With the wealth of underwear choices available today, it’s easy to leave traditional styles by the wayside. Sometimes criticised as cumbersome, fiddly and impractical (corsets, stockings) or overly formal and conservative (slips, petticoats), until quite recently many women wouldn’t give up comfy modern undies in favour of referencing past aesthetics.

However, in recent years there’s been a growing resurgence in appreciation for retro undergarments, with plenty of modern updates of traditional styles available that cut down on the hassle-factor of historic wear. Take a look at the below guide to the nuevo-retro pieces you can incorporate into everyday life, and get inspired to give your lingerie drawer an elegant overhaul…

Corsets, Basques and Longline Bras

Modern corsets mimic the shape and style of more traditional versions, and sometimes incorporate boning and lacing as part of their aesthetic, without going to the extreme body-transformative effects of fitted corsets of the past. Modern corsets are all about creating sexy curves without discomfort, with lots of new styles fastened with hook-and-eye attachments or incorporating stretchy elastic for maximum ease of wear. To reference the traditional corset look without going the whole hog, pick up a basque – a close-fitting bodice-like item that reaches the hips and is made of more delicate material. A shorter version of this, the longline bra, sits around the ribs and does up at the front with either hook-and-eye fastenings or threaded lace.

Stockings, Waspies and Suspenders

A staple of female dress 60 years ago, stockings became something of a niche market with the advent of tights. Give your legs a treat and swap tights for stockings on a special occasion: whether you’re dressing up for an event or for a romantic weekend away, stockings feel like a super-glamorous alternative to normal hosiery – and if you don’t want to bother faffing about with suspender belts and garters, you can get stockings with built-in elastic around the top to keep them held up. This also helps keep a smooth line in the clothes you wear over the top. If you do fancy going all out with the full retro stockings look, pick up a delicate suspender belt and attach to the stockings, or invest in a waspie – a corset-like belt traditionally worn to cinch the waist. As with modern corsets, waspies today are non-restrictive and comfy, mimicking the aesthetic of traditional items and doing away with the associated annoyances.

Babydolls and Slips

Easiest of all to incorporate into a modern wardrobe are traditional nightwear lingerie styles like slips and babydolls. Feel like a Hollywood golden-era starlet and swap your pyjamas for a silk slip or a cute sheer babydoll-type gown – they’re super-sexy enough to make your bedroom feel like a boudoir.