“When in doubt, wear red”
Bill Blass
In the run up to Valentine’s Day, we are constantly reminded to buy cards, flowers, chocolates and dinner date ensembles. Even High Fashion jumps on the romance bandwagon, sending models down the catwalks from London to Milan in romantic floral prints and ultra feminine outfits set to make more than a few hearts flutter. But there are more things to consider than worries about what to wear on the outside… like what to wear underneath.
February 14th is a tricky one to settle. Gone are the childhood days where the afternoon was spent doing arts and crafts in the classroom making cards which resembled something closer to a sticky, glittery mess. As adults, we have to face a new kind of art: the art of seduction. Much more complicated. For us girls, the focus turns to lingerie, although for many this can be completely foreign territory. We spend the year ignoring the need to renew our underwear, and instead ‘make do’ with pieces not fit for the light of day. But with so much of the evening plans hanging on romantic seduction, the pressure is piled on to get it right… but how?
Lingerie shopping is notoriously difficult, and as a result our underwear knowledge, and supplies, suffers. With underwear being one of the most neglected parts of our wardrobe, most women don’t know their correct bra size and many only get new knickers at Christmas from dear old Gran, or the Auntie that doesn’t actually know you all that well. This is not promising news for potential admirers or the lucky one who gets to see you wearing them.
There are three golden rules that no girl should break. First and foremost, it should be the right fit. There is nothing more unsightly than an ill fitting bra, or back cleavage in a corset. Trust me ladies, he may not wear bras, but he will definitely notice if you are wearing something three sizes too small. The better the fit, the better you feel. Secondly, match your underwear type to your outfit. I don’t necessarily mean colours, I mean the dreaded VPL and lace bumps showing under your top. It’s never good to look as though you got dressed in the dark. Finally, unless you have been dressed by blind nuns – or worse, your parents – make an effort. This should be just as much for your benefit as for your partner, and a chance to indulge in some well deserved unadulterated fun.
Whether you are in the first flutters of a crush, or a seven year love story, you should be well equipped for a long night of bedroom athletics. Even if you don’t opt for candlelight and rose petals, you should invest some serious thought into your attire. So, to give you a helping hand, I bring you reassurance in the way of my top five lingerie suggestions for the Big Day:
- Matching Set– From the moment women stepped out of their bone-breaking corsets, they were stepping into their silk and satin matching bra and knickers. Today, however, things have moved on beyond the parachute pants of days gone by. The options are now endless, but for this one night why not try something sumptuous like Myla’s ‘Marlene’ collection.
- The Babydoll or Chemise– If you have any body hang-ups then this is the ‘safe’ option. You can find some truly irresistible styles at the moment, such as the floral lace chemise by Colette Dinnigan for M&S which is particularly good for girls with curves.
- Hosiery– Three things to remember with tights and hold-ups. First, always buy really good quality fabrics, the better the quality, the longer they last. Second, if you have a back seam ALWAYS make sure the line is straight up your leg. Finally, the most flattering look is a semi-sheer denier. Hosiery works to define muscle tone and lengthen the leg, making it a valuable addition to any underwear drawer.
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The Teddy– Making a comeback lately, it is the easy and comfortable option that you can wear over and over again. Shorts and a Camisole all-in-one, it is a sweet and playful option and looks incredible in soft peachy shades and caramel hues. If you want to spoil yourself to this timeless treat, Stella McCartney’s ‘Sam Partying Silk Playsuit’ (right) is a must. - The Basque– Often confused with the corset, a Basque is a stretchy and often more flattering version, and much more comfortable! You can tailor make your design to fit your size and shape, which is a life saver for those of us with awkward bra sizes.
So have fun this Valentine’s Day, and don’t forget that less is most definitely more!