How to Choose Lingerie for Your Body Type

In this guide: Body types | How to choose for your type | Measuring tips | Where to get lingerie

The right lingerie set can feel transformative, whether you’re showing it off to someone or wearing it under your clothes without telling a soul. Silk panties, lace push-up bras, bodies and teddies... There’s a reason people go wild for it all!

But if you're always thinking "it would never look like that on me" when you see lingerie on a model, hold up. You might find it easier choosing the right lingerie when you know your body type. You can find out the classic body types in this article, and get lingerie recommendations for your shape.

Only got time for a quickie?

You'll find detailed guidance on each body type below but if you want answers fast, here's the skinny:

• Anyone can wear lingerie, but it helps to know your body type. The five general body types are apple, athletic, hourglass, pear, and strawberry.

• Lingerie sizing can vary by brand and store, so get specific by taking your measurements. You can easily do this at home with a measuring tape.

• Shape and style are different. You may have an athletic body type, for example, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined for a life of sports bras.

• Experiment by shopping. You can research all you want, but the only way to actually figure out what lingerie you love wearing is by trying it on and seeing how it looks and feels.

• Don’t feel obligated to only look at styles recommended for your body type—all lingerie advice is only a suggestion, after all.

First up, body type and body size are not the same, and no body type is better than another. Body types are all about proportions, and knowing yours may help you find styles that make you feel more confident.

You’ll see terms like “wide” and “narrow” used here, but we’re referring to the ratio between your measurements rather than the measurements themselves. Here are the main five body types:

• Apple: Apple bodies are widest in the torso area, with a larger ribcage and less noticeable definition in the waist.

• Athletic: You don’t need to be a gym fanatic or sports champ to have this body type. Rather, athletic body types are straight instead of curvy, with similar measurements across shoulders, hips, and waist.

• Hourglass: You’ve probably heard of this one. Much like the shape of an actual hourglass, people with hourglass figures have a narrow waist with wide, symmetrical bust and hips.

• Pear: Picture the fruit’s distinct curves; pear body types are much fuller on the bottom than in the chest. It’s one of the most common body types.

• Strawberry: Almost the opposite of pear-shaped; you may have a wide bust and shoulders, while your hips and legs are narrower.

Certain lingerie styles tend to flatter certain body types more than others but just remember there are no strict rules here. At the end of the day, you want beautiful lingerie that makes you look and feel great, and only you can decide what that is.

You don’t need to hide any part of your shape, so long as you feel good in what you’re wearing. But these are tried and tested tips for flattering apple types:

• Pick a V-neck style to add definition to the chest and lengthen the torso. With a deep, plunging neckline and halter neck, the Lovehoney Barely There Sheer Body makes a statement up top, while the high-cut legs add length and intrigue to the hip area.

• You might like to create definition in the waist with a corset, like the Roma Red Lace Corset which sits longer at the front for an elegant, flattering fit. If you’re not keen on a tight cinch, go for a bustier or waspie instead, since they don’t lace at the back, and look structured without being tight.

• For smaller breasted apple-types, underbust styles like the Lovehoney Secret Silhouette Waspie, can be a good way to define the waist while making the hips and bust look comparatively curvier.

• If you’re not looking for something super form-fitting, babydolls and chemises with empire waists provide a flowy, elegant silhouette, often with romantic, flirty touches like lace, ribbons, ruffles, and scalloped edges.

The waist, shoulders, hips, and bust are all pretty similar in width, and you may have smaller breasts, which can create a more androgynous or masculine appearance. But, if you like a more delicate, feminine look, that’s great—there are plenty of lingerie options in either style direction:

• High-waisted and high-neck cuts can add length and dynamism to a straighter silhouette. Try the Lovehoney Criss-Cross Bra Set, which has criss-cross cutouts in the hips and cleavage to add sex appeal.

• Boyshorts fit athletic body types well, really emphasizing that sleek, androgynous look. Plus, they come in a range of prints and fabrics, so don’t think the name means they’re have to look boyish.

• If boyshorts aren’t your style, panty sets with details like ruffles and bows can add feminine elegance in addition to making your hips look fuller.

• Triangle bras are cute, comfy, and work well for smaller chests that don’t need as much structured support. You could pick a quarter cup or peek-a-boo style like the Lovehoney Lace Peek-a-Boo Bra Set which can give even smaller breasts the illusion of spilling out voluptuously.

• For a softer, curvier look in the chest, go with balconette bras or sweetheart necklines.

With similar widths across the hips and bust, there’s a striking symmetry to the hourglass body type. It also has a whole lot of curves. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Bodystockings, like the Lovehoney Treasure Chest, are a low-effort way to make a big, sexy statement. Its one-piece design makes it easy to put on, and since it's ultra form-fitting, there’ll be nothing left to the imagination.

• If you want to emphasize your curvy silhouette even more, basques and corsets are bold, beautiful choices. For maximum va-va-voom, go with designs that cinch the waist while still letting your curves shine.

