A woman’s world is a complicated place; so many things to do, so many things to say, so many things to wear, and of course, social rules that dictate how you should. Lingerie as a topic, is a bit (or a lot) of a taboo, more so in India; everyone knows that we have a bra on under our t shirts, but talking about it is one of the most offensive things you can do.

I know, crazy right? And with the hush hush nature of this topic, most people are not exposed to information that is actually useful- plus size lingerie is one of those. For a really long time, I did not understand why things needed to be segregated; a bra is just a bra right? Wrong! And it’s no wonder that 80% of the women worldwide wear the wrong size; a good bra makes all the difference in the world. So, for all you curvy ladies out there, who need some help understanding what your options are, this one is dedicated to you! 

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Plus size is nothing more than the name given to the sizing of garments that are larger than the average size. And the word average is important here; due to geographical and ethnic differences, women’s bodies are built differently all around the world. An average Indian woman might be considered plus size because her body is more voluptuous than some of her global counterparts; south east asian women are typically of a smaller build, while their caucasian counterparts are smaller around the hips. It is definitely not a term to be embarrassed about, because there’ nothing that you can do to change biology. That being said, what you can do is make sure that you’re as comfortable as possible, regardless of the type of figure that you possess. So here’s what you need to know. 

Support 

There are so many different preferences when it comes to lingerie, especially because wearing lingerie is a very intimate thing. If you want to find lingerie that provides an adequate amount of support you will need to look for things that are not plain lace; lace is not comfortable or very effective when it comes to support. The pieces that provide support will have underwire, or will be some kind of push-up cups; most women fall victim to this because they don’t know any better- it is going to either lift with the bra straps, or squeeze you really tight to stay up, both of which are bad for you. And if you go for a strapless option, not only will it squeeze around your breasts and give you a second boob next to your armpit, it will also create a roll of back-fat since it is so tight. Not only will this be uncomfortable (and trust me it will), it will also be bad for your breast health in the long run; tight bras worn over a long period of time will reduce the amount of blood flow, resulting in complications. 

In order to avoid the double boob and extra back roll, you should consider going for a corset type bodice that will encapsulate your torso all the way from your belly to breast; not only will this help in distributing the weight and pressure, but it will also give you a smooth silhouette and make sure that you don’t have a fat roll or a second boob. 

Shape

Lingerie can create the perfect hourglass shape if you buy the right style, and it can show off your natural curves. If you want the lingerie to be more comfortable, and not tuck in at various places, then you should go for a babydoll style top, lace or see through fabrics. We would recommend the corset bodice if you’re going for an hourglass figure, as it provides a good amount of support while ensuring that you are comfortable; the bodice can be made of really soft stretchy fabric so it gives the illusion of an hourglass shape, or can be made like an old fashioned corset that will be really stiff and mold your body into that shape. Most of the corset bodices go over the hips and end at your panty line, which not only helps in holding everything in place, but also creates a streamlined shape.

Corsets can lace up, hook up, or zip up. When you are buying one, make sure you are comfortable with how to put it on, because you might not always have someone around to do it for you. Here’s a tip to put a corset on by yourself: flip it around so you can see what you’re hooking, then when it’s secure turn it back around.

Bras

If you are going to wear your lingerie outside the bedroom, then I suggest you get one with more support; it can still be fancy, but if you want it to do what your regular bra does, then get one with support and coverage. Often you can find matching bra and panty sets, or if you pick a color, you can get matching colors from different companies. It is a misconception that lingerie is only meant for the bedroom; having something sexy under your regular clothes is a great way to boost your confidence through the day. Don’t just take our word for it, give it a shot! 

A great way to feel sexy in a lingerie bra is to get one that is push up. Push up bras really do lift, and make your breasts look much larger (not that you need them to of course, but there’s a time for everything.) Many lingerie sets do not include the push-up cups, so if you want a set that comes with the same, make sure to specify that in your search.

Underwear

When looking for lingerie bottoms that are sexy and comfortable, you should check out these two options- thongs and boyshorts. The most comfortable lingerie bottoms are made of a stretchy mesh material- could be regular mesh, or ruffles, or lace- and they sit comfortably on your body because they take the shape of your hips. Since they are so thin, it feels like you aren’t wearing anything, which is definitely in a win in our book. If you’re looking for other options, there are also bottoms with more coverage like a full brief, or less coverage like a g-string thong.

You can get regular bottoms that have a crotch, or go for a crotchless option. While the crotchless sounds complicated and exotic- the crotchless isn’t just a front and a back piece flapping in the wind, there is elastic that goes on the outline of the crotch with fun added details- it can take some getting used to, so make your decision wisely. It is also important to remember that sometimes panties as a category, come with their own sizing, especially if you are buying them separately. So keep looking until you find a pair that are truly meant for plus sizes.

