Buying lingerie without dying of embarrassment
Don’t think you have to go to one of the lingerie stores in the mall, which can really embarrass you, and will also assault your wallet. Wal*Mart has some very nice looking things, at great prices. Also check out the shopping links here for on-line resources that provide lingerie without porn.
In addition to not embarrassing yourself, you don’t want to offend her with what you buy – so consider what she wears now, verses what you would like her to wear, and go for the middle ground. If you have never given lingerie before, start out with something that is only a bit racier that what your wife currently wears. If she only wears white and pastels, something black with red trim is over the top. Try solid dark colours like blue, green, or purple. Solid black or solid red are more sexual, so if she may be nervous about it, avoid these items, or put one such item in with several tamer things. A black background with flowers is a good “compromise”. If she doesn’t already own a thong, don’t buy her one!! It’s about where she is now – if all she wears are “granny panties”, a bikini (not a string bikini) may seem pretty sexual to her. If she has thongs and cup-less bras, you probably can’t shock or offend her.
Lingerie sizes are really a sick joke – so go armed with some measurements, getting her size off clothes she is comfortable in. You want waist size, dress size, T-shirt size, and bra size (the number is her chest under her breasts; the letter/cup is how much bigger she is measured around at the nipples.)
- Bras are easy to size, but then you have other options. Again, let her current wear guide you: If none of her bras has an underwire (a stiff insert under each cup), don’t buy a bra that does. If she does not own a push up bra, don’t get her one. If all of her bras have a bit of padding, buy the same, unless it going to be bedroom-wear only. Unless she does not own ANY back hook bras, don’t worry about front vs. back (except that front is easier and more fun for you!)
- The sizes on panties have no correlation to pants, or dress sizes, or any other aspect of reality, and to make it more confusing they vary from one manufacturer to another. Your best bet is to check a pair of her panties (which is not too old and thus stretched out), and “measure” them. Put one side of the waistband on your pointer finger, and gently pull it along your arm, noting how far it goes. Repeat at the store (when you are sure no one is watching). Otherwise, check the size on her panties at home, and try to find the same brand at the store. If you have her actual waist size, a clerk can help - if you are willing to ask for help.
- OS stands for “one size fits all”. DO NOT BELIEVE IT. If she is over 30, has ever had a baby, or eats normally, forget about OS.
- Some things, especially looser things like teddies, are small, medium, large and maybe extra large. You can probably guess fairly well at this, or go by T-shirt size. When in doubt, get a bigger size. Tight might be a turn on for you, but not fitting into it is likely to make her feel bad.
Some women have two kinds of lingerie – what they wear under their clothes, and what they wear in private for their husband. Some items are not practical or comfortable for extended wear, so let your wife know you are fine with her putting some items on just so you can take them off. Want to try something that you think she will find “adventurous”? Give the item along with some others you think she will not have a problem with, and let her know the one item is “for me”.






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This is really great and thoughtful advice. I’ve received too many uncomfortable and ill-fitting lingerie items. You go way beyond just looking at the size label, which is sooo important. Gee, I bet you’re just as careful and thoughtful about other stuff, too … ; )
@Susan – Thanks for the kind words, and I certainly try. BTW, I really enjoy your blog, which I have been following for a good while. Also bought your very pink book, which is excellent.
“Lingerie sizes are really a sick joke.” – I LOL’d at this. Thanks for the great post.
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