A Man's Guide for How to Buy Lingerie for Your Significant Other

When a guy is trying buy lingerie, it can be daunting. Whenever purchasing any clothing item for another, it is important stick within certain guidelines to successfully purchase lingerie for another. Always try to stick with sexy and not trashy, unless you have been instructed otherwise.

If you are a guy trying to buy lingerie for your significant other, you need to know what you are looking for before going to the store or ordering blindly online. There is overwhelming room for offending someone with this purchase, in endless ways and you cannot even imagine how far into the doghouse the slightest goof can land you. But, when done correctly, this can be a way better gift than a blender. So you must go to the store knowing her size - do not just guess or point to other women and guess. This job requires snooping and getting specific sizes and measurements from an item that you know currently fits her. Write them down for safe reference. You will need a bra size, panty size, and preferably getting a size from a dress that is a knit type dress will be helpful. If possible, also denote the brand name of these items since sizes can vary between companies (which is quite cruel to the average man trying to pull off a good lingerie gift). This information will give the sales person adequate information to find an item that fits. If you are shopping by catalog or online, it is better to go too elegant than too revealing, since size matter less in silk gowns than it does for a bustier. You can always go for more fitted items later.

A sales person can tell you what is popular and in tandem with a few details, like the color of the persons' hair or eyes or the fact that you think she has great legs, the fact that you selected the item to flatter that particular feature of her coloring or appearance will go over big. If this is your first time buying lingerie, try to stay away from things the sales person calls "fun" or "a riot" or "racy". Nobody hates silk or something like a soft robe in a flattering color. Think cuddly, not something your Grandma might wear as a housecoat.

All the different kinds of lingerie available when you set foot into a lingerie store like Victoria's Secret are daunting. Terms a sales person might use include a "baby doll" - which is a short gown with matching panties. This is flattering to most body types, is a good option if you think she had great legs but she thinks her butt is too big, and really just requires that you know her general size. They often come in various degrees of sheer fabric, try to go with not so sheer for an early purchase.

A bustier is a bra that extends to the waist and often boosts the breasts. Think a Madonna in a "Like a Virgin" video. This is likely not your first time lingerie gift to purchase, and not every bustier is flattering to everyone, so it is likely an item best selected by the person themselves. The exception is if someone has admired a certain specific item that you are aware of and has not purchased it themselves due to price concerns.

A camisole is a short top, usually silk or satin fitted over the bust without defining it, it usually comes in generic sizing but it is personal preference and to whether or not it fits well and if it is comfortable. A stretchy material is the exception to this. A teddy is a one piece sort camisole and panties in one. The same issues apply of it may be a good fit or it may fit but be uncomfortable.

A catsuit or body suit looks is a full body stocking, usually stretchy. Probably not a first time gift but can be flattering depending on body type.

Gowns are self explanatory, but go by the names of baby dolls, negligees, night dresses, and peignoirs.

They are often a good bet but can run a bit more expensive but she will know it cost more.

If you buy something on the clearance rack and can't figure out why it is on sale, ask a salesperson if anything obvious is missing such as a working button, snap, strap or other piece that might not be obvious to you as to what is wrong, but the lady will figure out immediately something that is wrong with your gift and that is was likely on sale. It also will not be usable if such items are missing. Try checking any item for missing buttons or snaps, check for stains, signs of being worn, smells, ink marks, snags, tears or rips.

Springing the few extra bucks for the stores gift wrap is really worth it and will make even cheaper purchases seem more decadent.