Picking Out The Right Lingerie For Her

Good for you! You have decided to buy something lovely for your lady! But, how to find the right item? And in the right size? Not to worry, below you will find the information you need to find the perfect lingerie gift.

Types of Lingerie :

As there is so much to choose from, and many items have strange names which may make no sense to someone who is used to a "Boxers or briefs" shopping style, below are some of the different types of lingerie you will be running into, and descriptions of what they are.

Baby Doll Nightgown :

A short nightgown (Just to the thigh) with matching panties, baby doll gowns can be sized by bra size or just as 'Small', 'Medium', 'Large' etc. Sometimes these also have matching short robes.

See our glossary section

Basque :

A basques is an updated version of a corset. It takes the place of a bra and a garterbelt, and covers from the bust to the hips. Sometimes it provides a little shaping (Making the waist a little smaller), it is meant to be seen either peeking out of an unbuttoned blouse or in place of a blouse when wearing a skirt, it depends on the cut and style.

Other terms that are types of basques are the Merry Widow (No straps), a corset (Usually has more shaping ability), a corselet (Designed for shaping, but maybe a little less than a corset), a torsolette (Same as a corselet) and a waist cincher (More of a belt that slims the waist.)

See our glossary section

Bustier :

If you take a basque and make it only go to the waist (Instead of to the hips) you have a bustier. A bustier can be worn under clothing or as visible lingerie to take the place of a blouse with a pant suit or with jeans.

Madonna brought these back in a big way, however, tho0se are not the only styles available, many are elegant and discrete and in no way inappropriate in the boardroom.

See our glossary section

Bodystocking or Catsuit :

A one-piece garment that covers from bust to the toes, a bodystocking is usually worn under close fitting clothes during the daytime or alone in the boudoir. This type of garment takes the place of all other underwear, so it is perfect under tight or clingy clothing (No panty lines), and can be very enticing as it may left on after all other clothing is removed. If you saw Sigourney Weaver in "Heartbreakers", this is the item she wore as part of her wedding gown than knocked Ray Liotta's for six when they arrived at the honeymoon suite.

Bodystockings can be sized by bra size or by height and weight.

See our glossary section

Bodysuit :

Imagine a bodystocking without long legs and you have a bodysuit. This is a wonderful item for slacks, jeans or a skirt as the "Blouse" does not ride up. This is "Visible" lingerie that works well with a variety of clothing options. As with bodystockings, sizing formats vary for bodysuits.

See our glossary section

Bras :

OK, you think you know what a bra is, but you probably are not aware of all the options.

There is the cami-bra-, this is a bra with a piece of fabric or lace which stretches from one bra cup to the other, to look like a camisole. It is worn with suits (Where the jacket is not removed) or low cut dresses, and gives the look of another garment underneath the main item of clothing.

Demi-bras do not cover the top of the breasts, so they are perfect with low cut necklines. Long-line bras cover the bust to the waist, but are not meant to be seen. These are the workhorse version of basques and bustier. Natural bras do not have seams and are not padded, they are designed to closely mimic being bra-less, but they provide support. Push-up bras (This you probably recognise) give the illusion of being a little better endowed.

If you want cleavage, you purchase a push-up bra. A sports bra is good for support and comfort whilst running, working out, etc. Sometimes, ladies wear sports bras for any kind of activity where heat can be an issue (Like camping or housekeeping) because they usually are made of cotton and wick away moisture, and do not usually have much in the way of uncomfortable shaping details. A strapless bra is obviously strapless. A strapless bra can be good for dresses that have unusual straps or neckline details, as well as for dresses that are themselves strapless. And finally, there is the underwired bra which has a stiffener under each bra cup to provide more support.

No matter what the style, you will need to know the band and cup size (e.g., 38DD).

See our glossary section

Camisole :

This, like a basque or a long-line bra, also covers from the bust to the hips, but a camisole typically has no bra support and is sized "Small", "Medium", "Large", etc. This can be something that a lady would wear under something scratchy to keep comfortable (A little  like a man wearing a tee shirt under a starchy shirt); or more commonly as "Visible" lingerie, either under a sheer overshirt or as an alternative to a tee shirt or blouse.

These can be simple or extremely elegant, depending on the style.

See our glossary section

Chemise :

A chemise is another one of those items that started out as nightwear, but sometimes appears in the daytime. Basically, a chemise is a short nightgown, extending to the thighs. A nightgown is a chemise that goes to mid-calf or to the ankles. Usually, when found in lingerie, this will be nightwear; but some are meant as club wear.

