Lingerie Glossary

Adjustable Back: Usually describes a bra or fitted item that has straps or closures to allow the wearer to adjust the item via the back to fit their individual body shape.

Adjustable Shoulder Straps: Refers to any of the straps that are located on lingerie items such as s bras, chemises and other items; the adjustable nature of the straps allow the wearer to get a perfect fit through adjustments in length.

Air Bra: Another name for a bra that has pads filled with air that give the breasts a full and natural shaping.

All Over Shaper: This is a woman's body suit designed to firmly hold in a women's breasts, tummy, hips and buttocks via strong material (usually lyrca) to give a firm and slenderizing silhouette.

Applique: A technique of decoration made by applying pieces of one fabric onto another fabric and can be further embellished with sequins, embroidery and buttons.

Arthritis Bra: This is a brassiere that is designed for women with limited upper arm or hand mobility due to chronic illness such as Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, fibromyalgia, or injury that prevents easy self-dressing. Most styles of this type of bra features Velcro closures that hold tight.

Athletic Underwear: A huge range of underwear that is generally worn for athletic activities.

Baby Doll: Woman's short nightgown sometimes with lace, ruffles, bows and ribbons, optionally with spaghetti straps. A Baby Doll is many times made of sheer material such as crepe or chiffon.

Back Closure: The part of any lingerie, such as a brassiere that closes to parts together in the back of the garment; usually hooks and eyes or velcro.

Back Seams: A seam that runs down the back of stockings, to be worn straight to give a sexy line to the leg.

Backless Bra: A low-cut style of bra that fastens low the back to be worn with backless style clothing and still have support.

Balconet or Balcony Bra: A brassiere style that lifts the breasts to give a breasts a fuller look. Has wider spaced strapping than a traditional bra.

Banded Underwire: A bra style that has an extra piece of fabric just below the underwires to give the bra cup more support and additional control.

Band-less Underwire: This bra ends with the underwire and does not have the extra support that a banded underwire has.

Bikini: A garment cut for men or women that is cut in the shape of a swimming bikini. Normal cut sits below the naval area and can have a slight to extreme over the leg cut.

Bodice: The part of a garment that is meant to cover the part of the body from the waist to the chest, including the breast area.

Bodysuit: A body-covering garment that is usually made of stretchy fabric such as lyrca or Spandex and covers the body from the neck to the ankles. Many body suits have peek-a-boo openings.

Boning: One of the earliest garment enhancers. Early boning was commonly made of whalebone and stitched into brassieres and corsets to give them a rigid shape along with support.

Boot Length Sock: Socks that are made slightly longer to accommodate the height of boots.

Bottom Shaper: A type of shape wear to be worn under clothing to give a shapely look to the posterior region.

Boxer Brief: A boxer cut underwear for men that is usually made from stretched knit-type fabrics. They fit like brief-style underwear however the design extends to at least the thigh on both legs.

Boxer Short or Boxer: Used as both underwear and sleep wear by men and women. Usually made of lightweight fabrics from cotton to silk and are a comfortable favorite garment for their loose legged style that gives an easy fit.

Boyshort: Popular underwear and lingerie design for women. Has wider cut leg holes and rests just the buttocks at the hip.

Bra Cup: The part of the bra or brassiere that covers and supports the breasts when worn.

Bra Size: Bra Size is determined by the measuring the chest around the largest portion of the breasts. The cup size is determined by measuring under the breasts. Examples of bra sizes would be 34B, 36C (the most common chest size), 38D, etc.

Brassiere: A longer form of the bra. This normally covers the midsection and has either Velcro or hook and eye closures. Gives extra support to the breasts due to its longer design.

Bridal Lingerie: Any type of bras, bustiers, lingerie sets and more that are worn on wedding nights for a sensual honeymoon experience.

Brief: A closely fitting undergarment with an elastic waistband. One of top underwear choices for both men and women. Available in numerous cuts and styles.

Bust Shaper: Shape wear that is designed to reshape and push up a woman's bust line to give a more defined look to the bust area.

Bustier: A one piece garment that may or may not have cups for breasts. Usually has boning to give a shapely silhouette to the body - most often designed to go from the waist over the ribcage area.

Camisole Straps: Usually a part of full-figure bras. The cups go up higher creating more support for the breasts and the shoulder line is also smoothed.

Camisole: A lose fitting garment to wear under sheer fabric tops or on its own as lingerie.

Camouflage: A design inspired by the military fatigues used to hide troops in jungle or desert settings. The patterns used are often found on trendy fabrics used in undergarments, most often cotton t-shirts.

Casual: A broad term to describe any type of clothing that is not used for dress events, formal events or lingerie.

