Dildos

Shape matters more than bravado.

A dildo does not need to imitate anatomy to do its job well. Smooth lines, deliberate curves and carefully chosen materials can make a far more interesting object — both to use and to leave somewhere other than the very back of a drawer.

Silicone gives designers room to play with softness, flexibility and shape, while glass offers a firmer, smoother feel and a completely different kind of sensation. Beyond material, the curve, diameter and usable length change far more than the number printed beside the product ever suggests.

A slimmer shape can feel precise and easy to control. More pronounced curves place pressure differently. Firmer designs hold their angle, while softer ones move more naturally with the body. None is automatically better; they simply answer different appetites.

And this is one category where photographs are particularly good at lying about scale. Measurements are worth checking before committing — preferably before your ambition gets involved.

There is no winning size. There is only the one that makes you want to reach for it again.