HOW TO BUY LINGERIE AS A GIFT
(AND GET IT RIGHT)
How to gift underwear and get it right. From lingerie sets to luxe nightwear, expert sizing and style tips for choosing underwear gifts she’ll love
Consider her personal style
“A matching bra and knicker set can be a really special treat, so consider your loved one’s style to be sure that your gift will be delightfully received,” says Soozie Jenkinson, our head of lingerie design. We have three brands within the online M&S Lingerie Boutique to suit different tastes. “Boutique sets are playful and on trend with quirky details, Rosie Exclusively for M&S lingerie is feminine and luxurious with a hint of vintage glamour, and Autograph lingerie is modern and elegant with exquisite attention to detail,” Soozie explains. When it comes to colour, if the person you’re buying for has a favourite colour, it’s likely that she’ll love a lingerie set in that shade. If you’re not sure, a more practical colour such as black is the safest choice.
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How to get their size right
Before you start shopping, you need to work out her size. Take a look at the labels on her most worn or most recently purchased bras and knickers. Bra sizes comprise two measurements, the band size (a number, for example 38) and the cup size (a letter or double letter, for example DD). Take note of both. Knickers (as well as bodies, camisoles and, frequently bralettes) are usually in clothing sizes (for example 14) but might be XS, S, M, L, XL etc.
Plus, read our guide to the best bras for bigger busts.
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Choose something special
Fun, feminine and sexy, the Boutique range marries playful prints, bold colours, geometric lace and modern embroidery with on-trend silhouettes, making it perfect for gifting. There’s a wide range of pieces to choose from, including balcony bras, plunge bras, delicate bralettes, Brazilian knickers with cutaway backs, pretty camisoles, thongs, suspenders and a sexy satin and lace basque. Little details such as delicate metal hardware, statement back details and dainty bows add to the special feel of the pieces within the brand.
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Make it a matching set
The ultimate treat for a lingerie lover is to receive a matching bra and knicker set, and the wide range within the Boutique brand makes it easy to pick and mix pieces to create a set she’ll love. For example, the Kiki pink range features a non-padded plunge bra, a non-padded bustier, a thong and high-waisted Brazilian knickers, while the tattoo embroidery range features seven different pieces in two colourways including a push-up bra, a bralette, a thong and a camisole vest and French knickers co-ord so you can mix and match to create a set to fit her body and suit her personal style perfectly.
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Think outside the box
There’s no one size fits all approach to Valentine’s Day gifting and not every woman will appreciate a lacy lingerie set. “Loungewear is very much on trend right now as we spend more time at home,” says Soozie. “Crafted in gorgeous fabrics such as Flexifit jersey and casual brushed marls and stripes, and coming in relaxed, modern styles such as joggers and sweatshirt-inspired shapes, these pieces make great Valentine's Day gifts. When it comes to sleepwear, PJs are having a moment – we simply can’t have enough pyjamas in our ‘at-home’ wardrobe!” If her vibe is more laid-back loungewear than sexy smalls, we have everything from super-soft hoodie and shorts co-ords to luxe satin PJ sets and a satin floral dressing gown.
This way to how to do loungewear for her in style.
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Words: Miranda Eason
