Lace body suits and one piece bodysuits

Picking a neckline and leg

Bodysuits differ most in two places: the neckline and the leg line. A deep plunge, like the Lace Plunge Bodysuit ($68), lengthens the torso in a mirror. A very high leg, like the Vinyl Zip Bodysuit ($88), makes the legs look longer in every frame. A square neckline with long sleeves reads more like fashion than lingerie.

Shorter torsos look best in a plunge, longer torsos in a high leg with a scoop back.

Consider the back, too. A thong back shows more in mirror shots, a scoop back frames the shoulders, and long sleeve styles cover the arms for a more fashion led look. Think about the angle you shoot most, then choose the cut that suits it.

Torso length and fit

A bodysuit has to fit from shoulder to gusset, so torso length matters as much as bust and hips. If you are tall or long waisted, size up one step, or choose a style with adjustable straps to gain length. Stretch lace and mesh hold you in without wires, so they are forgiving across a range of shapes. Check the full measurements in our size guide before ordering, from XS to 3X.

A quick test at home: raise both arms above your head. If the snaps pull or the straps slide off your shoulders, the torso is too short. A bodysuit that fits well stays in place through every pose you will hold during a shoot.

How each fabric photographs

• Lace keeps its pattern under direct light and suits close ups.
• Fishnet throws a net pattern on skin, best under a ring light. See our fishnet bodysuit page.
• Mesh looks clean and sheer in soft daylight on a balcony.
• Vinyl reflects a ring light as a bright line along every curve; the Vinyl Zip Bodysuit is $88.

If you only buy one bodysuit, choose lace in black. It works with jeans, under a blazer and on its own, and it photographs well in every room.

Wearing it beyond the bedroom

Bodysuits are the most versatile piece in lingerie. Wear lace or mesh under an open blazer or with high waist jeans for an evening out, and on its own at night. Add a harness over the top for a sharper outline, or a garter belt for full length shots. Snap gussets make changing between looks quick during a shoot.

For evenings out, choose a style with a snap gusset and a less sheer front, then add a long coat. The same bodysuit later becomes the base of a lingerie look with a garter and thigh highs, which is why it earns its price quickly.