Racy lingerie set slammed: 'How do you actually get it on?'

The Boohoo lingerie set featured a 'waspie' but social media users questioned why it existed. Photos / Boohoo

Cupid is poised to strike... and while many women are looking for pretty lingerie to wear on the most romantic night of the year, one particular garment might prove more trouble than its worth.

Retailer Boohoo's Valentine's underwear is causing a stir online for all the wrong reasons, reported the Daily Mail.

The brand is selling a lacy black knicker-and-bra set with a matching 'waspie' (think waist cincher), that has drawn criticism from shoppers, who've largely been left mystified by its presence.

British blogger Zoe London sparked online reaction after she tweeted a photo of the lingerie set questioning what it was actually for - and many of her followers were equally baffled.

Um, sure? What’s the middle bit for? pic.twitter.com/SPyby5qxNU

— Zoe London (@zoelondondj) February 5, 2018

Some even came up with alternative uses for the underwear - with one suggesting it could be used as a pouch to hide snacks in.

The waspie costs £8 ($15) and comes with a matching black lace bra and knickers, with the whole set totaling at £27 ($51).

Perhaps it would keep the belly button pokers away, one user quipped. Photo / Boohoo

Waspies are generally designed to be attached to suspenders that hold up a pair of stockings, but the Boohoo version doesn't include them - rendering the design feature redundant.

The spare part left many shoppers confused, including blogger Zoe London, who didn't know what it was for.

She captioned her Twitter post: "Um, sure? What's the middle bit for?"

Is this bit really necessary? Photo / Boohoo

Many of Zoe's followers said they wouldn't even know how to get into the underwear, which has a clasp at the back similar to the fastening on a bra.

"I'd be so knackered from wrestling this on, nobody would be touching me afterwards," one joked. "I'd need an early night (with a hot water bottle and slipper socks)."

A second Twitter user commented: "How do you even get into this?" while others provided tongue-in-cheek suggestions about what the waspie could be used for.

How do you even get into this 😂

— Claire Mac (@ClaireMacBlog) February 5, 2018

To cover the belly button?

— Ashley Bash (@thebashstyle) February 6, 2018

But waspies are for suspenders 😭 WHERE ARE THE SUSPENDER STRAPS FFS

— 📸Kaye Fordtography (@Fordtography) February 5, 2018

"To hide the belly button of course," one joked, followed by a laughing emoji.

Another said: "Keep the belly button pokers away?"

MailOnline has contacted Boohoo and is awaiting comment.