Lingerie buying guide

As men, you know that buying lingerie for the special woman in your life is like running the gauntlet  - a gauntlet embroidered with the possibility of tears, self-loathing and embarrassment. That's why we decided to get advice on the subject, and who better to speak to than someone whose job is to buy lingerie for women and dress them in it. That's why we asked Sarah Cook (www.lingeriestylist.com), a woman who has styled some of the sexiest lingerie shoots ever to hit the newsstands, to give us a guiding hand through the process...

Nearly every woman longs to own, or be bought, a set of the sheerest lingerie - carefully wrapped in a saucy pink box and lovingly finished with a silk bow. Sadly, this snippet of knowledge alone is not enough to make your lingerie purchase flawless. Never was there a task so scrutinised as that of lingerie buying. It can be a deadly path of thongs and lace but by simply following these rules and some basic advice, you’ll be having steak dinners for a month.

Know your limits

Sexy undies can be a truly wonderful thing, but with such a spectrum of saucy delights to behold, each persons tastes will vary. This is your starting point - know your woman. It’s not difficult to judge her laundry or her knicker drawer, and we’d be guessing you may have had a sneaky peak at her bedroom attire already. Us women do understand that you guys have certain ‘lingerie requirements’, too. Whether these need to be tamed or explored, you must know crotchless panties or nipple tassles may not be the way forwards first time round.

Be accurate

Know what you’re dealing with and be stealthy. Casually have a glance at her bra size as you pick it up from the bedroom floor. Don’t just ask out right, as you’ll probably have the subtlety of a pair of handcuffs on the bed post. Don’t just guess though, either. This is dangerous territory and may lead to a good few weeks of casual reassurance. In layman's terms, and for those blokes who genuinely haven’t grasped it, here’s the basic equation. 32B, 34DD - it works on a basic principle that the number is the size around the chest/back, much like your jeans size (it only goes up in even numbers). The letter is the cup size of the bra or the actual size of the breast itself. This size increases with the basic letter of the alphabet. From a modest ‘A’ like Keira Knightly to a more than ample ‘E’, as seen on the lovely Kelly Brook. And it doesn’t stop there!

Advice can be key

Advice could be what saves you, and don’t be afraid to ask. In the right establishment, sales assistants would want nothing more than to ease the stress of a lone male shopper. Many lingerie boutiques pride themselves in a discreet and professional service, so asking for a little help is no cause for embarrassment. They can assist you with sizing and make some suggestions to suit your tastes, whether you’re looking for the ultimate black number with suspenders and stockings, or a more modest silk neglegee.

Let the shopping commence

If this is the first time you’re making a lingerie purchase then my advice would be to not shop on the internet - not just yet anyway. I think it’s vital you see and feel the garments themselves - you’ll know then whether you’ve found the right thing. Some underwear, although the price may suggest otherwise, can be deceptively cheap in appearance.

It’s actually possible to get some beautifully made lingerie with high street prices. For this you can hit department stores like House of Fraser or Selfridges where you’ll find beautiful mid-range collections from names such as Pleasure State, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Sista Shei or Princess Tam Tam. Don’t be afraid to visit your local Ann Summers or La Senza too, they have some gorgeous pieces that could pass as designer.

If you’re looking for that truly special gift or something to really make her jaw drop with excitement, you need to go all out and visit London Boutique, ‘Coco De Mer’ or Soho’s Paradiso. They have an array of the finest lingerie, from sumptuous silk suspenders to tantalising ‘peek a boo’ bras, but if you’re spoilt for choice then just get one thing. Let that thing be a stunning pair of key hole panties. These are beautifully cut knickers that sit perfectly on the hips with a cheeky cut out in the back to reveal a little ‘bottom cleavage’. If you’re unsure whether your lovely lady will embrace these delights fully, then you can get some gorgeous alternatives that have a lace overlay on the rear as opposed to a full cut out.

Hopefully my work here is done, but the key to this lingerie malarky is just to know your woman and be confident with your purchase.