Figure Shapes - The Pear Figure

The lingerie industry has come up with six figure types that they feel captures every woman. I know this sounds kind of crazy, but the truth is I have yet to find a woman I couldn’t classify in one of them. By knowing your personal figure type, you can make smarter lingerie choices that will enhance your best points and disguise your less-than-favorable ones.

In the near future, I’m going to talk about each of these figure types. They are The pear shape, apple shape, column shape, the hourglass shape, the almost hourglass shape and the cornet shape.

The figure type known as the pear shape can usually be recognized by a small upper body and a large and heavy lower body. Her shoulders are narrow, but her hips are fairly wide and her thighs are quite heavy. Thus, in silhouette, her body would have the shape of a pear. In most cases, the size she wears on top is 1 to 3 sizes smaller than her size on bottom which can make it very difficult if not impossible to buy dresses.

So, what are the best lingerie options for a woman with this figure type? Let’s start on top. The goal here is to balance the body shape. So, for a pear shaped woman with a small cup size, select a bra that is padded and gives the breast some more volume. This will make the upper portion of her body look more in proportion and have the added benefit of creating the look of a waist. For pear-shaped women with larger breasts, make sure breasts are lifted and supported. Again, you get a waist and you’ll look like you’ve lost weight.

Now for the bottom. I love repeating a comment made by Tyra Banks. She noticed that the skimpier the bathing suit, the slimmer she looked - especially when she had put on a few pounds. Her comment is absolutely correct. Women with large thighs and hips look much slimmer in a brief that is high cut on the sides and with a lower rise. This makes your legs look longer and slimmer and because the briefs are lower, your hips and thighs will look more in balance with your shoulders. The absolute worst look for you would be to stick on a big full coverage brief.

One final note on this figure type. It is almost impossible to find a longline bra that will fit you. The manufacturers had to make a decision as to your hip size, and they have chosen to design longline bras to accomodate a woman whose top and bottom are more in proportion. So, my suggestion to a pear shaped woman who simply must have a longline bra is to purchase a corset with a back or front lace-up. This will allow great fit flexibility and better contouring to your unique shape.

Men's guide to buying Sexy Lingerie

We know that it is often hard enough for a woman to choose underwear for herself, so we can appreciate how difficult it can be for a man. For this reason we have put together a few pointers which we hope you will find useful.

Size

The most important thing when purchasing underwear is to get the correct size. Unfortunately this is also the most difficult part, because it confuses both men and women. First of all, you might want to ask someone who may know the lady's size like a friend or relative. Another option is to have a sneaky look at her underwear labels. When looking at her garments it is best to refer to ones that you know she wears a lot as women often have items of the wrong size which they never wear. If still unsure go for items that are easier to judge like babydolls which can come in one size or Small, Medium and Large. Once you have found out her all-important stats refer to our size chart for the perfect fit.

Let's put this in perspective. The size you buy will be construed to be how you see her. Erring too much in either direction can cause issues. Men are not so concerned with clothing, but let's pick something they are sensitive to. Imagine if your partner came home with a box of condoms, and they were the smallest size available. Do they really think of you that way? Or if you were to find some type of sex toy, and it were excessively large. Do you really leave her that unsatisfied? So take a little time, do your homework, and you will make the gift giving experience much nicer for everyone.

Style

When buying for a gift it is often best to go for something which is both sexy and comfortable. Think in terms of something she would pick for herself, not what you want her to wear. Body image is often an issue, and you don't want to get caught in the middle of that. Put some thought into what body parts she feels most comfortable with and choose lingerie to complement. If it is the first time you are buying lingerie for her it is probably best to play it safe. Don't forget her own personal style and taste. Pick colours and fabrics that you know she likes or you have seen her wear. Black always makes maximum impact and looks great on most women. White is a classic which is extremely wearable and discreet. If you want to be more daring, go for red but remember to try and stick to her personal tastes.

Garments

Play up good cleavage with a corset or bustier. If she is uncomfortable with her stomach region, try a babydoll or chemise. When buying knickers, don't buy her a thong if she only wears bikinis. She has clearly made a choice on which she prefers. Don't forget to accessorize- that special outfit can be complete with a luxurious pair of stockings. This is a quick guide to the key styles:

Chemise- A chemise is very similar to a babydoll. It is a delicate, short gown like garment but is typically tighter fitting around the hips than a babydoll.

Babydoll- Short, loose fitting gown. Babydolls focus on revealing the legs but can also add to the lady's cleavage. These are good for women who want to hide their tummy or hips.

Teddy- Bodysuit style Lingerie which essentially combines babydolls and bottoms to make one seductive piece of Lingerie.

