New To Lingerie? The Best Types To Shop For Your First Piece
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Are you new to lingerie? Does looking at all the straps, lace, garters, and cut-outs overwhelm you, yet intrigue you at the same time? Well, you’re not alone. From both personal experience and talks with friends, shopping for lingerie can be a new experience, often feeling a little foreign and unexplored. If you’re interested in wearing lingerie, it shouldn’t feel taboo or secret. Instead, we’re here to help you.
Lingerie has become far more accessible, affordable, and visually present–from your Instagram feed to small local boutiques–than ever before. And with that comes new ways to take your favorite pieces from the bedroom and incorporate them into everyday fashion. Don’t believe us? Just look at how Gen-Z has started the trend of wearing corsets with their favorite pair of jeans.
Wearing lingerie is also an invitation to love our bodies in a new way–both in and out of the bedroom–and there is a piece of lingerie for everyone that will suit your comfort, body shape, style, and budget!
What Is Lingerie?
While it might seem like a silly question, lingerie is simple: luxurious or fancy undergarments or sleepwear. Although it has long been associated only with special occasions or romantic evenings with your special someone, this is changing and we are here for it.
With online shopping becoming easier and full sets available at the click of a button, new, modern brands are on the rise. As fashion continues to evolve, we are seeing lingerie worn for everyday outings, ranging from brunches to concerts to music festivals, or even a fun ladies' night out.
But for those of you who aren’t quite ready to wear it out with friends, but would rather try this sexy underwear and sleepwear in your own private bedroom, this article is for you!
Types Of Lingerie
The six most common types of lingerie are:
Underwear
Bralettes
Bodysuits
Teddies
Babydoll dresses
Classic corsets
Whether with standard or more complex designs, each type is special in its own way. Some pieces are ideal for certain occasions, like when you’re in the mood to feel a little more sexy than usual during the week or celebrating an anniversary with your partner. Whatever it is, lingerie has a way of elevating the occasion!
This easy guide will help you pick out a style of lingerie that both matches your taste and highlights your curves and will quickly become your favorite piece.
Price Reference (average price):
$ | Under $50
$$ | Between $50-$100
$$$ | More than $100
Underwear & Thongs
Underwear and thongs are some of the most basic pieces of lingerie to own and one of the easiest ways to incorporate it daily without feeling like you’re overdoing it or forsaking comfort. After all, underwear is a clothing essential, so it’s easy to have many options!
You can quickly transform your underwear drawer from basic to sexy by shopping for new materials–we’re not saying cotton can’t be sexy, but if you’re looking for an easy (yet spicy!) change from the ordinary, choose satin, lace, or styles with sexy cut-outs.
Tip: Whatever your body type is, these look great on anyone!
Our Favorites:
Image: Savage x Fenty
Floral Cheeky Underwear
Savage x Fenty
Price: $
You can’t go wrong with cheeky black lace underwear to create an effortless lingerie look.
Image: Aerie
Smoothez String Thong
Aerie
Price: $
When you want to show off your cute bum, choose a g-string made of buttery smooth material.
Bras & Bralettes
We can’t forget bras and bralettes–both are essential pieces of lingerie that you can’t have too many of! You can share so much personality with your bra choice, from curvy, demi, or wireless styles to bright colors or black lace. And, depending on your breast size, certain bras and bralettes will spotlight your curves in the best way.
Tip: Triangle-shaped bras are ideal for smaller boobs, while a balconette’s extra support is more comfortable for larger ones.
Whatever your bra style is, shopping for a new one is an easy place to start your lingerie journey.
Our Favorites:
Image: Nordstrom
Adella Longline Bralette
Free People
Price: $
A crochet-like bralette to really brighten up the bedroom!
Image: Savage x Fenty
Wallflower Balconette Bra
Savage x Fenty
Price: $
An extra-sexy balconette bra with pretty floral accents to make this black bra special.
Bodysuits
An easy “gateway” piece of lingerie to try, a bodysuit is a form-fitting one-piece that covers the torso and crotch area. If you are feeling more adventurous and want a new sexy piece for yourself or your special someone–consider a bodysuit. It’s a little like wearing a risque bathing suit for the bedroom!
While you can’t go wrong with classic lace, picking a bodysuit in your favorite color can make it more fun–but, most importantly, make you look good and feel comfortable while wearing it.
Tip: Lingerie bodysuits look especially great on curvy and pear-shaped body types.
Our Favorites:
Image: Nordstrom
Everyday Thong Bodysuit
SKIMS
Price: $$
An earth-colored thong bodysuit that’s comfortable to wear all day and all night!
Image: Revolve
Zephyr Bodysuit
Kat The Label
Price: $$
I love the delicate floral designs against this pretty pastel pink for an extra sweet evening with your special someone.
Lace Teddies
A teddy is one of my favorite pieces of lingerie! It is a flirty mix between a jumpsuit and a comfortable pajama set that also covers both the entire torso and crotch region with a looser–and sometimes more sheer–fit. Choose from see-through-lace, shiny satin, or a luxurious silk piece to expand your lingerie collection from just bras and panties!
