Reading time: ~10 minutes. Written for any body, any experience level. No judgment, no stereotypes.
What lingerie is really for
The honest answer: it's for whoever's wearing it. The biggest mistake first-time buyers make is shopping with someone else's reaction in mind. The lingerie you'll actually wear is the lingerie that makes you feel good standing in your bedroom mirror. Everything else — partners' opinions, special occasions, social-media trends — is secondary.
This guide covers the six main lingerie categories, how to actually find your size, what fabrics work for what, plus-size considerations, and how to choose pieces by occasion. By the end you should be able to walk into our Lingerie collection and know exactly what to look for.
The six main lingerie categories
1. Babydolls
A short, loose-fitting dress that ends mid-thigh, usually with a built-in or supportive bust and flowing fabric below. Designed to be playful and forgiving — the loose cut skims the body rather than clinging. Often sold with a matching thong or G-string.
Best for: First-time lingerie buyers, anyone who wants coverage but still wants the lingerie aesthetic, post-pregnancy bodies, mid-section sensitivity.
Look for: Stretchy bust band, adjustable straps, fabric that hangs without static.
2. Bodystockings
A one-piece, full-body mesh or fishnet garment that covers from shoulders to ankles. The key is that it's typically sheer or strategically opaque — the silhouette is the whole point.
Best for: Anyone who wants drama without commitment to multiple pieces, layering over other lingerie, photo shoots, themed nights.
3. Teddies and bodysuits
A one-piece garment that fits like a swimsuit — usually with structured cups, fitted torso, and high-cut legs. Teddies are typically more sheer and decorative; bodysuits are more solid and wearable as outerwear in some contexts.
Best for: Anyone who wants the cohesion of a one-piece look without the bulk of separates.
4. Bra and panty sets
The classic. Two coordinated pieces (sometimes three, with a matching garter belt). Sizing is the most technical here because the bra has to actually fit — see the sizing section below.
Best for: Anyone who knows their bra size, wants pieces they can mix and match across multiple sets.
5. Corsets and bustiers
Structured garments that shape the torso. Corsets traditionally have boning and lace at the back; bustiers are similar but typically less structured and shorter.
Look for: Quality boning (steel > plastic), adjustable lacing, comfortable lining where the boning contacts skin.
6. Accessories
Garter belts, stockings, gloves, robes, harnesses, nipple covers, and chemises. Often the most-overlooked category — accessories transform an outfit and are usually the most affordable way to refresh your collection.
→ Browse our full Lingerie collection for all six categories.
How to actually find your size
Lingerie sizing is famously inconsistent. The same Medium varies enormously between brands. Two principles solve 90% of fit problems:
Bra sizing — the band-then-cup method
- Measure your band size. Wrap a soft tape measure firmly around your ribcage, directly below the bust. Round to the nearest even number. That's your US band size.
- Measure your bust. Same tape, around the fullest part of the bust, parallel to the floor. Don't pull tight — let it sit naturally.
- Subtract the band from the bust. The difference in inches tells you the cup: 1" = A, 2" = B, 3" = C, 4" = D, 5" = DD, 6" = DDD/F.
Sister sizes work in both directions. If a 34C feels too tight in the band but right in the cup, try 36B. Same cup volume, looser band.
One-size garments — read the size chart, not the label
O/S or One Size usually fits up to a US 10-12, sometimes 14. Queen or Plus extends to US 18-20. Always check the garment's specific size chart — manufacturers vary wildly.
If you're between sizes
Size up for: babydolls, bodysuits with snap closures, corsets (you want room for the lacing).
Size down for: stretchy bra sets, bodystockings (they're designed to cling), seamless garments.
Fabrics, decoded
Lace
Decorative and varies hugely in quality. Look for stretch lace if you want comfort; rigid lace or Chantilly lace for structure. Cheap lace scratches; quality lace doesn't.