Bottoms

Thong/ G- String- Thongs are essentially a thin piece of fabric which passes between the lady's buttocks and is attached to a band around her waist. These are popular as they reveal a lot of flesh and are skimpy. They are generally seen as racy and sexier than other styles of knickers but some women find them uncomfortable to wear. Tread lightly here, men. Unless you have already seen her wear these, or she has expressed an interest in trying them, don't go there.

Boyshorts- Most boyshorts cover the whole buttock area and go all the way down the lady's hips. They are very popular as they are comfy and sexy and come in a wide variety of styles and fabrics.

Bras

Some of the ones you may not be familiar with:

The Balconette- is uplifting and supportive creating a more enhanced cleavage. Sometimes these will only partially cover the nipple area. This bra holds the breast from underneath with less control at the top. This bra looks good underneath scooped necked tops and garments. Not usually suitable for ladies with larger breasts (over a D cup).

The Plunge- gives the appearance of increased cleavage. The breast is supported from the base and sides with less control at the front. This looks great under low cut tops and dresses.

Corsets

Corset- A corset is a garment that consists of boning and lacing which molds the body into a desired shape. Corsets feel very supportive and sexy and show off the bust as well as nipping in the waist. Corsets are popular with most women as they make a small bust look larger and a bigger waist look smaller. Corsets can last for years and as a gift make the women feel extremely special and pampered. Please refer to size guide for advice on how to choose the correct size.

In the end, don't worry if you get it wrong. As mentioned above, most women have trouble choosing these garments for themselves. Priority 1, try to get the size right. Priority 2, pick something that she would enjoy wearing, not something you dreamed about last night (unless she already likes those kinds of things). Priority 3, don't get hurt feeling if she returns it. Think of it this way: would you rather she return it and pick something she will wear for you, or do you want your gift to sit in the back of her underwear drawer and never see the light of day.

Or the candlelight of that special evening, if you know what I mean.....

Lingerie 101

With the popularity of Lingerie boutiques in shopping malls across America the stigma of buying and wearing lingerie is now a thing of the past. However for women who’ve never bought lingerie before or are still a little shy about visiting a store here’s our guide for styles you are likely to encounter.

Baby Doll Set

A baby doll set encompasses a large category of lingerie items. Basically it’s a two piece set, consisting of a robe or loose billowy top and matching bottom. The top is always loose fitting and comes in just below the bust line, like an empire bodice. The top is very loose fitting and short, ending at or just below your rear. Baby doll sets are available in wide variety of fabrics from silk and satin to sheer lace.

Chemise

A chemise is a short flowing A-line gown that’s longer than a baby doll. The top usually has spaghetti or halter straps. The angular shape of a chemise looks good on almost every figure type. If you are concerned about your mid-section look for a style that has built in figure control. Sometimes a chemise comes with a matching bottom, but this varies from style to style. The fabric choices range from patterned and solid silks to very revealing lace, so there is something for everyone’s taste.

Camisole

A camisole is female undershirt. It is loose fitting and has thin spaghetti straps that go over the shoulder. It’s usually paired with a matching bottom. Camisoles are now also available as outwear. While they are not usually worn as formal office attire, they can be worn for casual occasions.

Corset

A corset is the opposite of a camisole. It’s a structured garment that has bones or ribs to force your body into certain proportions. The effects of a corset can be very dramatic, and can create a very enticing curvy shape. Some corsets are more difficult to wear than others, depending on how much shaping they are doing. If you’ve never worn one before choose something that’s not so difficult to get into. Corsets are also now being made as outwear. While not something you would wear to the office, they are perfect for a dinner party, club or night on the town.

Bridal Set

A bridal set, piegnoir or merry widow as it’s sometimes known also covers a wide variety of items. Basically it’s a set that consists of a bra, corset or camisole top. It also has matching panties, and usually a garter belt and stockings. The styles range from silk or satin sets with full coverage to skimpy string sets with very minimal overage.

Boy Shorts

If you’ve never heard of boy shorts think of sexy hot pants for your bedroom. They offer full coverage on the sides and some coverage on your rear. Conservative styles cover most if not all of your rear, the more daring styles give you partial coverage. Boy shorts are figure hugging or shaping, something those of us with less than perfect bodies will appreciate. They come in wide variety of fabric choices from comfortable cotton to see through lace.

Bikini

Bikini bottoms offer full coverage on your rear, and have thin straps on the side. They are available in loose fitting of figure hugging styles in a wide variety of fabric choices.

Thong

A thong offers full to minimal coverage in the front, and has thin sides usually 1″ to 1/2″ in width that come to a t shape in the rear. The t-shape gives you practically no coverage on your rear. Thongs are now worn just as frequently outside of the bedroom as they are in it. If you are wearing tight, or figure hugging clothing a thong is your best solution to combat visible panty line. Cotton, lycra or micro-fiber fabrics are the most comfortable for extended wear thongs.