Tip: Lace teddies look great on every body type since they highlight curves effortlessly.
Our Favorites:
Image: Revolve
Angelina Teddy
Superdown
Price: $$
This light and airy lavender teddy is perfect for any festive or eventful sleepovers coming your way!
Image: Revolve
Coucou Lola Teddy
Only Hearts
Price: $$
This extra-sheer option has a cute polka-dot design and criss-cross back meant for the most special evenings.
Chemises & Babydoll Dresses
Chemises and babydoll dresses might be the first type of lingerie that comes to mind when thinking of sexy nightwear. These traditional and romantic pieces are undergarments or sleepwear that come in a smock or dress form, with a chemise generally cut longer than a babydoll dress.
Tip: This type of lingerie can flatter any body type. However, for tall or straight body types, this style can create the illusion of feminine curves.
Our Favorites:
Image: Elomi
Babydoll Dress
Elomi Lingerie
Price: $$
A black babydoll dress that offers support and highlights all of your sexy curves!
Image: Revolve
Meg Embroidered Chemise
Flora Nikrooz
Price: $$
A classy white chemise perfect for a warm summer evening or any intimate night after that.
Corsets & Bustiers
Corsets and bustiers are classic (and historical) pieces of female fashion. Having been around for centuries, they are meant to accentuate both your body’s curves–especially the breasts–and the waist. While they might be the most tight-fitting pieces of lingerie on the list, you can’t deny that they provide a sexy lifted effect and a sultry hourglass shape.
Arguably, corsets and bustiers might not be the most comfortable garment to wear, but if it's only for a short time, why not try one out and style it with your favorite pair of lace underwear already in your wardrobe?
Tip: They look great on fuller bodies and hourglass body shapes.
Our Favorites:
Image: Nordstrom
Mila Underwire Corset Camisole
House of CB
Price: $$$
A deep purple lace corset that pairs effortlessly with any pair of lace underwear or thong.
Image: Revolve
Nicolette Bustier
Kat The Label
Price: $$
A chic bustier to wear for an edgy look out on the town before a sensual night in.
Other Lingerie Accessories
Want to add other lingerie accessories to your growing wardrobe? If you are looking to spice up your collection in a budget-conscious way, accessorize by shopping for stockings, garters, and gloves.
Stockings
Lingerie stockings are a clothing accessory that adds comfort and warmth (and excitement) to your bedroom attire when paired with some already sexy undergarments. Stockings can also be styled with any lingerie or outfit that you’re already wearing when stepping out for a romantic date night.
Our Favorites:
Image: Thistle & Spire
Persuasion Stockings
Thistle & Spire
Price: $
A pair of black, back-seam stockings can accentuate the length of your legs. Wear these stockings with a babydoll dress or a corset-lace-underwear combination.
Garters
Traditionally, garters are an accessory that you wear on your upper leg or thigh to keep stockings from sliding down. However, they have also become a prominent fixture at weddings–bride or not. Wear a garter as a quick way to add a touch of flair to whatever lingerie you’re wearing!
Our Favorites:
Image: Thistle & Spire
Strapped In Garters
Thistle & Spire
Price: $
A garter that will match any “Sasha-Fierce” lingerie outfits you have planned! It comes in more than five colors to mix and match with.
Gloves
Lingerie gloves are light accessories that are easy to include in your evening wardrobe. Recently, long gloves have even become a high fashion accessory, so these can be worn out of the bedroom for some fierce looks, too.
Our Favorites:
Image: Etsy
Sheer Black Gloves
Polli Amore
Price: $
Etsy has everything–including affordable lingerie accessories! These sheer black gloves can complete any sexy sleepwear outfit you have planned.
Best Places To Shop For Lingerie
Finding your unique style and shopping for lingerie is easier than ever thanks to the internet and the wide array of online boutiques. To start your wardrobe upgrade off on the best foot, these are three of our favorite places to shop for lingerie based on affordability, quality, and style.
Thistle & Spire - A woman-owned lingerie brand that creates delicate and extra-detailed types of lingerie for a more adventurous bedroom style.
Parade - A size-inclusive clothing brand that offers the most comfortable and colorful underwear, thongs, bras, and bralettes for anyone looking to create a laidback lingerie wardrobe.
Revolve - We love Revolve! Not only do they have a plethora of cute fashion brands, but they offer sexy lingerie brands, too! It is a great one-stop shop to view different styles and types of lingerie in one single place.
For extra inspiration and other lingerie styles: 40 Best Affordable Lingerie Brands We’ve Found On The Internet
Shopping for lingerie should no longer be taboo, but rather should be seen as another way to love and embrace our bodies. We’re all about clothing that makes you feel comfortable in your own beautiful skin and more like yourself–and that includes these special sexy garments. So, if you’ve curious about lingerie–this is your sign to go for it!
