July 20265 MIN READ
The Most Flattering Lingerie for Your Body Type
Everyone deserves beautiful lingerie and there are many different types of lingerie for all body types designed to leave you feeling confident, comfortable, and truly empowered in your own skin. Whether you want to highlight your curves, create a balanced silhouette, or simply wear something that makes you feel amazing, the right lingerie can make all the difference.
At Boux Avenue, we believe everyone deserves to feel fabulous and that every body should be celebrated. That's why in this blog we will go over the different lingerie styles and guidance on different body shapes. With our expertise in styling, fit, and design in lingerie you can be sure to trust our advice and guidance to leave you feeling radiant in your lingerie.
How to choose flattering lingerie for your body type
The key three factors to consider when choosing flattering lingerie are: fit, style and proportions. With Boux Avenue’s separate sizing approach across their matching lingerie sets, you can ensure you will find a fit that compliments your shape and enhances your natural features, while ensuring the best support. A well-fitted bra can boost confidence, while the right knickers or suspender belt can accentuate your waist or elongate your legs.
Whether you're shopping for everyday essentials or something extra special, Boux Avenue's lingerie collection offers a variety of styles to flatter every figure. For the best fit, you will want to ensure you are wearing the right bra size, with 81% of women in the UK wearing the wrong bra size. We highly recommend having a bra fitting every 6 months. This can be with our expert fitters in store or at home with our how to measure your bra size blog, along with our insider tips on how a bra should fit.
Types of lingerie & their features
Lingerie comes in many styles, each designed to enhance your shape and fit your needs. Whether you're looking for something supportive, sculpting, or sensual, understanding the different types of lingerie will help you choose the best option for your body.
In this guide we will cover all the different bra options available from your Summer essential strapless bra to the trustworthy balconette and more. Not forgetting about knicker options - from barely there thongs to full coverage high waisted knickers, sexy lingerie bodysuits and romantic, figure flattering basques and corsets.
Types of bras
Choosing the right bra is all about understanding how different cuts interact with your unique shape and lifestyle. Here is a quick guide on everything you need to know about the most popular bra styles, who they suit best, and when to wear them. For more information on all the different bra styles be sure to check our bra style guide.
Balconette Bras
The balconette bra features straps that sit wide on the shoulders and cups that cut straight across the top of the bust, offering a subtle, uplifting lift from the bottom.
- Best for following body shapes: Pear and Hourglass shapes, as the wide-set straps help broaden the shoulders to balance out wider hips. It is also a miracle worker for slender/athletic body types as it creates a beautiful, rounded shape. This is also a style for larger busts offering support and a natural looking cleavage.
- Style with: Lower-cut tops and square necklines. A balconette bra offers a classic, romantic silhouette with a natural, rounded lift.
Plunge Bras
Plunge bras are designed with a low-cut center creating a deep V-neckline while pushing the breasts together.
- Best for following body shapes: Inverted Triangle and Apple shapes, as the deep V-line elongates the torso and draws the eye inward, creating a balanced center of gravity.
- Style with: Plunge bras are your ultimate go-to for low-cut wrap dresses, plunging necklines, or when you want to create the illusion of maximum cleavage without heavy padding.
Push-Up Bras
A push-up bra uses foam or extra padding at the bottom and sides of the cups to physically lift and push the breast tissue upward and inward.
- Best for following body shapes: Best for Rectangle (Athletic) shapes looking to add instant curves to their silhouette, as well as Hourglass shapes who want to amplify their natural assets. It is highly flattering for those with smaller busts as it can help give them some extra “oomph power”. Styles with removable padding are great for those with an asymmetrical bust, as the padding fills out any empty space in the cup.
- Style with: The ideal style for date nights, formal evening wear, or any occasion where you want an extra boost of confidence and dramatic, eye-catching volume.
The Multiway Bra
The multiway bra is a highly versatile bra featuring detachable straps that can be reconfigured into various positions, including halter, racerback, criss-cross, single-shoulder or even strapless.
- Best for following body shapes: A bra perfect for all body shapes, but particularly great for Inverted Triangles (Athletic) who frequently wear racerback styles to highlight their toned shoulders.
- Style with: The perfect holiday or travel bra, packing maximum outfit compatibility into a single piece of lingerie for asymmetrical, halterneck, cross-back or strapless outfits.
Longline Bras
The longline bra is a vintage-inspired style where the under-bust band extends further down the torso, often reaching the waist to create a smooth, mini corset-like effect.
