For some people, honeymoon lingerie is a “perk” of getting married, the cherry on top of the bridal sundae, an excuse to finally splurge on beautiful underpinnings. And for others, it might not have even crossed your mind to have honeymoon-specific lingerie. Not to worry. Honeymoon lingerie isn’t a must-have, but if this is a want-to-have, or an interested-in-having but are unsure how to begin… read on.
I believe lingerie for the honeymoon is an opportunity to explore, to treat yourself, and to indulge yourself. There are so few times where we have a “reason” to buy that fancy, expensive thing we might want, but honeymoon lingerie is one of them.
Here are some of my top tips from one former honeymooner who loves lingerie to all you soon-to-be honeymooners who feel the same.
1. However long your honeymoon is, whether it’s three days or three weeks, it can be fun to bring a little something special for each day (or most days if everyday is too much) that you can look forward to wearing either during the day or night. The great thing about lingerie is that it doesn’t take up much space, and little splurges like a pair of side-tie knickers, a lacy bralette, or even a cute choker will occupy minimal room in your suitcase but give you lots of options for boudoir dressing.
2. Don’t forget to bring your everyday undies too! I believe in a lot of overlap between “honeymoon lingerie” and “everyday underwear.” When you buy something special for the honeymoon that you can keep wearing after the honeymoon (like a comfy-but-pretty bra and panty set), not only have you made a more practical purchase, you can be reminded of this special time in your life every time you put it on.
3. Remember to bring loungewear (I recommend a robe). Not to put too fine a point on it, but you’ll probably spend a lot of time in your room, and having a robe or caftan or even a nightshirt to slip into during the mornings and evenings is the perfect item to have on hand. And as I mentioned above, you can keep wearing it even after you’re back home.
4. Consider custom lingerie. If there’s ever a time to truly go all out, it’s now. And if you’re a hard-to-find size, custom lingerie can help ensure your honeymoon trousseau is just as gorgeous as it deserves to be. Look for designers on Etsy that offer custom options. Many contemporary corset makers also take on custom orders. And the indie brand Impish Lee is also known for beautiful custom lingerie in an exceptionally wide range of sizes.
5. In addition to the aforementioned robe or caftan, items like babydolls, chemises, nightgowns, corsets, bustiers, teddies, garter belt and stockings sets, and frame or cage bras can all be fun items for a honeymoon. As a small aside, I don’t believe in giving “what you should wear” recommendations based on size because any size can whatever they want to wear. What counts is that you feel beautiful and confident, and it’s not my place—or the place of any expert—to decide for you what you “should” wear.
6. Pack and wash your pieces carefully so they don’t get damaged. It would be a shame to buy all this beautiful new lingerie and then damage it through improper care and storage! Remember to handwash items like bras and knickers before you wear them for the first time to remove any factory residues (and also because other people may have tried on the garment before you). When packing your lingerie, keep it all in a section apart from heavier items like shoes. And when you arrive, remember to check that all your pieces have arrived safely and to hang up items that may need time for the wrinkles to fall away, like robes (although items like embellished robes should not be hung but instead, folded neatly and loosely and placed in a drawer).
Finally, remember that it’s okay not to buy honeymoon lingerie as well. This time should be a source of pleasure, not stress. If shopping for honeymoon lingerie starts to feel like a chore or more trouble than it’s worth, it’s okay to stop. Honeymoon lingerie is a nice to have, not a requirement. What really counts is spending quality time with the love of your life.
What is some of your honeymoon lingerie shopping advice? Any fave brands, stores, or designers you’d like to recommend?
APW is excited to share the third in a three-part guest series from lingerie expert Cora Harrington. You can read the first part on wedding lingerie here and the second part on gender nonconforming wedding undergarments here. For more information on all types of lingerie, check out Cora’s beautifully illustrated new book In Intimate Detail.
In Intimate Detail: A comprehensive and accessible illustrated guide to lingerie from intimates expert Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict, the internet’s top intimate apparel blog.
While many love the idea of wearing special underthings, lingerie can be intimidating. How is it supposed to fit? How do you take care of it all? Is lingerie really for me? In this beautiful and empowering guide, lingerie expert Cora Harrington demystifies intimate apparel, making it accessible to all sizes, ages, and budgets. Covering everything from basic bras and panties to special occasion wear, shapewear, hosiery, corsets, and more, this no-nonsense handbook empowers you to confidently buy, wear, and care for the underpinnings of your dreams.
