No one wants underwear for Christmas, but what’s the worst gift you’ve received?

It’s that time of year again, most of the nation have been thinking about it for the past few weeks if not months: Christmas shopping time. The go to option for many people is the good old gift of underwear, whether it’s socks from your grandma or sexy lingerie for your other half. But it turns out that the majority of people don’t want to receive underwear for Christmas, in fact a huge 42% of men would rather receive some sort of gadget, and 39% of women would prefer to get a gift voucher and choose their own gift.

As part of their research into what Brits are buying and hoping to receive this year for Christmas, an online adventure day website, www.intotheblue.co.uk, asked 500 men and 500 women: “What gift would you prefer to receive for Christmas?” They were given various popular gift options to choose from, and the results came in as follows.

For men, topping the list, unsurprisingly, were electronics and gadgets, with 42% hoping to receive something like an iPhone, new computer or game. Following that, 24% of men would like to get vouchers from friends and family; 12% would be happy with food and alcohol; and, another surprise, only 9% actually wanted DIY and home improvement related gifts, and 7% aftershave or toiletries. Underwear trailed along behind with a measly 6% saying this was their gift of choice.

Unfortunately, the stats came up even worse for women, and underwear or lingerie came bottom of their lists with only 3% choosing it as a gift. In fact, 40% of women would prefer to make their own decisions with a gift voucher; 18% wanted to see some jewellery wrapped up under the tree; 17% were hoping to get perfume; 12% would like to get their house up to scratch with home interior related pieces; and only 9% chose food and alcohol.

Jim Maitland from Into The Blue stepped up to comment on the findings of the survey, saying:

“It looks like when it comes to gift giving, underwear for both sexes probably wouldn’t be the most appreciated. Men would prefer to be bought gadgets whilst women would prefer to have gift vouchers. Luckily that means no running around trying to buy the correct sized underwear for your loved one.”

He added:

“We have found that many people appreciate gifts that have taken some thought and consideration, especially something the recipient may not have considered themselves. It can be so easy to get it wrong, especially when buying underwear for a loved one, that it’s probably easier to opt for something else.”

Some Twitter users got in touch to let us know the worst gifts they’d ever received, and while some were a just off…

“I got what looked like a Santa decoration made for a toilet roll in eighth grade from a school friend. It was odd.” (@CittieBlogs)

Others were very stereotypically ‘Christmassy’…

“Coal!” (@KUWCoco)

Some had other halves that got a little confused…

“I asked for a specific pair of knee high boots from my ex gave him product reference/size etc. I got a microwave.” (@LilliesandLove)

“My ex bought me AND HIS EX (his son’s mother) the same Lush gift gross perfume!” (@TeaCupCocktails)

There were the downright offensive…

“An epilator from my stepdad’s parents because “your mum said you have a bit of trouble with your top lip.” I was mortified!” (@BeckyBedbug)

And the dangerous…

“A lovely almond scented shower/moisturiser etc. gift set…I’m allergic to almond oil based cosmetics.” (@DanceFlowLift)

And the overwhelming response, as we’ve already concluded, was that no one wants underwear for Christmas!

“Underwear (wrong size), “celebrity” perfume and a knitted loo roll cover, all from one relative. Straight to the charity shop!” (@BennoLikes)

 

More…

•  Male burglar caught admiring himself in victim’s knickers
• Man sick of Christmas shopping with girlfriend kills himself in shopping mall
• Scandalous “Peeping Tom” upskirt photos are legal in the US

Image courtesy of Kit.

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Four flattering swimwear trends to try

1950s retro revival

Left-right: Tigerlily Oui 50s Halter One-Piece, Zulu and Zephyr Three Anchor Bra-Cup Bikini, Witchery Swim Portofino, Farmers Expozay Contrast Print Tankini.

For a woman with curves, this trend is a godsend. Underwire in full bra cups to keep your breasts from bouncing, high-waisted bikini bottoms to hide a troublesome tum and gorgeous one-pieces that cover you up without leaving you feeling like you’re hitting the pool for a set of laps. And the best part about retro swimwear? The trend comes from an era where curves were celebrated not scrutinised – think Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth and Sophia Loren – so these bikinis, tankinis and bathing suits are made for those with hourglass figures.