Types

Bodystocking

I had no idea that this section existed until very recently and it can surprise you with the amount of options that are available; it’s a very popular choice as well! Bodystocking lingerie is a fun and racy style, with a lot of options for variety; it’s basically like wearing tights all the way up to your shoulders. Most of the ones available online do not look like they would provide any shape or support to your body, so if you’re considering picking up a pair, you should know that you are going to be showing off your natural curves, and highlighting your silhouette; not a bad thing at all!

Bodystockings typically have an open crotch, and have some kind of lace or fishnet detail; the detailing makes it look pretty and sexy, not like a plain pair of tights all over (that’s just a strange picture). Bodystockings are typically very cheap, so don’t be surprised if yours gets a snag or a hole quickly. To stop the snag, use clear nail polish at the start of the snag, and the ends of where it runs. This should keep that one spot from running even worse. Keep in mind that since it does not have a shape of its own, it will start to get loose after the first (or second) wear, so don’t depend on it to last you a long time.  

Babydoll

A baby doll is a piece of lingerie that typically consists of 2 parts: a flowy top and a cute pair of matching underwear. The top has some kind of built-in bra and then the fabric is loose and flowy, ending just below the butt. Interesting fact: it’s called a baby doll because it looks like the dresses on the little baby dolls at the store that barely cover the diaper; a very innocent origin for something that spices up the bedroom! Babydoll lingerie are a great option for women who are conscious of their body because they are not figure hugging, but sexy nonetheless. There are several options when it comes to selecting the material, but most often, the fabric below the bra will be some kind of sheer or lace fabric that shows off all the curves underneath.

Chemise 

There is a difference between a chemise and a negligee, even though they are basically the same style; a negligee is usually see through. A chemise looks a lot like a baby doll in terms of structure because the material ends just above the bum, but the difference is that it doesn’t always come with a matching panty. Another (big) difference between the chemise and a baby doll is the fabric; chemise tops typically are made of silk or satin to give you that soft and glamorous feel; they are so soft and smooth, making you feel instantly more luxurious and sexy.

In addition, chemises don’t usually flare out over the hips the way a baby doll does, they fit like a slip; a silky chemise really does look like a fancy silk slip, usually with some lace around the top. The silky chemise is more like a pajama feel- very comfortable with nothing tight or pinching, and is a great option to sleep in, even if it’s just you! 

Form fitting chemise

This is another style that is very popular among women, and with good reason; they have the most variety of fabrics, designs, and colors! The form fitting chemise is very different from the silky one; usually the bust has some sort of bra or fabric that outlines the breast, they come with a  matching panty, and often have garter clasps, to complete the look. The form fitting chemise looks super sexy (and feels even better) because it highlights your curves without being extra tight like a corset. Often the sides or front will have ruching, which is very slimming and pretty. The fabric styles are all different, but usually will have some amount of spandex or elastic in them to hug your curves, giving you that hourglass look.  

This is one of the lingerie styles that are also used as the basis of some of the role play/ costume outfits that are available and will definitely spice up your night; if you need some suggestions, look no further than a french maid or a nurse, your partner will definitely love it! However, a word of caution: whatever style you choose, you should know that the fabric of a form fitting chemise is not going to be smooth and comfortable like the silky chemise; if the lace is touching extra sensitive parts of your body, it will be itchy, so it is advisable to not wear it for too long. 

Teddy

A teddy is a piece of lingerie that resembles a one piece bathing suit. Some teddies are thin and lacy, while others kind of look like a form fitting chemise. They are all one piece, so the panty is not separate from the bodice. A lot of the teddies available on the market are crotchless (with good reason), and may come with garter clips for a complete finished look. The teddy allows your natural shape and figure to be the star of the show, while ensuring that you are very comfortable. They are available in a variety of materials, but we would definitely recommend lace of you are going for this style.

Garter set

And finally, the finishing touch. A garter set is a fun way to instantly spice up any lingerie set. In fact, a lot of sets- like corset tops and form fitting chemises- come with the elastic clips that hold up the stockings. You can pair a garter belt/stocking set with a fun bra, baby doll top, chemise, or corset. Or you could just wear it on it’s own. It can look a bit complicated to put on, but after you’ve tried it a couple of times and you’ve got the hang of it, it’s not as complicated as it looks. The clips that hold the stockings up are kind of like clip on earrings, they use the same method to hold on without tearing the stockings. 

We hope this article has been as informative as we intended, and that you have a better idea of what your options are should you need to go shopping. We will leave you with a final piece of advice: lingerie is expensive, but it is a worthwhile investment. And this is even more true in the case of plus size, because there is additional support that is required. You might be tempted to go for the cheaper options, especially since some of these pieces are not something that you wear all the time. However, keep in mind your comfort; you do not want to skimp out on a couple of bucks only to not have it function the way you want it to, when you need it to! After all, at the end of the day, regardless of who you’re putting it on for, you need to feel sexy and fabulous. And that’s not going to happen if you have a stray thread running, or a wire poking you in places that it’s not supposed to.