Lingerie Overview
Lingerie Background
Lingerie is a term, derived from the French language, for women's undergarments. The variety of types of lingerie are boundless and are only limited to the designer's creativity. The term typically refers to intimate apparel that is worn against the skin and in touch with apparel worn on top. This has changed as inner wear became outerwear in the 1980's.
Types of Lingerie
Examples of styles or categories of lingerie include:
Babydoll, a short nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women.
Basque, a tight, form-fitting bodice or coat
Bedjacket, worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and modesty.
Bloomers, underpants with short legs.
Bodystocking, a unitard.
Bodysuit, a leotard-like undergarment, usually skintight or formfitting.
Bodice, covers the body from the neck to the waist.
Boy shorts, a style of panties, so named for their resemblance to male shorts.
Brassiere
Bustier
Camisole,sleeveless and tight fitting, covering the top part of the body
Cami Shorts
Chemise
Corset by bone, a bodice worn to mold and shape the torso.
Corselet = Brassiere + Girdle
Corsage by elastic , covering the body from the neck to the waist, similar to a corset.
French maid, a form of ladies' fantasywear
G-String, a narrow piece of cloth passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as a bikini bottom or as underwear by both men and women.
Garter
Garter belt, used to keep stockings up
Girdle, resembles a tight pair of athletic shorts
Granny panties
Hosiery
Jersey nightshirt - A long, loose T-shirt made of cotton, polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a Babydoll.
Knickers
Leotard
Merry widow
Naughty & Nice
Negligee
Nightgown or Nightie, a loosely hanging item of nightwear, may vary from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir).
Nightshirt
Panties
Peignoir
Petticoat
Pettipants
Undergarment
Robe
Slip (Full slip and Half slip / Underskirt)
Stockings
Stringbody
Suspender belt (British), aka Garter belt (US)
Tanga
Tap Pants
Teddy
Unitard
by The Lingerie Lady
Author Information
The Lingerie Lady provides a comprehensive view of lingerie covering everything from fashion to function. You can find lingerie information at her website http://www.theofficialwebsiteforlingerie.com. She also authors the Lingerie Bargain Newsletter.
