Naughty Or Nice? How To Wear Holiday Lingerie

For an extra boost of confidence, nothing quite does the trick like sexy lingerie, even if you’re the only one who sees it. Whether you’re naughty or nice, show off your physique this holiday in lingerie meant for the ballroom, boudoir, and everyplace in between.

There’s something indulgent about lingerie that makes it so appealing. It’s by no means a necessity and yet most women spend years cultivating their lingerie collection. Maybe your lingerie drawer is filled with pieces that reflect your personality in life. Maybe they reflect your persona in the boudoir. Maybe lingerie is a passkey to a world of pleasure and seduction, costuming desire with the perfect panty.

Be the woman you aspire to be at all times. Whatever you need to get there—and yes, it can be as simple as a garter—is valuable. So treat yourself this holiday with whatever tickles your fancy.

There are no rules—except one: make sure that your lingerie fits and is comfortable, otherwise you will not be. And that’s a lingerie faux pas.

And speaking of comfort, shapewear can be comfortable. Tara Cavosie, founder and designer of HookedUp Shapewear says: “For special occasions, shapewear is a must. You’ll want to be camera ready and shapewear will keep you looking sleek and smooth from every angle. If your shapewear stays in place and works the way it’s supposed to, you won’t even feel like you’re wearing it.”
Because it’s is so versatile, make sure you wear the correct type of shapewear for your outfit. Cavoise says: “Mid-thigh styles will smooth and shape the body from bra line to the middle of the thigh. You’ll get smooth clean lines even in the tightest dresses or skirts, with the bonus of incredible hip and thigh control. Brief styles have great benefits too, especially for those daring, super short dresses and skirts.”

As for lingerie faux pas, Krystle Kotara, the founder and buyer for AnyaLust, a luxe lingerie brand, has five easy tips when it comes to wearing holiday lingerie:

1. Try a bodysuit

Bodysuits are essential for your holiday lingerie. Pair with a beautiful skirt and suede booties. After a few glasses of Champagne, you can get home, slip off the skirt, and instantly have a boudoir ensemble.

2. Wear velvet

Velvet is so on-trend this fall, and has an incredible allure to it. Look for jewel tones to achieve luxurious holiday style.

3. Lingerie as outerwear

This trend popped up a couple of seasons ago and it’s still chic. Silk slips that double as lingerie-inspired dresses are perfect for every woman’s wardrobe. Wear with bare legs and a coat before it gets too cold, or add a pair of stockings.

4. Wear a robe outside the bedroom

Floor-sweeping robes over mini dresses is a look. Pair a silk or lace robe with a figure-hugging dress and velvet heels.

5. Accessorize with your bra

Yes, your skivvies can count as accessories when worn appropriately. Style a bra with silk straps with a chunky off-the-shoulder sweater and dark jeans. Your look will be effortlessly sexy.

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.