Lingerie Gift Guide: Best Bras, Panties and More
Clothing and garments make challenging gifts to give to anyone. But when you want to give more intimate
apparel, like lingerie, panties or bras, it presents its own set of challenges. Still, when you pull it off
right, it can make a wonderful gift! That’s why I, one of Leonisa’s Personal Shoppers, am here to help you
find the perfect lingerie gift for that special someone.
Whether it’s for a girlfriend, wife or best gal friend, I’ve listed the top bra styles and underwear styles
that make fantastic gifts. Plus, I’ve included some other intimate gift options for more discerning,
hard-to-buy-for ladies.
Occasions for Lingerie Gifts
When we think of lingerie gifts, we tend to conjure up an image of a guy giving his lady (girlfriend,
significant other or wife) a box filled with lingerie for Valentine’s day. Don’t get me wrong–V-Day
is a truly wonderful time to celebrate each other's love. However, there is more than one occasion
lingerie gifts are great for. (And for the record, women can give other women lingerie gifts, too.
For starters, there’s anniversaries, best friends’ birthdays and even galentines! More specifically, there
are lingerie
showers, a pre-wedding day party where you shower a bride in sexy gifts like lingerie, robes and
massage oils. Separate from a bridal shower (where it might get awkward in front of family members), a
lingerie shower is essentially a time for bridesmaids and other closer friends to prepare the bride for her
wedding night, honeymoon and more!
So, clearly, you don’t have to be a guy to give sexy lingerie gifts. Us ladies know each other quite well,
too! Now, whether it’s a S.O. or your dearest friend, let’s explore some sexy lingerie gift options for your
recipient:
Sexy Gifts
Bras
While there are many
different types of bras, I want to focus on what makes great lingerie gifts. Here are some of my
favorite jaw-dropping bra styles:
Lace Bras
When you think of the word “lingerie,” doesn’t frilly lace immediately come to mind? Fortunately,
Leonisa has a wide collection of lace bras to
suit a variety of women’s unique
shapes and sizes. Whether they have an interior lining and pad to enhance your cleavage, or are
designed in a sheer fabric, lace bras are a lingerie must-have for any woman. The choice only comes
down to cup style and shape.
Balconette Bras
Balconette
bras give that flattering pin-up girl look. What is a balconette bra, you might ask? These bras are ideal for women
with broad shoulders and firm breasts, and they are highly versatile. Some women find them
comfortable enough for everyday wear. Designed to accentuate the cleavage, balconette bras are
perfect for women who tend to wear low-cut or and strapless tops and dresses.
Balconette bras are not for everyone, though. If the recipient has more narrow, sloping shoulders,
they may find a balconette’s wide straps to be uncomfortable or tight, pinching in the armpit.
Bralettes
Bralettes are designed for
fashionistas and for those who are looking for garments that make them feel both comfortable and
sexy. Found in a variety of materials such as sheer laces and mesh stripes, bralettes lend a
peek-a-boo look, flashing a little lace beneath a tank top. You can also find bralettes with high
neck crop tops that can be worn under a sheer blouse.
However, knowing the recipient’s physique, keep in mind that bralettes would make a better lingerie
gift for a woman with petite or smaller breast sizes. For this reason alone, bralettes are perfect
for young ladies, making them the perfect gift for coming-of-age sisters and friends.
Push-Up Bras
Last, but certainly not least, are push-up bras. Designed
with angled cups and extra
padding, push-up bras showcase the bust and make a woman appear as sensual as ever.
This lingerie gift is ideal for a girlfriend or partner who loves to wear low-cut tops and dresses with
deep, plunging necklines. But push-up bras can lift breasts under any ensemble just as well, adding a sexy
confident look.
Panties
Panties and women’s underwear come in a variety of cuts and
styles. Some are more practical than others and would be hard-pressed to come across as sexy. Here
are the most sensual lingerie underwear styles.
Lace Panties
Similar to lace bras, you can find lace
panties in a number of styles,
from hipstersto thongs. Lace is the pinnacle of sexy and, as a gift, you truly can’t go wrong. From
a soft feminine pink to a provocative black, lace panties are a no-brainer for a lingerie gift. The
trick is in finding the proper cut and style for the recipient.
Thongs
With a come-hither look to entice your partner, thongs make wonderful lingerie gifts. As a practical purpose,
thongs are excellent at hiding visible panty lines (VPLs), offering a discreet and
seamless look beneath a slip or tightly-fitted dress. Thongs also come in many styles, such as
G-strings and tangas/sambas.
Remember, however, that thongs are not for everyone. When giving someone a thong, there are some things to keep in mind so maybe make sure the
person enjoys wearing a thong to begin with.
Cheeky
Cheeky underwear
styles are a cross between a boyshort and a bikini. Cheeky style panties make perfect lingerie gifts
for those who enjoy low rise pants and jeans. Displaying the round plumpness of a woman’s butt is
precisely how this underwear received its name.
