Knickers, panties, briefs, whatever you prefer to call them are often the least thought about item of underwear people decide on to bring to their shoot. This is a terrible mistake since in our experience, panties are one of the most unflattering outfits in the boudoir catalogue. If they’re too tight and the sides are too thin, love handles will be the result. If they sit too low and are a smidgen too small, mummy tummies will look like middle aged men’s beer bellies. (Oh and by the way, we’re not talking about some women, we’re talking about all women here. There’s no getting away from the effects of tight, ill fitting knickers!)

Thoughtfully chosen knickers are essential if you want an epic bum shot in your Boudoir album. To take an epic bum shot requires good posing and flattering underwear. This can’t be done with attitude and lighting.

Flattering underwear is all about the fit—tighter is not necessarily better. In fact, it’s better to have underwear that’s a little bit too big because with the right posing, no one will even notice.

One piece of advice when shopping for the right underwear is to avoid thin straps. G-strings, for example run a river through the mountains and give a permanent wedgie. They show off maximum bottom but have no control so, our advice for a photoshoot is to steer clear of thongs unless you have the most perfect, model butt. The strings also cut into the sides to amplify ‘love handles’ and it’s not the most flattering look.

So with these tips in mind, here are the 3 best types of underwear to make your bum look amazing!

We often get asked what outfits to bring to the session by our new clients.

We then list the outfits that seem to always work for boudoir and then we suggest that they should also bring a stretchy wool jumper to the shoot and you can hear the jaws drop to the floor at the other end of the phone.

A jumper? How could that be as sexy as lingerie? We’ll trust us when we say… They are.

It can be worn in so many ways, you can wear a sweater off the shoulder, lift it up to get the rare under-boob look or use it to hide areas that someone might be self conscious about. Open weave, real wool sweaters are best to allow that tantalising ‘peek a boo’ sexiness and the bigger and stretchier the better. (Also, try and stay clear of patterns. Plain and simple but great quality jumpers are an investment and so worth the extra)

Even a cardigan has its place among other Boudoir essentials. A cardigan with buttons, that you can unbutton and button back up….. seriously, what could be sexier? Sleeves can be pulled over the hands for a snuggly, soft look. Sweaters are great for showing off the curves and contours of the body in a subtle, yet powerful, manner. In the pictures below, an open weave, white top is used showing yet another variation of the stretchy jumper idea. These stretchy fabrics are so adaptable and work on pretty much anyone.

Booking a boudoir photoshoot is a thrilling experience that allows you to celebrate your unique beauty and capture moments of confidence and empowerment. While you may have your go-to lingerie pieces in mind, in the excitement and anticipation leading up to a boudoir photoshoot, it's common for clients to focus on these primary outfits and overlook some essential items that can enhance the overall experience.

Here's a guide to the top 10 most overlooked things you should consider bringing to your boudoir session.

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “what should I wear to my boudoir shoot?”

Totally understandable, after all, the chances are you’ve never been photographed like this before. Naturally, you’ll want to look your best and you’ll want to know the best outfits to wear to look good in your Boudoir Photoshoot.

When you book a Madison Bou Experience we will send you our Boudoir Prep Guide, packed full of great outfit ideas and things to be aware of to help you get ready for your big day.

If you want to use your day as an excuse to go shopping we say ‘knock yourself out’ and enjoy, but don’t think you absolutely have to buy new outfits. This articles is all about the best items to wear that you probably already have in your wardrobe.

Don’t let the thought of putting your outfits together stress you out. That’s what we’re here for, to take the stress out of your day so you can really enjoy it.

Remember the one golden rule of a Madison Bou Experience is that there are NO RULES! Just wear what makes you feel your best and use some of our suggestions below which come from many years experience. We know these items can look good on almost everybody.

Top 20 items to wear for boudoir photos

Are you preparing for your shoot and curious about what to wear for your boudoir photos?

Here is a list of popular items including some links to where to find them.

Be creative when choosing your boudoir wardrobe. You do not need to wear the same old boring lingerie sets. Layering is also a great way to change the look.

