How to Choose Lingerie for Your Body Shape
by Lovehoney
28 January 2010
Goodbye Trinny and Susannah! Au Revoir Gok Wan! Let LoveHoney help you work out what lingerie to wear and how to look good almost-naked. Feel confident, be sexy and make the right choice!
Whether you're buying for yourself or your significant other, lingerie in its many forms, can be confusing. But don't worry - all you have to do is figure out your body shape and we'll give you the best lingerie suggestions which will flatter and complement your body in the best possible way.
How to figure out your body shape
Stand in front of a mirror in just your underwear. Make sure your back is straight, your shoulders are back and you're standing face on. Take a look at your body and analyse its shape.
You will fall into one of the four main body shapes outlined below and from there you can see which underwear we recommend for your shape.
A little tip
We've made it easy for you to tell what your body shape is by giving you celebrities to compare yourself to. Just look at the descriptions below and decide which celeb you're most like.
If you're feeling particularly University Challenge about it all then give each of her three main body parts - breasts, waist and bottom - a percentage. The bigger the body part is, the bigger the percentage. By checking out our guide below, you'll be able to work out exactly what shape she is!
The Hourglass
Features: Big bust, tapered waist and a bootylicious bottom.
Percentage: Bust 40%, Waist 20%, Bottom 40%
Famous Hourglass ladies: Marilyn Monroe, Kelly Brook and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Hourglass ladies have a lot of key features really worth emphasising, especially a narrow waist, so underwear that will really flaunt your best bits is a must!
Basques, corsets and bustiers are the most flattering pieces of lingerie for hourglass ladies as they emphasise your God-given gifts! They boost the breasts, show off your waist and draw attention to that fabulous bottom.
Team with a cute pair of ruffled boy shorts and a pair of leg lengthening stockings to finish the overall look.
The Skittle/Pear Shaped
Features: Average bust, average waist, curvy bottom.
Percentage: Bust 30%, Waist 30%, Bottom 40%
Famous Skittle ladies: Shakira, J-Lo, Beyonce
One of the most coveted bodyshapes, Skittle ladies have an enviable derriere that seems to draw attention from miles around!
Babydolls or chemises are a really good choice for Skittle shaped girls - they flatter the upper body by creating cleavage and curves but highlight that gorgeous rounded bum by cheekily skimming over it with sensual material.
They're also great for girls who might be a little worried about their hips or thighs as they come in all different lengths and can cover up anything you want to hide (although we can't think why you'd want to)!
The Lollipop/Apple Shaped
Features: Big and busty, slim waist, average bottom.
Percentage: Bust 40%, Waist 30%, Bottom 30%
Famous Lollipop ladies (err... not the school crossing kind!): Angeline Jolie, Jessica Simpson, Rosario Dawson
Many people spend thousands of pounds trying to achieve the Lollipop look so it's important to frame your bountiful bust.
Bra sets are great for ladies with a Lollipop figure as they present the goods in the best way possible - high on your chest with lots of support and emphasis to the natural curve. Avoiding wired cups will help you get the perfect fit, while a halterneck cut will boost and flatter your cleavage.
Bra sets also come with a range of matching underwear so if you're confident with your bum - go for a matching thong. If you want to make sure all the attention is on your cleavage - go for matching boy shorts.
The Column/Athletic
Features: Average bust, average waist, average bottom.
Percentage: Bust 35%, Waist 30%, Bottom 35%.
Famous column ladies: Cameron Diaz, Sienna Miller, Kate Hudson.
Column ladies often feel boyish in their looks but their svelt bodies are actually incredibly desirable and have a lot of options open to them when it comes to lingerie.
Camisole sets are perfect for Column ladies as they cling to the body and create serious curves where there weren't any before!
Most camisoles come in 2 or more piece sets, so by breaking up the body, you're emphasising individual parts - your gorgeous long body, your cute bottom and your pert bust!
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