G-String

While the back of a thong has very minimal coverage with a narrow strip a g-string offers you no coverage, with a simple single strand or string, usually 1/8″ or less in width, not for the faint of heart.

Garter Belt

A garter belt is made of piece of fabric that wraps around your hips and usually has four straps (one for the front and back of each leg). Sometimes the straps are attached to the lower edge of a corset or camisole top. These straps attach to the top of stockings, holding them up.

History of the Corset

Like the brassiere, the corset has enjoyed a rich history and has endured much change, although over a different span of time. As a foundation garment, the corset is worn to mold and shape the torso. Corsets can be overbust or underbust lingerie and may include garters for stockings.

Once constructed of torturous laces and constricting slots of supports, called busks, the corset has been radically revised over a very long time. Originally both men and women wore corsets for aesthetic and medical purposes to compress waistlines, support weak muscles and straighten backs. Early corsets laced in the back and required another person to rigorously draw the wearer’s form into the desired constriction.

Busks in these garments were rigid strips inserted for stiffening support and used from the 16th through the 19th centuries. Busks were made of metal, whalebone, quills or wood. Depending on the historical mores, corsets could be tubular and shape obscuring or accentuating and alluring.

The 18th Century was the height of corset popularity. However, usage waned and corsets fell from fashion by the 1920’s, almost completely replaced by elastic girdles. There was a brief revival of corsets in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s in the form of a waist cincher, often called a “waspie”, worn to achieve an hour-glass figure. Coutil became the fabric of choice for comfort and durability; it is a cloth of cotton and/or rayon in herringbone weave.

Today’s corsets are flexible, stylish and beautiful, thanks to ultimate choice in material and design comfort, lending nostalgic tradition to modern lingerie.

Picking the Perfect Bridal Lingerie

For those who are about to get married, and want to look sexy on the wedding night, opting to wear the right kind of bridal lingerie is a sound idea. Face it, the wedding night comes around only once in a lifetime (in some cases, anyway) and it is an ideal occasion to look alluring and also feel more beautiful.

Before you even start your search, you first need to decide on what your goals are. I know, that sounds way too practical. But it will help you decide what direction you need to go with your shopping. Do you want to look seductive, or demure? Erotic, sensual or sexy (not the same thing, look it up)? Your decisions here set the course for what follows.

Next, consider the idea that you really want TWO sets of lingerie. Think about it; you will be getting dressed and taking pictures for a couple hours, the actual wedding and more pictures are a couple more hours, and all the while you are highly stressed. Then, at least a couple hours dancing and making merry at the reception. By that time, what you have on under your gorgeous dress will feel like workout clothes. Is that really how you want to look and feel on your magical wedding night?

So what you really need is one set of lingerie that will give you proper support, and keep all your "treasures" safe and sound. And you also want them to make you feel as though you are the most beautiful woman in the world. Then, you want a set of lingerie that is meant to be seen by only 2 people, you and your betrothed. That can be more for show, since you may not actually be wearing it for very long anyway......

Wearing a corset under an informal wedding gown might be inappropriate. A corset is a very constraining item, so it is more appropriate for very traditional dress. You might look to wear a bustier instead, which is a little more "style over substance". There are many choices including strapless numbers or tight fitting basques. Just make sure it complements your wedding dress. Take the time to evaluate different styles to see what feels right. You may even find something that you may not have considered wearing before.

You should make the final decision based on what you want, although people will suggest different garments and try to give you advice. It’s you that has to wear the items and you who need to feel sexy in your chosen bridal wear. You might select items such as a satin corset and stockings, a bridal bustier and perhaps satin gloves. Or you might want to choose something different like a sheer bralette and panty set with a lovely crinoline . The most important thing is the overall effect on how you feel, so you will want to take this into account when choosing apparel.

Remember, go for something that will enhance your best assets. Honestly look at yourself in the mirror and decide what to accentuate. Do you really like your bustline, or are you more proud of your behind? Do you have a curvaceous hourglass figure, or long legs? This is one time for every woman to put aside her body issues and say, "You know what, I've got a really hot ......"

There is much more to your wedding day than just choosing the right gown and best bridal lingerie. You will be the absolutely center of the world for your friends and family for this short period of time, and you want to embrace every second of it. Then your wedding night should be one that you remember for the rest of your life. The right choice of bridal lingerie just makes the whole thing better.

Why Lace Corsets? Just because their Beautiful

Whether you are a woman or a man, you have surely seen a lace corset before and have probably wondered what it is about the lace corset that makes it so appealing. Well there are actually a few things that stand behind the lace corset and what make it so divine.

One of the reasons that a lace corset is so appealing is because of, quite obviously, the material. Lace has always been sort of naughty and yet demure at the same time, which is very sexy, and it always has that sort of appeal because it is almost see through. Lace corsets are particularly stunning because the corset shape helps to create a curvalicious look to the woman wearing it.

