ALL THINGS EXPECT LACE: Celebrating 7 Years

Welcome to Expect Lace, a distinguished lingerie retail company in Manayunk, Philadelphia, where refined luxury meets a commitment to inclusivity. Established by renowned bra fitting specialist Shaw Lewis, our store provides a thoughtfully curated environment that harmonizes empowerment with timeless elegance. In 2018, Shaw Lewis dedicated herself to opening an inclusive lingerie retail company that would help women find sizes unavailable in commercial stores. Expect Lace transcends the typical shopping experience, creating a sanctuary where body confidence is celebrated and cultivated.

At Expect Lace, inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do. We are driven not only to provide accurate bra fittings, but also to carry a wide range of hard-to-find sizes—from 30A to 42J and beyond. While we also carry bodysuits, bridal lingerie, bralettes, and sexy lingerie, the importance of a properly fitted bra is not forgotten. Our selection includes beloved brands such as Natori, Wacoal, Elomi, Chantelle, Simone Pérèle, Hanky Panky, and more, with a growing focus on comfortable, wireless styles and elevated everyday fits. We offer strapless bras, full cup sizes, and specialty fits—including nursing bras for those who struggle to find their size elsewhere. Expect lace aims to education women on how their garments should fit, as well as men shopping for their partners. Clients can book an appointment or simply walk in, and we also offer virtual fittings for those unable to visit us in Philadelphia.

For over seven years, Expect Lace has proudly served the Philadelphia community as a small, local business. We've provided thousands of professional bra fittings and have become a trusted part of our customers’ lives. We’ve hosted anniversary events, cocktail parties, and community gatherings, always finding new ways to connect with our clients. In 2021, Expect Lace was honored as the Best Lingerie Store in Philadelphia Magazine’s Best of Philly, and later featured in Best of Intima magazine in 2022.

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to embracing sustainable fashion as one of our values. Recognizing the vital challenges facing the fashion industry today, sustainability is a cause we actively support. We carefully curate brands that uphold sustainable practices to the highest standards, ensuring that our offerings maintain the exceptional quality and luxury of our products.

Expect Lace is also an advocate for sexual wellness, supporting women in embracing both their emotional and intimate well-being. We take pride in being a brand that encourages self-expression through sensuality, believing that sexual wellness is both empowering and essential to women’s overall health. With warmth and care, we strive to be a thoughtful guide as our customers explore their bodies in ways that foster confidence, joy, and personal growth.

Shaw Lewis founded Expect Lace with a vision shaped by over a decade of luxury retail experience. Expect Lace is proudly a black-owned, women-led brand that has become a trusted destination for women seeking proper fit, comfort, and confidence. After a successful first year, she expanded the brand’s online presence in response to the 2019 pandemic. Virtual fittings continued, and the business steadily grew both on-site and online. Shaw plans to continue designing lingerie through her own brand, Carrie + Sam, while also expanding other in-house brands in the future. 

We are currently remodeling our flagship Manayunk location with more fitting rooms and an even stronger focus on personalized service. In the near future, Expect Lace plans to expand to Chicago, Charleston, New York City, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh—introducing smaller-format stores that offer the same expert, intimate care. Wherever we go, our mission remains the same: to be your trusted lingerie guide, providing not only beautiful pieces but also a welcoming, inclusive space.

If you're in the Philadelphia area, we warmly invite you to visit our bra fitting shop on Main Street in Manayunk. Whether you're walking in for a personalized fitting or browsing our collections online, we're here to help you find the perfect size and style. After seven fulfilling years, we are profoundly grateful for the community we’ve built—locally and digitally.

Thank you for your continued support. Here’s to many more years of celebrating and empowering women of all shapes and sizes!