Lingerie Glossary

Glossary of Lingerie & Nightwear Terms

Babydoll Nightie
A babydoll is basically a short nightdress worn with panties underneath. Short, sleeveless, loose fitting nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women. It usually consists of formed cups with an attached loose fitting skirt falling in length between the hips and the belly button. The garment is often trimmed with lace, ruffles, appliques, Marabou fur, bows and ribbons, optionally with spaghetti straps. Sometimes it is made of sheer or translucent fabric like nylon or chiffon or silk. The garment’s hemline is usually about six inches above the knee like a minidress and may have a scoop-neck. Usually panties are worn underneath
Basques & Bustiers
A Basque an article of lingerie, particularly styled as a torso-hugging camisole that resembles a corset (typically featuring decorative front or back lace-up detail), but of more delicate construction and offering little or no figure moulding compression.The Bustier is similar to a Basque. but shorter reaching only down to the ribs its primary purpose to push up the bust and gently shape the waist doubling up as a push-up bra for inner wear and as a camisole for outer wear.

Bodystocking
A bodystocking is an article of lingerie, similar to a leotard or a catsuit. It is much the same thing as a unitard, but the term bodystocking is likely to be preferred when the garment is worn as an underlayer in cold weather. Body stockings are often crotchless, made from a sheer fabric similar to those used for stockings and tights, or from fishnet material. Some people consider bodystockings to be an erotic garment.

Bodysuit
Snug fitting one-piece garment similar to a leotard with legs but may or may not have sleeves.

Boyshorts
Also known as boy short panties, boys’ cut, booty shorts, shorties or boyleg briefs are a sort of lingerie that goes all the way down the hips. They are a relatively new, but increasingly popular style of lingerie among women and are named for their similarity in looks to men’s shorts. Boy shorts often cover most of the buttocks area, but this is not always the case with thong-back lingerie also widely available. Boy shorts are a popular choice since most of them may avoid displaying a prominent visible panty line provided they don’t ride up, and yet are a modest and comfortable alternative to thongs and panties.

Bra
The bra is considered a foundation garment, as well as an undergarment, because of its role in shaping the wearer’s figure. It was originally developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to replace the corset, and has now become, in many parts of the world, the most popular form of undergarment for the upper body.
The bra may be worn to support and enhance breast shape during everyday activities and a specialized bra, the sports bra to support and restrain breasts during exercise. The bra may also be worn to observe modesty or to present a certain image of femininity. Bras are typically designed to lift the breasts into a particular position, for a more youthful look or for enhancing cleavage. These roles are sometimes conflicting. Some designers aim at producing a garment that fulfills a practical role as well as making it look attractive.

Camisole
A camisole or cami is a woman’s underwear which covers the top part of the body. It is sleeveless and tight fitting in contrast to a loose-fitting chemise. A camisole is sometimes worn cropped allowing midriff exposure, but often covers the entire torso.
A camisole can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Some camisoles come with a built-in underwire bra which eliminates the need for a bra among those who prefer one. Recently, camisoles have been known to be used as outerwear

Chemise
Usually a short nightgown hemmed below the hip but above the knee. Held up by thin straps, the gown should fit snugly at the bust and upper torso and fall loosely and flow flatterringly past the hips

Corset
A corset is a garment worn to mold and shape the torso into a desired shape. While modern “corsets” and “corset tops” often feature lacing and/or boning and generally mimic a historical style of corsets, they are not as tightly ‘moulding’ as the original styles, but still offer shaping qualities without the risk of passing out!

Crotchless
Crotchless underwear can be a fun addition to your love life. Can be worn to display the body or genitals in certain ways, while some are intended to provide genital stimulation as well.

Denier
This is the thickness of one thread of nylon used in making hosiery. The lower the number in denier, the lighter and finer the yarn, and thus the sheerer the stocking. 15-denier fabric is very thin and transparent. A hair from the average human head is about 50 Denier.

G String
A G-string is a type of thong, a narrow piece of material that covers or holds the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips. A g-string has less material between the legs and bottom than a Thong.

Plus Size
An extra long or “oversize” clothing size. Plus size clothing generally begins at about size 16 upwards.

Stockings
Are a form of women’s hosiery configured as 2 pieces, which are worn with a suspender belt or garter. Hold up stockings are able to stay up on their own without the need for suspenders.

Teddie/Teddy
Lingerie item that combines a camisole with a panty. A teddy can be fitted to the body or loose and is worn either under clothing or as sleepwear. A combination of camisole and panty with high cut legs and usually a thong in back, however, some risqué styles may use a G String back.

Thong
Thong underwear and swimwear is a style characterized by a thin strip of material along the centre of the garment’s rear, designed to sit between the wearer’s buttocks connecting the front or pouch to the waistband behind the wearer.Thongs come in a variety of styles

Tights
Tights are a type of fabric leg covering, usually extending from the waist to feet, and fitting as tightly as possible to the body. Styles of today also feature footless versions.

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