Shirley's of Hollywood
A quick visual to get you started: (Hey, stop thinking like that!) Left, a baby doll
Chemise
Corset
|
Shirley's of Hollywood
A quick visual to get you started: (Hey, stop thinking like that!) Left, a baby doll
|
Chemise |
Corset |
Gents, unless you have the dough to drop on serious bling-bling, the Valentine's Day gift that will have the most impact on your femmes is lingerie.
Why? For the same reason they're going to the trouble to find you the perfect shotgun or fly reel that would floor you. The search was hazardous. You had to go into enemy territory to get it.
Or at least unfamiliar territory. Admit it. The last time she dragged you into Victoria's Secret, did you take notes or fiddle around with body cream samples? Know the difference between a teddy, a bustier, and a corset?
Neither did we. So we got a crash course in unmentionables from Tina Mathey, manager of Priscilla's lingerie shop in Tampa (732 N Dale Mabry Highway, 813-873-1616). She broke the issue down into three parts -- sizing, styles and materials -- so no matter where you go to shop, you'll come across as the cultured, sensitive, smooth dog that you are .
Sizing: "Bra size is the most important thing. Number and cup. That's for every style of lingerie," Mathey said, except for garters. For those you need to know the pant size, not panty size. Garters ride the waist, not the hips. If you're unsure about your mate's size and want to take a guess, Mathey said buy one size smaller than you think. "Because if you guess too large, you're on the couch."
Height has nothing to do with lingerie sizing since most have adjustable straps. Bottom line, before shopping it wouldn't kill you to snoop through her dresser and take a few tag numbers.
Style: "If you're completely unsure, we do carry things that are one size." T-back panties tend to be one size "because there's nothing to them," Mathey said.
Mathey recommends teddys and chemises for the first-timer, since they're easy to fit. Which brings us to categories of lingerie. You need to know them so you'll know what to ask for.
A teddy is similar to a chemise (sheh-MEES). Both have shoulder straps, only a teddy has a crotch. A chemise has an open bottom, like a dress. Since neither has cup definition, you don't have to know bra size, making them a safer pick. They usually just come in small, medium and large.
A baby doll is like a chemise, only more brief. It also has cup definition and a matching pair of panties.
A camisole is essentially a delicate undershirt with thin shoulder straps. It's worn to provide an extra warm layer, or to obscure body or clothing features beneath. They come with matching panties, shorts or tap pants (feminine boxers).
The corset and bustier (BOOS-tee-AY) are closely related classics. The corset is a close-fitting jacket-like garment that fastens up the front with either a zipper or hooks and eyes. They lace up in back to cinch the torso in, lifting the bust line and enhancing cleavage.
Mathey said corsets "are the single most popular style of lingerie, because they're so versatile." They come with or without shoulder straps, garter straps or panties.
Take a corset, add cup definition and take away the laceup back and you've got a bustier. Take a bustier and combine it with a teddy, and you've got a teddyette.
Hosiery is a simple matter. Pantyhose come up to the waist and have an elastic waist band. Thigh highs are fastened at the top of the thigh with elastic bands. Stockings are like thigh highs, sans the elastic. They're held up with garter belt.
A few of Tina Mathey's favorite things:
Baby doll (style No.20016) by Shirley's of Hollywood, $34.95.
Corset (style No.9393) by Shirley's of Hollywood, $71.95.
Chemise (style No.3070) by Shirley's of Hollywood, $41.95.
Crotchless teddy (style No.3607) by Dreamgirl, $36.95.
Garter belt set (style No.3806) by Elegant Moments, $26.95.
[Last modified February 9, 2005, 09:42:01]
