| The Language of LingerieThere is a language of lingerie and some of the descriptions are confusing. So we have compiled this list of lingerie definitions and terms which we hope you will find useful. Applique
Applique is a method of creating a decorative motif by overlaying different materials. In the context of lingerie it can often be seen where lace is overlaid on tulle, silk or satin.
Babydoll
A short sleeveless nightdress, often made of sheer material such as nylon or chiffon and trimmed with frills or ruffles. Sometime the bust section is fitted and under-wired, providing support for the breasts. A babydoll nightdress is intrinsically a youthful garment, most suited to a young woman.
Balconette
Balconette is a style of bra with the cups cup horizontally across the bra. Underwired to push the breasts up and make them appear full a balconette bra works well to make a small bust look more full.
Basque
A tight, body fitting bodice, similar to a corset but usually more decorative.
Bodice
Another name for a corset. A tight, figure hugging/forming garment.
Body
The body is an all in one garment combining panties and top. It can be tight and figure hugging with bust support or soft and loose.
Bra
The shortened form of brassiere. A close fitting under garment which supports and shapes the breasts.
Bra Cup
The specific section of a bra which holds the breasts.
Bralette
Similar to a fitted short camisole a bralette is a soft cup, unlined bra. A bralette has none of the support boning or underwiring that can be found in a standard bra.
Brazilian Back
Half way between a thong and panties, the Brazilian back has more rear cover than a thong but less than standard panties.
Bustier
A structured and fitted garment, similar to a corset, that usually extends from the bust down to the hips but may on occasions be shorter.
Calais Lace
Very fine lace manufactured in France. Approximately 80% of Calais lace is used in fine lingerie manufacture.
Cami
Short form of camisole.
Camisole
A loose fitting sleeveless under garment which normally has no shaping or support to the bust, but more fitted versions with underwired cups are available.
Catsuit
A tight fitting garment which covers the entire body, legs and sometimes arms. A catsuit is of necessity made from stretch material.
Chantilly Lace
Chantilly lace is created by embroidery on a mesh background. It takes its name from the town of Chantilly in France, but it was also made in Bayeux, also in France and Geraadsbergen in Belgium.
Charmeuse
A fine lightweight material, popular in dressmaking and lingerie manufacturer with a semi lusterous surface on one side and a mat finish on the other.
Chemise
A short loose fitting undergarment that normally extends from the bust to the knees. Can be used as an undergarment beneath a dress for day wear. It is particularly suitable for wearing under semi see through summer dresses. Can also be worn as a short night dress.
Chiffon
A very fine, light and airy material that is sheer. Chiffon can be made from silk or man made fibres.
Corselette
A shortened version of a corset, sometimes with a bra section providing support and shaping down to the waist.
Corset
A tight and supportive undergarment which proivdes outline and support from the hips to the bust. Sometimes stopping just below the bust.
Denier
A unit of measurement to indicate the thickness of silk, nylon or rayon. The larger the measurement the thicker the yarn and the more opaque the material made from that yarn.
Faille
A glossy, finely ribbed fabric which can be made from silk, cotton or man made fibres.
French Knickers
Loosely fitting panties with generous length and often made from silk.
Garter
An elasticated band of material worn around the top of stockings to keep them in place. No longer a practical necessity as stockings with elasticated tops are readily available. But it is still possible to buy stockings that do not have an elasticated top. Most usually now a single garter is worn for decorative purposes.
Garter Belt
Otherwise known as a suspender belt, a garter belt is a band of material fitted and the waist with adjustable straps to attach to the top of thigh high stockings. As with the garter, the garter belt is not a practical essential but is popular for decorative reasons.
Georgette
A sheer fabric with crepe surface which can be made from silk or man made fibres.
g string
A minimal pantie, usually formed with a small triangular front panel that is reduced to a "string" at the back.
Guepiere
A short boned corset (similar to a bustier). Previously also known as a "waspie" in England.
Guipure
A heavy lace with no background mesh, which is held together with thread.
Habotai
A lightweight silk fabric.
Half Bra
A bra with cups cut low across the breasts to expose the nipples, sometimes referred to as a demi bra or shelf bra.
Hosiery
Stockings, tights and socks.
Jacquard
A light fabric with a satin background and design woven into the fabric.
Kimono
With ancient origins, the modern Kimono is a loose light weight robe. Although originally an outer garment for day wear, it is most frequently worn in the west as a garment to relax in at home or in the bedroom.
Lingerie
A catchall term that can cover everything from a plain low cost bra to a high end made to measure real silk nightdress. The word lingerie has a French derivation and originally meant linen goods. Today, although it is possible to buy linen lingerie, there is a wide choice of materials both natural and man made.
Negligee
Made from sheer or lace material a negligee is a lightweight and delicate dressing gown worn by women and is often paired with a matching nightdress.
Nightdress
A loose garment for sleeping in. A nightdress is most normally cut in a shift or A-line style and can be made of silk, cotton, linen or man-made material. Full length with sleeves and high neck or with more exposure the nightdress is a very variable garment and the purpose behind purchase choice complex, dependant very much on the wearers requirements for comfort or glamour.
Pantie (Panties)
Undergarments that cover the lower part of a woman. Other names and types are: knickers, briefs (or brief), pants, thong, g strings. All these garments cover the same part of the body - the difference is one of style and amount of coverage.
Peignoir
A woman's loose fitting dressing gown.
Pyjamas
A loose fitting set of trousers and top (most frequently in jacket style) designed for sleeping in. Originally for the Persian Pai (Leg) and Jama (Garment). May also be spelled Pajamas.
Satin
A material made from silk or man made fibres, woven with a glossy side and a mat side.
Scallop
A semi circular cut out shape often used at the edge of a design as a decorative feature.
Silk
A natural material made from the fine lustrous threads produced by silk worm caterpillars when making their cocoons. Legend has it that silk was first discovered by the Chinese empress, Hsi Ling Shi. Although there are many countries producing silk today, the majority still comes from China. The production of silk is lengthy and so this is an expensive material, used in luxury and high end lingerie at the upper end of the price range. Click this link you would like to know more about silk.
Slip
An undergarment, possibly full body length but also a skirt only for wearing under day clothes. Useful for wearing under delicate semi sheer summer dresses or blouses.
Teddy
Under garment that combines a camisole (or bodice) with panties. The lingerie teddy options are immense and you will find teddy designs that are loose fitting and unboned as well as fully fitted versions with underwired bra and fully boned body.
Thong
Also known as g string. A thong is a minimal, fitted garment that is constructed of a small area of fabric that covers all or part of the genitals and thins to a fine strap between the buttocks before attaching to the thin waist band at the rear.
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