Oh, lingerie – a fancy French word which for some reason in America means elaborately lacy underwear and sexy-time clothes for women. As Valentine’s Day creeps upon us unsuspecting victims of consumerism, the pressure to please our partners between the sheets always tends to grow. Commence hours upon hours of online shopping for the perfect lingerie set.

In order to get an idea about how a portion of the WSU community feels about this issue, I conducted a poll via Facebook asking the simple question: “Why do you wear lingerie?”

Forty-eight people anonymously responded to the survey and selected between four responses; “For myself – it makes me feel hot,” “for my partner – he or she really likes it,” “I don’t at all because that lacy shit is expensive,” and “other.”

Much to my surprise, 47.9 percent (23 votes) of those who took the survey responded that they wore lingerie to feel good. A respectable nine votes went to the option of wearing lacy undergarments for their partner’s enjoyment, while another nine (18.8 percent) went to those who do not wear lingerie at all.

As for the seven comedic souls who picked the option “other,” my favorite write-in responses included “my incorporeal form cannot be bound by laced undergarments,” and “I don’t. You can put lipstick on a pig, but…” We have all connected to both of these statements sometime in our lives, right?

And now, just like the brave poll responders, I am going to be honest. I own no lingerie.

I do not see the point in paying $50 for some tiny pieces of strappy, see-through lace to constrict my body while offering no practical support or coverage, only for my partner to look at for five seconds before removing from my body.

But, I do not wish to shun lingerie lovers either. I, too, have a few pairs of exciting undergarments that I wear on days I need a little extra confidence boost. It’s kind of fun, like holding in a great secret or having a mysterious super power, to wear something risqué underneath your everyday jeans and t-shirt. You wear these things for you to feel powerful, attractive and like a lady boss – and this I fully support until the end of time.

But, that is the crucial difference I see between lingerie and an exciting thong – one article you wear to impress some boy or girl, whatever your preference may be, and the other you wear for you. For y-o-u.

Confidence is sexy, not red mesh or little pink bows. Don’t let the world tell you otherwise.

If lingerie makes you feel beautiful and strong and confident in the bedroom, then so be it. Rock it, flaunt it, look back at it, do you. Do not shy away from something that makes you feel good.

But, also be careful not to get too wrapped up in the whole thing. Regardless of body shape or size, when we look in the mirror we all see things we wish to permanently Photoshop away.

Especially in today’s global world, we all hold ridiculous expectations for our physical appearance – thank you, social media. But PSA, Victoria’s Secret models are not real people. They are alien anomalies, and just because they strut down runways scantily clad and tell people it’s normal does not mean you have to buy into it all.

I say strut your own runway in your usual underwear and bra. Maybe color coordinate your top with your bottom if you are feeling extra fancy. Because in all honesty, if someone does not want to sleep with you simply because of your lack of lingerie, then they are not worthy of your time or your banging bod.

Moral of the story: If lingerie gives you the extra boost to smile back at your reflection, then I support you. And all women should. But please don’t forget that what you are flaunting underneath is truly the beautiful, sexy part of you.

This Valentine’s Day, if you need some extra assurance about your body in the bedroom, or just want to try something new, pick out some lingerie. Sure. Or buy a new bralette in a frisky color. Absolutely. Or even wear nothing and just get right down to it.

But whatever you decide, do it for you, and not for anyone else.

Madeline Braun is a sophomore communication major from Washougal. She can be contacted at [email protected].