• Garter belts, especially high-waisted styles like the one included in the Lovehoney Boudoir Belle Cherry Set, are another fun way to accentuate your shape.

• People with hourglass shapes are often compared to pinup models, so vintage lingerie styles can also be fun to explore.

While this is one of the most common body shapes cis women, it often feels impossible to find a pair of high-rise jeans that fit both your generous behind and your narrow waist. Lingerie is much easier. Here's what we suggest:

• High waisted thongs can be very flattering on the pear’s substantial hips and butt (this white crotchless G-string can even stay on while you’re getting intimate). G-strings became super-popular in the ‘90s, so it could be fun to try some ‘90s or Y2K-inspired lingerie styles while you’re at it.

• If thongs aren’t your thing, consider lingerie with high or medium high cut legs, which offer more coverage while making your legs look longer. The Lovehoney Forbidden Romance Body is a super elegant example with a flattering high neck to bring definition to your narrower shoulders.

• While high-cut panties can make your legs look longer, high neck and halter-cut tops (another ‘90s trend!) can give your upper half definition that can help balance out a bottom-heavy figure.

• Even if you don’t have much going on in your bust area, the right bra will do wonders, like the Lovehoney Lustful Liaison Floral Lace Bra Set which has a deep V, scalloped lace edges, and double straps along the neckline that help suggest cleavage even if you don’t actually have much.

The shoulders are the broadest part of the body, followed by the chest. Things taper down from there: The waist is slightly narrower than the chest, and the hips are even narrower. These are the styles we recommend:

• You might think you can’t wear halter necks for fear of accentuating your shoulders. Try one anyway! Look for vertical cut-outs on the chest matched with horizontal straps on the hips, like the ones in the Lovehoney Fierce Caged Desire Bra Set. Together, these balance your shape and draw the eye to your cleavage.

• Babydolls can create balance between your top and bottom half, with minimal structure on the chest and flowing fabric around the hips that can feel both sexy and romantic.

• But you don’t need to hide your hips; you can make them look curvier by choosing panties with ruffles, bows, or other adornments on the sides. The Lovehoney Black Lace Babydoll Set combines both, with ties on the matching thong. These little details add a playful femininity which is yours to explore if you wish.

• You’ll also look amazing in lace-top stockings, or lingerie sets that have thigh straps.

Knowing your body type may be helpful when looking for lingerie, but you also need to learn what size you are. Lingerie sizing isn’t universal; even bras by the same brand might vary slightly. But if you know your body’s exact measurements, it’ll be much easier to find what looks best and feels most comfortable.

Here’s how to do it—with tips from the Lingerie team at Lovehoney:

1. Get your supplies. You’ll need a soft measuring tape and a way to write your measurements down. Paper and pen or your phone’s notes app work great, but if you don’t want to deal with picking up multiple objects mid-measuring, you can ask a loved one to write them down for you or use the speech-to-text function on your phone.

2. Prepare yourself. For the most accurate measurements, you’ll need to be nude or only wearing simple form-fitting undergarments. Posture is also important here: “Be sure to stand naturally, without sucking in your stomach,” the Lingerie team notes, “otherwise you'll end up with lingerie that digs in and makes you dread wearing it.”

3. Make sure you’re measuring right. A measuring tape is only accurate if it’s used correctly, so make sure it’s evenly wrapped around your body. If you don’t have anyone helping you, “stand in front of a mirror so you can check to see the tape is level all the way around,” advises the Lingerie team. “It's easy to let the tape dip at the back without noticing!” You could also take a video on your phone to double-check everything if you’re having trouble seeing your back in a mirror.

4. Measure your bust. Identify the fullest part of your breasts and place the measuring tape there, wrapping it evenly around your torso.

5. Measure your waist. You want to find the natural waist here, which is located right above your belly button. Then, you guessed it—wrap that measuring tape around. Be sure to relax your stomach for the most accurate numbers.

6. Measure your hips. Like measuring your bust, you want to place the measuring tape on the fullest part of your hips and wrap it evenly around yourself.

7. Don’t put the tape away forever. “We all fluctuate naturally depending on age, hormones, diet, and other factors,” says the Lingerie team. They advise “measuring yourself at different times of day or different times in your cycle.” If you get slightly different numbers each time, that’s perfectly normal.

Once you’ve got your measurements, check out our size guide below. Just bear in mind, every brand or style may have slightly different sizing, so be sure to check the size guide for each item.

Between online retailers, department stores, and small boutiques, there are no shortage of options when it comes to buying lingerie. To make the process as stress-free as possible, make sure you’re choosing a place where you can easily return items and speak to a customer care representative about any questions you may have.

Since sizing can vary by brand, consult a store’s size guide (which is often on the product page for each item) to see what range your measurements fall into. If you can try something on before you buy it, please do! But in this age of online shopping, that may not be possible.

So, read product reviews and do research on what brands have the most satisfied customers and offer a range of styles that appeal to you. Lovehoney has no shortage of quality lingerie options to choose from in a wide range of styles and price points, from time-tested brands like Leg Avenue to our own Lovehoney Lingerie line.