Mesh
Sheer, lightweight, breathable. The workhorse fabric of modern lingerie. Power mesh has stretch and is more shape-holding; sheer mesh is the see-through variety used in bodystockings.
Satin and silk
Smooth, cool to the touch, drapes beautifully. Real silk is expensive and requires hand-washing; satin is the polyester or rayon alternative — far easier care, similar look.
Microfiber
Soft, opaque, often used for everyday-wearable bodysuits and lingerie sets that double as loungewear.
Vinyl, faux leather, latex
The fetish-adjacent fabrics — high visual impact, less breathable, take careful storage. Latex especially needs talc or lubricant to put on without tearing.
Plus-size lingerie — the real guide
Quality plus-size lingerie is finally common, but the market is uneven. What actually matters:
- Real plus-size sizing means designed for the body, not a small size scaled up. Look for brands that publish a separate plus-size chart (Coquette, Dreamgirl, Penthouse have established plus lines).
- Reinforced support. Bra cups need real underwire or structured fabric; straps need width. Spaghetti straps on D+ cups are engineering failure.
- Boning matters. For corsets and bodysuits, look for steel boning, not just plastic stays.
- Adjustability. Multiple hook-and-eye rows, adjustable lacing, modular sets.
- Read return policies. Lingerie returns are often final-sale for hygiene.
Occasion guide — what works when
Bachelorette / hen night
Bold, playful, fun. White / blush / black with details (lace, satin, marabou). A teddy or bodysuit photographs better than separates for group photos. Browse our Bachelorette Party collection.
Wedding night
White or ivory, often with longer lines (chemise, slip dress, longer babydoll). Comfort matters more than you'd think. Bring a backup pair of regular underwear too.
Valentine's Day / anniversary
Red, black, deep jewel tones. Coordinate with what your partner gravitates toward.
Everyday confidence
This is the underrated use case. A great-fitting bodysuit or matching bra-and-panty set worn under regular clothes can change a Tuesday morning.
Bedroom / private
Anything goes. The privacy means you can wear pieces you'd never wear publicly. This is the most experimental category.
Care and storage
- Hand wash almost everything. Cold water, mild detergent. Lay flat to dry.
- Never tumble dry lingerie. Heat destroys elastic and shrinks lace.
- Store flat or hanging — never folded compressed. Lace and mesh deform when crushed.
- Boning in corsets needs to be stored unfolded.
- Latex needs airtight bags away from light. Use talc to keep it from sticking to itself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I return lingerie?
Most retailers have hygiene-based restrictions on returns — unopened, unworn pieces with tags often qualify; anything that's been worn does not. Always read return policies before checkout.
Does lingerie ship discreetly?
At Toys 18+, every order ships in plain packaging with a neutral sender name on the label. No logos on the box, no product names visible.
What's the difference between a teddy and a bodysuit?
Teddies are typically more decorative and sheer, designed for lingerie wear. Bodysuits are usually more opaque, structured, and often worn as outerwear.
How much should I spend on my first lingerie set?
A good first piece is in the $25-$60 range. Below $20, materials get questionable. Above $100, you're paying for premium brands or designer cuts.
Is men's lingerie a thing?
Yes, and the category is growing. Look for men's lingerie or masc lingerie specifically. We carry several styles.
Will lingerie shrink in the wash?
Hand-washed in cold water, no. Machine-washed in warm water, yes — lace and elastic especially.
Where to start today
If you've never bought lingerie before, here's a 3-piece starter recommendation by budget:
- Under $50: A simple stretch-lace babydoll + matching thong.
- $50-$100: A structured bodysuit + sheer mesh robe + thigh-high stockings.
- $100+: A fitted bra-and-panty set (in your measured size) + garter belt + lace teddy.
For more guidance: our Couples Sex Toys Guide covers how to bring lingerie into partnered play, and the BDSM Beginner's Guide covers the harness and restraint side of the wardrobe.
Free shipping on US orders over $85. 100% discreet packaging on every order.