Trousseau

Taking time to find exactly the right wedding lingerie pays dividends on your wedding day, honeymoon and beyond.

Choose Carefully

What you wear under your wedding dress is just as important as the fabric and cut of your gown, so set plenty of time aside to do your wedding lingerie homework. And start early. It’s best to select your wedding lingerie at the earliest possible stages of your wedding dressmaking as the design of your gown will heavily influence the kind of bridal lingerie you choose. If you’re confused, ask your couturier her recommendations on the type of wedding lingerie you should be looking for – she’ll know what’s going to sit best under your gown.

Smooth Lines

The traditional rules on visible bra straps may have relaxed in everyday life (thank you Madonna and Carrie Bradshaw), but noticeable bra straps on your wedding day are still a big no-no. Bras must be completely concealed so look for seamless, elasticised designs in a smooth fabric such as satin rather than lump-forming lace and wire.

If you’re wearing a strapless dress, a corset or bustier may be a better option than a strapless bra, which can cause lines in your dress and doesn’t offer a lot of support to full-busted women.

Stay Comfortable

Comfort is an absolute priority when shopping for wedding lingerie. Bones and stays can cut and jab, especially after a long day so look for the best quality bridal lingerie you can afford.

If your gown has a corset built in you won’t need separate underwear. But if your wedding dress is less structured and a bit of contouring is required, consider body-shaping underwear such as Spanx or Nancy Ganz. The clever built-in paneling in shape-wear will help conceal any lumps or bumps you don’t want on display.

Colour Code

Wedding lingerie should be invisible, so nude tones and white is usually most suitable – or try matching your underwear to the colour of your wedding dress. Whatever you select, it’s important to try your bridal lingerie with your gown under different lights in the lead-up to your wedding day to make sure there are no visible lines.

Stockings should also be sheer and of the highest quality to avoid snags. Gartered stockings are fun and sexy but can add a bulge or line to your legs (particularly if you are wearing silk) so trial them before the wedding day. Bare legs can work for an informal summer wedding but be aware that going sans-stockings can look very casual and may cause shoes to rub.

Ask the Experts

It pays to seek out expert advice. If you need a corset, find a store that has a trained corsetiere and ask for a personal fitting. A perfectly fitted corset is not only flattering but also invisible and comfortable – you should be able to forget you are wearing it.

Your Wedding Night

You will want to feel both sexy and confident on your wedding night. Although you don’t want to put undue pressure on either yourself or your new husband (wedding days are long and tiring events), it’s fun and romantic to pack a simple, elegant negligee or underwear set into your wedding night luggage. Something delicate in a luxurious fabric is always sumptuous to slip into.

Packing for the Honeymoon

While we no longer spend years preparing and sewing garments for our trousseau, you will still need to pack wisely for your honeymoon.

Buying new lingerie and clothes to start your new life is a good idea, but plan to do this mini shopping spree a few weeks in advance of your wedding day so it doesn’t take the focus away from your final preparations.

The style of your honeymoon will dictate what you pack but these staples will get your started:

• Sleek black pants
• Classic white top, something silky that can take you from day to night
• Black leggings, a pashmina and ballet flats for comfort
• A little black dress and a pair of heels or slingbacks
• High quality cotton t-shirts