It is cliché to say that lingerie is the gift that “gives to him and her”, or is “the gift that gives back” because clearly the man does not lose when he gives lingerie out as a present. The only time the plan backfires is when he gets something in the wrong style—or much worse—the wrong size. But when the man puts some time and consideration into the purchase of some lingerie, he and the receiver are rewarded which is why it makes a great gift.



Too often men find themselves tempted to buy whatever they happen to find attractive or sexy. These same men are then surprised later on when their girlfriend or wife is utterly repulsed by the lingerie and refuses to wear the garment. It takes a special kind of woman to tolerate a thong but men continue to thrust their desires into lingerie purchasing decisions that utterly conflict with the desires and tastes of the partner. Thong sales only account for 23% of all lingerie purchases which is why odds are that a woman probably will not appreciate a thong as much as the man giving it.

In order to make a lingerie gift successful, the man must do his homework. What about her body is she most proud of? Whatever part of the body this happens to be, make sure to buy lingerie that accentuates this. For a woman who is particularly proud of her cleavage, a halter might be the way to go but a chemise would probably be best for someone with nice legs. No matter what part of the body she happens to be most comfortable with, there is definitely a piece of lingerie out there made to complement it.

The color of the lingerie is very important to consider as well. When deciding upon color, you have to take into account the partner’s hair. Blondes tend to do best with lighter colors or even pastels. Brunettes need a color that accentuates their darker hues so purples or even dark greens and reds work well for women with this color of hair. Redheads need a dark color but it must be complementary which is why greens and blues work best.

Now lingerie need not only look great—it must feel even better! Basically, if you enjoy touching it, she should enjoy wearing it. Silks and satins are always great choices as they are always smooth to the touch and feel great on her as well. For men or women shopping online, only buy fabrics that you are personally familiar with so you know what to expect.

The right style, color, and fabric will not make the slightest difference in the world if you get the wrong size. Too many sad jokes are made about men trying to size up their partner’s cup size by using their hands to cup imaginary breasts. Anyone shopping (either online or at a retailer) should know the sizes of the garments they are after before ever looking at styles and colors. If it is possible, ask. If not, you will have to play detective and sneak a peak at her unmentionables while she is in the shower or something. No matter how you do it, just make sure you get those sizes or it may come back to haunt you.

Lingerie can definitely be one of the most intimate and rewarding gifts a person can give or receive. When the desires, size, body, and tastes of the receiver are taken into consideration when making a purchase, lingerie can be rewarding to the buyer in ways no other gift possibly can. But, when a person buys something that they will like without being considerate of the person they are expecting to wear the item, a lingerie purchase can backfire. Lingerie should be a gift that a person remembers fondly so be sure to think of how she would feel wearing the item before buying and you are sure to have many happy returns!