If you want to see her in it, you might be the one that has to buy it. After reading this article, we want you to be able to walk out of a store with something that your woman will absolutely love. How? Because we'll give you tips about lingerie sizing, walk you through the exotic variety of lingerie, and we're even showing you how to wash the stuff so that its ready to wear!

Lingerie forms the basic framework for a woman's outfit and seriously influences how she feels about herself. A hot outfit might make her look good, but the stuff that makes a woman strut is often what's underneath her clothes. The right lingerie could make a major difference to a woman's confidence, so we want to make sure that if you buy it for her, you do it right.

The downsides of ill-fitting lingerie are significant. If you pick up a bra that's a tiny bit too small, you'll have back-fat galore! Well, your girlfriend definitely doesn't need to know that it's there, so (for occasional wear "in the bedroom", let's say) buy a size up - she'll probably be flattered. However, when it comes to buying underwear, you need to be wary of implicit messages she might perceive based on the size you buy her. This one is a tough one to win: if you go bigger than she is, she'll feel choked that you think her butt is that big, but a size too small and she feels totally embarrassed standing in front of a mirror. Your best bet is to get a size up and cut the tag out; women HATE feeling fat so don't make them squeeze into something. You might want to note down some of the brands that she wears and the sizes that correspond to them.

Remember, every company sizes differently.

Now that you understand the importance of sizing and fit, read on for tips on how to impress your woman with you high lingerie IQ.

Tip 1: Basic Research

First of all, you need to decide what it is you'd like to buy her. Is it something restricted to fantasy sex sessions... or do you want her to be able to wear it during the day? Do you want her to have something that's sheer, or skimpy? Once you have a general idea, do some snooping in her lingerie drawer to check out what she's got. Obviously you want to get her waist size, bra size and possibly preferred lingerie brands - but we also have to know what she's into. Notice the colours, patterns and textures of her lingerie. Also pay attention to the width of her bra-straps, the width of the back strap, the number of clips in the clasp, and most importantly, the style of the bra itself (sports-bra, criss-cross back, seamless cups, sexy, innocent, you get the picture). All of this is going to assist you when you are undecided between a few choices. One last thing about snooping: you might want to check her jeans for a waist size as well as her size in shirts and tank tops. All of this helps in painting the picture.

Tip 2: Ask for help from a sales person

They're the experts in what you're after, so make them work for you. Do a walk around the store to get an idea of the type of stuff that's available, and pick someone to help you. Lingerie staff LOVE guys shopping for their woman and would be more than happy to help if you let them. They'll love that you're putting in the effort and they understand that it might make you feel uncomfortable. Ask them for their opinions based on the information that you collected. Make sure to find out if the material is wearable and washable. You might even want to bring along a picture of you and your woman so that the sales person has some perspective.

Tip 3: Bra and Underwear Guide

We want to pay special tribute to the art of buying a bra and underwear set for a woman. You can score major points if you make the right choices but picking out this type of lingerie for a woman can be risky. So, we'd like to put the odds in your favour. As we mentioned in Tip 1, take note of what lingerie she has already. If you want to get her something just for the bedroom, the good thing is that you don't have to pay as close attention to style or all-day comfort. You'll only need to detect clues of how risque she is. If it is for day-long wear, don't guess at her chest and cup size; be absolutely sure you get the size and style of bra that is a proven exact fit for her. A woman needs a bra that fits properly and gives her full support and comfort!

If you're buying for day-long use then examine her favorite shirts. Consider these additional things: smooth cups so that they don't scream through the shirt; wider shoulder straps so that they don't dig into her shoulders; multiple or adjustable clasps so that she can adjust her size (which can vary according to weight fluctuations, swelling, etc); and back straps that are wide (because when they're too narrow, they pinch when worn and create the illusion of back fat). There are a few other things to know about bras and shirts: lace shows through many materials so she might prefer something seamless; white bras show through white shirts almost as badly as black ones do - so go with beige instead; and underwear lines ruin an outfit - so check to see if she can stand thongs.