• Tigerlily Oui 50s Halter One-Piece, $199.95 NZD

• Zulu and Zephyr Three Anchor Bra-Cup Bikini, $140 AUD

• Roxy Colada Bandeau High Waist Bikini, $99.99 NZD

• Witchery Swim Portofino, $169.90 NZD

• Farmers Expozay Contrast Print Tankini, $89.99 NZD

Flouncing, fluttering ruffles

Every season it seems there are one or two key trends that take over, and this summer the flutter top bikini and skirted brief are having their time in the sun. For women with a smaller bust, a bandeau with a strategically placed ruffle will help to enhance your chest and even out your proportions. If hips are your main concern a skirtini will provide that extra bit of coverage, meaning you may be less inclined to reach for that trusty sarong. It’s an ultra-feminine look that could quickly become your go-to.

Left-right: Billabong Tropical Flounce Separate Top and Pants, Glassons Tie Dye Frill Top Bikini, Roxy Love and Happiness Moulded Flutter Bandeau Bikini, Zimmermann Separates Frill Bandeau One-Piece.

• Billabong Tropical Flounce Separate Top, $49.99 NZD and Tropical Lowrider Separate Pant, $49.99 NZD

• Glassons Tie Dye Frill Top Bikini, $34.99 NZD

• Roxy Love and Happiness Moulded Flutter Bandeau Bikini, $119.99 NZD

• Zimmermann Separates Frill Bandeau One-Piece, $210 AUD

Swimming sports

It may have seemed like a fleeting trend when it first became popular last summer, but there’s no doubt now that the sport-luxe look is here to stay. This time however, it’s not just about brightly coloured cheeky wetsuits – with neoprene, zips and cropped rashies covering the whole swimwear spectrum. Whether you’re unzipping that one-piece all the way to below the chest, covering up your shoulders with a cute cropped lycra tee or simply choosing a block-coloured one-piece, one thing’s for sure – sporty is getting sexy.

Left-right:Glassons Tropical Crop Rash Vest, Rip Curl The Bomb One Piece, Moontide Mod Sliced Tank Swimsuit, Lonely Zip Front Swimsuit.

• Glassons Tropical Crop Rash Vest, $39.99 NZD

• Rip Curl The Bomb One Piece, $139.99 NZD

• Moontide Mod Sliced Tank Swimsuit, $199.99 NZD

• Lonely Zip Front Swimsuit, $195 NZD

S’all about straps

Whether you’re into showing off your svelte hips, accentuating your waist or drawing attention to your decolletage, strap detailing is letting you highlight your very best bits this season. Back in the day when sunbathing was the norm, these types of swimsuits would have been a sun worshiper’s worst nightmare. But since we Kiwis know the importance of slip, slop, slapping we don’t need to be quite so worried about tan lines these days. If you’ve forever been a triangle bikini wearer all these straps and cut-outs may take a bit of getting used to, but we can see this trend sticking around like sand to your sunscreen, so why not take the plunge?

Left-right: Witchery Swim La Top and Bottom, Carena West Alice Top and Pant, Moontide Contours Dual Cup Underwire Bandeau and 50s Pant, Lonely Swim Cut Out Bikini and High Waist Brief.

• Witchery Swim La Top, $79.90 NZD and Witchery Swim La Bottom, $64.90 NZD

• Carena West Alice Top, $69 NZD and Alice Pant, $69 NZD

• Moontide Contours Dual Cup Underwire Bandeau, $99.99 NZD and 50s Pant, $59.99 NZD

• Lonely Swim Cut Out Bikini, $109 NZD and High Waist Brief, $99 NZD

Things to consider when trying on swimwear:

• If you have a larger bust, opt for a top with underwire that’s sized like a bra, so you can choose your top and cup size and get a great fit.

• If you’re not equally proportioned in the bust and behind, separates are the best option for you. You’ll often find you’ll have more to choose from in terms of shape and style while still keeping the pattern the same across both pieces.

• Don’t be afraid to ask the sales assistant for advice. Like assistants in lingerie stores, they’re often trained to help you get the best fit and might be able to suggest a style you’d never even thought of trying.

• Depending on the cut and shape of your bikini bottoms, you may need to try on a few different sizes to get the fit just right. For example, high-waisted bottoms may give you more room to move, whereas hipsters expose a lot more skin and may require you to go a size up.

• If you find the bikini top of your dreams, but the fit across the back isn’t quite right or the straps are too long, don’t be afraid to take it to an alterations place and get it tailored to fit you perfectly.

• Don’t let bad fitting room lighting get you down. Try to focus on the overall fit and shape of the swimsuit and whether or not it suits you – remembering that florescent lights don’t exist at the beach, thankfully.

-nzherald.co.nz

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