20 THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PREPARING FOR A BOUDOIR PHOTOSHOOT

By considering these 20 things, you can better prepare yourself for a successful and enjoyable Boudoir Photoshoot that captures your unique personality and celebrates your beauty…

50 Best Boudoir Photography wardrobe Ideas To Pack For Your Photoshoot

This list, while not being comprehensive, is a great ‘check-list’ for you to use to grab the items you may already have that will look great on your Boudoir Photoshoot. Be sure to click on the Pinterest link at the bottom for more visual ideas of what to bring.

Don’t stress, though. Obviously, you do not need all 50 items for your photoshoot. This is just for inspiration. As ever, bring what fits your personal style and what you feel comfortable wearing. This Photoshoot is all about you after all.

Do you know what the most common question we get asked is ?

“I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO WEAR! …. I don’t do lingerie”

Well, that’s ok, because a Madison Bou Boudoir Photoshoot isn’t about Lingerie, it’s about YOU!

Does the idea of lingerie shopping terrify you but you’re dying to do a Yorkshire Boudoir Photoshoot? Don’t stress any longer! There are plenty of items just hanging in your wardrobe that you can use in your super sexy photoshoot.

Here’s a list of our top non-lingerie wardrobe ideas:

Boudoir Photoshoot coming up - Here’s a what to wear tip.

With few exceptions, bodysuits make bodies look fabulous every time.

I know you often feel like you need to wear a two piece set of Bra and Knickers, but trust us when we say, unless you really are super confident, bra and knickers often look far less flattering than bodies.

Particularly if you think you have an issue with ‘mummy tummy’ then a body is perfect for coverage. It’s much like a swim suit, yet way more sexy. Bodies come in so many styles, you’ll be able to find the perfect one for you.

Perhaps you wear a traditional 2 piece everyday and never think to wear a body suit. Try one on in front of the mirror and watch how it flatters your shape.

You can adapt your outfit by adding jeans or skirts to your bodysuit and then you can even go outside.

No VPL - Bonus!

Wondering what to wear for boudoir ?

Hate your stretch marks?

Insecure about your midsection?

Self-conscious about your post-baby tummy?

We all worry about about our tummy area, particularly as we get older.

Yet, if you have a look at the many hundreds of women featured on this website you’ll never see stretch marks or ‘Mummy Tummy’.

This is because we’ve learned over the years, the fine art of concealing the things we don’t like and revealing the things we do.

Careful lighting and posing and the use of fabrics has become our mainstay.

As a rule of thumb, twin set bra and panties are the most revealing lingerie. Unless you have invested in really high quality lingerie sets or you are really body confident we recommend some alternatives in this article. In fact, sometimes going naked and using fabric such as tulle or voile will make you look more fabulous than a poorly fitting twin set. (No little bulges where the panties cut into the waist or bra straps cut into the underarms.)

Remember, Boudoir shoots are the perfect way to get your confidence back and celebrate the body you were given!

Every woman is unique and every woman has a personal style and look which makes her extraordinary. That’s what we’ve discovered over the years.

One size definitely does NOT fit all!

They say that familiarity breeds contempt and that is how I would describe they way many women look at themselves in the mirror. Everyday, they look and see the same body and after a while they grow a kind of ‘contempt’ for the way they look.

They see all the ‘flaws’ - Too fat, too thin, pancake breasts, Dolly Parton breasts, they start to hate, rather than love their bodies.

An experience with Madison Bou will help you see yourself through our, non judgmental eyes.

We will only see your beauty and the things that make you beautiful.

You see ‘pancake’, we see stylish, Audrey Hepburn elegance and Kate Moss androgyny.

You see ‘Dolly Parton’ and we see gorgeous, sexy, curves and cleavage.

We look for quirky and individual things that make you unique and it’s those things that make you beautiful.

The Art of Boudoir Photography is the art of seeing yourself as others see you. Perhaps for the very first time. It will help you to love your body and accept the skin you’re in.