Lingerie Glossary & Terms

Babydoll

A babydoll is a short, sometimes sleeveless, loose fitting nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women. 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. Baby dolls are made of sheer fabric, and consist of shaped bra cups with an attached loose-fitting skirt that comes down to anywhere between the navel and the hips. They usually have matching panties.

Bodystocking

A bodystocking is usually a sheer close-fitting one-piece garment for the torso; many variations have sleeves and legs.[1] It is usually made from a sheer fabric similar to those used for stockings and tights, or from fishnet material. Thus, bodystockings are not normally considered acceptable as outerwear, and are meant to serve as a novelty item of lingerie.
Other, more utilitarian kinds of bodystockings serve as an alternative to a camisole, and can be worn under a sheer blouse as a way of covering up the body without the lines of an under layer showing through.

Bra

The shortened word for brassiere. A woman's close-fitting undergarment which is worn to support and give contour to the breasts. Bras come in various sizes, fabrics, styles and colors made to serve each and every woman's needs.

Bustier

A bustier (alternately bustiere) is a form-fitting garment for women. Its primary purpose is to push up the bust by tightening against the upper midriff and forcing the breasts up, while gently shaping the waist. Nowadays, it might also be worn as a push-up bra under a low-backed dress, or as a camisole for outer wear. The bustier can also be worn as a half-slip under diaphanous upper garments if a bold display of the midriff is not desired.

Camisole / Cami Set

A camisole is a woman's undergarment with shoulder straps that covers the bust and hangs down to the waist, either tight-fitting or loose. The camisole is usually made of satin, nylon, or cotton.

Charmeuse

Charmeuse (pronounced shär-mōōs) is a lightweight, satin-finished silk, which is soft and drapes beautifully. It is perfect for lingerie, used in loose-fitting designs, like a babydoll or camisole the luster and delicate hand make charmeuse suited to lingerie, flowing lingerie gowns.

Chemise

A chemise is a loose-fitting dress that hangs straight down from the shoulders. It can be worn as an undergarment. It is similar to the babydoll, but it is fitted more closely around the hips.

Corset

A corset is a foundation garment which is stiffened, usually with bone, possibly elasticized, and laced in the back. modern corsets and corset tops often feature lacing and/or boning and generally mimic a historical style of corsets, they have very little if any effect on the shape of the wearer's body. It's designed to lift and support the breasts, and reduce the size of the waist. It may also have attachments at the bottom to hold up stockings. The corset emphasizes a woman's curvy figure.

Hosiery

Hosiery or stockings are close-fitting, elastic garments that cover the feet and legs. Hosiery can also add an extra touch of sex appeal when paired up with most lingerie garments, especially when paired with garter belts and leg garters.
Hosiery comes in various styles including silk, nylon, and fishnet. Because the material is usually sheer, the legs are still visible, but appear silky, smooth and unblemished. Many women wear them with skirts or dresses or any sexy outfit.

Garter Belts & Leg Garters

Garter belts and leg garters are made to hold up hosiery. Often made of silk, lace, or even leather, garter belts are worn around the waist and have dangling straps that clip or snap onto stockings. Different types of Garters have a wide array of styles, ranging from cute and flirty to an exotic looks and styles.

Panties

Panties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Panties are underwear that comes in all shapes, fabrics and colors, allowing you to have lots of coverage or barely any coverage at all. From hip hugger or bikini panties to cotton or silk panties, these undergarments are made to fit and suit any version of the female body.

Teddy

A teddy, also called a bodysuit or camiknicker, is a form of bodysuit-like lingerie, in the past often worn in the boudoir. It is an undergarment which combines a camisole and panty in one piece. Unlike a full bodysuit, it is typically looser and more sheer, and may be designed to slip off from the shoulders, rather than to open at the crotch.