Lingerie: Brides-to-be stock up on fancy underthings for the honeymoon and beyond.

Recession jitters have jolted retailers into a new tactic for wooing brides-to-be: They are expanding their selection of trousseau lingerie.

This category of clothing has proved to be recession-proof. And, given uncertain economic times, retailers and designers are betting that the trend will continue.

“The world can fall apart but people still get married,” says Josie Natori, the designer owner of the New York-based Natori lingerie company, whose trousseau lingerie for spring features ‘60s-inspired baby doll looks and stretch lace chemises.

At the retail level, Nordstrom now has a lingerie registry for brides in all of its Los Angeles County stores. Also available is a personal shopping service to help the bride organize not only her lingerie but also her trousseau wardrobe.

Robinson’s plans to give trousseau lingerie the dominant display in its lingerie departments this spring. It will also feature lingerie prominently in its bridal shows, which will be held in seven of its stores starting in March. (Call the special events office in the downtown store for details.)

Small specialty stores are taking similar steps. In Beverly Hills, Fogal, the Swiss-based hosiery shop, and Merletto, which features Italian lingerie, have added registry services.

For many, and younger brides in particular, the idea of fancy lingerie is new.

“Lots of young brides have been wearing dorm shirts and T-shirts,” says David Gustafson, president of SFT, which makes Miss Dior lingerie.

Miss Dior trousseau peignoir sets are far dressier than dorm shirts. One in organza and lace has sleeves that echo the large organza shapes that Gianfranco Ferre featured on his Dior ready-to-wear and couture blouses. The set sells for $185, the top of the Miss Dior price range.

At Los Angeles-based Jonquil lingerie, designer Diane Samani has created a line of pure cotton sleepwear. The main feature: “a lot of embellishment on cotton so it has the bridal look.”

In lingerie, as in wedding gowns, says Nordstrom fashion coordinator June Rau, brides are not afraid to break away from traditional white. “We’re finding women will buy green, purple, blue and even black lingerie for their honeymoons.”

But brides can still follow tradition. At Robinson’s, fashion director Leslie Marks reports, there will be a full selection of lacy white styles in soft silhouettes for spring. Ballet-length gowns are the newest silhouette.