Lingerie 101: Outfit shopping for your boudoir session can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start! Skip the French lessons, and let this ongoing blog series guide you through the world of the bustier, chemise, and bandeau.
The corset is one of the first things to come to most peoples’ minds when they think “boudoir” or “lingerie”, so let’s talk about them! Corsets usually have eye hooks, a ribbon, and/or a zipper on the front, side, or back to get them on and off. They also have metal or plastic boning in the lining which adds support, but can make it more difficult to move (and pose!). They also come in three main styles: strapless (straight line across the chest), halter (ties or hooks around the neck for some added support), and sweetheart (dips in the front in between the boobs).
In my experience, the panties that come packaged with corsets are “one-size-fits-all” string thongs…which basically means they fit no one. I highly recommend throwing those out and picking up something with more lace (that’s actually YOUR size)! We’ll get into more types of panties later, but cheeky styles are a great option to pair with corsets.
Another thing to watch with corsets is the length. I think it looks best if the line of the corset meets or slightly covers the top of the panty line, so make sure the one you’re looking at is long enough for you. Torso length and bust size have a big impact on where a corset sits on your body, so you can’t always trust the pictures you see on websites. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time for returns if you’re shopping online! You definitely get what you pay for with corsets, so if it’s a must-have for your boudoir wardrobe, it’s worth doing it right!
If your corset isn’t giving you the support you want (most don’t have actual cups), add a bra underneath. You can go for a strapless if you want to just add shape, but layering a bra with a corset is a great look! You do you! Or, look for my post on the corset’s shapelier cousin: the bustier (coming soon!).
Find more Lingerie 101 posts on the blog or, better yet, book a session with Boudoir by Wallflower and we’ll do a one-on-one personalized style consultation where I’ll make specific and unique recommendations just for you (and not with pieces from a shared wardrobe!).