Choosing lingerie: sizing, material, and care at a glance
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by Verpakkingdeals.nl
5 min reading time
What does 'one size fits most' actually mean, and why does one set break after two washes while another doesn't? A business buying guide about sizes, materials, and washing.
Most complaints about lingerie are not about the fit at the time of purchase, but about what happens afterward: a seam coming loose, tights laddering after one wear, elastic stretching out permanently after three washes. This is rarely bad luck. It can almost always be traced back to sizing and washing instructions, and you can influence both before ordering.
This article is intended for adults who are considering a purchase and want to know what to look for beforehand. No recommendations for use, but factual information about sizes, materials, and maintenance.
What "one size fits most" truly means
A large portion of the offerings is sold as one size fits most. This is not a size but a design choice: the garment is made of highly elastic material, usually with a high spandex content, and has few or no fixed fastenings. It stretches to fit a wide range rather than fitting precisely to one size.
In practice, for most brands, this amounts to approximately ready-to-wear sizes S to L. If you are above that, one size is not a matter of "it will stretch": the material will be under permanent tension, the weave will become more transparent than intended, and seams will be heavily stressed. In that case, consciously choose an item that comes in separate sizes.
With bodystockings, something else applies: the determining size is not your circumference but your body length. A bodystocking is one continuous tube from crotch to shoulder. If you are tall, it will pull at the crotch, regardless of your ready-to-wear size. This is the main reason to look for a size variant for this type of garment.
Four material groups are most common, each with its own behavior.
Material
Characteristic
Point of attention
Polyamide with elastane
The basis of almost all stretch lingerie and tights
Sensitive to heat; elastane loses elasticity in warm water and the dryer
Fishnet and net fabric
Open structure, little material per square centimeter
Catches on rings, nails, and velcro; one broken thread is visible
Wetlook (coated textile)
Shiny layer on a stretch base
The coating tears at folds in the same spot; do not iron, store rolled up
Lace and appliqués
Decorative edges, silicone anti-slip strips
Silicone comes loose with body lotion and oil on the skin
That last rule is often overlooked. Stockings with a silicone anti-slip band stay up due to contact with clean, dry skin. If you apply body lotion or oil just before, the band will no longer adhere and the stocking will slide down. This is not a product defect.
Most lingerie does not need complicated washing instructions, but it does need consistent ones. Three rules prevent most damage.
Cold water. Elastane loses its elasticity at high temperatures. Hand wash in cold to lukewarm water, or a delicate cycle at the lowest setting.
Never tumble dry. The combination of heat and movement is the quickest end for any stretch garment. Let it dry flat, not hanging by a clothespin where the weight pulls at one point.
Separately or in a laundry bag. Hooks, zippers, and velcro from other clothing will tear net fabric. A delicate laundry bag costs almost nothing and makes the biggest difference.
Do not use fabric softener on elastane: it leaves a layer on the fiber that actually reduces elasticity. Bleach is excluded for colored and coated fabrics anyway. Wash wetlook items with the coated side turned inwards.
Storage and packaging
Lingerie folded in a drawer between heavier clothing will get creases in fixed places. With coated material, the coating will eventually break there. Roll wetlook and net fabric loosely instead of folding sharply, and preferably store them in a separate drawer or box.
If you sell or ship these types of items, the packaging itself is a point of attention. Many sets come in a gift box, which is good for presentation but adds volume for shipping. A flat box or a padded envelope is enough for most textile items. Neutral, opaque packaging is also standard for this assortment.
Men's lingerie: different sizing logic
One size is less common in men's models. The offerings are usually supplied in concrete sizes, and sizing follows waist size. For jockstraps and booty shorts, pay attention to the width of the waistband: a narrow band rolls up more easily during movement than a wide one.
One size fits most broadly covers S to L; beyond that, choose an item with actual sizes.
For bodystockings, your height is more decisive than your circumference.
Elastane is damaged by heat: wash cold, never tumble dry.
Silicone anti-slip bands only work on clean, dry skin.
Roll coated material instead of folding it sharply.
Further reading
The full range can be found in the collections Sexy Lingerie, Body Stocking, Men's Lingerie, and Sexy Clothing. If you are in doubt between one size and a size variant, or want to know what material a specific item is made of, ask your question via info@verpakkingdeals.nl. All orders are shipped in neutral packaging.
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