Cheeky underwear might be a fantastic option for gifting to a friend or someone who you are not
intimate with, as they offer more coverage than a thong, giving them a modest yet flirty look. Plus,
it offers an everyday option for a number of activities. Give a pair of cheeky underwear to a
bride, giving her something more versatile and comfortable for activities and excursions on
the honeymoon. She’ll appreciate something sexy, yet practical enough to wear out of the honeymoon
suite.
Other Intimate Gifts
Activewear Waist Trainers
Activewear waist
trainers make wonderful gifts for your athletic friends. Constructed with an extra-firm yet
lightweight latex material, waist trainers are designed to sculpt curves, eventually creating a
flattering hourglass silhouette. What makes them a great gift for athletes though is that, with a
mix of exterior latex and interior cotton materials, they can also be worn to enhance results during
workouts. When searching for a waist trainer,
it’s important to understand the difference between it and a waist cincher.
A Few Extra Tips for Buying Lingerie Gifts
Now that I’ve discussed a few lingerie gifts, I want to talk about a few extra things to keep in mind as you peruse your gift options. After all, if you find the perfect bra you know she’ll adore, make sure to get her the correct size! Many times, this might be a guesstimate, but I’ll help you make that best guess. You also need to keep the recipient’s everyday style in mind. So let’s dive into a few more tips for buying lingerie gifts.
Keep the Person in Mind
When choosing lingerie gifts, I want to remind you to be mindful of the recipient’s style. Take notice of
what styles they wear on an everyday basis. Do they enjoy a frilly lace or something a bit more modest? Do
they lean toward neutral shades or bold, saturated colors? Is lingerie a gift for a friend or a girlfriend?
Is it for your wife? Or maybe it’s just a well-deserved reward to treat yourself and make you feel sexy. So,
first and foremost, consider who the gift is for.
If it’s a complete mystery to you, try to get a sneak peek into her closet or underwear drawer. You might
discover she favors smooth silks over cotton materials and boyshorts over thongs. Whatever insight you can
find, make a mental note so you can present them a gift they will truly love and wear!
Know Their Size
Once you find the perfect lingerie gift, make sure you get the recipient the correct size. Guessing a
woman’s size is a daunting task. On one hand, you might think to size down so as not to offend in case you
guess wrong. However, should they need to replace the garment with a larger size, it could lower their
confidence. It’s a tricky situation, to say the least. Ideally, again, sneak a peek of their underwear
drawer and closet to determine her size. However, if that’s not an option, use these basic conversion
charts:
Underwear and Panties
Underwear and panty sizes are fairly straightforward. Here are the basic sizes to help you determine the
size she needs.
- Size 2 = XX-small
- Size 4 = X-small
- Size 6 = Small
- Size 8 = Medium
- Size 10 = Large
- Size 12 = X-large
- Size 14 = XX-large
Bras
Unlike underwear, bras sizes are a bit more complicated to guess. With the band size and cup size, there are
now two measurements. Although this is something we don’t recommend, I did some research and found a method
that men like to use when they don’t know their significant other’s size.
If you are totally unsure and can’t peek inside a drawer or closet, there’s actually a very easy method some
boyfriends and husbands use to help others determine the correct size–the “fruit method.”
Essentially, you arrive at a relative cup size by comparing breasts to fruit. For example, lemon-sized
breasts are an A cup, whereas breasts the size of oranges are a C cup. Here’s an easy fruit-to-cup ratio
breakdown:
- Lemon = A cup
- Apple = B cup
- Orange = C cup
- Grapefruit = D cup
Once you have a rough estimate of the cup size, you’ll also need the band. The band is easier and is just the measurement of the woman’s rib cage.
How funny is that? Of course, as a Personal Shopper, my advice is to try your best and ask your significant other (in a clever way) what their size is. For example, Leonisa offers a Perfect Bra quiz to find the perfect bra based on your size and shape. Suggest to your girlfriend that she should take the quiz to see what type of bra is best for her. I mean, what’s more fun than taking a 2-minute quiz and seeing your personalized results?
Matching Sets Make Great Gifts
When coming up with your lingerie gift idea, consider matching sets. For instance, you could pair a
lace bra with matching color lace underwear or add a silky robe in a coordinating pattern.
Presenting them with a complete ensemble for special date nights or self-care days around the house
makes the gift that much more thoughtful.
If the idea of presenting them with a bra intimidates you, you can always give them a matching set
of pajamas or loungewear. Without having to worry about band or cup sizes, you only need to estimate
in general sizes like small, medium and large. It takes the pressure off a bit!
Still Unsure? Get in Touch!
If you are still unsure and hesitant on a lingerie gift, schedule a one-on-one appointment with me or another Leonisa Personal Shopper. As
your personal style confidants, we all can offer friendly advice and help you search for
the perfect lingerie gift for your wife, significant other or best friend. Whether you only have 15 minutes
to spare to chat or wish to communicate by email or video chat, we can offer you expert advice on colors,
materials and styles that your recipient will absolutely love!
