn’t figure out why I was still standing there. I will not be returning to this place! Especially because their website brags that they have sizes down to 30A. No thanks!