Guide to Lingerie Styles

Basque

A basque is like a corset or bustier, but has cups and is made from lacier materials. Think of it a bit like a longer version of a bra. It may have plastic boning to give extra shape, but it won't reduce your waist.

Lovehoney recommends:

Bustier

Bustiers look like corsets, but will not reduce your waist. Bustiers are an attractive and more comfortable option for people who do not want to change their shape, but like the way that corsets look.

Lovehoney recommends:

Corset

Corsets are specifically designed to reduce your waist, boost your bust and when laced up tight, they're a huge turn on. Most corsets cover the bust whereas others (underbust corsets) expose the breasts.

Lovehoney recommends:

Corselette

A corselette has boning or elastic to give a gentle body shaping effect, smoothing your stomach, hips and bum while enhancing your bust for a sleeker silhouette. Great shapewear, or for a sophisticated bedroom look.

Lovehoney recommends:

Girdle

A piece of shaping lingerie that's much sexier than its name! A girdle is a retro garment that smoothes and shapes the waist and hips, and often incorporates suspender straps that you can attach your stockings to.

Lovehoney recommends:

Merry Widow

A merry widow is a shape-smoothing, cupless basque, with built-in suspenders. The merry widow is an excellent choice for those who want a more risqué or fetish style of lingerie, as well as an enhanced physique.

Lovehoney recommends:

Babydoll

With cups and a full skirt, a babydoll is a playful and provocative piece of lingerie that enhances the bust and shows the legs. Because babydolls flare out from under the bust, a babydoll is great for drawing attention away from your tummy.

Lovehoney recommends:

Sweet Streak Babydoll (£22.99)

Flyaway

If you love the look of a babydoll but want to show off your stomach at the same time, a flyaway option is for you. It takes all the best features of a babydoll and makes them that little bit more exposing with a split front or back (or both).

Lovehoney recommends:

Soft Line Flyaway Babydoll (£20.00)

Chemise

Chemises are practical yet sexy, and can be worn easily as nightwear or loungewear. They're loose fitting, with gentle tailoring at the waist and a slim fit at the hips for a slinky look. Chemises are flattering for all body shapes, so make an ideal gift.

Lovehoney recommends:

Classified Chemise (£9.99)

Cami Sets

A camisole (or 'cami') is just another name for a vest top. They're usually sold with matching knickers or shorts in cami sets. A camisole set is a great way to emphasise a cute bottom and beautiful bust. Remember: a figure-hugging lace or mesh cami will give a different feel to a floating silk or satin top.

Lovehoney recommends:

Passion Megy Cami Set (£26.99)

Teddy

A teddy (also called a playsuit) is bodysuit-like lingerie that combines a vest top and shorts in one. They are extremely sensual to wear and are perfect for flattering both athletic and curvy figures. They range from being fairly covering (great if you're body conscious) to very exposing, if that's your desired look.

Lovehoney recommends:

Fantasy Vintage Teddy (£19.99)

Body

A body is similar to a teddy, but much closer-fitting: it's shaped like a traditional one piece swimsuit, with the vest top and bikini style briefs in one. Showing off more of your legs than a teddy, a body is a great choice for those who want to display their curves in a cosy close-fitting all-in-one garment.

Lovehoney recommends:

Cottelli Peephole Body (£16.99)

Briefs & Shorts

Briefs, shorts, French knickers, booty shorts, boy shorts and hot pants - with so many names, they can get confusing! All these types of knickers have a full front and a covered rear for a demurely sexy look.

Lovehoney recommends:

Seven Til Midnight Knickers (£7.99)

G-String

The main difference between a thong and G-string is the width of the fabric that passes between the buttocks - in a G-string it's barely there. The skimpy rear gives an even more revealing bedroom look.

Lovehoney recommends:

Seven Til Midnight G-String (£7.99)

Thong

A modern classic, the thong leaves your bottom cheekily exposed. Perfect for avoiding VPL, a thong is highly erotic for the wearer as well as the onlooker, making this the perfect choice for bedroom or everyday wear.

Lovehoney recommends:

Hustler Lace Thong (£7.99)

Hold Ups

Hold-up stockings and thigh highs stay have elasticated tops or gripping silicone material, so they stay in place without needing a suspender belt. Unlike tights, they make a feature of their tops which can be trimmed with lace, ribbon or PVC.

Lovehoney recommends:

Leg Avenue Fishnet Hold Ups (£4.99)

Suspender Stockings

Suspender stockings need a suspender belt or straps on your corset to stay up, otherwise they will end up around your ankles. Matching your suspender stockings to your lingerie is an art form, but when it's pulled off the effects are eye-popping.

Lovehoney recommends:

Leg Avenue Sheer Stockings (£6.99)

Suspender Belt

A suspender belt, sometimes called a garter belt, is a belt with straps that attach to suspender stockings to hold them up. They usually have 4 straps (one at the front and back of each leg) but some retro-styled belts have more straps, for added security.

Lovehoney recommends:

Classified Suspender Belt (£4.99)

Bodystocking

Bodystockings are stretchy head-to-toe garments made from the same materials as tights. They're a fanastic base for outfits as well as a sexy all-in-one lingerie solution. Although they cover large areas of the body, the fabrics make them sexy and crotchless varieties don't stop play.

Lovehoney recommends:

Rene Rofe Fishnet Bodystocking (£13.99)

Tights

With smoothing and shaping properties, tights are fantastic for creating a sexy silhouette. While many people find tights extremely sexy, they are usually worn as part of an everyday outfit rather than with a lingerie set. If that's the case for you, why not have a look at some stockings?

Lovehoney recommends:

Leg Avenue Fishnet Tights (£4.99)