5 tips for buying lingerie online
Given the reputation have for being sticklers when buying clothes, ensuring that the item not only fits, but looks just perfect when worn, it is perhaps incredible to discover that of all the items bought online by UK consumers last year, it was women’s clothing that was by far and away the biggest seller. Indeed, 71% of items sold last year online fell into that single category, dwarfing the sale of items such as computer games, electrical equipment and other items one would tend to assume as being generally easier to purchase online.
So why is there a sudden splurge in women buying clothes online, when they cannot try on the clothes and only have a digitised picture with which to make their judgement? It does seem at odds with the stereotypical view of a woman being especially keen to ensure that her purchase looks, fits and feels perfect before they buy.
The truth is that a combination of factors have converged to produce this new wave of women buying online. A large part of this may well be men buying presents for their women, women looking to save money by buying online and simply the fact that there is so much choice available online.
Yet without doubt, there is a lot of difference between buying an item, such as a pair of sweat pants or a hooded top when compared to buying something a little more intimate such as lingerie. Whereas sweatpants don’t need to do anything more than be worn for sports or fitness activities, lingerie is a far more personal item and needs to fit the user in a certain way and accentuate the positives they feel within themselves.
Therefore, whether you are a woman who wants to take advantage of the vast choice and great prices online, or a bloke befuddled by lingerie lingo, here are five top tips you can follow to ensure that you buy the perfect piece of lingerie at a great low price!
1. Despite the rumours to the contrary, size IS everything!
The first requirement of any item of clothing, but especially lingerie is that it not just has to fit, but that it has to fit comfortably. So guys, that figure hugging latex corset may look great to you, but it may be a little too hot, sweaty and uncomfortable for your other half, especially if you don’t know their measurements!
Always start any online lingerie shopping session by knowing exactly the size you are looking for, particularly round the bust & cup size, hips and waist. Always take fresh measurements too as although you may be a 36C when you last bought that slinky bra, you may well be a different size a year or two later.
2. Set yourself a budget
Cheap lingerie is often cheap for a reason, that being it is generally poor quality. It is much better therefore to invest in lingerie that is of a better quality and is of a higher standard. This will not only last longer, but also look better and keep its shape for longer too. Set yourself a budget to buy lingerie and stick to it. Search around the Internet to see what other shops are charging and use a price comparison site to find the cheapest deals.
Also don’t blow all your budget on just one item. It is important to realise that lingerie is not just one item, but several items put together into one alluring ensemble. A bra and panties set is no use if you can only afford one of the items and not the other.
3. Buy what you know you like wearing
This may sound entirely obvious to some, but many people are often persuaded against their better judgement when buying lingerie and assume that simply because they like the look of a certain piece of lingerie, that they’ll happily wear another piece of lingerie that they are not so keen on. So for example, you may love a sexy new corset, but not enjoy wearing them with a thong or a garter belt.
Here many people will say to themselves, “oh what the hell” and buy the items they don’t like. Immediately, they are giving themselves a disincentive to wear the lingerie. Always look for items you find alluring but which you will want to wear, not only will you feel more comfortable, that will radiate throughout your overall appearance too.
4. Don’t buy individual items and throw them together, build an overall look with several items
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes men make when buying lingerie for their partners is to buy several different items that they like but then wonder why their other half isn’t that keen on wearing a pink bra, with red suspenders and a blue garter belt. It is far better to imagine lingerie as a beautiful jigsaw puzzle that needs to be put together carefully. If you are buying one item that is a certain colour or style, you need to find items that will either compliment or contrast with it. Red and black, for example, work superbly well together in lingerie. If in doubt, stick to one style or colour to achieve the look that you want.
5. Complete the effect with a silk gown
It is perhaps one of the strangest aspects of human sexuality that many women who will dress provocatively for their partner using some of the most beautiful lingerie to enhance their curves, will then decide that to add a little surprise for their partner, they’ll cover this up with their old terry dressing gown. If lingerie is about creating an aura, then this kills that stone dead! Instead, think about keeping a little cash back and buy yourself or your partner a silken robe.
A robe carefully chosen will not only add to the overall effect of the lingerie but give you or your partner the ideal way to cover yourselves up beforehand and with many different gowns available of many different styles, you can be sure you’ll find the perfect choice to finish off your lingerie ensemble to perfection!
