Plus – it’s not just the gift, it’s also the venue. Even if you know the bride very well and feel comfortable giving her lingerie, are you sure that she will feel comfortable opening and displaying the lingerie in front of the other shower attendees?
I attended many lingerie showers back in olden times, when all my friends were getting married. Some such showers were fun, but some were downright weird. Some of us feel uncomfortable unwrapping such gifts in front of an audience that may include people we don’t know well.
I know, I know, it’s a different time now, and the customs may be different where you are; maybe gifts are not opened and displayed at the time of the shower. And I know that I’m personally a little reserved, maybe conservative, in situations like this.
If you want to give her the lingerie, could you maybe give it to her in a more private, one-on-one setting? Maybe take her to lunch and present her with the gift? Otherwise, I would err more on the side of caution and give her a robe or a nightshirt as has been suggested.
Don’t be; I was expressing who I would feel. it wasn’t directed at you personally. You certainly know the lady in question better than any of us.
Yeah, the see-through struck me as a little to “personal.” (Hopefully that adjective is OK) However, if you really wanted to go with the lingerie, I concur with those who vote for a chic robe.
@conmama, I like the 2nd one you posted best and, as someone already mentioned, it’s from Nordstrom and, if it does turn out that it’s not to her taste or she thinks she’ll never wear it, she can return it easily. I didn’t see that the second option was see through and, for me personally, I, at my age, wouldn’t get something see through for someone roughly my daughter’s age but, otherwise, I think something special for the honeymoon is a wonderful gift. Sure, she may not normally wear this type of thing but that’s just one more reason that it’s a lovely gift. Finally, as a well endowed person myself, I echo what others have said about style. I couldn’t wear any of those posted that have the little triangle shaped tops but, I’m sure you have already taken that into consideration. You sound very thoughtful and I hope you’ll share your final selection with us.
Can I just please urge you also not to get chemise or baby doll styling or anything with spaghetti straps unless she is built like a model? I cannot emphasize how unflattering and ugly those are if you have broad shoulders, a bust, are cut straight up and down with no waist, or carry your weight in hips and rear. Even if you are of normal weight and are in good shape.
As someone with a dear niece who will be getting married this year and who is close in age to the OP’s nanny, I’d WANT to get her something special and timeless, not something that will be put away in a drawer. This is in no way meant to put OP on the defensive, but to me, “special” doesn’t mean something with a short lifespan.
And while I’m sure SOME young ladies wear fancy lingerie, my own two D’s-one who is exactly the nanny’s age-do not. Ever. At all. Even the one with the partner. They wear sleepshirts or sweats or those pajama pants and a tee shirt. So if you insist on lingerie, I’d make sure the bride actually wears it. Neither of my D’s would appreciate it.
People need to be careful with these robes - they are what a lot of brides are giving out to their bridesmaids as bridesmaids’ gifts. So if the bride has been in weddings already, chances are she might have one or several of these. D2 just got her third one last weekend when she was home for a wedding, and left it in our closet when she went back to where she lives - she said she already has more than she needs in her own closet.
This reminds me of the time, many years ago, when I was invited to a co-worker’s wedding shower. She and I, and our SO had become close friends in the six months we had worked together, although I never met anyone from her family. I bought her a beautiful peignoir set that was off-white lace. I arrived at the shower and took my seat amongst her and his many relatives. She began opening gifts and I soon realized it was a KITCHEN SHOWER! I was mortified, and so were some of the aunties, but my friend later told me she liked my present the best! I think her husband did, too!
However, if you really wanted to go with the lingerie, I concur with those who vote for a chic robe.