What’s The Best Lingerie Style To Suit Your Body Type?
Claire Wendling
Whether it’s childbirth, menopause, or simply the natural progression of time, it’s safe to say that a woman’s body changes alongside the seasons of life. However, finding the perfect lingerie that compliments your body type can become a challenge when navigating through these shifts.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to resign yourself to unsightly granny panties or frumpy bras just because you don’t fit into the stereotypical idea of conventional beauty standards. In fact, we believe that no matter your height, size or shape, every woman deserves to look and feel as confident as possible in her lingerie and the secret lies in choosing the best styles to suit your individual body type.
Here’s how to get started.
- Hourglass Body Type
If you’re rocking an hourglass body shape, you’re no stranger to the balanced proportions of a cinched waist, wider hips and an ample bosom. In fact, you’re likely to have found most of your lingerie staples whilst browsing through a collection of plus size lingerie with sizing that’s inclusive of gorgeous hourglass body types.
And truth be told, the hourglass shape is arguably one of the easiest body types to work with when it comes to lingerie, with the majority of styles and designs lending itself to the hourglass silhouette. In particular, corsets, bodysuits, balconette bras, push-up bras, garter belts and high waisted panties suit this body type as they help to accentuate curves and enhance the natural beauty of your figure. The lingerie world is pretty much your oyster with this one – unless you have wider hips. But more on that below.
- Pear-Shaped Body Type
Pear shaped individuals carry the bulk of their weight on the hips and thighs, and many ladies who rock this silhouette also tend to have a smaller bust. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to limit yourself to sports bras or compromise in style when it comes to lingerie. Rather, the ideal lingerie for this body type involves choosing styles that draw attention to the upper body while offering support to your thighs and hips.
Think lacey plunge bras with intricate detail, push-up bras that help to balance your proportions, or baby-doll chemises that offer a flowy touch. When it comes to your bottom half, we recommend opting for choices such as high-waisted boyshorts or briefs that offer support where it’s needed. Remember – these options don’t have to look masculine or frumpy. The key is to choose matching fabrics with your stylish bras and choosing patterns and designs that allow you to exude confidence.
- Apple-Shaped Body Type
Characterised by a fuller bust and wider shoulders in comparison to the hips, the apple shaped body is one that can sometimes make it feel impossible to shop for stylish lingerie. However, just like the pear-shaped body, it’s all about balancing your proportions out by choosing smart lingerie choices that flatter your unique shape.
For starters, you’ll want to balance out your wider shoulders and fuller bust with high waisted panties, ideally in a V cut. This will help to create the illusion of a more defined waist to hip ratio, diverting focus from your upper half. When it comes to bras, plunge bras and balconette bras can be a game changer as they offer support without drawing additional attention to the girls. Additionally, flowy babydoll chemises are also a fantastic option as they accentuate the bust line and flow out to create the illusion of wider hips while camouflaging the stomach.
- Inverted Triangle Body Type
Similar to the apple-shaped body type, the inverted triangle body type is characterised by wider shoulders and narrower waist and hips. The key difference, however, is that this body type is more about the shoulders than it is the bust or tummy. However, the same concept applies in balancing out the shoulders to create more even proportions, so options like halter bras, babydolls and bodysuits are a great choice as they accentuate cleavage while diverting attention away from the width of the shoulders. When it comes to bottoms, bikini briefs and super high-waist V cut panties are the ideal option to accentuate the hips and create the illusion of a more voluptuous figure.
- Rectangle/Athletic Body Type
Also commonly referred to as the athletic body type, the rectangle body type features minimal curves, often accompanied by long legs and minimal waist definition. Think Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz or Kate Hudson. This waif-like body type can often feel challenging to style when it comes to lingerie, but with a few nifty tips and tricks, you’ll be able to accentuate your assets and add a touch of femininity to your intimates closet.
The most important task here is creating the illusion of curves and defining the waist. Thankfully, this can be easily done by choosing longline bras that create a visual break at the waist for a more cinched appearance. Bustiers are another great option, as they help to enhance the bust for an instant boost of femininity. When it comes to bottoms, boy shorts are a great way to add some extra volume to the hips, contributing to the appearance of a more defined waistline. Ultimately, it’s all about choosing pieces that define the waist and create curves for a beautifully balanced and feminine silhouette.
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And there you have it — everything you need to know about choosing the perfect lingerie styles for your unique body type. At the end of the day, it’s all about making choices that accentuate what you’ve been blessed with, rather than lamenting on “not having the perfect body type”. Perfection doesn’t exist, and we truly believe that there is beauty in embracing who and what you are, no matter your shape or size.
So, the next time you step into a lingerie store, we hope you beam with pride and walk with confidence, armed with the knowledge of styles that celebrate your individual beauty. You’ve got this! And if you need a refresher, simply revisit this little article or perhaps scroll through the rest of our style guide to find some more pearls of wisdom to aid you in your fashion quest.
