UK lingerie brands

[fenghuang]

In an effort to help breathe some life back into our sex life, I'm planning on getting some lingerie for my SO for Xmas.

I'm thinking of bra/briefs/sussies/stockings and can probably afford about £100.
What are the better quality lingerie brands in the UK in that price? Are M&S or La Senza ok? Do I need to up my budget?
I'd love to stretch to Agent Provocateur but I'm not sure I can afford it.

 

[Scotsman69]

Have a look in Ann Summers.

 

[fenghuang]

Had a quick look at their website and there's some nice looking stuff on there, the fact that Ann Summers' lingerie costs a tenth of Agent Provocateur's does make me wonder about the quality a little.

 

[dollface007]

I'm in the U.S. but I buy Fantasie because they have a lot of sizes that are hard to find in stores here. They're not cheap, but I will not buy any other brand. Well-made and sexy without being too over-the-top.

 

[AevaLynn]

The bra in my profile pic is from Ann Summers. The construction of the products is amazing as far as I've found. I have very large breasts and these bra's/panties are sturdy enough to keep everything where it belongs and I've had no trouble with washing them even in the regular washing machine, no stretching out or shrinking.
I'm a huge fan of Ann Summers, sorry I haven't tried any other UK sites as I'm in the states. They drew me in with the clearance section and I went a lil crazy with it

 

[subme01]

A good idea would be to go to a department store like Debenhams, House of Fraiser or John Lewis. They have a great range of brands like Fantasie and they're really good quality. You'll also find the sales assistants helpful. You will need to know your partner's measurements and it might be useful if you took a bra that she currently wears with you. I'd also say that if you're trying to inject a little 'zing' into your relationship, don't go for the traditional red and black combination! Try either classic black or perhaps purple or even ivory and gold. For that reason, I'd also say not to go to Ann Summers as, although I really like the lingerie in there, it's not necessarily 'classy' and I'm guessing you'll want your partner to feel sexy rather than slutty.

One last word of caution: if your wife doesn't usually get her underwear from M&S, then I wouldn't go there as the bras fit very differently to most brands.

I hope this doesn't sound confusing, but if you follow these basic principles, your partner won't be in the refund queue on boxing day and you'll get super brownie points to enjoy!

 

[AevaLynn]

I just had to disagree with the generalization that Ann Summers lingerie was trashy or slutty. I'm not aware of anything about the other stores available so I cannot comment there at all. Good sizing advice though for sure.

These were the piece's that drew me to Ann Summer's and I have not been called trashy wearing them. The gabrielle pieces were the reason I ordered there in the first place, they are quite lovely. Everyone has different tastes though, your know what her taste is in lingerie, I wouldn't stray too far from that which is her comfort zone unless she has hinted otherwise.

http://www.annsummers.com/p/gabrielle-nude/black-cami-suspender/01srcias1065089

http://www.annsummers.com/p/gabrielle-nude/black-babydoll/01nwblas1003089

 

[subme01]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that all the Ann Summers stuff is trashy. I like Ann Summers and have some stuff from there myself. I was just thinking in terms of a bloke trying to come across as romantic, a parcel from Ann Summers might not strike entirely the right note. You're right to say that he knows her and her taste best though.

I just had to disagree with the generalization that Ann Summers lingerie was trashy or slutty. I'm not aware of anything about the other stores available so I cannot comment there at all. Good sizing advice though for sure.

These were the piece's that drew me to Ann Summer's and I have not been called trashy wearing them. The gabrielle pieces were the reason I ordered there in the first place, they are quite lovely. Everyone has different tastes though, your know what her taste is in lingerie, I wouldn't stray too far from that which is her comfort zone unless she has hinted otherwise.

http://www.annsummers.com/p/gabrielle-nude/black-cami-suspender/01srcias1065089

http://www.annsummers.com/p/gabrielle-nude/black-babydoll/01nwblas1003089

 

[SmileyGirl]

I would stay away from La Senza although they're lingerie looks nice it's not all that well made especially if you have a bra size above a C/D

I think subme's advice with Debenhams John Lewis and M&S is good advice
Depending on your SO's size the online Bravissimo and Figleaves shops are really good too

 

[AevaLynn]

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that all the Ann Summers stuff is trashy. I like Ann Summers and have some stuff from there myself. I was just thinking in terms of a bloke trying to come across as romantic, a parcel from Ann Summers might not strike entirely the right note. You're right to say that he knows her and her taste best though.

Lol , no one I know here (States) even knows of them . So is it known as more of a trashy brand there then ? I'm going to have to look up the sites you ladies mentioned, I don't mind paying extra for worldwide shipping if I find something I love.

 

[SmileyGirl]

Lol , no one I know here (States) even knows of them . So is it known as more of a trashy brand there then ? I'm going to have to look up the sites you ladies mentioned, I don't mind paying extra for worldwide shipping if I find something I love.

It's more known for novelty sex items I think although some of their underwear looks lovely
I have a couple of things but not much from there
But the online shops are really good for lingerie and fairly good at sizing too

 

[AevaLynn]

It's more known for novelty sex items I think although some of their underwear looks lovely
I have a couple of things but not much from there
But the online shops are really good for lingerie and fairly good at sizing too

Aw I see. I do have to admit , I feel sexy but trashy as hell (in a good way) walking about in my bra and panties from them that say "Touch me Caress me" all over the untie-able ribbons
Good sizing is something I always run into trouble with here unless I pay an outlandish amount of money. I'll definitely check out the sites you girls listed.

 

[SmileyGirl]

Aw I see. I do have to admit , I feel sexy but trashy as hell (in a good way) walking about in my bra and panties from them that say "Touch me Caress me" all over the untie-able ribbons
Good sizing is something I always run into trouble with here unless I pay an outlandish amount of money. I'll definitely check out the sites you girls listed.

Hehe I think that's the idea with Ann Summers sexy but a little trashy and yes in a good way
Yeh I have the same problem it can cost a fortune if you're above a certain bra size lol

 

[fenghuang]

Thanks for the input.
As a point of interest I ended up going to a local lingerie boutique style shop. My budget increased (before I went in) and I ended up getting some from Elle Macpherson. Was aiming for flatteringly sexy rather than deliciously slutty as I'm confident that's the safer bet. I'm confident on size too (I knew to do my research on that LOL) but still have little idea how it will be received.
Fingers crossed.