How to buy lingerie for your wife or girlfriend

Let’s be realistic, guys: When it comes to lingerie, we tend to know what we like. But it does not follow that the women in our lives have the same taste as us, so there are some important steps to follow to ensure that you earn maximum brownie points when buying sexy lingerie for your wife or girlfriend.

The advice I can provide has been gained from my own experiences and from questions I have been asked by other men facing the same conundrum. It often seems that the easiest purchases are the hardest, but heed the following advice and you should have no problems.

How to buy quality lingerie

The first and most important thing to remember is: never buy her cheap items. Cheap lingerie looks and feels tacky and she will feel cheap in it; remember, you are not trying to turn her in to a porn star (well that’s true for most of us)! Only buy quality garments. You’ll find loads of fake items on auction sites that are cheap to buy, but there is a reason for this, as they are of very poor quality. It’s best to stick to buying branded items from sites with good reputations: Leg Avenue and Dream Girl are two full-spectrum lines that have a great range of items. And of course, there’s always the old standbys: most women will be pleased with a pink box from Victoria’s Secret, but if you’ve got a budget in the hundreds of dollars, you’ll really wow her with an item from high-end brand LaPerla.

Victoria's Secret Lingerie

How to choose lingerie that suits her style

The lady in your life wants to feel special, so think about the style of clothing she normally wears everyday. Is she a conservative dresser or is her style more casual? Does she have a bold and loud personality? These questions will help you decide what colors and styles she may prefers; remember, you are buying for her, not you.

Lingerie sizing

Choosing the right size is vital; mess it up and your gift will be left in the drawer and never worn or enjoyed by you! Buying the wrong size is fatal and women take this personally, and while not grounds for divorce, it is evidence of basic neglect.

If it’s too big, she will hate it, as it won’t show off her curves (and suggests that you think she’s larger than she is). Too small, and she won’t want to wear something unflattering that shows off all those minor lumps and bumps.

The best way to get it spot on is to sneak a look in her underwear drawer at a pair she wears frequently. The size can be found on the label; follow this and you can’t go wrong. If you know her bra and underwear size and can describe her general build, you’ll be able to get help from a salesperson or consult an online size chart to find the perfect fit.

Lingerie materials

Remember, your tastes may not be the same as your lady’s, so again, a little bit of investigation will help. Lingerie comes in numerous materials such as satin, silk, lace and netting. Go back and check her lingerie closet and underwear drawer out, as this will give you a good indication of the materials she might prefer. Feel the quality, read the labels in her knickers and her bras. Does she prefer tight-and-sexy corsets, or loose, romantic baby doll silhouettes? Study the lace, the pattern, the colors, and the materials to determine her preferences. This is without a doubt the best place to go to ensure you get it spot on first time. Who knows, the perfect gift of lingerie may get her asking about your tastes and preferences, and the next piece of lingerie she buys might be intended for you!