Men’s Guide to Buying Lingerie for Women

If you’re a male who has ever tried to buy lingerie for a female, you know that just like women, their undergarments are far from simple. Despite the sheer amount of new terminology you may have to confront, buying lingerie for your partner doesn’t have to be an anxiety-ridden guessing game. To avoid feeling like a kid in a foreign candy store, take a look at the helpful guide below to ensure that you buy your lover the lingerie of her dreams.

Thongs

Women who are completely comfortable with their bodies and want to show off toned stomachs and thighs look the best in thongs. However, the thong’s popularity has grown exponentially over the past few years, and they are now almost a common household item. Some women wear thongs during the day under their clothes because they find them more comfortable than other styles of underwear. When buying a thong for a woman, keep in mind its ultimate purpose: will she be wearing it throughout the day, like panties, or keeping it on mostly for bedroom play? The answer will dictate the type of material you purchase, which ranges from comfortable cotton and lycra to sexy satin and lace.

G-strings

G-strings are the most revealing type of lingerie, most advisable for daring, sexually adventurous women. G-strings are just like thongs, except that in this case the thin strip of material in the back of a thong is replaced by a mere string of fabric, usually less than 1/8 of an inch wide.

Baby Dolls

Baby dolls are short, sleeveless nightgowns that fall above the knee like mini-dresses. Most have formed cups that emphasize the breasts. Baby dolls range in style from utilitarian (as in, she’ll be going to sleep in it and nothing more) to erotic (aka, no one will be getting much sleep). Either way, they can be sheer, adorned with ribbons and other enticements, or plain but still sexily elegant. Very short baby dolls often come paired with underwear in a lingerie set to prevent the nether regions from being exposed. Baby dolls are flattering on all body types.

Chemises

Longer than baby dolls, chemises are essentially ultra-sexy A-line nightgowns that falls in a straight cut right above the knee. Sporting halter or spaghetti strap tops, chemises are the O blood type of the lingerie world – they’re a perfect match for any body type. A good choice for women uncomfortable with their bodies, shy in bed, or looking to tease, chemises manage to hide extra chub while simultaneously increasing the heat in the bedroom. They give credence to the old saying that sometimes less is more.

Boy Shorts

Boy shorts look great on those who need a little figure shaping (i.e., women with a few extra pounds in the midriff area). Also ideal for sporty types who may feel too dolled up in a thong or G-string, boy shorts cover either part or all of the rear end, and come in comfortable cotton versions as well as lace (a compromise for the woman uncomfortable in more revealing styles).

Bikinis

Bikini lingerie mimics what you see on the beach, and often comes in mix and matchable sets of tops and bottoms.

Corsets

Corsets have an hourglass effect - they slim the waist and bring all the attention to a woman’s hips and bust.Corsets are tight, lace up in the back, and consist of very stiff material that lifts up the breasts, so they definitely aren’t for everyday wear.   Some women like to pair corsets with garter straps as an extra feature.

Camisoles

A camisole is a loose, waist-length top that can perform double duty – a woman can wear it with matching underwear, or under a shirt like a slip for daily dress. Camisoles are perfect for women with

Teddies

Teddies are simply camisoles and panties combined into one piece of material. Loose and often sheer, teddies can serve as normal sleepwear or libido-intensifying lingerie.

Stockings

There are no tricky terms here – all you need to focus on is choosing the correct material and, if desired, combination of pieces. You can buy stockings made of wool or cotton for everyday wear, and nylon or silk for steamy nights. Garter belts and stockings look attractive on most women, but especially those with shapely thighs.

Garter Belts

Let’s clear up one misconception right away - garter belts aren’t for pants! They are strips of fabric fastened around the legs. Garter belts used to help keep stockings up, but in today’s age of elastic, they are mostly used for sex appeal. Garter belts make wonderful gifts combined with a bra, thong, and stockings.

Bridal Set

Bridal sets are just what they sound like – made for the bride to wear under her dress. Almost all uniformly white, most bridal sets include a nightie (baby doll or chemise) or corset, and underwear.

That’s the scariest the world of women’s lingerie gets. You’re now completely prepared to dive into the sexy depth of female undergarments and emerge with a piece or set your lover will thank you for months down the line.