When it comes to buying a present for your wife or girlfriend, most men know to steer clear of lingerie. After all, that path can only lead to at best disappointment and at worst confrontation, not least because there are so many things that can go wrong. Will he choose the right size, and if he doesn’t, will she be offended that he thinks she is smaller or bigger?
Will his choice reveal a desire for her to dress a little more risqué? Or will it adversely signal that he sees her as someone who belongs in frumpy Bridget Jones pants? Either way, even if he gets over the first hurdle of making it into a department store to buy lingerie in the first place, chances are, his choice might cause a frisson of tension on Christmas Day.
With this in mind, if you’re looking for a lingerie drawer restock, it’s much better then to buy pieces for yourself that you really want to wear. “The modern woman buying underwear as self care isn’t always reaching for a lacy thong,” shares personal stylist Flossie Strickland. “Natural fibres and thoughtful design are the new future for ‘sexy’ lingerie. The brand This Belongs To creates ethically handmade underwear offering tongue in cheek slogans such as ‘Femme Fatale’ or ‘Not My First Rodeo’, and their briefs can also be personalised with your name or initials.”
And you don’t even need to go down the traditionally ‘sexy’ route either, with unisex shapes becoming more and more popular. “There has also definitely been a shift amongst the fashion crowd towards practical underwear which offers coverage and comfort yet still makes you feel feminine and sexy,” agrees Strickland.
“The layered boxer short look doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, with Homme Girls, Alex Eagle and Tekla mastering the crisp cotton boyish, undone yet clean aesthetic. You can wear them layered under jeans or poking out from a low waisted skirt à la Miu Miu.”
If you dare, underwear as part of your outerwear is also a big trend for this festive season, with visible knickers under sheer skirts or lacey bras under see-through tops. “Camille Charriere is a master of revealing all whilst still looking elegantly ethereal,” says Strickland.
“Why not channel her style and wear some high-waist briefs under your sheer, sparkling or semi-transparent gown for New Year’s Eve? Balanced with strong knitwear or opaque tights, it’s a surprisingly easy look to pull off.”
The new lingerie name to know: Cou Cou Intimates
Balconette, £58, and shorts, £58, both Cou Cou Intimates
Citing Kendall Jenner and Sabrina Carpenter as fans, Strickland recommends Cou Cou Intimates as the cult brand to watch. “Their 100% organic cotton composition and cutesy pointelle fabrication is reminiscent of school vests and the Kate Moss Corinne Day era,” she shares.
“The top and bottom matchy matchy sets would look just as sweet beneath the sheets as they would under your cashmere.” Featuring everything from balconette bras to multi-packs of thongs, frilly bed shorts to camisoles, you might find some nightwear bits for summer too. coucouintimates.com
The best for everyday: The Underdays
Everyday thong, £18, The Underdays
If you just want to overhaul your underwear drawer with a lot of new basics for everyday, then turn to The Underdays. Made from super soft cotton, these everyday knickers don’t dig in and sit perfectly under clothes, whether you opt for the brief, thong, Brazilian or high-waist style.
Available in an array of basic hues and pastel shades, they’re great to buy in bulk (there’s a discount for buying multiples) to have on hand for when you don’t want to think too much about your pants. The only downside? They don’t do matching bras (yet). theunderdays.com
The best romantic lingerie: Dora Larsen
Underwire bra, £70, and thong, £40, both Dora Larsen
Those who favour unpadded, non-wired designs will love Dora Larsen, which offers pretty bralettes and matching briefs, often in saccharine-sweet pastel shades (never fear if you do prefer a little more support, as its charming girlish designs also come in an underwired style too).
While bralettes come in UK dress sizes, the wired bras are sized regularly, though they do come up a little small from experience. Most are very see-through too, so it’s worth bearing that in mind if you’re a little more of the modest persuasion (or it’s cold outside!) doralarsen.com
The best sexy lingerie: Fruity Booty
Moss bra, £52, briefs, £29 and shorts, £39, all Fruity Booty
Who doesn’t love a frill from time to time? If you’re looking to inject some Marie Antoinette fabulousness into your knicker drawer and don’t want to fork out for Agent Provocateur, then turn to British brand, Fruity Booty, who offer a more affordable (and wearable) take on boudoir lingerie.
“I love the excessive aesthetic of Fruity Booty, with their broderie anglaise and silks” shares Strickland. In terms of sizing, get the tape measure out, as the brand doesn’t do the traditional back and cup measurements, but instead XS to XL. fruitybooty.co.uk
The best lingerie for support: SKIMS
Wireless Form T-shirt demi bras, £54; Shine Foundations thong, £10; and Shine Foundations lace brief, £10, all Skims
Fashion editors bow down at the altar of SKIMS, the shapewear brand masterminded by Kim Kardashian. Made from a supersoft nylon and elastane mix, fans of the brand rate the everyday thong and boy shorts in particular (both with near 5/5 perfect scores), with the sculpting push-up bra in its array of different skin tones being hailed as a confidence booster.
True to size, once you’ve got one piece, chances are you’ll want it all – including the viral dress. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. skims.com