There are important ‘firsts’ a man will take in his life: first bike, first car, first date, and probably the most daunting of all…the first time he buys lingerie for his wife/partner/girlfriend.

Lingerie can be a perfect romantic gift for the woman in your life and is always well-received, but make sure you get it right! Read our 5 tips:

• Buy the right size! It’s not like buying her a pair of trainers. She will want to wear the new lingerie straight away without the hassle of having to return the items. Have a look (discretely) at the bra size of one of her other bras. There will be a number followed by a letter (e.g. 32C). This is her bra size. Guard it with your life.

• If you’re stuck, ask for help. You may not have the faintest clue what style of lingerie to buy. If you know any of her friends well, they may be able to offer clues. Otherwise, ask for help in the shop. The shop assistants are there to help so don’t feel awkward asking them for help.

• How much to spend? Cheap is not good, but very expensive will hurt your pocket. You need to find that happy medium. Something that is in her style, and that you will like should not be sacrificed for the sake of splashing out a few more quid.

• Style is everything. You will (should) know what style of lingerie your woman likes. If she usually wears frilly underwear, it would be inadvisable to buy a leather number. This will almost definitely go down badly.

• Don’t panic. Lingerie shops can be daunting, especially around Valentine’s Day or Christmas. The women seem to be able to navigate the store and deals with natural ability, whereas men feel like they are in Martian territory. Scope out all the offers and be prepared for any questions you may be asked at the checkout such as ‘would you like that gift-wrapped sir?’ Many men have bailed at this crucial stage through fear!