Baby doll lingerie has been popular since the 1950s. The baby doll was once considered truly risqué lingerie. Times change, however, and the baby doll is now considered sexy but fairly demure. Baby doll lingerie has become a large category of lingerie that encompasses many different colors and styles.

The baby doll is a short negligee. The bodice is fitted, often with shaped bra cups. From the waistline, the skirt flares out. A baby doll generally ends somewhere between the bottom of the buttocks and the middle of the thigh. Traditional baby doll lingerie is sleeveless, although a modern baby doll could have small cap sleeves. A baby doll is often sold with matching panties, adding to the risqué lingerie look and feel.

The baby doll design is flattering to a variety of body shapes and sizes, using detailing to enhance different parts of the body. Larger busted women should look for styles with fully shaped cups and soft curves. A smaller bust can be enhanced by push-up cups and detailing such as gathers or darts. Petite women will look best in simpler baby dolls with a minimum of frills, while larger women can draw the eye to smaller parts of the body through the strategic use of design details.

Pay attention to where the baby doll hits your thighs to find the best look for the length and size of your legs as well. If you have long legs and a short torso, you may wish to purchase a baby doll that elongates your torso with a shorter skirt. If your legs are short and stocky, steer clear of babydoll designs that hit at mid-thigh, which will make your legs appear shorter.

Baby doll lingerie is available in a wide variety of fabrics, designs and colors. Exotic patterns and fabrics, from leopard print to velvet, present a daring and highly risqué lingerie look. Sheer or see through fabric such as nylon is available in a variety of colors. Silk and satin add elegance, offering a luxurious but more demure look.

The color you choose depends on the look you want to portray. Rich jewel tones project elegance. Pastels are associated with innocence and tend to look more demure. White, of course, gives the connotation of purity. Black and red are traditional colors of power. When shopping for baby doll lingerie, consider the full effect of color, detailing and fabric.

Many baby dolls are trimmed with lace, feathers, fur or other details. The more enhancements that are added, the more risqué the piece tends to look. However, an over-decorated baby doll can look trashy rather than sexy. Additionally, petite women can be overwhelmed by detailing. Remember that when wearing risqué lingerie, the focus should remain on you, not on the garment. You want your baby doll to complement rather than compete with your own beauty.

Finding baby doll lingerie is easy. From internet stores to lingerie shops, the baby doll is a popular item. Shop around to find the baby doll that makes you look best. Try on a variety of styles and colors and think through the look you want to achieve. This will help you find the perfect baby doll for you.