I hope you have had the chance to read some of the wonderful Christmas gift guides we have released recently. If all these choices have left you wondering how to pick a piece of lingerie for a special person in your life, then read this article!
It will help you determine what you need to know in order to make an informed and thoughtful decision. Then, you can check out five different methods for choosing that perfect gift. Lastly, there are a few essential tips to remember when buying lingerie for that special someone.
What to Know
1) Sizes
Most women wear more than one size so it is important you know the range. If you have consensual access* to her underwear drawer, then conduct a study of the tags on her current collection. Check several bras, several pieces of underwear, and several loungewear pieces.
2) Fabrics
Fabric is as important as size and they should be noted together. A woman may wear one size in stretchy fabrics (mesh, stretch lace, cotton with spandex) and another in structured fabrics (100% silk, 100% cotton, polyester satin). You also need to know what fabric she prefers: cottons, lace, mesh, satins, etc.
3) Colours
Make a note of which colours she has in her wardrobe and, equally importantly, the colours she does not have. These two pieces of knowledge will give you insight into her colour preferences. You can observe this is her clothing wardrobe as well as her lingerie wardrobe if you have access.
4) Styles
Taste differs widely and it is important to note what she likes. Look for themes in her wardrobe such as cute, frilly, bondage, glamour, androgynous, etc. Style is often reflected in outward clothing as well. Again, noting what she does not have is just as important as what she does have!
5) Brands
Brands are important for a couple of reasons: they connote quality and ethics.
Quality: Once you know the brands she prefers, you can simply look up their websites to determine price range – and therefore infer quality. I would recommend your gift not going below the average quality she generally buys for herself. For example, do not give an Agent Provocateur girl a Wonderbra.
Ethics: Brand name can tell you whether she prefers high-street or indie brands. If she prefers indie brands, then there is most likely something special about them such as that they are homemade, ethically manufactured, and/or organic. I would not buy a Victoria’s Secrets bra for a girl whose wardrobe is full of indie designers.
*Note: If you do not have access to her underwear drawer, then there are other strategies you can employ for discovering this information. Always observe the lingerie she wears around you and with you. Also, there is little harm in asking outright for her preferences! Try to do so conversationally not like a questionnaire.
What to Buy
1) Replace
If you notice that a particular piece of lingerie in her collection is well worn, then there is a good chance it is well-loved, well-used, and well-favoured. You can find nearly anything online these days, so buy a replacement that is guaranteed to be appreciated.
2) Expand
Many women have bits and bobs from different lingerie collections. Sometimes one buys a bra but cannot find or afford the matching underwear. Try expanding on her current lingerie collection by adding on a matching piece. Give matching underwear and a matching garter belt to go with a favourite bra, or give a matching robe to complement a slip she already owns.
3) Deviate
Buy something on theme with what she currently likes that is different than what she owns. Your deviation should reflect yet not replicate her current lingerie. For example: the new Ruffle high-waist knicker by Kiss Me Deadly is a great gift for a girl obsessed with ruffles.
4) Upgrade
Most the women I know have limited lingerie budgets so they cannot always buy what they really want. A woman who loves silk satin may only be able to afford poly satin. Buy her the more luxurious fabric. The same works for brands. Perhaps she can only afford La Senza; treat her to La Perla.
5) Choice
Give the gift of choice – a gift card. You can buy it for a specific brand or for a specific boutique. Go shopping with her (if she wants) as it is a way to not only give her a beautiful gift but also to give of yourself: your time.
What to Remember
1) Gift receipts
Always get a gift receipt with your purchase. This is essential in case the sizes you chose do not fit. Also, it gives your intended receiver the option to exchange the gift if you accidentally purchase something they will not wear or do not like.
2) Presentation matters
Like all gifts, it is the thought that counts and thoughtful giving considers not just the item but the experience of receiving the item. Ask the boutique to wrap the purchase (after removing price tags) or buy some pretty wrapping paper and do it yourself. I always recommend a gift box for lingerie. This way she can keep the box and use it to store the lingerie if she chooses.
3) Remember that this is a gift
A gift belongs to the person who receives it. Giving lingerie does not entitle you to any special privileges, like her modelling it for you or you taking it off of her. This gift is for her pleasure and her happiness – it is not about your own.
If you have any questions about gifting lingerie, feel free to leave them below!
Avigayil.