About Lingerie

Confused about the different underwear names and lingerie terms? 

If you are,  we hope we have some answers for you here.  The following lingerie definitions are not meant to be fully inclusive and mostly cover terms used for lingerie offered for sale on our site.

Panties, briefs, knickers -  they are all bottoms!
All these "bottoms" really fall into two groups.  The sexy and the non-sexy.  The non-sexy are plain, huge and frankly uncomfortable and we don't sell them here.  The sexy (which we do sell here) can be grouped as follows:

Briefs
Briefs have many sub-groups but in the end it is really only about the cut;  high waist, low waist, exposed bottom or covered bottom, etc.  They are all really knickers that cover up quite a lot of the essential bits - so perhaps they should be called "lots".  Sorry bad joke!


Briefs can be cut slightly below the waist, as shown in the picture to the right (then they are sometimes called midis), or they can be cut low on the hip and then they are bikini briefs. 

For some really comfortable and sexy briefs you could try the Kiss me Deadly lingerie we offer.



But they can also be cut high across the buttocks revealing a sexy bottom cleavage and then they are called Brazilian.  See the example of a Brazilian cut brief on the right here:






A varient of the Brazilian are  boyshorts, which are really just hipster, snug fitting French knickers. 

And French knickers are simply loose fitting high waisted and loose legged panties which are really lovely to wear but not too practical under modern clothes.  Great in the days of big skirts but nowadays they give you the crumple affect unless you choose which outer garments you wear over them with care. 

But don't dismiss the French knickers - plan to have at least one set of high quality, preferably silk, French knickers in the undies drawer.  They are so comfortable and can be really cheeky when undressing.  Hint!

That just leaves the tanga. 

The tanga is two triangles of material connected by strings at the sides. 
So in a way it is the brief beginning an evolution into a thong or g-string. 





Thongs 
These are the daring ones! 

Tiny of the tiniest panties that barely cover the essential bits and in some cases don't!  Thongs also have a whole range of different names and varients which are irrelevant unless you want to take a degree in lingerie.  Explained simply, thongs and g-strings have no back!  They leave the buttocks entirely exposed.  Like the Brazilian brief and the tanga brief, thongs and strings are really only flattering on the slim.  But on the right body there is very little more sexy than an exquisite g-string such as the one pictured here.

On a practical level thongs are considered best to wear under sleek, tight fitting clothes and trousers because the thong has no pantie line. 

Corsets

Bustiers

A bustier is a close "relative of the corset and is like a long bodied bra where the body part extends down to or to slightly below the the waist.  Sometimes "boned", it creates a supported look. Bustiers include underwires on the bra and may have removable straps or suspenders.




Camisoles
The camisole could most unromantically be described as a vest!  But we won't call it that because the camisole is far too pretty to have such such an ugly name.  The camisole is a loose fitting but tailored top.  It will have shoulder straps and a traditional camisole will have a triangle form bra but no unwiring or support.  However there are some lingerie manufactures now producing camisoles with bust support.


Teddies
A teddy is a combination of camisole and a panty, briefs or thong.






Bodies
Possibly derived from bodice, bodies are, like the teddy, a one piece lingerie item but the range of design makes it difficult to define accurately as a body can be a very sexy bra and brief set linked by lace or it can be an equally sexy full cover up soft lace, velvet or silk garment with underwired bra or it can be a lightly boned underwired garment very similar to a corset.


A basque is the same as a corset, bodice or bustier.  Generally though the name is used when describing sexy or erotic lingerie, usually with underwired bra.


Chemise, robe, slip or petticoat.

All of these are light lingerie garments that can be worn under clothes or in the case of the chemise and the robe can be used as sleepwear.  The petticoat is generally a light skirt to be worn under an outer skirt.

	Latest Products
Luxxa - Paris Open G-String£25.45 Pearl Beads G-String Victoria£14.99 Rhinestone Front G-String£11.99 Victorian Style Beaded Tri-string£14.99 Black lace soft bra set£21.95 Samantha Corset Set£55.00 Ivory Lace Bustier£59.00 Reversible Corset£56.00 Lace Open Crotch Shorties£9.95