To Her, With Love : Romance Is Simply the Foundation for Gift of Lovely Lingerie

As Valentine’s Day approaches, men are venturing forth into potpourri-scented shops with pink-hued inte riors and gingerly picking their way through teddies, G-strings and other frilly underthings.

Nothing says romance like red-hot lingerie.

The two or three days before Valentine’s are some of the busiest days of the year for lingerie shops. They’re filled with men, some fidgety and nervous, trying to buy underwear for their significant others.

Deciding what women want amid those wisps of satin and lace, however, can be a would-be Cupid’s nightmare.

Although some women still prefer unmentionables that hook, snap and lace up in multiple places, there’s a growing emphasis on simplicity and elegance in lingerie. Guys, take note: Many women are favoring simple silk camisoles or sheer net bodysuits over those fussy merry widows with their complicated system of garters and straps.

“The trend has moved away from hard-core stuff--the Madonna bustiers with matching stockings and the whole rigging,” says Elizabeth Benton, owner of I.C. London lingerie shop in Laguna Beach. “Now it’s the Hillary Clinton influence. Understated, simple elegance.”

I.C. London’s tailored teddies, chemises and kimonos in solid red, white or black silk reflect the growing interest in pared-down lingerie looks. Benton’s best-selling line for Valentine’s Day is a collection of simple white cotton knit camisoles, crop tops, tanks, panties and G-strings covered with small red hearts ($15 to $45).

“They’re innocent but sexy too,” she says.

Many camisoles and bodysuits can double as outerwear. They peek out from underneath jackets, blouses or low-cut, V-neck sweaters.

“A lot of lingerie has a dual purpose,” Benton says.

For instance, I.C. London’s sheer white silk camisole with pearl detailing ($100) can be worn in place of a blouse with a spring suit.

“Lingerie has become a lot more functional,” says Debbie Longerot, owner of Eliane Exclusive Lingerie in Fullerton. “There’s a lot more bra tops and bustiers that can be worn under jackets.”

Eliane has padded push-up bras in cotton knit with colorful prints and fabric-covered straps so they can be worn alone with jeans or skirts. The collection includes matching thong or bikini panties and teddies in a black and white pony print, a navy and white stripe and polka dot mix, plaid or solid ribbed ($18 to $41).

Other pieces that go from night to day include a sleeveless tank bodysuit of white stretch lace ($59) or a long-sleeved bodysuit of sheer black netting with a flocked floral print ($135).

For those who want to give their valentine lingerie that won’t leave the bedroom, there’s a short chemise of stretch lace with spaghetti straps and a handkerchief hem ($41) with beading and an organdy flower in front and a matching robe ($38) in black, blush or white.

“It’s sexy yet elegant,” Longerot says.

More intimate still is a sheer lace bra with padding around the cup “to give it a push” ($32), matching thong back or high cut panty ($18) and garter belt ($27) in black, dusty, ivory, white, hot pink and teal.

Some men are spoiling their valentines with fancy underpants that sell for $75 a pair and French lace bras that go for $60 to $150, according to Joe Tiseo, owner of Boudoir in Fashion Island Newport Beach.

“Men who buy expensive lingerie know what they’re buying,” Tiseo says.

For discriminating tastes, there are teddies, chemises and bodysuits by Jon Quil with rich ornamentation that start at $100 for a nightie and go to $500 or more for taffeta robes sprinkled with beads and pearls.

“It has a look of ‘40s elegance,” Tiseo says.

A sheer black teddy by Jonquil looks more like evening wear with its sparkling jet beads embroidered “in strategic places” ($150).

“It’s not gaudy, just very fancy,” Tiseo says.

More cost-conscious cupids can find a wide assortment of lingerie for under $25 at Frederick’s of Hollywood in Santa Ana, Westminster Mall, Mall of Orange and Brea Mall.

“Our assortment takes on a definite look for Valentine’s. Everything’s romantic, pretty and soft,” says Christa Koegl, vice president and general merchandise manager for Frederick’s.

“There’s lots of lace, satin and the color red.”

This season Frederick’s is bringing out lace-up camisoles, teddies and bustiers.

“Valentine’s Day is made for romance,” Koegl says. “What’s more natural to give than a piece of lingerie?”

While it might be natural for a man to give a thong-back lace teddy, it’s also natural for a woman to return it.

“We sell a lot of sheer black things with underwire and garters. They come back and in their place go cotton pajamas,” Benton says.

Women worry too much about how the lingerie looks on them, she says.

“Lingerie is a state of mind. Men see it in a haze. It’s not important that it flatters the figure.”

She suggests women keep the lingerie to make their mate happy.

“Give the guy a break,” Benton says. “Wear it.”