Teddies & Bodysuits

One piece, cut high at the hip and low at the back. A teddy holds the waist and frames the leg without any of the straps and fastenings of a set. Because it is a single garment, the fit lives or dies on torso length rather than cup size, and that is the measurement nobody checks: if you are long in the body, look for adjustable shoulder straps or stretch lace, because a short teddy pulls down at the neckline all evening. A popper gusset turns it from lingerie into something you can keep on. Wash it by hand in cold water, never wring elastane, and let it dry flat.

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A teddy is one piece from shoulder to hip: it holds the waist, frames the leg and leaves no gap in the middle. That is the whole appeal. A set has three places where something can slip, ride up or stop matching; a teddy has none.

Teddy, body or bodysuit

The three words describe the same garment and the trade uses them interchangeably. In practice a teddy leans sheer and decorative, a body leans opaque and wearable, and a bodysuit is usually the one you could wear under a jacket. Read the material, not the name.

What matters more is the leg opening. A high-cut leg lengthens the thigh and is the reason this cut photographs well; a lower cut is more comfortable to sit in for an evening.

The fastening decides whether you will wear it twice

Nearly all of them close with poppers at the crotch. Three snaps is the standard and it is what you want: two tends to gape, and a zip is a decorative choice rather than a practical one.

Check the shoulder straps as well. Adjustable straps are the difference between a teddy that fits a long torso and one that pulls down at the shoulder all evening. If you are tall through the body, adjustable straps are not a detail, they are the deciding factor.

Sizing

Most teddies are sold in S/M and L/XL. Two measurements matter: the bust and the torso length from shoulder to crotch. The bust is on every size chart; the torso length rarely is, which is why a long body is the most common reason a teddy does not work.

If you are between sizes, take the larger one. A teddy that is slightly loose looks intentional; one that is too short pulls the shoulders down and cuts in at the crotch.

Lace, mesh, wetlook

Lace is the traditional choice: opaque where the pattern sits, open between the threads, and it holds its shape.

Mesh and fishnet are the sheer options and they stretch further, which makes them the most forgiving on size.

Wetlook is a different material altogether, closer to a second skin, and it does not breathe. It looks striking and is the one to buy for an occasion rather than for comfort.

Straps, rings and harness detailing are decoration on most of these, not structure. If a piece is held together by thin straps, check the reviews and the photos for how they sit.

Wearing it out of the bedroom

An opaque body in a plain colour works under a blazer or a high-waisted skirt, and that is where the price per wear improves dramatically. Mesh and wetlook do not travel that way; they stay at home.

Care

Hand wash in lukewarm water, or in a laundry bag on the delicates programme at thirty degrees. No dryer, ever. Wetlook should be washed by hand only and dried flat, away from heat, or the coating cracks.

Close the poppers before washing: open snaps catch on lace and tear it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a teddy and a bodysuit?

In practice, the material. A teddy is usually sheer and decorative, a bodysuit opaque and more wearable, but the cut is the same one-piece garment. Judge it by the fabric rather than the word.

How do I know it will fit if I have a long torso?

That is the measurement that decides it, and most size charts leave it out. Measure from the shoulder over the bust to the crotch and compare it with the total length if it is listed. If it is not, take the larger size.

Do the poppers at the crotch come undone?

A three-snap closure holds. Two snaps is the one that gapes. It is listed in the specifications on the product page.

Can I wear a teddy under normal clothes?

An opaque body in a plain colour, yes: under a blazer or a high-waisted skirt it works like a top. Mesh and wetlook do not.

How do I wash wetlook?

By hand, lukewarm, no detergent with softener, and dry flat away from any heat. A dryer or a radiator makes the coating crack and that is not repairable.

Read our guide: Lingerie size guide

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