Catsuit: A full body stocking, generally made of stretch material; may or may not be see-through.

Chantilly Lace: A very delicately sculpted lace that usually comes in tones of black or white. The Chantilly design is usually floral.

Charmeuse: A shiny, opaque fabric used often in lingerie and shape wear.

Chemise: Can be used as a sleeveless undergarment or loose-fitting dress. Is not form fitting and hangs from the shoulder with no definition of the waist.

Chest/Back Shaper: A type of shape wear that is made to hold a woman's chest and back in a particular shape; such as uplifting the breasts.

Chiffon: A light thin fabric usually made of nylon, rayon or silk.

Clear Straps: Transparent straps on bras that are usually made from stretchy synthetic materials. Usually worn when support is desired; yet a traditional bra will show and ruin the lines of the garment.

Cleavage: The area created between a woman's breasts when a low cut garment is worn.|

Combed Cotton: When cotton is combed (has the shortest fibers removed) the result is the softest type of cotton fabric available.

Comfort Top: The wide elasticized band found on most thigh high and knee high hosiery that holds the band up without cutting into the leg.

Compression Bra: A bra designed to compress the breasts and hold them firmly in place. Used for athletic pursuits generally.

Compression Underwear: Athletic underwear that supports through body hugging fit.

Contour Bra: A bra that helps create a more shapely silhouette through the use of underwires and usually boning.

Control Brief: A panty that is made with extra strong fabric at the tummy and hip areas to give a flatter appearance and smoother shape.

Convertible Bra: A bra that is designed with straps that can take on many shapes such as halter, strapless, crisscross or open back.

Corset: A form fitting, shape enhancing undergarment. Lingerie variations of the corset tend to be less restrictive and more comfortable for leisure wear.

Cotton: A natural fiber that is used to make many types of fabrics and fabric blends when combined with other materials such as polyester.

Crew Neck: Any T-shirt with a neckline that forms a round, collarless circle around the neck.

Decolletage: A low neckline on an item of clothing, usually feminine.

Demi Bra: Low-cut bra designed to enhance the cleavage with a gentle push-up design.

Demi Cups: The actual cup of the bra and in a Demi bra is usually half the size of a traditional bra cup.

Drawstring Waist: A waistband made with a fabric cord instead of elastic or fitted and can be pulled to fit the wearer with ease.

Drip Dry: The care method for any lingerie items. After a gentle washing the garment is allowed to naturally dry by laying flat or hanging. Most drip dry items should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Elastic: A band of rubber or latex that has the stretching properties. Used to give a good fit to many "pull on" garments such as underwear, wears and more.

Embellished: Having jewels, sequins or embroidery on a garment for decoration.

Embossed: Embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery stitching.

Embroidery: Decorative designs made from needlework or machines creating a pattern or design.

Fine Lingerie: A collection of lingerie that includes items made of materials that are not leather, latex or vinyl.

Fishnet: Mesh fabric that has a net-like appearance such as a fisherman might use. Often found in stocking material.

Flatlock Seams: Seams that are sewn flat and give a very comfortable feel when worn.

Fly Front: An opening on underwear and trousers, usually kept closed by zippers, buttons or an overlying flap of fabric.

Footsocks: Hosiery that covers the feet but does not cover the leg above the ankle bone.

Frame: The frame of a bra that holds the entirety together including the cups and sides.

Front Closure: A type of bra that closes in the front usually between the breasts by use of a small clasp.

Full Brief: A style of panty that covers the lower body fully from the waist to a low-cut leg line.

Full Cup Coverage Bra: A bra that has cups that fully cover the breasts when worn.

Full Support Bra: A bra that is fully supportive due to its construction of boning and underwires. Especially suited for larger cup sizes.

Full-Figured Bra: Bras that are designed to support women from size 32C and larger.

Fully-Padded Bra: A fully-padded bra is designed to give a smooth look and even out imperfections in breast size by padding both breasts to be the same size and/or look fuller. Additionally, no seams mean a clean, no lines look.

Garter Belt: A belt worn by women to hold up stockings. It is usually worn around the waist and has hangers to with clips to hold the stockings, two in the front and two in the back for each leg. Usually matched with stockings and panties for a complete look.

Gown: A long dress for lounge, formal or sleep wear depending on the cut and fabric. Usually between calf and floor length - optionally slit up to the thigh in sexier lingerie gowns.

Gripper Elastic: Elastic designed to gently grip the skin to hold an item of clothing in place. Often used for strapless items and thigh-high hosiery.

G-String: A panty with a very thing string in the back.

Gusset: The cotton lining panel in the crotch area of underwear.

Halter Neck: A dress, bra or lingerie style that wraps around the neck to support the garment as a whole.

