Tuesday, December 24, 2024

The lingerie women really want for Christmas

December 20, 2011 by  
Filed under Latest Lingerie News

The lingerie women really want for Christmas

Karen Dacre, Fashion Editor

20 Dec 2011

Should you fancy a break from all the high-energy Christmas cheer around at the moment, may I suggest you wander round your local high-street lingerie chain. Boy, is it depressing. Lined with images of partially clad glamour models in Santa hats, and packed, to the rafters, with the sort of underwear no woman I’ve ever met would choose to wear, the shops stand as a telling reminder that when it comes to lingerie, our chains aren’t just a little perplexed – they’re baffled.

The problem, you see, is that there’s a gap – a massive, polyester-lined gap – between the sort of lingerie women want to wear and the sort of underwear a proportion of manufacturers seem intent on stuffing down our throats. While the British retail industry is known for its dedication to providing its female customer with exactly what she wants, the lingerie market is still very much a man’s world. Who else would produce a red lace tassel-trimmed bra and dare to suggest it as wearable fashion?

With this gaping divide in mind, I make this plea to London’s menfolk: this Christmas, forget about the sort of lingerie you think is desirable and, instead, focus on the sort of underwear your loved one would want to unwrap on Sunday morning. In short, avoid cheap lace, crotchless knickers, glittering suspenders, peep-hole bras and anything that looks like it might belong in a strip club.

Look out for soft, quality fabrics, feminine, comfortable cuts and muted colours.

A good starting point is Stella McCartney. Since its launch in 2008, McCartney’s lingerie line has paved the way for a whole new wave of elegant, female-friendly underwear. In creating streamlined bras and pants which, believe it or not, are designed to sit comfortably under our clothes, the British designer has proved that stylish underwear needn’t be impractical. Of course, with a starting price of 110 (for a bra), it’s not everyone who can afford to put one of McCartney’s creations in their knicker drawer. But there are a host of other options available. On the high street Gap and MS offer lingerie ranges that are both pretty and practical, while the likes of Topshop and COS stock small yet perfectly formed female friendly underwear lines at a reasonable price point.

Key to getting this gift right, men, is your ability to understand her body type. If you’re shopping for someone athletic or slim build, a pair of boyshorts is a good idea, as are bras made from delicate French lace. Curvier girls look great in this season’s Fifties styles – track down high-waisted knickers and conical (well, slightly pointy) satin bras.

Begin your hunt for the perfect pants in a department store. Both Fenwicks and Selfridges carry a host of ranges that are likely to go down a storm with the object of your affection. Look out for brands such as Bodas and Elle Macpherson’s Intimate line which offer beautifully made underwear for a reasonable price. For something a little more luxurious, try La Perla or Eres.

And remember: don’t be afraid to ask for help.


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