Your wedding day is quickly approaching and you’re hoping to gift your soon-to-be-husband with some boudoir photographs. Or maybe you’re wanting to have a boudoir shoot just for you, as a celebration of how far you’ve come.
There’s only one problem: You have no clue what lingerie looks best for your body type.
Shopping for lingerie can be an intimidating process, especially if you’re not the most comfortable with your body.
Learn why I encourage shopping for lingerie pieces that make you feel comfortable and confident, all while looking good, and avoiding the idea of what society says is right for your body type.
Table of Contents
- The Different Body Types for Lingerie
- How Do I Find the Right Lingerie?
- Final Considerations Before Your Boudoir Photo Shoot
- Evgenia Ribinik Studios Can Help You Feel Confident and Sexy in Your Lingerie — No Matter Your Body Type
The Different Body Types for Lingerie
The simple truth is that some styles of lingerie look better on certain body types than others. But who am I to tell you what lingerie is best for each specific body type?
Instead, I suggest shopping for what fits and looks good on you.
The fashion industry historically has named several broad categories of body types that I’ll mention here, but it’s important to remember that women are typically created with more fat mass. We tend to be curvier because of larger breasts, wider hips, a bigger butt, or thicker thighs. No matter what your body type might be defined as, choosing a lingerie style that makes you feel beautiful, confident, and comfortable is most important.
Common body shapes for women include:
- Pear or triangle – Wider hips and more narrow shoulders, carries weight in the bottom half
- Inverted triangle – Wider shoulders and more narrow hips, carries weight in upper body and stomach
- Rectangle – No major waistline or hip definition
- Hourglass – Both the top and bottom are equally broad but the waist tends to be smaller
- Oval or apple – Top and bottom halves are narrow and weight is carried in the chest and stomach areas
Women who are a size zero and a size 20 might wear the same piece of lingerie and both pull it off beautifully. Pairing certain body types to specific styles of lingerie doesn’t do any woman much good, so instead, go for what you’re comfortable in and what you think looks good on you. Of course, getting a second opinion never hurts.
When you book a boudoir photography session with Evgenia Ribinik Studios, I provide a ‘Getting Ready Guide’ that gives ideas of what lingerie types look good in front of the camera. In this guide, I also suggest lingerie styles that help accentuate certain body parts if you’re looking to enhance a specific area. Contact Evgenia Ribinik Studios today to book your session.
Why We Need To Ditch the Labels To Find the Best Lingerie for Body Types
Studies have shown that women have body image issues and defining our worth by a size on a clothing label does no one any good. I recommend cutting the tag off of your lingerie pieces (they photograph better that way, too!) and forgetting about the size — it truly does not matter.
Here are some statistics:
- At age 13, 53% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies.
- By age 17, 78% of American girls are unhappy with their bodies.
- 59% of girls are dissatisfied with their body shape.
- 40-60% of elementary-aged girls are concerned about their weight or gaining weight.
Many women who have the same body shape are different weights, heights, and proportions so labeling a specific style of lingerie (or clothing) to a certain body type can be misleading and often cause more frustration than help.
How Do I Find the Right Lingerie?
My ‘Getting Ready Guide’ is a great start for finding lingerie pieces that photograph well, accentuate the body parts you’re hoping to show off and make you feel comfortable and beautiful.
If you’re unsure where to start, I recommend shopping in person at a lingerie store with professionals. The salespeople are trained to help find you the perfect pieces of lingerie that work for your body type while making you feel great about yourself.
7 Tips for Choosing the Best Lingerie for Your Boudoir Session for Any Body Type
It doesn’t matter whether you’re short or tall, a size zero or a size 20, carry your weight in your stomach or your legs, or anything else — it’s most important to choose a lingerie style that looks good and feels good on your body.
At Evgenia Ribinik Studios, I’ve photographed many boudoir sessions with women of all shapes and sizes. No matter their body type, we worked together to create beautiful and jaw-dropping photographs they can cherish forever.
If you’re hesitant about booking a boudoir shoot because you’re uncomfortable in lingerie, use these tips to help find a few pieces that make you feel like the true showstopper that you are.
#1: Have a Dress-Up Day
If you’re not a woman who regularly wears lingerie, you might have no idea where to even start. Take a day out of your schedule and visit a lingerie store. Get the help and opinion of the professionals while you play dress-up and find what you feel looks best on you.
Remember, it’s most important that you feel confident and comfortable in the pieces that you choose, so take your time and shop around if you need to.
#2: Don’t Go by What the Size Says
Did you know that nearly 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size?
Women should not be shopping by the size of a tag. Instead, we should be shopping for what fits us the best. That’s why shopping in person and taking the time to try on lingerie is recommended.
Do you know how lingerie cups are supposed to fit? Do you know where the straps are supposed to lay? Do you know where a lingerie piece should hit on your back?
All of these are important when finding lingerie styles that work for your body type, so ditch the tag and shop for what fits you best.
#3: Experiment With Different Styles
Remember that dress-up day we talked about? Have fun with it! Try on a variety of pieces and even reach for things out of your comfort zone — you might be surprised by what you like.
