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UK SEX TOYS

Buying guide

Lingerie sizing, and why 1X isn't a size

Measure four things, ignore the letter on the label, and know which fabrics forgive.

Published 31 August 2026 · 4 min read · Reviewed by the UK SEX TOYS product team

Our lingerie department runs to 432 pieces across fourteen subcategories, and sizing is far and away the most common reason something goes back. It's almost never because someone measured wrong. It's because the size letter on lingerie is not a standardised unit, and everybody treats it as though it is.

The uncomfortable truth about 1X, 2X and 3X

There is no governing standard for plus-size lingerie sizing. One brand's 1X can be another brand's 2X, and both can differ from a UK dress size by two full sizes in either direction.

Our range carries 1X, 1X/2X, 2X, 3X, 2XL, S–XL and standard bra sizes, because different manufacturers size differently and we're not going to pretend otherwise by flattening it into one system.

The rule that follows from that: always work from the measurements on the individual product page, not the size letter. If the letter and the measurements disagree, believe the measurements.

Measure four things, once

Do it in the underwear you'd wear underneath, standing, with the tape snug but not pulling.

Bust — around the fullest part, tape level all the way round.

Underbust — directly under the bust, firm. This is the one people skip and it's the one that determines whether a bra-cup piece sits or slides.

Waist — the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Don't hold your breath in; you'll have to wear it while breathing.

Hips — the fullest part, usually 18–20 cm below the waist.

For a bodysuit, catsuit or bodystocking, add one more: torso length, measured from the top of the shoulder, down between the legs, and back up to the same shoulder point. This is the measurement that decides whether a one-piece fits, and it is completely independent of bust and hip. A tall person and a short person with identical bust and waist need different bodysuits. The bodystocking category (78 pieces) is where this matters most.

Write them down. You'll use them repeatedly.

Fabric forgives, or it doesn't

Match the measurement to what the fabric can do.

Stretch lace and elastane blends accommodate a range. Between sizes? Size up — stretch pulled to its limit digs in, sits badly and tears at the seams. Most of our sets, including Zephyr Veil, are in this group.

Mesh and jersey stretch in one or two directions but hold their shape. Fit closer to your actual measurements.

Satin, faux leather and woven fabrics don't stretch at all. Measure carefully and size up if in doubt — there is no give to rescue a tight fit.

Corsets and basques (7 pieces) are their own category. They're designed to close on a measurement smaller than your waist, and the standard approach is to size around 10 cm below your natural waist and lace to a comfortable gap at the back rather than pulled shut. A corset laced fully closed on day one is a corset that's too big.

Hosiery (36 pieces) is usually sized by height and weight together, not dress size. Both matter — height determines length, weight determines the stretch at the thigh.

Where each piece needs to fit

  • Bra-cup pieces — the underbust band does 80% of the support. If the band rides up your back, it's too big, regardless of how the cups look.
  • Bodysuits and catsuits — torso length. See above.
  • Babydolls and chemises — bust only. They flow from there, which is why they're the most forgiving shape in the department and the safest thing to buy as a gift. Silk Cascade (£70) is one.
  • Briefs and thongs — hips, not waist.
  • Shapewear (12 pieces) — buy your true size. Sizing down does not shape more; it creates bulges above and below the garment.

Buying as a gift

Two rules that save the whole exercise.

Buy a flowing shape, not a fitted one. A babydoll, a chemise or a robe fits a range. A bodysuit fits one person.

Buy for the size they are, not the size either of you would like them to be. This is worth stating plainly because it's the single most common way a gift lands badly, and returning it means having the conversation about why.

If you don't know their measurements and can't ask, a robe or kimono (15 pieces) is the genuinely safe answer.

Making it last

Hand wash cool, mild detergent, no tumble dryer — heat destroys elastane and elastane is what makes stretch work. Lay flat to dry rather than hanging wet; water is heavy and stretches lace under its own weight. Full detail in lingerie fit and care.

Keep reading: Lingerie fit and care · Zephyr Veil, explained · Lingerie department

Frequently asked

What UK size is 1X?
There's no fixed answer — 1X is not standardised across brands. Use the measurements on the product page instead. Roughly, 1X often corresponds to a UK 16–18, but check every time.
Should I size up or down in stretch lace?
Up. Stretch pulled to its limit is uncomfortable and fails at the seams.
How do I measure for a bodystocking?
Bust, waist, hips, and torso length — shoulder, between the legs, back to the shoulder. Torso length is the one that decides fit.
Do you stock plus sizes?
Yes. The range is built around adjustable, size-inclusive cuts, with sizes running through 1X, 2X, 3X and beyond across 432 pieces.
What's the safest thing to buy as a gift?
A babydoll, chemise or robe. They fit a range of bodies; bodysuits and corsets don't.

Products mentioned in this article

Each one is linked from the copy above, not chosen by popularity.

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