Panties are panties or so you would think but for the uninitiated it's all a little more complicated than at first it appears. You have panties, briefs, knickers, pants, thongs and shorts just for starters before you even get into all the different styles that are available. So lets try to clear up some of the confusion for the less informed pantie buyers out there especially the poor guys who just want to buy their partner a nice lingerie gift.

Panties are those little bikini bottom style things that most women buy from Walmart or such places. They are just purely functional underwear, usually white and they do just what it says on the packaging. No nonsense underwear at it's best so to speak. But hold on a second because there is more even to this humble piece of lingerie than meets the eye. They come in briefs, high leg, and "full pantie styles as well just to add to the confusion. When matched up with a delicate lacy bra made from silky smooth satin or pure silk they become gorgeous designer lingerie and make a beautiful boxed gift for that special someone too. They are also available with elasticated legs for a fuller snug fit as well if that's your preference.

Then you have the dastardly thong which must represent the largest amount of money for the smallest piece of fabric ever made. These little pieces of nothing are just that, nothing. They disappear from view to give the impression that the wearer is in fact not wearing them at all! Again you can buy them off the shelf and serviceable or pay a ridiculous amount of money for a pair with a designer label. This is possibly one of the few instances where the label will in fact be sizably larger than the actual garment it is sewn into. Still a fashionable lingerie item amongst the younger generation especially those who go out "clubbing" but not a lot of use in a cold winter in Siberia though.

Pants or shorts are just that, a fuller garment lose fitting for comfort once again you can pay whatever you are crazy enough to part with if you want them with a designer label on them. They do look like shorts or boxers and come in every conceivable fabric or color choice you want to imagine too. The reserve of the trendy fashion victim types they have almost had their day though even as a niche item but you can still track a pair down in the online lingerie stores if you must have them.

After that it's down to the real pantie enthusiast's choices like knickers and long leg pantie styles. A firm favorite of knicker lovers is the gorgeous lacy French knicker or cami knickers as they are also known. These lingerie garments are delicious to look at and wear especially when fashioned from pure decadent silk or smooth soft satin. Trimmed with the frilliest of laces and satin bows they are a lingerie lovers delight. Still widely available from dozens of online lingerie stores they are a really pretty garment and you won't have to break the bank to buy them either.

Whatever style of panties or knickers you prefer at least now you will have a clearer idea of what's what in the lingerie world. If you are buying them as a gift for that special person there are a few useful tips you could follow. Firstly be careful with sizes. Unless you want a few nights on the couch DON'T ever buy a woman something that's a size too big. Secondly avoid those bright vivid colors that look so appealing in shinny silk or satin because she will be limited to the cloths she can wear them under. If you want her to wear your beautiful lingerie gift often stick with pastel shades or even white. Have fun lingerie shopping!