Consider including some of these styles in your try-on:
- Bodysuits
- Separates
- See-through
- Open back
- Cheeky bottom
- Thong bottom
- Garters
- Corset
- A-line
- Babydoll
#4: Consider What You Want To Highlight or Conceal
Most women have a specific body part they love and might want to show off. They also likely have something they’re less comfortable with and might be looking to conceal. Take these into consideration when shopping for your lingerie, as well as the reason for the shoot.
Maybe you’re gifting your soon-to-be husband a book on your wedding day. You might be looking for classy boudoir photos to display in your home. You may even be doing this photography session for yourself.
Whatever the reason may be, consider it when shopping for your pieces.
Lingerie To Enhance Cleavage
Are you hoping to push a little cleavage out during your boudoir shoot? Consider shopping for pieces that have built-in cups to help fill out your chest and draw attention there, or corsets.
You might also want to stay away from lace (since this material can be attention-grabbing and distract eyes elsewhere), and loose tops that hide your chest.
Lingerie To Highlight Your Back
If you’re hoping to show off your back, consider shopping for something with a low-cut back, a completely open back, or even a sheer back. Stick to thin straps or strapless tops.
To avoid covering your back, stay away from thicker straps, bodysuits that cover the shoulders, and some corset tops, depending on the cut.
Lingerie To Show Off Your Buns
You like big butts, and you cannot lie.
If showing off your booty is your thing, consider a cheeky bottom or even a thong to let those butt cheeks have their moment. Also, consider fitted pieces and avoid flowy or longer tops that might cover your bottom.
Lingerie That Is More Conservative
Are you a conservative kind of gal? You can still find lingerie pieces that make you feel beautiful and confident.
If you’re going for a conservative lingerie style, consider shopping for babydoll-style tops or dresses, full-coverage underwear, or something with a print. You might even add a robe overtop your lingerie set.
To stay the conservative route, avoid bustier tops, sheer material, thongs, cheeky bottoms, and anything that doesn’t feel comfortable for you.
#5: Consider the Vibe You’re After
Just like you should consider the reason behind your boudoir shoot, you should take into account the vibe you’re after.
Are you hoping to portray sexy and romantic? Maybe you’re looking for something natural or more conservative. The materials and colors you choose can make a difference in how your photos come across.
Material Matters
For a feminine, sexy, or romantic vibe, shop for feminine details. Look for things like lace or silk.
A more casual vibe might also include silk, but consider cotton as well.
Color Matters
A soft and romantic look might come across better by choosing lingerie in white, ivory, or pastel shades.
If you’re hoping for a sultry and sexy vibe, something in gray, red, or black might be better.
#6: Pay Attention to the Details
The details in your lingerie not only give insight into who you are and the vibe you’re after, but they can also play a part in how comfortable you feel in your pieces.
Interesting details can add depth and texture to your photos and are fun to photograph. Consider things like:
- Strappy accents
- Lace trim
- Tie-up backs
- Intricate embroidery
However, don’t forget to consider how you feel in these pieces. For example, if you’re someone who carries weight in their upper body, wearing a tight, strappy-back lingerie top might not be the most comfortable.
#7: Use the Expertise of Your Boudoir Photographer
If you did your homework when shopping around for a photographer, you’ve hopefully chosen someone with experience in boudoir photography.
At Evgenia Ribinik Studios, I have a passion for boudoir photography and have gained a lot of credibility and recognition in the industry. I work hard to ensure all of my clients are comfortable in what they’re wearing (or not wearing) in front of my camera.
Not only do I offer a ‘Getting Ready Guide’ to clients once a session is booked, but I have a closet for clients to shop in and use whatever they might feel comfortable in during their session.
Final Considerations Before Your Boudoir Photo Shoot
If you’ve been told you have a pear-shaped body type, are considered to be plus-size, or are built like a board, you might find it difficult to shop for lingerie. Other people’s projections of your body type have created a mental block, preventing you from feeling comfortable in your own skin.
But who are they to define your body type? Your body shape shouldn’t matter. Instead of worrying about what the best lingerie for your body type might be, take these tips and tricks into consideration when shopping, and instead find something that makes you feel confident, comfortable, and beautiful.
Remember why you wanted to do a boudoir photography session in the first place, cut the tags out of your lingerie, and enjoy the experience — you’ll be glad you did.
Evgenia Ribinik Studios Can Help You Feel Confident and Sexy in Your Lingerie — No Matter Your Body Type
A boudoir photography shoot should be a fun and comfortable experience, but sometimes shopping for the right lingerie styles for your body type can put a damper on the day.
By eliminating the idea of what society says or thinks is the best lingerie for a body type and instead shopping for what you feel looks good on you and makes you the most comfortable, you may enjoy your boudoir photography session a bit more.
With the right lingerie and the right photographer, you’ll have breathtaking pictures to look back on forever.
I, Evgenia, have a passion for boudoir photography and have gained credibility and recognition in the industry. I work hard to ensure all of my clients are comfortable in my studio, provide a helpful guide for what to wear, and have a closet of lingerie available for clients to choose from.
If you’re looking for a comfortable and unforgettable boudoir photography session, I’m your girl. Contact me today to book your session.
