It’s probably the most common question I get: “What should I wear to my boudoir shoot?”
And the truth is — there’s no single right answer. Boudoir is about celebrating you, not following a rulebook or dressing like a magazine model.

That said, the right wardrobe choices can absolutely elevate your session and help you feel amazing in front of the camera.
Here’s a little guide to help you plan what to bring, what works beautifully on camera, and how to make it all feel so you.

🩱 The Essentials to Bring

We don’t provide lingerie for health and hygiene reasons (and let’s be honest — shopping for it is half the fun 😏).

At a minimum, bring:

One-piece set (bodysuit or teddy): Black is timeless and flatters every skin tone. Deep, rich colours like burgundy or navy also photograph beautifully. Simply put, these can be a really nice choice if you’re a little self-conscious about your tummy — they give a smooth, confident feel and can help you relax into the shoot.
Two- or three-piece set: Think bra and undies with thigh-high stockings, or a garter belt if you’re feeling extra bold.
Heels: They elongate the legs and add a confident edge to your poses. (We do have a small collection of heels here — more prop-style heels that look great on camera but aren’t the sort you’d wear on a night out. If you have beautiful heels of your own, we’d much rather you bring those.)
Accessories (optional): Pearls, long necklaces, a leather harness, or even a wide-brim hat — these can add variety and personality if you wish, but they’re absolutely not essential.

👉 These are just ideas if you’re not sure where to start — the goal is confidence, not perfection.

*A one piece can provide huge amounts of confidence and look awesome.*

💡 Tips for Choosing Outfits

A few things I always remind my clients:

Fit is everything. Avoid anything that digs in or feels restrictive — if it’s uncomfortable, it’ll show.
More is better. Bring extra options! We’ll help narrow it down on the day.
Include something meaningful. Maybe it’s a partner’s shirt, your ballet shoes, or your favourite leather jacket — anything that tells your story.

👙 When in Doubt, Bring It All

If you already have a collection of lingerie and you’re not sure what to bring — easy answer: bring it all. The good news is, lingerie takes up about as much space as a packet of marshmallows, so toss your favourites in a bag and we’ll sort through it together on the day.

Tracey’s brilliant at helping choose what’ll work best with the sets, lighting, and overall look we’ve planned. And honestly, it’s often the pieces that aren’t your favourites — the ones you nearly left at home — that end up photographing beautifully. We’ve seen it time and time again. So when in doubt, bring the lot and let’s have some fun with it.

🧦 Stockings, Garter Belts & The Great Stay-Up Debate

Ah, stockings — the unsung heroes of a boudoir shoot. They look incredible, but they can also be sneaky little devils if you’re not used to them.

Here’s what we’ve learned after seeing a lot of beautiful women rock a lot of different stockings:

Stay-ups vs. regular stockings:
Stay-ups (or “hold-ups”) have a thick elastic band lined with silicone inside, designed to grip your thighs and stay up on their own — no garter belt needed.
Regular stockings, on the other hand, don’t have that silicone band. They rely on garters (the straps that clip from your suspender belt) to keep them in place.
If you’re new to lingerie, this can be a little confusing — and yes, attaching garters to stockings is every bit as fiddly as it looks.
Fit really matters — especially for curvier figures.
We’ve found that stay-ups can sometimes roll down or pinch at the top, depending on the brand. It seems to be a bit of a lucky dip (or, let’s be honest, a complete crapshoot) which ones behave themselves and which ones try to make a run for it.
In our experience, the Lovehoney stockings have been the most reliable — that’s based purely on what our gorgeous clients have brought in and raved about.
Fishnets are a secret weapon.
Especially for curvier bodies, they tend to be more forgiving in fit and super flattering on camera. They don’t create that “cut in” line that some fine mesh stockings can.
Our biggest pro tip:
When you’ve finally wrangled everything into place — stockings lined up, garters attached, lengths adjusted, the whole thing looking fabulous — for the love of all things holy, do not undo it all.
Step out of the whole setup like pants and leave it all connected. Then, when you go to put it on again, it’ll be exactly as you left it. Future-you will thank you.
And one last thing — check your stockings!
Before the big day, make sure your favourites haven’t been “customised” by your cat. It’s amazing how often we’ve heard, “Oh no, I didn’t notice the run until I got here.” Save yourself the heartbreak — and maybe keep a spare pair handy.

*Stocking and heels add length and definition to the legs and gibe the feeling of height*

🔒 Don’t Be Shy — We’ve Seen It All

Please don’t ever feel embarrassed about what you love or want to include in your session. We’ve honestly seen it all — and we mean all. If you enjoy the look or feel of restraints, cuffs, or other bondage-style accessories, you’re absolutely welcome to bring them along. This is a completely safe space where you can express yourself however you wish, with zero judgement and total discretion.

And of course, “extras” don’t have to be kinky or risqué at all. Some of the most beautiful, personal touches have come from clients who brought in things that simply meant something to them — a pair of ballet shoes, a graduation cap, or even the veil from their wedding day. Whatever tells your story, we’ll find a way to make it shine. This is your session, and it’s all about celebrating who you are, in whatever way feels right to you.

*Sarah bought her motorbike “Holly” along to her shoot ❤️*

*Kelly wanted to incorporate her Japanese heritage so we added in the sword and the mask as part of the shoot*

✨ A Quick Note on Keeping It Simple (or Going All Out)

If you’re not an elaborate lingerie kind of woman, that’s perfectly okay — you absolutely don’t need a suitcase full of lace to have an incredible boudoir session. Some of our most meaningful shoots have been done in the simplest of underwear, or even nudes. We’ve created entire galleries — full of variety, emotion, and beauty — with nothing more than a favourite bra and panty set.

That said, if you do want to lean in, have some fun, and really step outside your comfort zone, a collection of beautiful lingerie can make the whole experience feel extra special. It’s not just about how it looks — it’s about how it makes you feel. Dressing up in pieces that you’ve chosen for yourself can help you rediscover the confident, playful, maybe even a little bit daring side of you that’s been hiding for a while. And that’s where the magic really happens.

*Amanda looking gorgeous in a one piece and stay-ups*

🛍️ Where to Shop

If you’d like to invest in a few new pieces, these are great places to start:

Bras N Things: Great range of colours, sizes, and styles.
HoneyBirdette: Pure luxury — bold, confident, and beautifully made.
City Chic: Fabulous fits and styles for curvy clients.
Lovehoney: Excellent online store — especially good for stockings and accessories.

*Cowboy hats and boots are always a winner*

💬 Pro tip: Try everything on before the shoot — especially stockings and garter belts — so you know what feels comfortable and stays in place.

And don’t forget about adult shops. Many of them carry surprisingly beautiful lingerie — often more daring or unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else. We recently had a client who used to work in an adult shop while she was at uni, and she had the most incredible collection of interesting, high-quality lingerie. So don’t discount popping in for a browse — you might just find something amazing that makes you feel unstoppable.

*Honey Birdette make gorgeous luxury Lingerie*

✂️ The Little Details That Make a Big Difference

Cut the tags. You’d be amazed how many show up in photos.
If in doubt, bring it. You’d be surprised what can work on camera once we start shooting.

💖 Final Thoughts

The most beautiful images don’t come from what you wear — they come from how you feel in that moment.
So bring what makes you feel sexy, powerful, or simply like yourself.
We’ll guide you the rest of the way.

What to Wear for Your Boudoir Session — And How to Feel Incredible Doing It