4 Easy Steps to Buying Lingerie

The first time my mother took me to a lingerie store, I felt like I was on the inside of an exploding confetti factory. There were so many colors and sizes and shapes and textures, that I couldn’t make sense of it all. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, many men are finding themselves in a similar situation.

You want to buy something special, somethingintimate for your woman, but you haven’t the faintest where to start. I understand your frustration, and I know how important it is to find the perfect gift. So here’s a short, uncomplicated guide to buying the perfect lingerie.

Sizing

Knowing your woman’s size is the most important step of this entire endeavor. It’s like the foundation of your home: without it, you got nothing. Think about it, there is no way you can buy the wrong size and have it turn out okay. Too large and she’ll be wondering if you think she’s really that big. Too small, and she’ll think you’re hinting that she needs to lose a few.

Fortunately, this is also the easiest step of all. Just take a look inside her lingerie drawer. If you don’t have access to her lingerie drawer, then you can try checking the size while she’s in the shower or some such. If all else fails (for example, she cuts all the tags out of her bras and panties), just ask. I promise she’ll love the anticipation.

So, once you get these numbers, write them down. Rely on memory at your own peril. I suggest just jotting her sizes onto a scrap of paper and sticking it in your wallet. That way, when you go the store, you’re ready to go.

Style

Now that you’ve discovered her size, you can move on to determining her style. The best time to do this is while you’re checking her lingerie drawer. There are three things you want to take note of here: cut, fabric, and color. When it comes to cut, notice if her bras are full cup, half cup, or camisole style. Take note if she wears briefs or boyshorts or thongs. As far as fabric, do you see a lot of cotton or silk or lace? While examining color, is it mostly black or pastels or jewel tones? These are important cues.

Some folks may not understand the point of this step. “The lingerie is a gift for both of us,” they might say, “I want to buy something I’ll enjoy seeing her in.” While I understand that perspective, I think it’s flawed. The best way to ensure your lady wears your gift (as opposed to “forgetting” about it) is to buy something you already know she likes. Buying the style she prefers makes her more comfortable. A comfortable woman is a confident woman. And a confident woman is a sexy woman.

Now that you’re acquainted with her tastes, it’s time to take all that information to the store. Start by finding pieces which are pretty much identical to the ones you saw in her lingerie drawer. That’s your baseline. After establishing your baseline, begin looking at lingerie which deviates slightly from what you’re familiar with. Don’t look at the price tag yet (that comes later), just identify things that are close, but not quite the same, to what she already owns.

For example, if her lingerie drawer had a bunch of flesh-toned bras, a black one might be a nice change. Did you see a lot of boyshorts? Then a “cheeky” cut thong would be the next logical step. Chili pepper flannel pajamas? Then take a look at the lush, silk pajamas. The key here is not change more than one or two elements at once. If your wife goes to bed every night in an old t-shirt and nubby socks, you probably don’t want to leap to sheer backless teddies with matching g-strings.

Sticker

By now, you’ve picked out a couple of items that you like and that look similar to what she already wears. Now it’s time to take a look at the price tag. Whatever you see, don’t be shocked. Square inch for square inch, lingerie is probably more expensive than premium real estate, and here’s why — you’re not just paying for the materials, you’re also paying for the labor. Obviously, no one wants to wear rough fabric against their delicate bits all day, so lingerie uses some of the finest threads available. But you’re also paying for what basically amounts to architecture for the human body. Lingerie both conceals and supports. For that reason, you gents who are blessed with curvy gals should be prepared to spend slightly more. It’s worth it.

While we’re on the subject of worth, let me encourage you not to pinch pennies when it comes to lingerie. I understand setting a budget, and that’s fine, but if you go too cheap, your purchase won’t last a night. Not only will you want to see your lover in her gift more than once, quality (by which I mean more expensive) lingerie tends to feel better, too. And we’ve already covered the relationship between looking good and feeling good.

To make things even easier, here’s a shortlist of what not to buy — bodystockings, cupless, crotchless, & cut-out styles, glitter, rhinestones, feathers, fringe, tassels, “strappy” or “cage” looks, pvc, vinyl, and polyester. Steer clear of all that, and you’ll be on the right track.

Salesperson

If you do all this and are still completely and utterly confused, find the closest salesperson. Helping you shop is their job. Some high-end stores even offer personal shoppers, and it might be worth enlisting their services, especially if you have very specific needs.

