In a town not known for people who dress up, we sure do seem to lavish a lot of attention on our undergarments—around here, apparently, sexy trumps chic. But what do we find sexy? The five local boutiques that speak the lingua lingerie most comfortably all confirm that while racy is fine, what matters most is the right fit.

Decked out floor to ceiling in velvet and mirrors, with dressing rooms swathed in silk curtains, Agent Provocateur offers the ultimate in indulgence to make you feel as alluring as possible. There are knickers for every fantasy under the sun, and the staff are ready and waiting to wrap, zip, and pull you into whatever shape you desire. 54 Geary St., 415-421-0229, agentprovocateur.com

The free fitting provided when you walk through Alla Prima’s door can be downright life-changing. Suddenly, your rib cage is an inch smaller, and your boobs are a D instead of a C. In stock: not only prac­tical Cosabella and Chantelle, but also a large selection of more scandalous Dolce & Gabbana and Eres. 539 Hayes St., 415-864-8180; 1420 Grant Ave., 415-397-4077, allaprimalingerie.com

Perfect for the timidly salacious, My Boudoir carries fancy delicates in an approachable setting. Here, too, fit is key. “Most women don’t know their correct size,” explains owner Geraldine Nuval, who gently guides clients into skivvies by innovative local designers, as well as European lines. 2029 Fillmore St., 415-346-1502, myboudoir.net

Beverly Weinkauf of Toujours has been pampering Bay Area ladies with the finest French lingerie for more than 20 years, and her cult following won’t go anywhere else. She’s famous for being able to guess your size just by eyeballing you. 2484 Sacramento St., 415-346-3988, toujourslingerie.com

“Fitting vintage is always a bit of alchemy, because you don’t have a range of sizes,” says Michelle Athanasiades of new local obsession Dollhouse Bettie. With an expert touch, Athanasiades shimmies her patrons into corsets, girdles, and foundations from modern designers and vintage collections. The shop also offers boudoir photography, complete with a private studio, photographer, props, and optional hair/makeup/wardrobe. Ooh la la! 1641 Haight St., 415-252-7399, dollhousebettie.com