As tempting as it might be to just buy her something you would like her to wear, she may well not be impressed. Remember it is a present for her first and foremost, so the aim of this guide is to help you pick something that she will like.
Style
What type of lingerie does she already wear? Pay attention to styles and colours. You know she already likes these if she's bought them for herself. If she wears these as everyday items though, you may want to look for a more glamorous style to make this a special present. It is worth noting that the type of lingerie most women like to receive as a present is the type that they would like to wear to make them feel good about themselves, not just to wear to impress you. If she wants to wear something just for you, she will pick this herself, and as such it will be a present for you! That is not to say you won't like what you have bought for her though! If in doubt, simple elegance is always preferable to the over-fussy or the mundane!
Colour
What colour lingerie does she already wear? This is the safest way to pick the colours she will like. A neutral colour such as shades of cream will always look elegant and suit most hair and skin tones. However, if she always wears the same colour and you are looking for something a little more special read on...
Not all colours suit all hair shades or skin tones. Black goes well with all skin tones and white tends to look better on medium to darker skin. Most women do not like red lingerie, particularly bright shades, even if they wear red clothes.
Table of Lingerie Colour Suggestions:
Brunette Hair:
Dark Skin - White/Cream/Black/Red/Purple
Fair Skin - Cream/Black/Red/Purple
Blonde Hair:
Dark Skin - Cream/White/Black/Blue
Fair Skin - Cream/Black/Blue
Red Hair:
Dark Skin - White/Cream/Black/Green
Fair Skin - Cream/Black/Green
Generally:
Dark Skin - Bright Vibrant Colours
Fair Skin - Subtle Pastel Shades
The above colours are not the only colours that will go with each hair colour and skin tone, a lot can depend on personality. The table is a guide to what colours suit most people for their hair and skin tone. Obviously there are more categories than those listed above, it is just a simplified table for quick reference. It is also worth noting that just because a colour suits a skin tone or hair type, it does not mean she will necessarily like that colour. It is definitely worth finding out what colours she likes by looking at the lingerie and clothes she has!
Sizes
What size does she wear? There is her bra size, waist size, hip size, dress size...she may know all of these but chances are you don't! Depending on what type of lingerie you are buying, different sizes/measurements are important. If you are buying her a bra then clearly you will need to know her bra size. With the variation in sizes between styles and manufacturers, bras are usually best avoided - she is almost certain to have to take the trouble to exchange it to get the right fit, or get a refund if she doesn't like the style. With many other things, all you need to know is her UK dress size - for example is she a size 10 or a 14 etc. Be discrete, look for the label at the neck or side seam of a garment. Many items of lingerie are more loosely fitted and so the sizing is more general (and therefore easier to get right!) e.g. Nightdress, Robe, Cami-knickers, Chemise. Refer to the Table of Lingerie Sizes below for help.
Table of Lingerie Sizes:
Dress Size(Small) - Bra Size(32A/B/C) - UK Size(8-10) - US Size(4-6) - EU Size(65)
Dress Size(Medium) - Bra Size(32D, 34B/C) - UK Size(12) - US Size(8-10) - EU Size(70)
Dress Size(Large) - Bra Size(34D, 36C/D) - UK Size(14-16) - US Size(10-14) - EU Size(75-80)
Dress Size(XLarge) - Bra Size(36D, 38C/D) - UK Size(16-18) - US Size(14-16) - EU Size(80-85)
Summary
Find out her size and colour preferences, then make sure you are clear on who the present is for when picking styles. Then you should be on to a winner.