A Husband's Guide to Buying Lingerie She'll Actually Wear

Even after nearly 9 years of marriage, lingerie still remains the hardest thing to buy for my wife. It's one of those gifts that could be very intimate and romantic. Or, if you screw it up, it could be one of those gifts that causes embarrassment and possibly even a fight.

However, with experience, I have become much more successful picking out lingerie that she actually loves and does wear. It just takes a little bit of preparation on my part.

Here are some things I've learned that make the lingerie buying experience much easier.

First, know your wife/girlfriend's measurements. Unlike regular clothes, lingerie doesn't really give you the opportunity to hide a bad fit. So, you can't rely on the tag. And, I've learned from experience that, if a sexy lingerie outfit doesn't fit properly, my wife will find a reason not to wear it. It's best to get her exact measurements (something I ask her to get for me each Christmas season) and remember them.

Second, avoid shopping online. This was one of my biggest mistakes early on in our marriage. You simply cannot trust what you see in a picture or web site description. It's best to ignore any embarrassment and buy the lingerie in person so you can see, first hand, if it will fit her. Plus, if you go to a specialty store (like Victoria's Secret), chances are you'll find an employee who can help you determine the right fit using the measurements I mentioned before.

Third, when shopping, think classy, not trashy. Perhaps she does like to dress trashy on occasion. But, that is something she really should shop for herself. If you want your wife/girlfriend to actually like your gift, it's best to find something that is more like an evening gown than something you would expect to see at a strip club.

Fourth, know what your wife/girlfriend likes and hates about her body. If she thinks her breasts are too saggy, find something that lifts them a bit. If she is self conscious about her belly, find something that covers it. This extra effort will go a long way to making her feel much more comfortable when wearing it.

Fifth, go the extra mile and accessorize. One thing I discovered about my wife (and I'm assuming most women are like this too) is a lingerie gift means more if you put a little more into the purchase. For example, to go with the lingerie, I might buy her a new perfume to wear with it. Or, sometimes a piece of jewelry. Sometimes I'll even mix things up and buy some candles (to light the room later). This works because it makes your purchase more about romance and less about just sex.

As I said before, buying lingerie can be hard for men, even after years of marriage. But, if you make the extra effort, you will be successful finding lingerie she will love to wear for you.