Guide to Lingerie Styles

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.

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Bustier

Bustiers look more like a longline bra, and don't sit as far down the body as basques or corsets. Some feature figure-scultping boning, and some are soft, but they're best for shaping the upper part of your torso.

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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.

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Merry Widow

A merry widow is basque-like lingerie with built-in garter straps extending from the hemline. Merry widows are a classic lingerie choice when paired with stockings and heels.

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Catsuit

Make like Catwoman in a sleek, sexy catsuit! Catsuits are a full-body, tight-fitting suit that normally feature a zip along the front (and sometimes hold a crotchless secret!)

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Mini Dress

A mini dress is just that - a dress with a shorter-than-normal hemline. Normally tight-fitting, a slinky mini dress can take you from nightclub to bedroom.

Lovehoney recommends:

Lovehoney Plus Size Off the Shoulder Lace Mini Dress

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.

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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).

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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:

Lovehoney Seduce Me Push-Up Chemise Set

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.

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Cut-Out Body

A more daring style of body, this slinkier, skimpier version of the one-piece features daring cut-outs and open sections to show off your skin. It's a confident look that's the perfect alternative to a traditional bra and knickers set, and perfect for creating jaw-dropping curves if you have a more athletic figure.

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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 revealing, if that's your desired look.

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Briefs & Shorts

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

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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.

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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.

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Hold-Ups

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

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Stockings

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

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Garter Belt

A suspender belt, sometimes called a garter belt, is a strip of fabric that fastens around the waist with straps that attach to stockings to hold them up. They usually have 4 straps but some retro-styled belts have more straps.

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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:

Lovehoney Fishnet and Lace Bodystocking

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 look at a crotchless design instead?

Lovehoney recommends:

Lovehoney Fishnet and Lace Garter Tights