Think Valentine’s Day lingerie and I bet ‘red’ and ‘polyester’ are the two words that come to mind, right? Thought so. But stop right there, there’s no need to be haunted by the La Senza sins of your past anymore!
From the chicest Valentine’s Day jewellery to Galentine’s gifts for your BFFs and yourself, we’ve been sourcing all the Valentine’s treats you’ll want to drop some major hints about this year, including Valentine’s Day lingerie too good to resist.
There are so many amazing lingerie brands out there that actually cater for what women want now, including the best bras for bigger busts, making your Valentine’s Day lingerie options better than ever. From colourful alternatives to red, to pieces that offer a little more coverage and put comfort first, shopping for V Day underwear just got a whole lot more enjoyable…
‘I hate vampy red underwear, what should I wear instead?’
I’m with you. Red underwear is a cliche when it comes to Valentine’s Day but there really is no need to go with it if you don’t like or suit it; who wants to spend money on underwear they’ll only wear for one day a year then relegate to the depths of their knicker drawer for the other 364 days? Not me.
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Luckily, there are so many beautiful, colourful lingerie options out there now that there’s no need to feel like you have to go for red on February 14th. A favourite of mine is sustainable British brand Dora Larsen, which does bold colours beautifully and in unexpected but great combinations, with a selection of styles available in each colourway. The quality is brilliant and well worth the price tag (bras start at around £45 and pants around £25).
‘I want to feel comfortable but also look nice, what styles should I try?’
The underwear market has come a long way in the last five years or so. Comfort is a much higher priority for lingerie brands now, thanks in part to female-led brands like Skims which have been built with women’s comfort as a founding principle rather than an afterthought. This means it’s easier than ever to find underwear that is as comfortable as it is aesthetically pleasing.
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Thankfully, more brands now offer a mix-and-match approach too, meaning we don’t have to purchase a dodgy thong we’ll never wear just because it’s part of a set we like the bra from. When comfort is your main concern, opt for smooth, breathable fabrics, a good elastic content and avoid underwired and push-up bra styles, which can dig in or feel restrictive.
Skims’ Fits Everybody range is a great option thanks to its silky smooth feel and built-in stretch that molds to the body, and there are numerous different bra and knicker styles so you’ll be able to find a shape that suits you. It’s also worth checking out womanhood.shop, an online platform for loads of brilliant female-founded underwear brands, all of which put comfort top of the list.
‘I love the look of lace but I find it uncomfortable to wear, what’s an alternative?’
Lace is beautiful but it can be scratchy next to the skin. If you want to replicate the delicacy and femininity that lace offers, try a sheer mesh or tulle style instead – it offers the same lightness and translucency without the itchiness. If you’re after the intricacy the lace provides, opt for embroidered or printed mesh or tulle styles, which have the same prettiness.
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‘I want underwear that feels special but doesn’t cost a fortune, where can I get it on the high street?’
Day to day, most of us prioritise practicality and comfort over aesthetic appeal when it comes to underwear, but it’s nice to slip into something a little more special every now and then and Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse. The high street has never been better when it comes to underwear. It used to be that you’d have to go to the likes of La Perla or Agent Provocateur to get really special lingerie, but with that came a huge price tag – we’re talking hundreds of pounds for a set.
Thankfully, so many affordable brands now offer lovely pieces at great prices. Head to & Other Stories for really pretty pieces that are perfect for showing off, Oysho for tasteful lace, Rosie Exclusively for M&S for beautiful silk pieces and F&F for pretty floral sets.
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‘I want a bit more coverage than traditional lingerie provides, what can I wear instead?’
Good news, beautiful bodysuits can be easily found right now, and are a great alternative to bra-and-knicker sets. There are so many lovely lace ones out there now, in an array of colours and with varying degrees of support. Corsets are also big news again. Supremely flattering, they’re a great option if you want something with more coverage – and you can even incorporate them into a going-out look.
Likewise camisole sets allow you to flash less skin while still feeling slinky – opt for silk or satin style that come with matching shorts or french knickers.
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