Lingerie Shopping FAQ: Sizing, Fit and Returns Questions

Quick answer

Start with your band size, then your cup size, and check the return policy before you add anything to your cart. Most lingerie fit questions come down to two things: whether the band is snug on the loosest hook and whether the cup sits flat against your ribcage. If you are between sizes, size up on panties like the Alice Brazilian and follow the brand's own sizing note rather than guessing.

Buying lingerie online means you cannot try it on first, so the questions you ask before checkout matter more than the ones you ask after. This lingerie shopping FAQ covers the sizing, fit and returns questions that come up most often, with short answers you can act on right away.

Nothing here replaces a real fitting, but it does remove most of the guesswork. Where a product has a specific sizing note or a final sale rule, that detail is worth more than general advice, so it is called out where it applies.

How do I know my bra size without a fitting?

Measure your underbust snugly for the band, then measure the fullest part of your bust. The difference between the two numbers usually maps to a cup size. This is a starting point, not a verdict, because band tension and cup shape vary between styles.

If you land between two band sizes, choose the larger band and go down a cup, or the smaller band and up a cup. Then check the fit rules: the band should stay level and snug on the loosest hook, and the center of the bra should sit flat against your chest.

• Measure at the end of the day when your body is at its natural size.
• Keep the tape level all the way around, not sloping at the back.

What are the most common lingerie fit questions?

The three that come up most: the band rides up in the back, the cups gap at the top, or the underwire digs into the ribs. A riding band usually means the band is too loose. Cup gaping often points to a cup that is too large or a shape mismatch rather than a size problem.

Wire discomfort is usually a band issue, not a cup issue. If the wire presses into your ribs, try a larger band before changing cup size. A bra that feels fine for ten minutes but painful after two hours is telling you the band, not the cup, is the problem.

• Fasten on the loosest hook when new; the band will relax over time.
• Scoop your breast tissue forward and up after fastening to seat the cup.

Should I size up or down in underwear?

For panties, follow the brand's own note rather than a universal rule. Some styles run small and need a size up, while others are true to size. The Alice Brazilian, for example, runs small, so sizing up is the safer choice if you are between sizes.

Fabric matters too. A stretch microfiber front panel with a lace back behaves differently from an all-cotton brief, so a style that fits in one fabric may feel tighter in another. When in doubt, check whether the product page gives a specific sizing note.

• Read the sizing note on the product page before choosing a size.
• If a style runs small, order one size up rather than hoping it relaxes.

Can I return lingerie if it does not fit?

It depends on the item, and the answer is often no for hygiene reasons. Many panties are final sale and cannot be exchanged or returned. Some bras are also marked final sale, especially discounted or sale items, so the return window can be narrower than you expect.

Check the policy before you buy, not after. If a bra is labeled final sale, treat the size choice as permanent. That makes the sizing questions above more important, because there is no exchange safety net on those items.

• Look for a final sale label on the product page before checkout.
• If you are unsure of your size, buy one item first rather than several.

How do I choose between a plunge, demi and wireless bra?

Match the bra to the neckline and the level of support you want. A plunge bra is built for low-cut tops and deep V-necklines, centering the bust for a smooth, natural look. A demi bra focuses on a balcony-style shelf lift and works well under square or scoop necklines.

A wireless bra skips the underwire entirely and suits smaller busts or days when you want less structure. The Alice Bandeau Bra is wire-free with fully adjustable, sewn-on straps, which keeps a straight-across silhouette from slipping the way traditional bandeaus often do.

• Deep V-neckline: choose a plunge.
• Square or scoop neckline: choose a demi.
• No underwire or smaller bust: choose a wireless style.

What should I check before buying lingerie online?

Check three things: the sizing note, the return policy, and the fabric. The sizing note tells you whether to size up. The return policy tells you how much risk you are taking. The fabric tells you how the piece will feel and wear over time.

If a product page lists a specific material blend, trust that over a general assumption. A front panel in opaque stretch microfiber with a cotton gusset lining behaves very differently from an unlined lace piece, and that difference shows up in comfort, not just looks.

• Screenshot or note the sizing guidance before you order.
• Buy one piece to test fit before committing to a full set.

Quick answers to keep at checkout

Band feels loose after a few hours

Fasten on the loosest hook when new and tighten as the band relaxes. If it still rides up, the band size is too large. Riding band means go down a band size, not up a cup.

Cups gap at the top

This is usually a shape mismatch or a cup that is too large, not a band problem. Try a different cup style before changing size. Gap at the top is a cup issue; digging at the ribs is a band issue.

Panties run small

Follow the product's own sizing note. The Alice Brazilian runs small and should be sized up if you are between sizes. When a style runs small, size up rather than hoping it relaxes.

Item is final sale

Final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged. Confirm your size before ordering, because there is no exchange option afterward. Check the return policy before you add to cart, not after.

Product details that answer common questions

• Alice Brazilian: Low rise cheeky brazilian style with an opaque stretch and silky microfiber front panel and a back panel in soft crochet lace with scalloped trim; runs small, size up. The explicit sizing note removes the guesswork: if you are between sizes, order up rather than assuming it will stretch to fit.
• Alice Demi Bra: Soft, supportive underwire with delicate lace that has some stretch, providing gentle lift without padding; cups are a single panel of soft lace with no middle seams. No middle seams and no padding means a smoother line under clothing and less bulk, which suits anyone who wants shape without added volume.
• Alice Bandeau bra: Wire-free, straight-across silhouette with fully adjustable, sewn-on straps, designed for comfort and support for smaller busts. The sewn-on adjustable straps address the usual bandeau problem of slipping, so it stays in place without an underwire.
• Alice Plunge Bra: Deep V silhouette in seamless crochet lace that disappears under low-cut tops; engineered to center the bust rather than create a shelf lift. If your question is which bra works under a wrap dress or low neckline, this is the one built for that job.

Most lingerie shopping FAQ worries come down to checking the sizing note, knowing your band size, and reading the return policy before checkout. Do those three things and buying lingerie online stops feeling like a gamble.