- Best for following body shapes: Incredibly flattering for Apple and Hourglass shapes, as it smooths the midsection, emphasizes the waist, and prevents the band from digging in. It also provides excellent anchor support for full-busted figures.
- Style with: Worn under tight-fitting garments where you want a seamless silhouette, or styled solo as a chic crop top under a tailored blazer.
T-Shirt Bras
A T-Shirt bra is a classic, seamless, moulded-cup bra designed to be completely invisible and smooth under even the thinnest, most form-fitting clothing, usually constructed with microfibre fabric for the ultimate seamless finish.
- Best for following body shapes: A lingerie drawer must-have for every body shape, offering a clean, rounded, and symmetrical look under all clothing.
- Style with: The backbone of your everyday wardrobe—to be worn under tight cotton t-shirts, thin knitwear, and general everyday clothing.
Strapless Bras
A good strapless bra offers supportive bra engineering without straps, relying instead on a wide, sturdy band and silicone gel adhesive to grip the skin and stay securely in place.
- Best for following body shapes: This is a universal staple that suits all body shapes (Hourglass, Pear, Apple, Rectangle), provided you find the correct band size to handle the weight of the bust.
- Style with: Essential for bandeau tops / dresses, off-the-shoulder dresses, and tube tops where visible straps would ruin the clean lines of the outfit.
Now we know you more than likely have your one favourite bra that you go to again and again, but to help keep the longevity of the bra,you ideally need a rota of three favourite bras. The “3 bra rule” gives the elastic in the bra time to recover and extends the bra’s life by rotating between at least two others.
Bralettes
A bralette is usually lightweight, and a wire-free bra - prioritising comfort and a natural shape over structure and heavy support.
- Best for following body shapes: Exceptionally flattering on Rectangle and Petite body types with smaller to medium busts, as it embraces a sleek, minimal, and effortless aesthetic. Larger busts can still wear bralettes especially to bed if wanting some comfortable support during the night, but during the day they won’t offer as much support as a wired bra will.
- Style with: The ultimate lazy-day choice for lounging at home, running errands, or styling under oversized sweaters and sheer tops where a peek of lace adds a stylish touch.
Types of knickers
Just like bras, the right knicker can completely transform how your clothes sit and how confident you feel. Here is a quick guide about the most popular knicker styles, who they suit best, and when to wear them. For more information on all the different knicker styles be sure to check our knickers style guide.
Briefs
Briefs are often seen as a classic cut, offering full coverage with a waistband that sits comfortably on the hips and a moderately low-cut leg.
- Best for following body shapes: A flattering style that suits all body shapes, but is particularly loved by Apple and Pear shapes for their reliable, day-long comfort and balanced coverage that doesn't ride up.
- Style with: Your everyday clothing, offering maximum comfort under jeans, casual trousers, and loungewear.
Thongs
Thongs offer a minimalist style featuring a standard front panel and a narrow strip of fabric at the back, leaving the bum completely uncovered., offering no VPL. Discover more on the most popular knicker style at Boux Avenue with our guide to thongs.
- Best for following body shapes: Fantastic for Hourglass, Rectangle, and Inverted Triangle shapes who want to show off their natural glute shape without any fabric compression flattening the cheeks.
- Style with: Essential under form-fitting clothing like bodycon dresses, sleek pencil skirts, or tight leggings where you want a 100% visible-panty-line (VPL) free look.
Brazilian Knickers
The Brazilian knicker is a cheeky style that cuts across the back of the cheek at an upward angle, offering significantly less coverage than a brief but more than a thong.
- Best for following body shapes: Flattering on Pear and Rounder Hourglass shapes, as the diagonal cut lifts the appearance of the bottom and creates the optical illusion of longer legs.
- Style with: The perfect balance of everyday comfort and subtle allure, ideal for date nights or wearing under looser dresses and A-line skirts.
High-Waisted Knickers
High-waisted knickers offer a retro-inspired cut designed with a waistband that sits at or just above the natural belly button, offering full front, back, and smoothing tummy coverage.
- Best for following body shapes: Great for Apple, Pear, and Hourglass shapes, as it hugs the natural waist, smooths the lower midsection, and highlights curves without digging into the hips.
- Style with: Ideal under high-rise jeans, high-waisted skirts, or for those looking for a beautifully streamlined silhouette under structured dresses.
French Knickers
French Knickers offer a fluttery, and elegant style featuring a design that sits straight across the upper thigh with plenty of breathing room.
