Underwear and Christmas can be a recipe for disaster. I’m not just talking about cringe worthy Saucy Santa negligees from misguided lovers. Oh no. Some families have quaint traditions around Christmas pyjamas and pants. Anyone who has ever unwrapped a heavily sequined G-string as a gift from their mother will know what I’m talking about.
“Christmas pants” tend to fall into two camps: the highly inappropriate or “hilarious” novelty pants. The novelty knickers tend to come from Primark and feature a cartoon Father Christmas saying things like “ho ho ho” - ideal crotch attire. Why no one ever thinks to buy a practical M&S multipack is beyond me.
Then there are the gifts from partners. Even the most stylish and tasteful individual seems to have a good taste bypass when it comes to picking out underwear for their other half. It can become more about their personal fantasies than your shape and style – here, have a marabou trimmed PVC bullet bra and granny pants, oh, and Merry Christmas darling!
Then there’s the whole sizing issue: some suggest that they rummage through our knicker drawers to get the right size. Whilst this could seem relatively normal in some relationships, it could spell the end for others. Many end up guesstimating, which leads to the inevitable Boxing Day return to the store whilst brandishing a gift receipt.
The prospect of buying underwear as a gift fills some with so much fear that they simply rule it out altogether and settle on a DVD boxset. Pro-tip: if you want some nice undies for Christmas, take control of the situation and put your partner on the right tracks.
First up, don’t leave sizing to chance. Slip you sizes casually into conversation or go for the not very subtle option of writing them down and handing them a piece of paper before they hit the shops. Not exactly full of festive magic and mystery, but neither are French Knickers that are two sizes too big.
In terms of style, here’s my pick of the most gorgeous lingerie to give as a gift this Christmas. And yes, this is a not-so subtle hint for a certain someone...
Kiss Me Deadly
Retro loving ladies will love Kiss Me Deadly’s range of glamorous pin-up inspired underwear. The crimson Sirena set meets the challenge of being kind of Christmassy (i.e. it is red) without falling into the too tacky trap. The black lace balcony cups and broad satin straps give it a classy retro look. Their Tempest Rose range has uniquely scalloped cups, with soft pink overlaid with black lace. Whatever you get wrapped under the tree, make sure you team it with a super-vamp pout and plenty of pin-up girl attitude.
Boux Avenue
There’s no excuse for half-hearted lingerie gifts when there are branches of Boux Avenue dotted around the country. Their staff should be able to guide even the most baffled buyer towards the perfect purchase. The sweet and sexy Ebony set features oversized bows on the bra and pants, with pale pink accented by layers of black lace. Elsewhere in the collection boudoir influences are clear in the high-sided briefs, delicate lace and chinoiserie prints. They also do a range of super-flattering bras in sizes up to G-cup, making it a good choice for those with a bigger bust
Ayten Gasson
Prepare for some seriously swoonsome undergarments and nightwear from Ayten Gasson. Luxury fabrics and flattering shapes are the heart of the collection, this underwear that looks beautiful and will make you feel even more so. The Sophie silk teddy and matching bed jacket oozes Old Hollywood charm. The Eco range offers ethical everyday glamour in simple shades of white and cream. Gasson is renowned for using the finest UK produced silks and lace, so her pieces have the bonus feature of supporting the UK fashion industry too!
You can get 20% off orders place at AytenGasson.com until midnight Monday 26th November using the code BLACK20.
Playful Promises
Burlesque and boudoir influences abound in Playful Promises’ collection. Their underwear is flirty and fun with a little hint of mischief. The soft-cup True Love bra is ideal for those with a smaller bust and the coordinating briefs feature cheeky bow and heart detailing. For those after something ‘classic with a twist’, the Gilda range offers a choice of push-up or longline bra.
Main image: Jezebel from Kiss Me Deadly