Buying Lingerie for Yourself? A Guide to Choosing Your Size & Style
Buying lingerie for yourself can feel slightly daunting if you're not used to shopping for it.
You might not know which size to choose, whether your measurements will work with a particular style, or even where to start when the body shown in the photographs doesn't look much like yours.
Don't worry. You're very welcome here!
Pip & Pantalaimon is for anyone who wants to wear beautiful, vintage inspired lingerie. Whether you're a man buying lingerie for yourself, a woman buying lingerie for yourself, non-binary, transgender, or someone whose body doesn't fit into conventional lingerie sizing, I'm very happy to help. I make everything myself, to order, and my main goal is to make you something that fits.
First things first: you don't need a particular body shape to wear lingerie
This is probably the most important thing to say.
A lot of vintage inspired lingerie is designed around an exaggerated waist to hip ratio. My regular sizes are based on a fairly traditionally curvy shape, which means that some people will find that their measurements don't correspond neatly to the size chart.
That's not a problem. It just means we might need to think about which style will work best for you.
Your body measurements are much more useful to me than your usual clothing size. For most of my lingerie, the two measurements I need are:
Your natural waist
The narrowest part of your torso, usually somewhere around or just above your belly button.
Your full hip
The widest measurement around your hips and bottom.
You can find my full size chart here:
SIZE GUIDE
And if you're unsure, you can always email me with your measurements and tell me which piece you're considering. I'll happily help you work it out.
How to take your measurements
You don't need anything complicated just a flexible tape measure.
1. Measure your natural waist
Stand naturally and find the narrowest part of your torso. Wrap the tape measure around this point, keeping it level all the way around. It can be helpful to do this in front of a mirror to check that the tape measure is flat all the way around.
2. Measure your full hip
Measure around the widest part of your hips and bottom.
Again, keep the tape level and don't pull it tight.
Which measurement matters most?
This depends on what you're buying.
Suspender belts
For suspender belts, your waist measurement is the most important.
My suspender belts are designed to sit around your natural waist rather than down on your hips. This higher position is what helps them hold your stockings securely.
If your waist and hip measurements are quite similar, don't automatically assume that you need a larger size because of your hip measurement. Get in touch and I can help you choose.
Girdles and girdlettes
For longer garments such as girdles, girdlettes and high waisted knickers, both your waist and hip measurements are important.
These garments need to fit snugly at the waist while also accommodating your hips and bottom.
If you're between sizes, I generally recommend sizing up rather than squeezing into the smaller size.
Classic cut knickers
For the classic cut knicker, your full hip measurement is the most useful measurement because the style sits around the widest part of the body.
What if my waist and hips aren't 10 inches apart?
This is one of the questions I get asked most often.
My regular lingerie sizes are based around a fairly curvy waist to hip ratio, but real bodies don't all follow the same proportions.
You might have:
- a relatively straight waist and hip
- a small difference between your waist and hip
- a larger difference than the size chart suggests
- a fuller tummy
- broader hips
- a flatter bottom
- a body that simply doesn't correspond neatly to a standard lingerie size
And that may just mean that one style will work better for you than another.
For example, suspender belts can be particularly forgiving because they mainly need to fit securely around the waist. Longer, more fitted garments require a little more consideration because they need to accommodate both the waist and hips.
If you're unsure, email me before ordering. Send me your waist and hip measurements, tell me which style you're interested in, some info about your body type (only if you're comfortable to share) and I'll give you my honest advice.
What if I don't have a conventional lingerie body shape?
This is where I think P&P can be a little different.
You don't need to have a particular body shape, gender or reason for wearing lingerie to shop here. Maybe you're experimenting with lingerie for the first time. Maybe you've worn it for years. Maybe you're looking for something that gives you a particular vintage silhouette. Maybe you simply love the way it feels.
All of those are great reasons!
The important thing is choosing a garment that works with your body rather than trying to force your body into the shape of the garment.
Which styles are a good place to start?
If you're new to P&P, I'd suggest starting with something relatively straightforward.
A suspender belt
A six strap suspender belt is a lovely place to start if you're interested in wearing stockings.
The higher waist gives more support than the low rise suspender belts you might find elsewhere, and because it doesn't need to fit closely over your hips, it can be a relatively easy first piece.
A girdlette
A girdlette is another good option if you're looking for a little more coverage and shaping.
It sits around the natural waist and extends down over the hips, giving you more of that fully coverage vintage foundation garment feeling.
A longline girdle
If you're specifically looking for a stronger vintage silhouette, a longline girdle gives considerably more coverage and shaping.
Some of my longline girdles fasten at the back, which makes getting into them much easier than trying to pull a very snug garment over your hips.
Knickers and thongs
If you'd rather start with something simpler, my knickers and thongs are an easy way into the brand without committing to a full foundation garment.
What about bras?
Bra sizing is a little different because you'll need your underbust and bust measurements, rather than waist and hip measurements.
If you already wear a UK sized bra, you can generally start with your usual size, but if you're new to bra fitting or unsure about the size you need, please get in touch before ordering.
I'm also happy to help with the fit of my bralettes, underwired bras and longline bras.
And if you're looking for something particularly specific, I also make custom corselettes.
What if I want something more custom?
This is something I particularly want people to know about. Because I make everything myself, custom orders are possible.
If there's a particular colour, combination or style you'd love but can't quite find on the website, send me an email. I can't promise that every idea will be possible, but I'm always happy to have a conversation and see what we can do.
Custom pieces are made specifically for you and therefore can't be returned or exchanged, so I'd always recommend getting your standard size sorted first if you're new to P&P.
Worried about ordering lingerie online?
I completely understand. If you're buying something like a suspender belt or girdle for the first time, it's not always obvious how it should fit. It should feel snug and supportive, but not painfully tight.
You shouldn't have to fight your way into it, and you shouldn't feel as though you can't breathe or move comfortably. If something doesn't look or feel right when you try it on, please don't immediately assume you're the wrong body shape or that lingerie simply isn't for you.
Get in touch.
For standard sized items, I accept returns and exchanges according to my usual returns policy.
Get in Touch
And if you'd like some help choosing, you can email me directly at info@pipandpantalaimon.co.uk.
Tell me your measurements, the style you're interested in and anything you're worried about.
I'll be the person reading your email and, if you order, I'll be the person making your lingerie too.