Valentine’s Day is coming up this Friday.
Whether you’re in a relationship or flying solo, it’s an excellent opportunity to treat yourself to some nice lingerie.
It can be a tricky purchase to make, especially if you’re buying products online.
Cup sizes sometimes differ depending on which brand you choose and the quality might look fantastic in the photos, but when the piece finally arrives you realise it’s not silk, but actually really badly-sown polyester.
Thankfully, that’s what returns are for.
From classic red colours, saucy sets and cosy pyjamas, we review 11 of the most popular trends for this year.
Ann Summers Fiercely set, £71
When it comes to lingerie, I only want three things: lace, black shades and sex appeal – and the Ann Summers Fiercely set ticks all of those boxes.
I particularly like the suspenders, because I feel somewhat self-conscious about my stomach area and this nips in my waist nicely. The knickers are a bit loose, though – I would have preferred something with a bit of elastic, rather than the silk waistband.
Also, the photos didn’t give away just how glittery this set is (so I ended up taking some of it off myself) but it’s still a gorgeous outfit and I’ll definitely be rocking it next time I have someone special over.
Pour Moi Contradiction set, £60
I’m a big fat yes on this bra, even though it wasn’t the right size (my own fault, as I didn’t convert the sizing correctly and ended up ordering one that was two cup sizes too big).
I like that it’s sexy without the bows or frills that you get on a lot of lingerie, and it also has a dominatrix feel.
The knickers were a bit of a surprise though, they go quite low and have a hole in the back, so you can see the bum crack, which was a bit odd.
It’s probably not something I’d wear all the time, but I’ll definitely save it for those naughtier nights when I want to crank the heat up.
Victoria’s Secret satin and lace slip, £67.07
I’m a sucker for slips, but it’s rare to get one that fits well because I have large breasts, which means I usually have to get a bigger size, which then hangs off my body.
This one fits like a glove and feels lovely against my skin. I tried it on at home and ended up sitting in front of my sofa just feeling super sexy on my own.
The straps are adjustable, too, and the lace inserts are a nice detail.
It’s a bit pricier than I’d usually spend on a slip, but if you don’t mind investing some money in your lingerie, I’d highly recommend it.
Panache Corrinne bra, £36
This is my first time wearing a soft cup bra, I usually wear slightly padded ones as I feel they give me more support.
As a woman with a larger bust, I am very conscious of my boobs and I am often scared to change my bra-buying habits due to the cost of larger sized bras and fear of changing the way my breasts look.
This bra however has totally changed that – it is comfortable but supportive, it feels durable but still feminine. I am very happy to have found my new favourite bra.
Freya Fancies bra, £28
I’m ashamed to say I spent the majority of the weekend in my pajamas, so I didn’t get to wear this bra out-out.
It did, however, look quite saucy underneath my silky PJs and as someone who usually swerves colour and sticks to all black underwear, the bright pink grew on me.
As for the fit, it was true to size but did rub a bit underneath the armpits (then again, I have never found a bra that doesn’t on its first wear).
I felt supported and comfortable wearing it and would recommend the bra to anyone looking to jazz up their underwear drawer.
Bluebella Elouisa cami and short set, £36
What I love about this set is that it’s super sexy in a really understated kind of way. It doesn’t look like you’re trying too hard.
There’s no painful underwiring or tight straps, just a hint of lace and enough cleavage on show to allow you to feel amazing without feeling self-conscious.
I like that it’s a two-piece; the shorts are really comfortable and flattering (if, like me, you’re conscious of your thighs).
And you could always mix it up and team the top with a thong or French knickers instead.
Amaella pyjama set, £109
I really liked the look of this pyjama set, it’s functional and sexy.
The straps on the top were a bit fiddly and I had to hold it up for a second before I realised the back of it is crisscrossed.
I love sleeping in shorts as it gets too hot to sleep otherwise, so am excited to look cute and feel good at the same time while wearing this.
The little waistbands on the shorts are a nice touch, too.
Boux Avenue Bouxtique set, £92
Both the bra and pants were beautiful and of nice quality. I particularly loved the delicate lace design and the pants were a great fit (‘sexy’ pants tend to give me a muffin top, instantly making me feel un-sexy).
Bra-wise, the cups fit nicely but the straps were too long, even when adjusted to their shortest setting, and fell off my shoulders (which made me have a little cry – not the hottest way to start an in-bed session). At just over 5ft, with hips but small boobs, most lingerie isn’t made to fit me.
In my opinion, lingerie isn’t made to fit most people – it’s for tall, slim people with a middle-of-the-spectrum cup size. I guess I just hoped I would get to feel sexy, too. Ah well.
That being said, I would defy anyone not to enjoy receiving this on Valentine’s Day.
Beija Waves set, £85
I’m not normally into ‘romantic’ lingerie that’s uncomfortable and cuts in at all the wrong places. I’m not small in the boobs or bum so anything stringy looks stupid.
That’s why I loved this Beija set, because it’s something you feel sexy in but also can get wear out of it after Valentine’s Day.
No more red scratchy underwear, this V Day set made me feel confident and supported without all the chintz.
M&S Love bra, £20
M&S is known for its lingerie, but it’s not exactly seen as having the sexiest selection. However, this set is perfect for Valentine’s day – I ordered my usual sizes and they all fit perfectly.
There were lots of places to adjust slightly if needed, with hooks on the bra as usual, as well as on the suspender belt so there’s flexibility with the fit.
The material on the outside was a mesh with the word love embroidered, which was a little scratchy, but the bits that were actually against the skin were soft and it was comfortable to wear.
There were also lots of little details that made it look really nice including bows and the clips on the suspenders were really sturdy with lots of grip to actually hold stockings up.
I felt great wearing this and would absolutely recommend it. M&S isn’t just for beige colours and big pants!
Curvissa Lascana kimono, £40
The robe felt lovely, soft with some nice lace detailing around the side and it was also a good fit – loose enough to wrap the belt around me.
It was however quite short, but I am 5ft 10in so that’s to be expected. It’s sheer enough to see through without revealing everything.
It’s nice to have a lace robe because I’ve really never thought about wearing one before. To me a lacy robe has always seemed like an added extra, not practical enough to wear in any non-sexy situations.
My boyfriend was a big fan and I’ll definitely be wearing it again. I like the idea that it can be thrown on over any lingerie and it sort of instantly makes it sexy.
How to wash delicate lingerie
‘Check the care label,’ says Karen, the excellence centre manager at, Jeeves, a luxury dry cleaning service.
‘If OK in a machine, be sure to use the delicate cycle and add a cap or two of a delicate wash detergent. If hand-washing, fill a washbowl with cold or warm water (not hot) and add 1-2 capfuls of delicate wash detergent.
‘Move the items around to ensure that they get soaked through and then leave to soak for 5 minutes.
‘Finally, rinse with cold water and then roll in a towel and squeeze to remove excess moisture before drying. Try to dry delicate items flat if you can, as silk and lace can lose shape easily.
‘In some cases, washing in a machine can cause colour fade. The mechanical action of washing in a machine can also damage delicate lace.
‘If choosing to wash in a machine, always wash in a net bag and avoid washing above 40 degrees where possible. Of course, always follow the care label.’
MORE: There’s a Valentine’s Day-themed cockapoo café coming to London
MORE: You can now find a vegan partner at plant-based speed dating
MORE: How to plan a Valentine’s date that will actually make your relationship stronger
source https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/10/valentines-day-review-11-lingerie-brands-dont-12214123/
0 Comments