Finally, if absolutely nothing works, buy her a gift certificate. Shopping for lingerie together makes a fantastic Valentine’s Day date! Good luck and Happy Shopping.

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Lingerie: Which Styles Suit Your Body?

Many women love the idea of wearing a flirty baby doll nightie or a sumptuous satin chemise in the bedroom, but not all feel like they can pull it off looking their best. Ready to bury those insecurities? The truth is that beautiful, seductive, and — above all — flattering lingerie comes in all shapes and sizes (like our bodies). The key? Accentuating the positive! What’s your finest feature? Great legs? Sultry shoulders? Divine décolletage? Show them off! We’ve got the scoop on how you can find an evening ensemble that’s sure to complement your shape while setting off some serious sirens.

Large Bust

Women endowed with a large bust (C or D cup) may be most concerned with coverage and support when it comes to choosing lingerie. Larger-busted women can find the lift they need in lingerie with a molded bra, in which the breast cup shape is pre-molded from poly foam to keep everything in place. This style is comfortable and seamless too, so they can be worn under T-shirts or tight clothes with no worries. Of course, you may not want to wear it under anything at all.

A sexy cowl-neck slip can be a great look for larger-on-top ladies. The cowl neck is a very popular look now. It drapes beautifully and accentuates the bust without showing too much cleavage. The knee-length version is great for those who also want to draw attention to stellar calves. Halter-neck gowns or chemises are also great for top-heavy women aren’t looking to flaunt their cleavage. Halter tops accentuate the collar bone and shoulders, and when tied in back they create a stunning silhouette.

Pear-Shaped

Ladies who are small on top and curvier on the bottom should try a sexy chiffon gown or chemise with a flowy skirt to play down the hips. Opt for a sheer skirt to give just a hint of sexy leg, or an opaque gown for more coverage. You want the eye to focus on your upper body, so show a lot of skin up top and accentuate your shoulders and neckline — think teeny-weeny straps, or no straps at all.

Another way to tackle the pear problem is to find the right cut. Asymmetrically cut hemlines are great for women who are looking to camouflage their hips, thighs or behind because they create a flattering line for the body. Instead of resting on the hip area, the eye is drawn to the longer diagonal line of the hem. A silky PJ set is perfect for those who want to cover more of their legs. A little cami and drawstring pant can cover problem areas and still feel incredibly sexy.

Depending on how comfortable you are with your legs, a short chemise is an ideal option. Look for one cut on the bias to flow gently over hips, and with shirring or gathering around the bust, to give the appearance of a more proportioned body.

Full-Figured

Gone are the days when bodacious babes had no choice but to keep their curves under wraps (literally) in industrial-strength foundation garments. So just say ‘see ya’ to the wide straps and heavy elastic your mother used to wear. Today, beautiful lingerie comes in a spectrum of sizes. For those women seeking sex appeal with a bit more coverage, try a long and silky negligee or peignoir set. Many come with matching robes, which can be tied low around your waist, create a plunging neckline and give your body a flattering vertical line.

Or try a scoop-neck, A-line, or Empire nightgown in nylon tulle or chiffon. Avoiding loud patterns and bright colors and sticking mainly to darks and solids will accentuate your curves in the right ways. Full-figured women should also go for full-length gowns in a micro-stretch material. The material has enough stretch to make you feel supported while allowing you to move freely and comfortably. Oh, yeah — and they look terrific!

Boyish Body

If your natural curves are a bit more elusive, one of the best ways to pump up your silhouette is to add bold color and pattern to give dimension to your figure. Baby doll nighties with such feminine touches as ruffles and lace help play up those curves you covet, and short flirty skirts show off great gams while disguising straight hips.

Another important element to keep in mind is the fabric of your undergarment — if it’s clingy and smooth it can create the illusion of a more voluptuous you. If it’s too loose, you may lose your figure in it. Try a camisole that is slightly cropped around the navel paired with low-slung hipster panties. This allows just the bottom of the derriere to peek out — a very sexy curve.

Small-busted women seeking a little boost should make looking natural their number-one concern. Don’t over-pad or you’ll end up with extremely unnatural-looking breasts. Your best bet is a lightly lined underwire demi cup bra that gives lift while maintaining a very natural silhouette.

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