A Gentleman’s Guide to Buying Lingerie
A man’s guide to buying lingerie? The headline for this story alone is probably enough to instil fear in the heart of every bloke with a regular squeeze. Come Valentine’s day, chocolates and flowers are an easy win; dinner in an exxy restaurant with champagne will seldom go down poorly; even something as simple as candles in the bedroom will chalk up some brownie points. But one mention of the L-word (lingerie) and most men, no matter how savvy in the romance department, fall to pieces.
It’s a well-known truism, yet one that hasn’t seemed to change much over the years, no matter how accessible information might be on the web. Speaking with Lisa Hili, one-half of the brains behind Aussie lingerie and adult-wares website Porte-à-Vie, we sought advice to delve into the root of what makes men so scared of the subject, and how we can lift our lingerie game.
Lingerie is a Great Valentines Day Present for a Reason
While the thought of having to buy lingerie may turn you to water, it’s an undeniably great present for the 14th of Feb, and with good reason: it’s really for the two of you.
“Lingerie is the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day as it is just as much a gift for her as it is a gift for you. In our experience, lingerie that looks this exquisite, is quickly relegated to the bedroom floor.
“Unlike roses and chocolates, lingerie does not have an expiration date. Lingerie is a gift that will keep on giving.”
Step one: getting over the fear factor
Whether you’ve stepped into a store only to turn right back around, or made it all the way to an online checkout, only to chicken out, the fear is real. Don’t let this be the thing that holds you back, however. Knowledge is power, and arming yourself with a few guidelines will have you expertly selecting satin and lace in no time.
Get a Grip on the Basics of Buying Lingerie
The first step to overcoming this fear is to break it down to basics. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why women love lingerie so much, so using this knowledge to your advantage is the first step towards getting the formula right.
Learning the differences between a brassiere and a baby doll will make all the difference (if in doubt, refer to the handy glossary at the bottom of this page.)
Avoid the Common Lingerie Buying Mistakes
So now you have a starting point, it’s time to look at the common mistakes all those “other” guys make. While this may seem obvious, don’t be too selfish when selecting her new knickers; just because you think she’d look banging in a burlesque brassiere, if it’s not her style then you’ll have sadly missed the point.
Get the Right Lingerie Outlet for an Easy Win
One of the best features of the internet is the ability to hide behind a screen and not have to have an embarrassing in-store conversation. The downside, however, is that you miss out on the helpful interaction that a shopkeeper can provide, which comes in particularly handy when you haven’t the first clue about what you’re buying.
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help with Buying Lingerie
While an online store may lack the smiling (or possibly smirking) shop assistant, it doesn’t mean they’re lacking human interaction. Shooting an email through is the best way to get assistance, and given that they’re all pros at the other end, there’s no such thing as a stupid question.