Brown Thomas' Lingerie Buyer Mary Mullin gives us her top tips for men buying lingerie this Valentine's Day.
"First a bit of research is good advice - take a peek in your partner’s underwear drawer to check sizes, sizing is something you should not guess!
Note the styles and colours she normally wears; is she more of a basic neutral, black or white underwear lady, if so try styles like Calvin Klein Seductive comfort which goes to a DD size. This padded plunge style come in black, cream and nude colours with simple scalloped edging. Prices start at €41 for the bra and pants at €26. Another option is Wacaol ‘Embrace lace’ (up to 36E) – beautiful neutral colours with lace finishes and amazing fit. Bra retails at €60 and pants at €40.
Does your partner love her colour, frills, and plenty of detail? If so there are plenty of choices up to a DD from brands like Elle McPherson, Pleasure State, Passionata and B.Temp’d, with amazing autumnal colours of purples, aubergines, reds, jades, navy and taupes. You can spend as little as €42 for beautiful seasonal product or splash out on the Elle ‘boudoir’ or Pleasure State ‘couture’ ranges of exquisite silk and satin lingerie with extraordinary detail including Swarovski crystals and leavers lace; these ranges start at €100 for a bra.
For the fuller cup lady, try fashion brands like Elixir which go up to a 38F. This season they have the ‘Cassiopee’ which is in a beautiful shade of jade, again with wonderful lace detail. Fayreform also have seasonal ranges that go up to size 36G, in colours French navy, pink and latte! Prices from €47
Remember a fuller figure will look its best in an underwire or full cup bra, whereas a padded plunge bra is extremely flattering on more petite women.
Does she normally wear thongs, pants or boyshorts? Remember it’s not for you… and if you get the style and sizing right it shows the amount of effort you have put into this purchase! As a general rule for bottoms, a dress size 8 is a xs, a size 10 is small, size 12 is medium, size 14/16 is large etc.
If your partner is a little more daring, why not try styles from Myla or Agent Provocateur like peek-a-boo or quarter cup bras teamed with stockings & suspenders. Again the colours are very striking for the season with playful prints for the ultimate in boudoir chic!
If it all gets a bit confusing, there is always help on hand in store, with experienced consultants looking after each lingerie brand, who can steer you in the right direction very quickly.
The last bit of advice I would give is avoid anything marked ‘control’ or ‘slimming’. Although for many of us ladies it is a must for our underwear drawer, it is however not something you would want to receive as a Valentines gift!"