High-Cut Panty: A type of panty cut high over the thigh and sides but featuring full fabric coverage across the buttocks.

Hikini: Panty variation that combines a bikini style with higher cut leg holes.

Hip Shaper: Shape wear designed to minimize and firm a woman's hips.

Hipster: Type of panty or brief that is cut low in the front and back and made especially for wearing with low-rise jeans and pants.

Hook and Eye: The standard closure on many types of lingerie items.

Hook Back: A term for a garment that has a closure via hooks in the back.

Hook Front: A term for a garment that has a closure via hooks in the front.

Hosiery: Can be either a reference to socks or stockings of any length.

Interlock: A type of stitching used on thicker and heavier knitted fabrics that allows for more heavy duty use - the interlock is a variation of the standard rib stitch used on many knit garments.

Jacquard: Common lingerie and lounge wear fabric. Has a fabric weave that gives the appearance of a delicate, intricately designed print.

Jersey Knit: The most common material that panties, briefs, socks and other undergarments that need to fit closely to the body are constructed of.

Jockstrap or Jock Strap: A standard support garment for the male genitals.

Kimono: A loose, light robe worn usually made of light material and characterized by wide sleeves.

Knee-Highs: Any type of hosiery or socks that come to just below the knee.

Knit Fabric: Fabrics made from only one set of yarns, all running in the same direction. This gives the garment more form fitting ability and ""give"" or stretch.

Lace Bra: A very feminine style of bra made entirely of lace. Not generally worn for support purposes.

Lace Edging: A delicately made decorative fabric usually made into scallops, floral designs and other feminine styles used on the edge of garments to lend them a softer and more feminine appearance. Common on many types of lingerie.

Lace-Up Back: The closure is located in the back of the garment and is secured using a lace up feature.This is common for bustiers.

Lace-Up Front: The closure is located in the front of the garment and is secured using a lace up feature.This is common for bustiers.

Lace-Up Side: The closure is located on the side of the garment and is secured by using a lace up feature that goes up the side of the clothing.

Ladder Stitching: Garment stitching that resembles ladder rungs - used often in leather wear.

Latex Free Bra: Latex can cause allergies in certain individuals. Latex free items are generally constructed from a blend of nylon and Spandex giving the look and feel of Latex, without the skin sensitivity issues.

Leather: Made from the hides of animals, can be tanned and dyed.

Leg Shaper: Shape wear that is designed to firm and give the legs a more shapely appearance.

Leotard: Formfitting knit garment that covers the torso and may also include leggings as part of the garment.

Lining: A thin layer of fabric sewn into a garment to make it more comfortable as well as less sheer.

Liquid Filled Bra: A bra insert that is filled with water and inserted into a bra to give a curvier bust line.

Long Line Bra: Bra that goes to the waistline covering the torso and usually has boning for a firming, shape wear effect.

Long Underwear: Also called "Long Johns" as they were first worn by John L. Sullivan as a boxing outfit and popularized the style. Usually made of a waffle weave fabric to add retain body heat.

Lounge Pants: Pants with a loose fit that are designed to be worn while relaxing, usually made of soft and flowing materials.

Loungewear: Can refer to a large number of garment-types from pajamas to robes to loose-fitting lingerie items.

Low Back Bra: A bra constructed with a lower back strap to be worn with backless dresses and tops.

Low-Rise or Low-Rider: A style of panty to be worn under low-rise jeans and pants to create avoid the appearance of undergarments when these types of pants are worn.

Lycra: Extremely stretchy synthetic fiber that is common in fitted lingerie garments.

Maternity Bra: A bra that gives extra support for a pregnant woman.

Maternity Panty: Type of panty constructed to have more "give" in the front to accommodate a pregnant woman's growing belly.

Matte: Any type of fabric that has a finish without a shiny appearance.

Mesh: Type of fabric that is constructed of thread to create small openings much like a net.

Microfiber: An extremely fine synthetic fiber that can be woven into almost any material adding additional stretch and strength to the fabric.

Minimizer Bra: A bra that reshapes the breasts to minimize their outward projection while maintaining comfort and support.

Molded Bra: Any type of bra that has pre-molded cups to give a natural look, often used with inserts.

Muscle Shirt: Also known as a sleeveless T-shirt, and very often close-fitting through the torso to show off muscle definition in the arms and abdomen.

Natural Fiber: Linen, wool, silk and cotton are all examples of natural fiber. They may be used on their own for lingerie items or blended with synthetics such as polyester.

Negligee: A gown or undergarment made of thin, usually sheer fabric. Can be any length.

Nightgown: A loose fitting garment worn in bed by women- may be any length.

