The world of Lingerie is littered with lingo, a good portion of which being French. Not ideal when you just want to grab something sexy for the missus.

Does she like a full cup or half cup? underwired or not? and what the hell does 'balconette' mean???

Size

OK this is a no-brainer. You really need to know her size, and  'about a handful' is NOT useful!. You could take a guess if you have a rough idea but guess too large and she'll think you think she's fat. Too small and you could make her feel awkward as she squeezes in and bulges out. Not good for anyone's esteem or enjoyment.

The solution? Well you could ask, but that's no fun for a nice surprise is it? In that case a bit of 007 work is in order. While she's out go raiding the drawers (no pun intended).

Bra sizes take the form of a number (usually 30-42) followed by a letter (A-DD are most common but can go higher).Basques arecommonly sized in the same manner.

Knickers are usually XS-XXL, nothing too difficult there.

Other garments like chemises or babydolls depend on the manufacturer, but will generally be XS-XXL or use the numbered dress sizing (commonly 8-20). Again a quick wardrobe snoop will give the answers.

As for color, choose her favorite or one you think she would look ravishing in. If you ever find yourself completely stumped in this area, black is always a safe and sexy option.

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Colours

There is a wide range of colors available but black, white and red are by far the most common. Whilst you're poking around in her drawers looking for size labels you'll get an idea of what colours she likes. If in doubt, black is safe and always looks good.

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Garment Types

Who would have thought there could be so many types of underpants?! Not to mention the numerous bra styles and those little dress things. So what's what? touch brings you our very own 'Lingeripedia' to answer just that:

Bras

For the full low down see the touch Illustrated guide here. Or, if you're just after something sexy for the good lady then these are the types to key an eye out for:

	Push up Does what it says on the tin. Underwired and padded to push the breasts up and together giving an enhanced cleavage. The push up came to prominence in the 90s and was made famous by the Wonderbra brand and the legendary 'Hello Boys' ad. Push up bras are great for giving the appearance of a larger bust.
	Plunge Plunge bras have a deep V neckline which 'plunges' towards the centre showing the off the cleavage.
	Balconette/balcony Balconette bras create cleavage by having wide set straps which pull the breasts together slightly. They have a half cup which is usually cut straight across the body giving the impression of a shelf, or balcony. Sexy but tasteful.

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Knickers

	Boy Shorts Boy shorts have become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. They look great on those who need a little figure shaping (i.e., women with a few extra pounds in the midriff area). Also ideal for sporty types who may feel too dolled up in a thong or G-string, boy shorts cover either part or all of the rear end (a compromise for the woman uncomfortable in more revealing styles).
	Thongs The thong’s popularity has grown hugely over the past few years, and they are now almost a common household item. Many women wear thongs during the day under their clothes because they find them more comfortable and have the added bonus of avoiding the dreaded 'VPL' or 'Visible Panty Line'. There's no delicate way of putting it, thongs look great on a well toned bum, not so great on a big girl.
	G-Strings G-strings are the most revealing type of lingerie. G-strings are just like thongs, except that in this case the thin strip of material in the back of a thong is replaced by a mere string of fabric. Most advisable for daring, sexually adventurous women and some find them a little 'tarty'. If in doubt, play safe with a thong!

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Baby Dolls

Baby dolls are short, sleeveless nightgowns that fall above the knee like mini-dresses and have formed cups that emphasize the breasts. Often open down the front but not always babydolls are flattering on all shapes and sizes. Very short baby dolls often come paired with underwear in a lingerie set.

 

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Chemises

Longer than Babydolls, Chemises are basically A-line nightdresses. Chemises are the Ian Botham of the lingerie world – they’re a great all-rounder that works for any body type. A good choice for women uncomfortable with their bodies, shy in bed, or looking to tease, Chemises hide bulges whilst showing off the best bits.

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Corsets & Basques

Corsets and Basques are similar in that they both have an hourglass effect - they slim the waist and bring all the attention to a woman’s hips and bust. They are tight, lace or hook & eye fasten up in the back, and consist of stiff material or boning so they definitely aren’t for everyday wear. They often come with garter straps to pair up with stockings. Yum.

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Stockings

OK nothing clever here & you can't beat a pair of stockings in high heels. Stockings are traditionally worn with a suspender belt or garter straps on a basque, but 'hold ups' are becoming more popular. As their name suggest, hold ups stay in position by themselves with an elasticated band concealed in the top. Every woman needs a pair of stocking in the wardrobe. Fact.

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Packaging

We all know men can't wrap presents, it's just nature. It uses the same part of the brain as washing and ironing. Fortunately the good lingerie stores out there understand that you're too busy putting up shelves to mess about with ribbons and all tht nonsense. Myla for instance offer a fantastic free gift wrapping service which will make her think yo've either a) put loads of effort in or b) spent loads of cash on her- both with equally great results!