No frills no fuss just a sporty bra or a pair of

No frills, no fuss, just a sporty bra or a pair of knickers that have a wide elastic waistband, or a comfortable look, usually in black, white or grey, and veering towards the masculine side of underwear.Muji make good quality, minimal camisoles and knickers that have no frills whatsoever but are less brutal than a pair of Jockeys. Perhaps they do, but they are the closest thing to wearing nothing under your clothes, but with all the support of more heavy-duty underwear.When women buy underwear for their girlfriends, either platonic or otherwise, they usually opt for something plain, simple and cotton. All the major underwear companies make lingerie that looks invisible and has as few seams and lines as possible Men hate them They say they look like surgical appliances. Shapes are sporty with halter-neck bras, detachable straps and seamless bras, but in powder puff blue, mint green or bright yellow.Another practical option – and part of any model’s kit of essentials – is nude underwear.

Then there are labels like the French brand Huit, specialising in underwear that is feminine and pretty without going over the top with ribbons, bows and ruffles. These are scants that are practical as well as pleasing to the eye, a balance that is surprisingly difficult to achieve. Little boutiques specialising in luxurious lace confections are springing up from Mayfair to Covent Garden.Agent Provocateur, the label set up by Joe Corre and Serena Rees three years ago selling saucy underwear and fluffy slippers, has spread its wings and expanded from sleazy Soho to upmarket Knightsbridge. “Oh, about your size,” the guy replies, without more than a second glance or indeed a pause to compare the size of his elephantine partner with this waifish young woman who is ringing up “A” cups and size small smalls as he speaks.A few years ago, there was little room between the plain and practical (Jockey, Hanro or Calvin Klein) and the tawdry and tacky (Ann Summers) These days, however, the lingerie market has boomed.

And the mere mention of the word “gusset” brings them out in a cold sweat “What size is the lady?” asks the assistant. Tangas, G-strings or hip huggers, they’re all the same to most men. When it comes to cup sizes, colour or style of knicker, they are clueless. “People always think you are buying it for yourself.”
One of the main problems for men in search of a little bit of naughty luxury is that they cannot trust their own judgment About anything. They might as well be wearing the damn things, they are so embarrassed. “The whole act of buying women’s underwear is thoroughly unpleasant,” adds one hapless underwear shopper.