How to Buy Sexy Lingerie for Women

We've whipped up these handy hints and tips that'll ensure you get gasps of delight when she tears open the wrapping paper rather than a grimace of dismay. With pointers for choosing the perfect size, style and colour, our expert advice will take you through the finer points of picking lingerie that she'll love (and, even better, love to show off to you).

1. Have a peek in her Lingerie drawer

Before getting started on shopping for sexy lingerie for women, it’s best to get as much information as you can about your partner's size, style preferences and lingerie likes and dislikes. This is your best bet for finding sexy lingerie online that she’ll want to dive into!

The easiest way to do this is to have a little snoop through her underwear collection. Be sure to take note of her:

• Bra size (e.g. 32C, 36B etc)

• Knicker size (e.g 8, 10, 12 etc.)

• Clothes size (e.g 8, 10, 12 etc.)

While you’re there, take a mental note of the common colours and styles that you see and that she wears the most. Lots of black G-strings? Browse the black sexy knickers and bra set selection. Drawers full of silky nighties? Head towards slinky chemises and babydolls.

2. Choose the right colour and fabric

Now that you’ve got a deeper idea of what she likes and feels most comfortable wearing, you can easily narrow down your lingerie search.

Begin browsing in the Sexy Lingerie Sets section, and narrow down your search using the handy filter options on the left-hand side of the page. You can filter the options by colour, size, material, and price - it's super easy to find exactly what you're looking for.

Remember that this is a gift for her, so the most important thing is to buy something she feels confident in and will enjoy showing you rather than simply something you want to see her wearing.

3. Select the perfect style

Now for the fun part. Cast your mind back and remember any occasions where she's dressed up for a romantic evening in (although keep the details light - it's best if you stay focused here). If she wore lingerie that’s tight and structured like a corset, then she'll probably appreciate a basque or bustier. If her look was lighter and floatier, babydolls and chemises are a wonderful way to go.

Hot tip: If you're struggling to tell the difference between lingerie styles, don’t stress. Have a look over our Guide to Lingerie Styles to get the low-down on all the different styles available (‘that floaty dress thing with the bra attached' isn't too helpful in searches).

4. Find the right size

We know that this part isn’t always easy. Due to the wide range of body shapes, and many brands sizing their clothes differently, few women are consistently the same size in all their clothes.

We do, however, have some simple tips for you to find her best fit:

• Look at the size of her favourite bras or items of clothing that she wears most frequently. If she wears them all the time, they probably fit the best.

• Check the brand size chart on the item page. One brand's Small may be another brand's Large.

• Read the customer reviews - people may have left comments regarding sizing.

• For a no-fail solution, try a One Size item. Many of these clothes lace-up or are super-stretchy to provide a more forgiving fit.

Dos and don’ts of gifting Lingerie

Do:

• Get as much information as you can about her size. If you know her exact measurement in centimetres or inches, that's even better.

• Check out our guide on How to Buy Lingerie for Your Shape. You may pick up some tips on what will suit her best.

• Look at her going out or party dresses for inspiration. Lots of women wear party clothes that closely emulate the colours and fabrics they would prefer to have in their lingerie drawers.

• Give Customer Care a call or email if you need any extra advice about any particular lingerie. Our friendly experts are here to help you choose the perfect gift.

Don’t:

• Buy something that's just for you. She may not want to wear it or feel comfortable in it if it’s not her style preference.

• Buy a bra without buying the matching knickers. It's nice to have the option for a set and can be difficult to match up with bottoms later on.

• Go too far out of her comfort zone. If she likes long chemises, she may not feel sexy in a wet look body-hugging garment.

• Be afraid to ask her best friend for help. She'll appreciate the effort you've gone to (plus you'll get major bonus points with her friends).

Shop the Lovehoney Lingerie Collection

You’re now equipped to find a stunning lingerie gift for your girl. So, where to get sexy lingerie from? The Lovehoney lingerie range has something for every shape and every style. Browse the range today.