Supermarket smalls to lust after: Choose between designer lingerie for £1,140 or a £22 set that looks just as good

UK writer Amy Kester shares lingerie designs for every budget this Valentine's READ MORE: I'm an elegance coach and your winter boots could be making you look cheap - here's 9 styles to avoid

With Valentine’s Day almost here, how can you bag pretty smalls to wear that won’t break the bank?

The answer is to seek out less-pricey embellishment and fabrics that are finished by hand. It is also a good idea to opt for colours that just look expensive.

When it comes to lingerie that has the luxury look without the painful price tag, style-savvy shoppers head to the supermarket.

No more underwhelming undies, whatever your budget.

BEST BLACK BASICS

While Italian tulle, Swarovski crystal embellishment and the finest French Leavers lace explain the £1,140 price tag of this Agent Provocateur set — not many of us will be rushing out to buy it. Even with a lottery win, that’s a very small slip of fabric for a considerable sum of money.

But a pretty, black lingerie set is a classic staple every underwear drawer needs.

This delicate mesh set from F&F uses galloon lace, which typically has a little more give and movement, so expect comfort as well as plenty of change from £25. The pink satin bows and scalloped edging may fool a few into thinking you’ve spent more than £15 for the bra and £7 for the knickers.

While Italian tulle, Swarovski crystal embellishment and the finest French Leavers lace explain the £1,140 price tag of this Agent Provocateur set — not many of us will be rushing out to buy it

A pretty, black lingerie set is a classic staple every underwear drawer needs. Caitriona underwired bra, £675 and full briefs, £465, agent provocateur.com

This delicate mesh set from F&F uses galloon lace, which typically has a little more give and movement, so expect comfort as well as plenty of change from £25. Bra, £15 and briefs, £7, F&F at Tesco

NEW NUDE

This vintage pink set, £186, from Rigby and Peller, is adorned with a shimmery embroidery that elevates it beyond the everyday. PrimaDonna full cup bra, £118 and full briefs, £68, rigbyandpeller.com

In a slightly more sheer design, Tu at Sainsbury’s mink lace floral bra looks more expensive than it’s £10 tag. Mink floral lace bra, £10 and knickers, £4, Tu at Sainsbury’s

he knickers may be more basic in design, but the highleg style and lace top mean they’ll become a favourite

Finding the right natural shade isn’t easy, with many opting for boring beige. But you can shop the most practical of lingerie sets and make them elegant and expensive looking without resorting to androgynous shapewear. This vintage pink set, £186, from Rigby and Peller, is adorned with a shimmery embroidery that elevates it beyond the everyday.

In a slightly more sheer design, Tu at Sainsbury’s mink lace floral bra looks more expensive than it’s £10 tag. The knickers may be more basic in design, but the highleg style and lace top mean they’ll become a favourite.

THE BODY IS BACK

Lana satin-trimmed lace bodysuit, £115, Coco de Mer, available at net-a-porter.com. The fashionistas’ favourite, Coco de Mer’s £115 semi-sheer bodysuit in black lace and satin is perfect for creating maximum body confidence without revealing too much

Embroidered lace bodysuit, £18, George at Asda. The solid side panels on Asda’s £18 version will offer even more support, making it a great date night piece

Bodysuits are back. And now they are more flattering than ever (and not to be confused with functional shapewear). Make the right choice and you can wear one to streamline your shape and add extra support where you need it most.

Take inspiration from the Dolce & Gabbana SS24 show where Naomi Campbell and Irina Shayk went down the runway in eye-popping black lace lingerie — firmly establishing the trend as a desirable look this season.

The fashionistas’ favourite, Coco de Mer’s £115 semi-sheer bodysuit in black lace and satin is perfect for creating maximum body confidence without revealing too much. The solid side panels on Asda’s £18 version will offer even more support, making it a great date night piece that’s tough enough to be thrown in the washing machine, too. There’s a price difference of almost £100, but no one will ever spot the difference.

LOOK-AT-ME LINGERIE

Marie Jo Suto padded bra, £96 and briefs, £46, rigbyandpeller.com. Luxury lingerie supplier to the late Queen for many years, Rigby & Peller is famous for its precision fit and made-to-measure craftsmanship

Animal lace bra, £9.80 and knickers, £4.90, Tu at Sainsbury’s. Secure your share of the spotlight for much less with this set from Tu at Sainsbury’s. Very similar in shape and also two-tone, it has a subtle animal print lace that feels racier than Rigby & Peller’s floral option

At just under £15 for both the bra and high-leg knickers, it’s a fun addition to your wardrobe

While both these sets are made from a polyester mix, their varying price tags tell a different story.

Luxury lingerie supplier to the late Queen for many years, Rigby & Peller is famous for its precision fit and made-to-measure craftsmanship. This set  is softly padded for discreet shaping and comfort while the two-tone neon shade screams look-at-me — and at £142, so does the price tag.

Secure your share of the spotlight for much less with this set from Tu at Sainsbury’s. Very similar in shape and also two-tone, it has a subtle animal print lace that feels racier than Rigby & Peller’s floral option. At just under £15 for both the bra and high-leg knickers, it’s a fun addition to your wardrobe.

TWO TIMES TEAL

Saga half-cup bra, £90 and thong, £55, simone-perele.com. If you’re looking for an alternative to black but find navy too dark, inject some colour with a pop of teal

If you’re feeling flush, Parisian brand Simone Perele has a glamorous guipure floral lace blend set, with matching thong, for £145 that gives a delicate amount of coverage

Aqua floral lace balcony bra, £12 and floral lace Brazilian knickers, £6, George at Asda

But if you want an £18 bargain, George at Asda has a great budget set. It is in a slightly deeper shade with more coverage

If you’re looking for an alternative to black but find navy too dark, inject some colour with a pop of teal — the perfect shade to sit next to lightly tanned skin come the spring/summer months.

If you’re feeling flush, Parisian brand Simone Perele has a glamorous guipure floral lace blend set, with matching thong, for £145 that gives a delicate amount of coverage.

But if you want an £18 bargain, George at Asda has a great budget set. It is in a slightly deeper shade with more coverage.