Well chosen lingerie can flatter your figure and make you feel sexy and desirable. Unfortunately, many women don’t know where to start when choosing among the many lingerie options. By understanding certain principles of lingerie selection, you’ll feel more comfortable choosing a style that’s right for your skin tone and figure type. Here’s how to choose lingerie that will flatter your face and figure:

How to choose lingerie: Selecting lingerie for short legs

If long legs are not your forte, you’ll want to choose lingerie that gives the illusion of leg length. To do this, choose styles that have a high cut leg to help maximize the height of your legs. A short chemise that hits high on the leg can be effective or a pair of high cut tap pants can be flattering on some women. For the more daring, a skimpy thong can make the legs look long and slim.

How to choose lingerie: Disguising a plump tummy

If you have a plump tummy, it can be disguised by wearing lingerie in a dark, opaque fabric that covers the tummy. Stay away from light colored, sheer lingerie that exposes the stomach area. You can draw attention away from your tummy by emphasizing other areas of your body If your have a nice bust line and shoulders, call attention away from the tummy area by emphasizing the upper half of your body. Wearing a two toned chemise with a light color on top and a darker color on the lower half can help to draw the eyes upward. Adding a pretty necklace will also call attention to the upper half of your body. A bustier style may also be flattering if you have a well developed bust.

How to choose lingerie: Lingerie for a small bust line

If you have small breasts, a style with an underwire or a bit of padding can give your natural breasts a boost. Another strategy is to call attention to your legs by wearing a baby doll style that’s cut high on the leg or a thong bottom.

How to choose lingerie: Lingerie to disguise large thighs and a plump bottom

If you have large thighs, it’s best to choose negligee or baby doll style that has some fullness in the skirt to make the legs appear less full. Avoid styles that fit tightly against the lower half of the body. Again you can draw attention away from plump thighs by emphasizing the upper half of your body with a style that has a bustier or other breast enhancing detail.

You may want to consider color when choosing lingerie. If you have blonde or lighter colored hair, pretty pastel pinks and baby blues will look lovely on you, while brunettes can handle the stronger richer maroons and bright primary colors. (Keep in mind that bright colors can make a plump body look larger, while darker colors tend to give the illusion of a smaller size). Red heads look fantastic in greens and rich russet shades.

Spend some time shopping around and trying different styles before making your final lingerie selection. You’ll quickly find out which styles are most flattering for your particular skin tone and figure type.