Chemises typically are sized 'Small', 'Medium', 'Large' etc.

See our glossary section

Garterbelt :

If you want to see the lady in stockings, then you may need a garterbelt. Some stockings have elastic at the top (A built-in garter), but many of the styles do not. Before you purchase a garterbelt, look at the other items you are interested in.  Many bustiers, basques and corsets have garters built in. However, a bra and panty set with a matching garterbelt can be very pretty and enticing.

For this, you will need an idea of the lady's waist size.

See our glossary section

Negligee :

A longer lightweight nightgown usually with a matching sheer or lightweight robe, a negligee is a glamorous version of sleepwear. Also known as a peignoir set, these are a good, safe bet for a first gift of lingerie. Typically sizing is easier and there are various options from demure to racy. As it is not meant to be seen out of the home and because it is easier to find a good fit (As opposed to a bra for example), there is a greater likelihood you will find something here that will be well received and will open the door for discussions about potential future gifts.

See our glossary section

Knickers :

Although you know the terminology, you may not be familiar with all the different types.

A bikini comes up to the hip line, not the waist line. Briefs go all the way to the waist. French cut or high-cut is a brief where the leg opening comes up high to the hip. A g-string has very little in front, and just a thin piece of fabric in the back.

A thong can have more coverage in the front, but the back is like a g-string. Tap pants are like short-shorts with fluttery legs.

See our glossary section

Size :

First, you have to know what size to purchase, nothing spoils a gift more than realising that it can not be worn it until it has been exchanged for the right size. There are a couple of ways to work out size. One way is to just ask the lady for her size, however, if the gift is a surprise that is not going to be an option and you may well be left with no alternative but to go snooping through her lingerie drawer.

To make keeping track just a little easier, we have an easy to use form for you.

For bra size, look at the labels on bras already purchased, the label will have the size printed on it, usually in bigger numbers and letters than the other information. You are looking for a two digit number followed by a letter or set of letters, i.e. 38C or 42DD. (The numbers refer to how bust size, so if you are looking at something like "85"  you are either looking at the wrong thing, or it is a European bra sizing using centimetres as the letter refers to cup size.  See our size chart

Bra size is required not only for a bra but it may also be required for other items like shapewear (Also known as girdles, bodysuits and items of that nature) and some gowns.

If you look at her under slips and nightwear, you may find "Small", "Medium", "Large", etc on the labels, look at several articles and note which size appears most often.

Panty sizes are also found on the label of the garment but manufacturers can have different sizing. In general, this is only an issue when you want to buy panties to match a bra.

Waist size is usually easiest to find from a pair of slacks or a skirt, find slacks and skirts that do not have elastic in the waistband, fasten the buttons, zip the zippers and then measure the waistband.

See our glossary section

Style :

Lets face it, a gift of lingerie bought by a male is meant to be a gift or both parties, if the recipient does not like it they will not be likely to wear it and everyone looses.

Take into account the lady's temperament, is she shy around new people or at work, but very outgoing with you and close friends? If so, she may wear very understated clothing as a rule; but  might like something less severe in her lingerie collection. However, she is always shy and quiet, then you may wish to purchase something a little more demure.

At no time should your gift give the wrong impression of how you view the lady in question.  For a quieter lady, an item in blush pink may seem elegant and sexy whilst the same item in red or black may seems trampish,  how the item is perceived by the wearer will also be how they think you perceive them.

When in doubt, be a little more conservative; then when she loves what you bought her this time, you can get an idea of whether she would be interested in something a little more risqué.

What colours does she like?

Clothes already in the wardrobe can help in determining colour choice, but remember that work clothes do not always reflect the colours a person would choose to wear; look at the colours usually worn for evenings or casual clothes for home. If these are vibrant, rich colours, then steer away from pastels, conversely, if quieter colours are favoured, then bright or deep colours are likely not to be appreciated.

If you are wishing to buy bras, bustiers, corsets and the like that will be worn under daytime clothes, then look at the colours of the daytime clothes. You do not want to get a rich colour if  light coloured clothing is normal choice of attire as it will show through and will not be worn.

TIP : There are lots of items in nude, blush and white that will not show through an outer garment; so pick one of those!  See our colour chart

Lastly, if it is "Visible" lingerie or something like a camisole that could be worn as a blouse under a suit, then find a colour and style that will go with the suits worn.

If you have any other questions, contact us and our customer service representatives will be more than pleased to assist you in choosing the perfect gift for the lady in your life.