Compare the lace corset to the satin corset for a moment. Sure satin is very extravagant and feminine, but when you compare it to the lace it is easy to see the differences. Lace is thought of as something alluring, something decadent and extravagant. There are so many different routes that you can take with the lace, so many different styles, all which look absolutely stunning.

Where to Look

Are you interested in buying a lace corset for yourself? If so there are a few lingerie shops in particular that you are going to want to check out. The best idea is to go to lingerie stores that specialize in lace, because you know that they are going to have the grandest selections of lace corsets for you to choose from.

Also keep in mind, something that you may not have been aware of before, that there are actually customized lingerie shops out there which you can go to and have a corset custom made, just for you. This not only means that you will be totally satisfied, but as well it will fit you like a glove because it will have been made specifically for your body.

Better-than-Bare Lingerie is a great place to drop by if you are looking for lace corsets and other lace lingerie. They have everything from baby dolls, bras and panties, chemises, cami sets, long gowns and tons of new items that you can check out.

Much Too Pretty to Cover Up

There are ways to take your corset from staying in to going out, even to the board room, and we’ll show you how to do just that.

Looking for a way to dress up a pair of jeans for a night out? Pair a simple plain color with a pair of dark jeans and stilettos and you’re set for a night on the town. You might have to beat the boys back with a stick.

And if you’re more interested in staying in on Saturday night, get a little flirty. Chantilly lace, ribbons and a ruffled skirt are designed to tease. Add a lacy G-string and sheer black stockings for a double dose of sweet heat on a summer night.

Looking to pull some elegance into the evening? Try a jewelled satin corset that will show off your sophistication. Layer it over a tailored taffeta skirt and you’ll the star of the evening.

If you’re not into the super- elegant look, try a more zen look with a brightly colored corset and a ghagra—a long, flowing Indian skirt—for a trendy Eastern vibe.

Finally, go for a sensual vibe with a strapless front lets you be as daring—or demure—as you like. Pair it with a sleek pencil skirt for a sophisticated, yet sleek look. Throw a black jacket over top and you’ve got a look you can take to work!

Lingerie Choices for Your Body Type

Whether you are trying to find just the right gift for a loved one, or looking for advice on what styles will look best on you, having a basic and realistic view of body shape will go a long way towards maximizing your investment. A little thought about what your attributes or weaknessesare allow you to look as alluring as you feel. Don't get us wrong; you don't have to be stick-thin and perfectly proportioned to be sexy. Lingerie is the great equalizer. In some ways, buying lingerie is almost self-defeating. If you pick the right style, color and size, no one will even notice the cloth draping your body. So read along, and see suggestions we have to help you make the best purchases. Click on the pictures to see examples of the outfits we suggest for each example For the Woman with: a Bigger Bottom

If the backside is a little large, the best bet is a thong bottom with some width to the back. Having around 1/3 coverage will make things look a little smaller, still show ample cheek and elongate the leg line. Things to avoid: Very skinny g-strings (they accentuate the size) or full coverage "granny panties" (makes the bottom look even wider).

For the Woman with: a Pear Shape

The secret here is to call attention to the bust, and have a solid opaque bottom that just slips over the hips. This will draw attention up, and the flaring A-line shape will slim the butt and hips. Things to avoid: Drawing attention to the middle. Don't wear something with a pattern along the midriff, and avoid panties that cut straight across the thighs. These will cut visually cut the wearer off, and make the legs look shorter and heavier.

For the Woman with: Large Breasts

Wearing a full coverage top will provide support and visually balance the look. What you want is to make the bust look controlled and proportional. Also, this type of top won't leave visible lines in anything you wear over your sexy outfit. A bikini brief will help you look youthful, and not like 'matronly'. Things to avoid: Demi-cups, shelf bras or other styles that accentuate the bust spilling out of the top.

For the Woman with: a Large Tummy

If you have a belly 'pooch', try wearing a babydoll with a closed front and some type of pattern. Add a thong or sexy pair of panties that will visually extend your legs.Things to avoid: Don't wear an open-front babydoll that frames what you are trying to not call attention to. And don't be tempted to buy either the top or bottom too small, as edges digging in really make like you are wearing things that are just too tight.

For the Woman with: a Slim Build Slimmer women want to compliment their frame with something light and airy. Feminine lingerie matches the delicacy of the frame, especially in sheer fabrics. things to avoid; Slim women can wear almost anything, but want to avoid anything that is either too visually heavy or that is too large. Otherwise you look like you are wearing something meant for someone else.

For the Woman with: an Hourglass Figure

Curvy women want to wear something that accentuates the waist, like a bustier. Adding some soft boning and a pretty matching bottom will really make your silhouette rock. Things to avoid; items that are loose fitting can make an hourglass shape look large and shapeless. Stick to fitted items. And point attention to the waist, not above or below.