Dear Lady Unmentionable...

Why do my boyfriends shy away from buying me lingerie?

I love lingerie, and I enjoy wearing lingerie for bedroom partners, however I have never received lingerie from any men in my life no matter how many hints I drop.

What can I do?

From

LackingLingerie, 24 from London

Dear LackingLingerie,

Thank you for a very worthwhile topic.

Why do blokes shy away from lingerie gifts, lingerie shops and lingerie shopping?

Although I myself regularly receive lingerie gifts from gentlemen, this is a question that pops up among friends.

In the past I have heard such excuses such as;

“I don’t want anyone I know to see me in the shop…”

“The boutique girls thought I was a pervert…”

“I don’t know your size, I’d just get it wrong and you’d hate me for it.”

However, these excuses are petty and these, in my mind, are simply men with their tails between their legs running away from responsibility.

So what if your friends or colleagues see you in a lingerie shop, clearly they are also in there doing the same thing. Surely a real man isn’t shy to admit he can confidently walk into a lingerie store and browse to buy something nice for a girl? And would this not prove to friends that he has a rather successful sex-life. I would be bragging about this to my macho male mates.

Lingerie boutique girls are happy to help any gentleman who is looking to purchase something whether as a gift for a girlfriend, something for themselves or even if it’s for other reasons… Lingerie shop girls have seen it all and there is nothing to be shy about buying lingerie for a girlfriend.

Remember that store assistants are trained to help with sizing and are likely to help you with sizing problems as well as picking out popular styles, matching accessories and even showing you how to wear pieces.

The sizing issue is most likely the best excuse. However, most stores have a 14-28 day exchange policy. So even if the guy doesn’t have a clue of your bra size he can purchase a size and he or you can exchange it later. Lingerie stores also offer plenty of treats and goodies that do not require the mathematical genius of a bra size expert. Briefs, triangle bras, nightwear and gifting pieces, no excuse, just pick one.

With the popularity of online shopping, men can shop for lingerie in the comfort and serenity of their own home. No one will see them, no one will know, and lets be honest they’ve probably browsed for similar if not more exciting things on the net in the past. Men are able to buy lingerie online, get it sent to them and make it look like they’ve walked into a store…again they have no excuse.

Playful Promises often team up with voucher deals such as Living Social. So if the man is really too shy or too dim to buy lingerie he can buy gift vouchers and still get away with it.

LackingLingerie, I would say that the men you date love your playmate aspect but aren’t man enough to be your playmate! If they can’t buy lingerie, what else will they shy away from in later years?

And men…get off your backsides! When you don’t know what to buy a girlfriend for a birthday, anniversary, valentines day or any non-special days –THINK LINGERIE.

Sexy smalls verses assertive drawers

Vargas Girdle from Kiss Me Deadly

The era of sexy, minimalist smalls is being pushed aside by bold, assertive lingerie. Our recent trip to the heart of lingerie trends in Paris has revealed to us that retro giant briefs, high-waisted girdles and retro longline bras are back in fashion! But don’t be fooled, Grandma’s knickers are still not the height of fashion, so keep those well hidden.

Delicate, simple and petite lingerie will always be available however, more and more brands are offering high-waist briefs that can be worn above the navel or even above the waist-line and below the bust depending on the style. There is also a surge in longline girdles that also rise above the navel and sit below the bust and longline bras that extend to the waist-line creating a flattering shape. These latest trends have emerged from the growth in popularity of shape wear and vintage retro lingerie and faux retro lingerie.

Brands such as Kiss Me Deadly and What Katie Did are experiencing a great interest in their dominant lingerie lines, but there is also demand for contemporary designed statement lingerie with a modern design and lighter more feminine fabrics.

Playful Promises have experienced a surge in demand for longline bras. The Ava range was extremely popular for us and for our Autumn Winter collection we have included high waist briefs and longline bras. These chunky lingerie pieces have almost sold out before even reaching the shops and our spring summer 2012 lingerie collection promises further longline bras and girdles and high waist briefs.

The need for smaller and delicate lingerie is still strong and stylists are using this opportunity to now juxtapose these bold, statement pieces of lingerie with smaller, lighter and delicate pieces. I love the mix of the soft-cup triangle bra from the Playful Promises Etti line matched with the bold block of the high-waist Etti brief. The high waist brief has additional tulle mesh inserts to lighten the bold block design. However, I love how the Etti range can almost be worn as outer wear. Match the Etti soft-cup bra with the hipster Brazilian brief too!

Longerline lingerie is also great under summer t’s, showing off bold shapes, interesting cutting edge design and patterns and something a little saucy.

Try the style yourself; the Ava longline bra works great under a loose black or white t-shirt or the black What Katie Did Maitresse bullet bra with a cropped t-shirt.