How to Choose Lingerie for a Boudoir Photo Shoot

Disclosure: This article is sponsored by Foxy Lingerie.

A boudoir photo shoot can be a wonderfully indulgent way to treat yourself. Empowering too – you’ll get to see yourself in a glamorous new light, and celebrate your unique body.

If you’re considering your first ever boudoir photo shoot, one of your biggest questions is almost certainly “what should I wear?”. That’s really up to you, but I’m here to share some advice. Remember that boudoir shoots come in a huge range of aesthetics, from kitschy pin-up to raunchy glamour model to ‘just chilling in my jammies’, so there’s sure to be one that gels with your personal style.

Here’s a look at what to think about when choosing your outfit(s):

The Lingerie

Everyone’s taste in lingerie in different, so I can’t tell you what you ‘should’ wear. But you definitely want to pick something that you makes you feel confident. Ask yourself whether you feel your best in styles that are close-fitting, such as basques and corsets, or ones that skim or drape over the body such as a babydoll.

There’s no rule that your boudoir shoot look has to be revealing either. You could wear anything from a floor-length gown to some jersey loungewear! Here are some of my favourite pieces from Foxy Lingerie, for inspiration and to show you the sheer breadth of lingerie styles you’ve got to choose from.

The Cover-Ups

If this will be your first boudoir photo-shoot, you may want to also take a cover-up or two. Especially if the thought of posing in your underwear is making you nervous, having something that lets you control exactly how much you show can help to put you at ease.

Even if you’re feeling super confident about the whole thing though, garments such as robes and capes (yes, I said capes – there’s a fabulous one below) can add incredible dimension to your photos. Just imagine one billowing out behind you by the window, or puddling artfully around you on the bed.

The Accessories

Accessories are what truly complete a look – don’t forget them! What you choose will depend very much on the look you’re going for. It could be anything from a blindfold for a sensual-themed shoot, to a book for one with more of ‘lazy Sunday in bed’ aesthetic.

Wearable accessories to think about include a pair of heels (they’re great for making your legs look longer), hosiery such as hold-ups or stockings, gloves (especially suited to retro-glam shoots), and of course jewellery.

However, you might also want to take along some props such as flowers or a perfume bottle. Not only do these make the image a little more interesting, they give you something to do with your hands – a lifesaver if you find posing awkward!

Final Tips

Here are a few ways you can make your boudoir shoot run more smoothly, and ensure you look your very best on the day:

• Cut out visible labels – if you’re wearing something sheer, carefully snip out the labels. Although they can be Photoshopped out, removing them entirely is the easiest way to ensure they won’t make an unwanted appearance in your pictures.
• Wear loose clothes to the venue – if you turn up in something tight, such as jeans and a belt, you may have red marks on your skin that take a little while to fade. Arriving in something floaty means you’ll have no such problems and can dive right in.
• Clean your shoes beforehand – if you plan to wear shoes that aren’t new, give them a good clean, paying special attention to the soles, and wear different ones on the trip there. We tend to forget about the bottoms of our shoes since they’re rarely visible, but in a lot of popular boudoir shoot poses they will be!
• Ask about outfit changes – be sure you’ve confirmed with your photographer how many different outfits there will be time for. This way you’ll know exactly how much lingerie to bring.

Which of the pieces above would you wear to your own boudoir photo shoot? If you’ve ever done one, what did you choose to bring to it?