The chap's guide to buying sexy underwear for his missus

Dec 15 2008 by Richard McComb, Birmingham Post

secret look at her favourite bra, the one she wears for special occasions, the one with the “wow” factor. Just don’t get caught peeking, unless that’s your thing.

Armed with cup-sizes and the like, the fun begins. Agent Provocateur has it all, from the sophisticated to the naughty. If sir thinks madam would like something classic, consider a French lace basque in the Love range (£185).

“It is a little bit more for a special occasion but it will give a lady very straight lines, especially if they are wearing stockings,” says Holly.

At the other end of the spectrum are the playsuits. The Cendrillon, which come in heat-sealed black lace, is a buttock-revealing joy.

“Doesn’t it chafe?” I asked Holly. “You’d be all right,” she says, “you” being the woman wearing it, not me.

There is a spanking black leather playsuit, with braces and hot-pant shorts, for £245. “That’s definitely for the bedroom,” says Holly. Or try the gold lame Britt if you like everything – and I mean everything – on show. There’s no hiding place.

Holly says such a purchase would probably be led by the woman. “Although a bloke might think he would want her to wear it, he probably would not go the extra step and buy it.”

So ladies, give him a nudge if it’s your bag. Just make sure the central heating’s turned up.

Suspender belts add an element of playfulness, according to Holly. “It is a little bit girlie. That French look,” she says.

If the love of your life prefers a less “in your face” approach – a slow burn, if you like – a babydoll is the answer and can be worn over a sexy set. “It is all about revealing – what you see and what you don’t see,” says Holly. Oh, la la.

Don’t ever be tempted to mix and match sets – which will look unintentionally cheap. The only exception to the rule is stockings, where a red or a pink, say, can add a splash of erotic colour to a black set of briefs.

Holly says: “If you have got a strong set of black lingerie, I would put a coloured stocking with it. She could wear red stockings and red lipstick. That is quite a nice thing to do.”

Stockings, I learn, are vital for the overall effect. Holly says: “If you are getting a suspender belt, you have to get stockings. Don’t assume she has stockings, or that she will want to wear her old ones with her beautiful new suspender.

“It is going to destroy the illusion if she has to go rooting around in her sock drawer. Don’t skimp on stockings. It isn’t worth it. It will destroy all your good work.”

As a final thought, consider the cut of the bra cup. As well as full, they come in demi and quarter, ideal for Christmas cleavage. Making the right choice will ensure your festive cup overfloweth, but not too much.