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01. Lingerie Is Often Part of the Outfit

At many swingers clubs, lingerie isn't something that stays hidden underneath your clothes. As the evening progresses, it can become what you're wearing for a large part of the night.

Some clubs have areas where guests change out of their evening clothes. At others, people simply move naturally from dresses and shirts into lingerie, underwear or something more revealing later in the evening.

That makes choosing lingerie slightly different from choosing it for home. It needs to look good as an outfit in its own right. Our Style hub covers eveningwear and swimwear too, if you're packing for a full lifestyle trip rather than one piece.

You Don't Need a Matching Set

A matching bra and knickers is the obvious starting point, but it certainly isn't the only option.

Bodysuits, basques, corsets, sheer slips, stockings, hold-ups and lingerie dresses are all common choices. A bodysuit is an easy way to sidestep the whole matching question, since there's only one piece to choose rather than a bra and knickers that need to work together.

You can also build around one piece you really like. A black bra with different knickers, stockings or a suspender belt can look completely intentional without everything coming from the same collection.

Think About How You'll Actually Wear It

Something that looks fantastic lying on a bed isn't necessarily something you'll enjoy wearing around a club for several hours.

You may be sitting at a bar, dancing, walking around, climbing stairs or simply standing talking to people. If you're constantly pulling something up, adjusting straps or worrying that a fastening is about to come undone, you'll soon wish you'd worn something else.

The best lingerie for a swingers night is something you can put on and then largely forget about.

MTYT Tip

Try the whole outfit at home before taking it away with you. Sit down, walk around and move in it. It's a much better test than simply looking in the mirror.

02. What Works Well in a Club

You don't need particularly elaborate lingerie. What tends to work best is something that looks intentional, stays comfortable and still looks good once your evening clothes come off.

Bra & Knickers

The simplest option and often all you need. Lace, sheer fabrics, interesting straps and stronger colours can make an everyday shape feel much more appropriate for a night out.

Bodysuits

One of the easiest choices because they already look like a complete outfit. They also work particularly well if you expect to spend much of the evening in lingerie rather than changing back into your dress.

Basques & Corsets

These can create a more dramatic look and work particularly well for bigger parties or themed nights. Just make sure you can comfortably sit, dance and move around in them for several hours.

Stockings & Hold-Ups

They can completely change a relatively simple lingerie set. Hold-ups are easier; stockings with suspenders make more of a statement but involve more pieces to deal with.

Lingerie Dresses & Sheer Layers

Useful if you want something more revealing than a dress but don't necessarily want to walk around in just a bra and knickers. They can also be an easy layer to add or remove as the night develops.

MTYT Tip

Don't assume more complicated means sexier. A simple set that fits beautifully will usually look better than an elaborate outfit you're constantly adjusting.

03. Brands We Like

There is an enormous amount of lingerie online, but for lifestyle nights we're particularly interested in brands that make pieces designed to be seen, rather than simply worn underneath clothes.

These are some of the brands worth exploring.

Best for: Statement lingerie that can become the outfit

Provocative, confident lingerie with some genuinely striking designs. Particularly good for statement sets, bodysuits and pieces that can become the outfit rather than simply sit underneath one.

Best for: Elegant lingerie with a more refined feel

French lingerie with beautiful lace, embroidery and detailing. Often a little more refined than overtly provocative, but still very sensual and particularly strong for matching sets.

Best for: Statement lingerie when subtle really isn't the objective

Bordelle sits at the more dramatic end of lingerie, known for structured pieces, strapping, bodywear and designs that blur the line between lingerie and an outfit.

It's expensive, but visually distinctive. A particularly good place to look for a special party, club night or one standout piece that can become the centre of what you're wearing.

Best for: Playful lingerie with something a little different

Playful Promises is a good choice when you want lingerie with personality. There are plenty of bold colours, sheer fabrics, unusual details and statement sets rather than endless variations on basic black lace.

We particularly like it for lifestyle nights because much of the range feels designed to be seen rather than simply worn underneath something else.

Best for: Modern, sexy lingerie at an accessible price

More accessible pricing with lots of contemporary designs, including unusual straps, sheer fabrics, bodysuits and statement pieces. A good place to look if you want something noticeably different without spending several hundred pounds.

Best for: Bold lingerie for nights when you want maximum impact

More dramatic and overtly sexy, with strong colours, elaborate sets, suspenders and plenty of pieces designed to be noticed. Particularly suited to bigger party nights when subtle isn't really the objective.

04. What to Pack for a Lifestyle Weekend

Lingerie takes up very little room, which makes it tempting to pack far more than you'll actually wear. In practice, a small selection that gives you different options is usually enough.

For a weekend with two or three nights out, we'd normally think in terms of:

• two or three lingerie sets or bodysuits
• one more dramatic option for the biggest night
• stockings or hold-ups if you wear them
• a sheer robe, kimono or lingerie dress if you like having an extra layer
• spare hosiery, because ladders have terrible timing

Think About Your Dresses Too

If you're changing from eveningwear into lingerie, think about the two together.

A bodysuit under a very fitted dress may show through. A complicated basque may be uncomfortable underneath something structured. And if your lingerie is going into a small club locker while you wear your dress, or vice versa, neither outfit wants to occupy half a suitcase.

For resorts and cruises, it's also worth checking the theme nights before you pack. One good black set can work across several evenings simply by changing stockings, jewellery or accessories.

MTYT Tip

Pack at least one lingerie outfit you already know you feel good in. A lifestyle weekend isn't necessarily the best moment to discover that your ambitious new purchase looks wonderful standing still but becomes a small engineering project after ten minutes.

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