You might get blindsided by a thong that you'd love to see your woman in, but you have to focus on fit more than color or shape. A day-long bra should be well constructed and supportive, as well as beautiful.

Tip 4: Kick it up a notch with a garter (suspender) belt and stockings

Is your lady more daring? Get her a garter (suspender) belt and stockings; these are great because you avoid the whole bra-fitting issue! The following are some specific tips about fit. Err on the side of caution and purchase a garter belt that is a little bigger and make sure it has adjustable clasps for sizing. The garters that hold the stockings on a woman's legs can't be too tight because you don't want it to cinch her thighs - it'll make her legs look fat even if she's fit. Go with a size up and try to choose a wider band to avoid pinching. Remember, the garter is clipped to the nylons, so she does have some hold if the nylon ends up being too big. Be very careful about choosing the nylons. The only time the nylon needs to be on tight is if she wants to wear the nylons on their own. Make sure you search them online to explore the different varieties of garter belts: there's something to suit every taste like Goth, SandM and virginal. Notice the difference in fit and try to imagine what your woman would look like in it. Would she need more coverage around her hips or would she be more comfortable with "less" on. Again, you have to know your woman's personality.

Tip 5: Theme Outfits, Pasties and Corsets

Theme Outfits are great because it makes your woman feel really sexy. Best of all, she is reassured that you think she's sexy enough to put her in a titillating costume. Try to pick up cues about what would float her boat... is she dominant or demure? For a confident woman, consider costumes like a biker babe, gangster girl, GI Jane or Marilyn Monroe. A coy girl could dress up as a sexy nurse, frisky maid, blushing bride or a school-girl. The most important thing is to show your support if you get one for her -she'd probably love it if you were to don a costume yourself.

Pasties, which are adhesive nipple covers, are great for a fun and adventurous woman: you can buy a variety of them so she has some choice and you don't need to worry about fitting them. You just need to consider color, shapes and how much bling you want them to have, e.g. glitter, sequins or lace. This category is really fun and can totally wow your lucky lady.

Corsets are traditionally known to alter a woman's figure by using fastenings, laces and boning (which is stiff). The corset sits just above, or below, a woman's breasts to below her belly button. It accentuates a larger bosom and a smaller waist by constricting her at the waist and squeezing her breasts out. Modern versions look like traditional corsets, but do not constrict a woman's diaphragm. You can find corsets in lingerie stores and even some department stores. They can make a woman feel extremely sexy and can be worn inside and outside of the bedroom.

Tip 6: Safe Bets - Robes, Pajamas and Slippers

If you just don't feel like going through mental agony trying to impress your girlfriend, you could still put a smile on her face by getting her a more practical gift. Robes are always useful and can add a sexy flair if you pick one up in silk or satin. Sheer could be hot too. Or, you can choose a more cozy material like high quality merino wool or classic terry cloth. You could also try buying her some pajamas. It might sound boring, but you could capitalize on her love of comfort. Go for something warm and cute for cold days, and for warm nights something like a panties with tank top combo; the only thing you need to worry about here is whether to pick small, medium or large. Comfortable warm slippers can be a treat for tired feet, but you never know - maybe she'd like a very sexy pair of stripper boots instead!

Tip 7: Maintenance

Some lingerie relaxes with wear, due to the spandex in it. Maintain shape and color by washing items appropriately. Generally, hand-wash items in cool water with gentle soap and hang to dry. This ensures that the item doesn't fade or shrink (remember our talk about fit?). Also, if you're going to throw it in the washer, make sure you put it in a laundry wash bag, but be careful! The bra clasps might snag on something in the wash. Lastly, never put lingerie in the dryer! Not only will it change the shape and breakdown elasticity, it will also degrade the under-wires.

If you got through to the end of this article, you have indeed graduated to a high level of understanding of women's lingerie. If (even after taking all of our advice) she doesn't like the lingerie, you could always bail yourself out by telling her you just wanted to impress her with such an intimate gift... and that (anyway), your favorite way to have her is without anything on at all!!