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HOW TO BUY LINGERIE AS A GIFT

Choosing lingerie sets or luxe nightwear for the object of your affection can be difficult. Here’s our expert sizing advice and style tips for choosing underwear gifts they’ll love

Consider her personal style

“A matching underwear set can be a really special treat. To get it right, think about your loved one’s personal style to be sure that your gift will be delightfully received,” says Soozie Jenkinson, head of lingerie design. Our online lingerie boutique features styles to suit different tastes. “Boutique sets are playful, colourful and on trend with gorgeous details such as bows and lace; Rosie Exclusively for M&S lingerie is luxurious and elegant with a hint of vintage glamour and the Autograph range is modern and bold with exquisite attention to detail,” Soozie explains. If the person you’re buying for has a colour they love, steer towards this as it’s likely that they’ll love a lingerie set in that shade. If you’re unsure, black is striking but also practical.


How to choose the right size

Before you start buying lingerie, you need to work out which size to choose. Take a look at the labels on the recipient’s most worn or most recently purchased bras and panties. 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). Make a note of both. Bralettes and panties are usually in clothing sizes (for example 14), but might be XS, S, M, L, XL etc. Camisoles and French knickers make a great gift and are also dress-sized. They can be worn both as underwear and bedroom pieces, so are incredibly versatile.

Plus, read our guide to the best bras for bigger busts.



Choose something special

Fun, feminine and sexy, the Boutique range marries playful prints, bold colours, stunning lace and modern embroidery with on-trend silhouettes, making it perfect for gifting. The ultimate treat for a lingerie lover is to receive a matching bra and panties 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 Emilia satin floral range includes a plunge bra, a balcony bra, high-leg panties, a G-string and a camisole and shorts set. The Larissa lace collection features five different pieces including a padded plunge bra, high- waisted panties and a G-string, so you can mix and match to create a set to fit their body and suit their personal style perfectly.


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. “Pajamas and loungewear are very much on trend right now as we spend more time at home,” says Soozie. “Sweatpants and sweatshirt-inspired looks in super soft and comfy fabrics such as Flexifit jersey and plush velour make great Valentine’s Day gifts. When it comes to sleepwear, you can’t have too many sets of pajamas and our gorgeous modern cotton styles feature Cool Comfort technology for all-night comfort and fun designs, such as cute heart motifs.



Words: Miranda Eason

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