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.

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.