Lingerie: Is It A Gift For You Or Your Partner?
Buying a Valentine’s Day gift is a lot more complicated than buying a birthday gift. For someone’s birthday, purchasing a gift usually takes into consideration the things this person needs, or really wants and is unable to get for themselves. When it comes to the big V-Day, it seems as though every significant other in the world is in a fierce competition with all of the others- including their own partners. People will fight tooth and nail to perfect their gift, because this is truly the one day of the year where you have to outwardly make your love known. Though you should be loving and making your partner feel special each and every day, the world has coined Valentine’s Day, especially in America, as the official day of love. And because of this, apparently there is no better way to prove your love than with the gifts you buy.
What originated as a taboo article of clothing reserved for the bedroom has now transformed into so much more. Lingerie is on the upward trend of becoming more prominent in fashion as everyday wear, but in reality, I would consider this garment befitting of the beauty category instead of fashion. Successful celebrities, including Sandra Bullock and Beyoncé grace the covers of magazines such as Times and Vanity Fair baring all in sheer lingerie. Female entertainers, like Cardi B and Ariana Grande, perform for sold out audiences on world tours in their underwear. The connotation of lingerie has shifted from that of elusive to empowering, encouraging women to show off their bodies in their most natural forms- all the while being sexy.
Because of this, many argue that lingerie is one of the best gifts you can purchase for your partner. After all, it encourages and empowers them as soon as they slip into it… But for the lucky person who slips it off, isn’t it a gift for them? Here’s what some college students think:
Gabriella, UIUC: “I think having a “partner” makes someone want to have/wear lingerie more than if one is single. It makes the person wearing it feel confident, makes your sex life a little more fun, and is enjoyable for both yourself and your significant other. It works as a treat for yourself because you get to wear it, while simultaneously being a gift for your “partner” to see you in an intimate way (and take it off)”.
Anonymous male, TCC: “I was just on this topic with my girlfriend the other day, so in my opinion it comes off anyway! Like, it really comes down to the person and what they like. I guess roleplay and foreplay kind of stuff, some guys like lingerie for that but other guys think there’s no point because it just comes off.”
Max, TCC: “I feel like it’s a gift for the person giving it more because, it’s weird to say but, lingerie really does not look that comfortable and has to be pointless for the girl… in my opinion, I think a girl would prefer to have her body freely out as the point of lingerie is to show off your body and if it's contained in straps and lace then it’s not really out.”
Peyton, FSU: “It’s a gift for both you and your partner. You feel good and your partner likes seeing you in it.”
Anonymous female, FSU: “Bruh it’s a gift for you, they’ll just tear that shit off faster than you put it on and then get you pregnant. Be careful with that shit ladies.”
Opinions seem to vary when it comes down to question of whether lingerie is a gift for you or your partner. Lingerie as a gift seems fitting because it can either be extremely expensive or cheap, extremely sentimental or for one-time use. When it comes to Valentine’s Day, it is the one day of the year to purchase this item as a gift where it does not give off the wrong message. There is no better way to show someone you love them by giving them something they can love themselves in. On one side, it is this magical article of clothing that women step into and feel good. On the other, it is an extra step in the way of getting your partner into the bedroom. Regardless, lingerie has becoming a transformative and iconic beauty item for both women and men throughout the world. That’s right, lingerie is nonexclusive when it comes to gender- and there are just as many male lingerie vendors online as there are women.
Strike Out,
Writer: Saralyn Lerner
Editor: Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee