A Beginner’s Guide to Lingerie

When it comes to undergarments, some women like coverage, while others like the barely-there look. Shopping for intimates can be tricky especially for those that find themselves overwhelmed with all the different kinds of lingerie out there. This often leads them to conservative pieces that they’ve gotten used to over the years. Of course, there is nothing wrong with remaining in your comfort zone; however, there’s also nothing wrong with switching things up in your wardrobe. Or underwear drawer, in this case.   Many have been conditioned to believe that lingerie was only made to impress your partner in the bedroom. Yes, corsets, garters and teddies do wonders for spicing up relationships, but the bigger effect it should have on women is empowerment. Anything you dress yourself with should be celebrating you and your figure. In a promotional video for her E! Special, Mariah Carey was shot wearing a sexy bra-and-panty set, claiming that this what she would normally wear around the house. On Thanksgiving, she shared an Instagram of herself in jeans and a white plunging v-neck bodysuit, and we’re pretty sure that she chose that outfit for herself and not for anyone else.  

(IMAGE INSTAGRAM / mariahcarey)

Although not every single one of us will channel Mariah and flaunt everything we’ve got, we can all learn a lesson or two from the superstar in terms of embracing racier intimates.   The best way of going about lingerie shopping is understanding the different types and finding out which ones will work well for your frame. Read on to see what styles will complement your body.   Babydolls One of the widely recognized categories of lingerie is the babydoll, the mini version of a traditional nightgown. Characterized by its bra-like top and loose fabric falling to the hips, the babydoll looks adorable on every shape, but it works especially well for women who want to cover up their midsection. The empire waist also helps to create curves for ladies with the carrot or inverted triangle figure.

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Bodystockings This is a hosiery option that covers the entire body, worn to lengthen your stems and show off your bottom-half as a whole.   Bustiers At the very basic definition, a bustier is a bra top that’s fitted all the way down to the waist or hips. Women with straight, boyish figures will benefit from bustiers since they pull in your waist and accentuate your chest. These are a great alternative to push-up bras, which can help you go up to two cup sizes, but can feel rather suffocating. Hour glass shapes will also fit well into bustiers, not that they need a lot of help forming their curves.   Chemises A nighty that is perfect for an evening in with face masks and wine, a chemise is a silk or satin gown with a lace trim. Although they aren’t completely form-fitted, chemises tend to tighten around the waist and widen at the hips. These are great for top-heavy women who want to balance out their proportions, and petite girls who want nightgowns that suit their height.

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Corsets To really carve out the hourglass figure, a corset is your best option. It’s not the most comfortable of lingerie choices due to the boning, but it is the most effective item in reducing your waist, and has been for centuries. Most body issues can be solved with a corset, whether you’ve got a small bust or a thicker middle, an athletic body type or inverted pear shape.   Garter Belts & Stockings These are more so accessories that can be worn attached to each other or worn separately, paired with any of the previously mentioned items. While thigh-highs are sexy on every body type, the garter belt isn’t as versatile since they don’t do much to enhance your assets or cover up problem areas. They’re a sexy addition to any outfit, but there’s no doubt that garter belts are better suited on naturally curvier sisters.   Teddies Otherwise known as bodysuits that typically make use of lace and other sheer materials, teddies seductive and work flawlessly to elongate your torso. Women who identify as apple shapes (or wider in their waists in comparison to their hips and bust) can also experiment with these one-pieces. The deep v-neck will draw attention to your front and take the focus away from a bigger midsection.

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Be sure to shop our selection of lingerie once you’ve figured out which items will bring out your best features! Pretty Me has a variety of silhouettes that you will surely appreciate.  

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