With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of presents for your loved one. Whether it’s a long-term partner or a new one, buying lingerie for them can be daunting but it’s probably one of the best gifts a girl can receive (trust us on that!). There are a few things you need to get spot on so that you make the right impression, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide on finding the perfect present for that special someone.

First of all, you need to find the right size. It isn’t as easy as going into a store and saying “oh yeah, that looks about right” – bra sizing is a science. If you don’t know what size she is and don’t want to ask her outright, take a peek in her lingerie drawer and have a look at the labels of the bras she wears the most often, or her latest purchase. This will give you a great starting point and shows that you pay attention – brownie points for you!

lingerie drawer

Once you’ve figured her size out, the next step is figuring out if she has a favourite brand. We stock loads of different brands here at Brastop, from Curvy Kate to Freya, Playful Promises to Pour Moi and everything in between, including our own brand Flirtelle! Is there a brand that pops up more often than others in her collection? If so, stick to that – she’s obviously buying it for a reason! If there’s nothing that stands out from the rest, have a think about which she wears most often – are there any that always get pulled out of the drawer no matter the occasion? If so, that’s probably a safe one to go with.

detective

So you’ve used your detective skills to decipher what size to buy and what brand she likes – now what? Colour! Does she have a favourite colour or pattern? Try to find something along similar lines. Valentine’s lingerie tends to be all about the reds and pinks, but you don’t have to stick to these colours if you know she won’t like them. If she likes blue, go for something blue. If she prefers green, take a look at what green lingerie is available. There are also patterns – polka dots to stripes and florals to animal print so if you know she’s got a particular penchant for one of those, keep your eye out for them too. If you’re unsure, generally a black or red set for Valentine’s is a safe option – but just make sure she doesn’t dislike either colour first!

bra styles

Now you’ve sorted out all of that, are you done yet? Nope! Think about the vibe you want to lingerie to give off. Sexy and seductive? Sweet and romantic? Playful and bright? It’s important to get this bit right – at the end of the day lingerie is as much for her as it is for you – in fact, it’s probably more for her! Think about what she’s like – if she’s shy and conservative, go for pastels or lighter colours and try to avoid anything that has straps and buckles. If she’s seductive and flirty, go for something sheer or strappy and in darker tones. If she’s into vintage or pin-up fashion, try having a look at some basques or bodies. Match the lingerie to her personality! There are those brownie points again.

Are we done now? Nearly, I promise you! You’ve found the perfect bra, but no girl wants just a bra. A set of lingerie is exactly that – a set. The majority of the bras we sell on Brastop come with matching items. Ding ding ding – that’s the sound of those brownie points racking up even more! Briefs are, thankfully, a little bit less of a minefield to navigate than bras. The sizing is generally consistent, just take her regular clothes size and select the same. There are a few different styles of brief to choose from though, so this is where your detective skills come back into play. Does she prefer a fuller coverage, high rise brief or a skimpier thong, or does she like a brazilian style brief or shorts? If the set you’re looking at has more than one option, pick the one she has the most of in her drawer. If the set comes with a suspender belt, think about that too. Does she have any already; is it something she would like? Some girls love them and some girls hate them – they can really compliment a set but only if the person wearing it feels comfortable in it. If you’re going for the suspender belt, add in some stockings as well – it really shows that you’ve thought about everything she might need!

Congratulations! You’ve found the perfect set for the lucky lady in your life, but now what? No gift is complete without gift-wrap! Add on our gift box at checkout for that special touch, and your gift will be lovingly wrapped in a box with tissue paper and tied with a ribbon, making the perfect present and sure to put a smile on their face.

If all of this has left you feeling overwhelmed and baffled, never fear! We also offer an array of nightwear so you can get her a silky satin pyjama set or a stunning lacy chemise if you don’t want to go down the lingerie route, and perhaps most convenient of all we also offer gift cards so your special someone can pick out something they’ll definitely love.

I hope this has helped you in the quest for finding the perfect gift for your loved one, but if not we’re on hand to help you find the perfect gift either by phone, email or over on Facebook. Plus we also offer a hassle-free 30 day return policy on all items (unless stated otherwise) – just make sure the original tags and labels are attached, and that the items remain unworn!

LJ x

Shop Our Instagram