What to wear for your boudoir session
What to wear for your Minneapolis boudoir session: lingerie and loungewear advice from Beth at Room No. 3.
The most common concern/question that I hear from my boudoir clients? “What should I wear??”
To get the best answers to this question I sought out Beth Griesgraber of Room No. 3. Beth is the co-owner of this light-filled lingerie boutique at 50th and France; she runs the shop along with Jessica Strong, one of her closest friends.
Beth near the front window of Room No. 3 at 50th and France. If you, like many women planning a boudoir session, are planning to purchase a new item or two for your portraits, I cannot imagine a more lovely place to select elegant, beautiful clothing than this light-and-airy shop!
Beyond the joys of sharing a business with her best friend, in talking with Beth I can tell that she deeply loves her job. She talks with passion about the amazing designers that she gets to meet on her adventures to New York, exploring the new collections released each season and hand-selecting her favorite lingerie, sleepwear, and loungewear pieces to carry in the shop.
Beth is also passionate about providing women with something beautiful that they can wear in their home life with loved ones. She talked about how women often go through so much effort to look beautiful for the public world, and then come home to their partner or family and change into something drab or worn. “We want to make those everyday moments just as special as “going out” moments, because honoring the everyday - that’s life!” she explained, sharing one of the missions of Room No 3. “You have a beautiful life - you should be putting your best self forward into those home occasions as well.”
In the spirit of honoring and celebrating women, Beth and Jessica’s shop features clothing pieces that are not only beautiful but also well made. “There’s something to be said about ‘less is more’”, she explains. “If you could just get a few beautifully-made pieces with better quality materials, that is such a savings in your pocket rather than having scads of bras that don’t fit quite right or that are made of poor materials that aren’t going to last.”
When she is helping a woman choose outfits for a boudoir session, Beth will first ask them what features they are most proud of (and what their partner’s favorite features are, if they’re planning the session as a gift for a significant other). From there, she helps them choose lingerie or loungewear styles that compliment or showcase those features. Here is some of Beth’s advice!
If you love your legs
Find a pair of panties with a high hemline on the hip. To be clear, we’re not talking 80’s leotards!! Choosing a pair of underwear with a high cut will elongate and show off the shape of the your legs (in contrast, a hipster style may visually shorten your legs.) Beth shows me a rose-colored thong (see it below!) with a beautiful lace trim that criss-crosses high on the hip. “When it’s on the body, it’s current and elongates the leg even more - it creates a gorgeous line”.
If you want to show off your bum
Choose a pair of underwear that will show off your shape! In this case, Beth usually recommends choosing a pair that cuts in a bit to show off your curves without being as narrow as a thong (which she says usually aren’t as flattering to the bum itself.) She suggests a cheeky little short with ruffles/texture, or a pair of lace bottoms.
To flatter your cleavage
To emphasize as much curve as possible, choose a push up bra (like the white one below) without too much padding so you’ll show off your cleavage without feeling artificial. Looking to keep things more natural? “A bralette with lace can be stunning!” Beth explained. “Some have a liner, and others are sheer - it’s so beautifully when you can actually see your skin.”
If you’re proud of your collarbones
A lot of women are really proud of their shoulders and collarbones - to show this off, Beth suggests choosing a silk robe or loose top that you can let slip off the shoulder for some relaxed, stunning portraits. She also recommended a light-as-air chemise with an elegant, delicate neckline.
Want to stay a bit more covered up?
Choose some dreamy loungewear to add in variety or for a style that’s a bit more modest! Beth loves playing with texture - like pairing a really nubby cable sweater with a soft pair of undies. She also loves this soft, open-weave sweater with a stunning open back (check it out below!)- “you could wear this with a cute little ruffle bottom or a ruched-back nicker… you can really show skin where you feel comfortable but feel more covered too.”
Let your clothing choices enhance you and your personality
Beth’s general advice for a woman planning a boudoir session? “Choose something that’s a little simpler and less ornate - something that will not take away from you as a subject but will enhance you.” She generally recommends avoiding distracting patterns or prints, and using color and texture to bring out your personality - for example, going for a romantic style with ruffles and lace detailing, or keeping things more laid-back with super soft cottons and organic textures. If you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing, she says, “you’ll shine through!”
Looking for more boudoir inspiration, or info about Minneapolis boudoir sessions with Illuminate Boudoir? Click here to download my boudoir session planning guide!
Find Room No. 3 online at www.roomno3.com, follow their beautiful instagram @roomno3, and check out their stunning shop at 50th and France in Edina.