Lingerie
There was a time when lingerie was the norm. Many owned not just one piece, but a multitude of styles. Lingerie was originally meant to shape the body to the desired silhouette of the time period, regardless of the discomfort or even pain it may have caused. As times changed, so has the need for lingerie.
What each of us considers sexy is a matter of preference. For some, lace boyshorts and bralettes offer just the right amount of temptation; for others, the art of seduction is best attained in bustiers and crotchless panties. The versatility of lingerie is part of its charm; it can be tailored to your lifestyle, personality, shape, mood, and more. When making lingerie selections, “meh” or “it’s ok” isn’t good enough! Lingerie should be fun and an extension of your unique personality.
Despite your physical appearance and how you may feel about it, it is important to have fun when buying lingerie and buy something YOU love and feel sexy in. Go for colours that attract you, or that you know you look great in! There is a big misconception that you need to be in a relationship to buy lingerie or that you need to wear it for someone else. Yes, you can, but it is mainly for YOU. Wear what makes YOU feel confident, beautiful, and sexy. It can be fun to be the only one who knows you’re wearing lingerie, it’s like your sexy little secret!
Don’t let shopping for your body get you frustrated. If you are unsure about where to start in terms of sizing, start by thinking about what size shirt you typically wear. Depending on bust size, it can be a good place to start. To bring your “fun” closet up to snuff, we’ve broken down the 5 main silhouette types - regardless of height and weight - and outlined tips for finding lingerie that feels tailored to yours. Learn the silhouette shapes and shop for something to show off your confidence and beauty!
Pear
Pear shapes like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, and Kim Kardashian are slighter in the bust and shoulders and wider through the hips. To balance out your lower half choose styles that emphasize your bust and flow over and away from your hips, such as a babydoll; one with a molded push-up cup can also help.
If you want to show off your hips, maximize them by putting them in hip-hugging chemises or corsets with no cups that you can tie tightly at the top and looser at the bottom to accommodate your shape. Drawing attention to your bottom half with bold patterns or layers of fabric will also emphasize it and pull the eye horizontally across the hips, giving the illusion of a greater width.
Hourglass
Hourglass bodies have bust lines and hips that are roughly the same size with a clearly defined waist and generally fit all lingerie in their size range (although if it’s a molded cup style they may spill out if they have a fuller bust). Scarlett Johansson, Christina Hendricks, and Sofia Vergara are perfect examples of the hourglass shape.
If you are an hourglass, try a bustier or a corset with an intricate panty to highlight your figure, or a body-hugging chemise with a belt to emphasize your waistline. Three-piece sets (with a bra, panty and garter belt) will also emphasize your proportions and really showcase your curves.
Rectangle
A rectangle shaped body has bust and hips that are very similar in size, with little to no definition in the waist; think Cameron Diaz, Keira Knightly or Gwyneth Paltrow. Your lingerie sizing should be consistent from head to toe; e.g. if you are a medium top, you are likely a medium skirt, medium panty, and so on. To give the illusion of a more defined waist, choose styles that nip in at or slightly above the waist (such as those that have long line seams or are styled with belts) or styles with extra emphasis on the bust and hips (such as those with layered fabrics like ruffles at the top and bottoms or contrasting colours). Waist cinchers, corsets and embellished bra/panty sets are great choices. Cinchers and corsets will help accentuate the waist, while bra/panty sets with added ruffles or lace can help add volume to the hips and bust, giving the illusion of a smaller waist.
Inverted Pear/Strawberry
Inverted pear/Strawberry shapes such as Jessica Simpson, Salma Hayek, or Angelina Jolie have hips narrower than their shoulders with less definition in the waist. Halter and strapless tops are good choices to deemphasize broader shoulders, and adding volume to the lower half helps to create symmetry. Hip-hugging chemises, body-skimming gowns with slits at the hip, layered babydolls and peplum or ruffled bustiers or corsets look amazing on this shape.
Apple
Apple shapes are the largest in their middle. Having a fuller bust, torso, and hips with little definition between them all, apples tend to have smaller bottoms; Drew Barrymore, Rebel Wilson, and Oprah are all good examples. To define your waist and simultaneously emphasize your bust, choose styles that are tighter at the top and looser at the bottom, such as babydolls. The key is to pick styles with an empire waist (i.e. styles where the “smallest” part of the babydoll is directly underneath the bust). Conversely, a corset can be laced to redistribute your shape into a more hourglass figure by cinching the waistline and loosening around the bust and hips.
Midriff-baring two-piece sets (bra and panty) look amazing on your figure! By bringing the focus to the bust and hips with fabric and colour in these two places, the eye is drawn vertically from one to the other which elongates the overall look giving the illusion of a smaller waist.
Lingerie As Casual Wear
Gone are the days where intimate wear was hidden for privacy, taking your lingerie out of the bedroom is now socially acceptable and applauded when done fashionably. From daytime casual looks to clubbing, or date nights, pull your intimates out of hiding and throw them into the mix!
Add a cincher to your favourite dress or oversized t-shirt to accentuate your curves. Just as it was originally created for, this look is not only cute and casual-chic but will show off your waistline and spotlight your hips!
Teddies are a great piece to add to an outfit with something less fitted – vintage Levi’s, flowing skirts, or wide-legged trousers – to show off a little waist. Low back, high neck, they come in all shapes and cuts; add one to your next outfit for the perfect casual or night out look!
Bustiers are the perfect way to add a sultry twist to your typical date night outfit. Paired with tailored pants or a dressy skirt, this look can be professional and tasteful, or night-out ready. Throw on a leather jacket or flowing cardigan for a fun peekaboo look.
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