- Best for following body shapes: Beautiful on Rectangle (Athletic) and Inverted Triangle shapes, as the flared, floaty fabric adds soft volume around the hips to create a more balanced, curvier silhouette.
- Style with: Best reserved for luxurious lounging, wearing as sleepwear paired with a matching camisole, or under flowing, voluminous maxi dresses.
Shorts
Underwear shorts feature a squared-off cut that extends down past the top of the thighs, offering full coverage for the hips and bottom.
- Best for following body shapes: Highly flattering on Rectangle and Inverted Triangle shapes, as the horizontal lines and extra fabric add dimension and structure to straighter hip profiles.
- Style with: Perfect for lounging around the house on lazy weekends, or wearing under short, breezy summer skirts as a protective layer against the wind or thigh chafing.
G-String
The G-String is the most minimalist lingerie option available, consisting of a tiny fabric triangle at the front attached to a literal string waistband and backing.
- Best for following body shapes: Great for Petite frames and Rectangle shapes who want minimal fabric distractions, or anyone confident enough to embrace the ultimate bare-skin look.
- Style with: Reserved for tight-fitting white trousers, or tight fitting outfits in general where even a standard seamless thong might not provide the no VPL look.
Bodies & bodysuits
Lingeriebodies or bodysuits create a sleek, streamlined silhouette, ideal for enhancing your natural shape, while looking super sexy.
- Best for following body shapes: Flatter Hourglass to naturally highlight the wearers curves. For rectangle shapes a lingerie body can help create the illusion of curves, dependent on the cut and style with a decorative waistband helping to narrow the waist for a curvier look.
- Style with: Ideal for a night out with the girls or a romantic date night styled as worn to be seen with oversized trousers, blazer and don’t forget the heels. Or perfect for a sexy night in.
How to Store Bras
Store your bras the right way and they’ll remain loyal companions for much longer. Once completely dry from the wash, lay your bras flat. The more structured your bra, the more care they require in storage. Be extra mindful with your padded bras, as poor storage can permanently change their shape.
Use a spacious drawer to place your bras in a row and minimise crumpling. Always avoid inverting your bras, and never fold one cup inside the other, which is a common storage mistake. Your stored bras should mirror the shape you want them to hold when you wear them. If you have many bras in different styles, consider using dividers to make it easier to find what you need, or hanger storage as an alternative for non-moulded bras if drawer space is tight.
How to identify your body shape
To help find the best flattering lingerie styles for you, it is important to understand which body shape you are, so we have quickly pulled together the below to help you identify your body shape.
- Hourglass: Balanced shoulders/hips, with a defined waist.
- Pear: Hips are wider than the shoulders.
- Apple: Carry weight around midsection
- Rectangle: Straighter silhouette - with shoulders, waist and hips all balanced.
- Inverted triangle: Shoulders wider than the hips.
- Spoon: Similar shape to the pear, but with more hip shelf definition.
- Round\full bust: Fuller ribs/bust area.
Quick lingerie style cheat sheet
| Body Type | Most Flattering Styles |
|---|---|
| Hourglass | Balconette bras, plunge bras, high-waisted briefs, matching lingerie sets, basques |
| Pear | Push-up bras, balconette bras, Brazilian knickers, high-leg briefs, lace detailing on top |
| Rectangle | Padded bras, push-up bras, bodysuits, longline bras, ruching and lace details |
| Apple | Plunge bras, high-waisted briefs, smoothing styles, bodies, wrap-front styles |
| Inverted Triangle | Plunge bras, fuller coverage briefs, soft bralettes, longline bras, styles with detailing on the bottom half |
| Spoon | Balconette bras, bandeau styles, high-waisted briefs, high-leg cuts, darker bottoms with statement bras |
| Round/Fuller Bust | Full-cup bras, DD+ styles, underwired bras, longline bras, supportive bodies |
| Tall | Longline bras, bodysuits, high-leg briefs, matching sets, adjustable strap styles |
| Short | High-leg briefs, plunge bras, seamless styles, tonal matching sets, minimal detailing |
Style tips: confidence is key
When it comes to your lingerie collection, the most important thing is how it makes you feel. Also don’t forget the golden rule - the right size bra makes all the difference in confidence, so make sure to book yourself in for an expert bra fitting session in one of our stores, or measure yourself at home before purchasing.
At Boux Avenue, we're all about offering flattering, comfortable and stylish bras and knickers that will help you express yourself, feel comfortable, and celebrate your body, no matter your shape.
If you're looking for more ways to boost your confidence, take a look at our Swimwear for Your Body Type guide for even more inspiration.