Non-Stretch Straps: Hold their shape rigidly and are usually used when breast support is needed in sports activities.

Novelty Underwear: Underwear item that has special, often whimsical characteristics such as men's underwear with an elephant or a g-string made into a funny bunny face. Holiday-wear is often filled with fun novelty items.

No-Wire Bra: A type of bra with no underwires in the cups and although it has increased comfort, it generally lacks more than average support.

Nursing Bra: A nursing bra is an extra-support bra that comes with removable flaps on the front to accommodate a new mother for nursing her baby without removing her bra.

Nylon: A synthetic fiber that is used most often in lingerie, underwear and stockings as it is easy to care for and resists wrinkle.

Opaque: Any material or light that can not be seen through.

Padded Bras: Type of bra designed to give fullness to smaller bust lines.

Pajamas: Loose-fitting garments worn for sleeping or lounging.

Panty: A general term for women's undergarments. Panties come in a huge number of styles.

Pantyhose: Nylon, silk or other material that stretches to fit and covers the legs, buttocks and may or not cover the feet.

Petite-Figure Bra: A Petite-Figure bra is the smallest type of bra and is made for women with smaller bust lines.

Piping: A twisted cord covered with fabric and is inserted into garments as a decorative detail and to help lighter materials hold their lines.

Plus Size: A range of lingerie and clothing styles made for women that runs in larger sizes.

Polyester: Large class of synthetic fabrics known for their resistance to wrinkles and easy care.

Pouch: The fabric area that covers the genitals in a man's thong or g-string.

Pull-On Bra: A bra made to be pulled over the head and has no closures.

Push-Up Bra: A bra that uses padding and sometimes underwires to physically push the breasts upward and give a fuller and enhanced look.

Queen Size: Lingerie, hosiery, or other garments sized to fit a larger-sized female frame; usually included in plus size.

Racer-Back Bra: A type of bra that has straps meeting in a V-shape.

Rayon: A synthetic fabric that is lightweight and often used for fine lingerie and underwear.

Reinforced: A definition when the garment has areas that will encounter more stress when worn made stronger through the use of overlays of heavier fabrics or double stitching.

Rib Knit: Stretchy knit often found in the collars of knit shirts as well as the bands of underwear and lingerie.

Rings and Slides: Used to adjust the length of straps on undergarments, particularly fitted lingerie items and bras.

Robe: A loose fitting garment usually worn as lounge wear or over lingerie.

Sandalfoot Hosiery: Type of hosiery to be worn with open toe shoes.

Satin: A soft, smooth fabric made of silk or rayon and has a sheen on one side and a matte look on the other.

Seamless Bra: A bra that uses a single piece of fabric for the cups giving a seamless, clean line to the clothing worn over the seamless bra.

Shape wear: Fitted undergarment used to hold the body and the result is a more sleek and firmer silhouette.

Shaper: A type of lingerie that enhances the natural shape of the body.

Sheer: Thin, fine and see-through fabric usually used in undergarments, lounge wear and lingerie.

Sheer-To-The-Waist: Pantyhose without visible any visible lines and usually no reinforcement.

Shelf Bra: Also known as a Demi bra.

Silicone Cups: A type of bra cup filled with silicone as opposed to using inserts to enhance the bust line.

Silk Knit: Silk blend designed to fit and move with the body.

Silk: Natural fiber that is produced from the especially strong and elastic secretions emitted by silkworms as they make their cocoons. Used to make finer clothing and lingerie.

Sleepwear: Clothing worn for sleep, can include lounge wear, pajamas and lingerie.

Slip: A woman's undergarment or lingerie that is not tightly fitted and hangs on the body using shoulder straps that are usually adjustable.

Sock: A foot and leg covering that can end anywhere above the ankle and below the knee.

Soft-Cup Bra: Fitted with elastic under the cups and has no underwire.

Spandex: A stretchy synthetic fabric that is usually used to make form fitting clothing that is tight but not binding.

Sports Bra: Designed to eliminate bounce in any activity that involves a lot of physical movement.

Stockings: Hosiery that can range from ankle-high to thigh-high.

Strapless Bra: A bra that has no straps and is usually supports the breast through boning and underwires. Made to be worn with off-the-shoulder evening wear as well as other garments of a similar design.

Stretch Lace: Lace that is blended with materials designed to give it stretch to be used in form fitting garments.

Stretch Straps: Stretch straps are often used in bras and garments to give support while reducing bounce.

String Bikini: A bikini panty with full coverage in the back and has strings that tie to hold the garment on the body.

Taffeta: A lustrous silk or silk-type fabric that has a similar sheen to satin yet has more stiffness, often used in formal wear.

Tailored: Garments designed to have the appearance of being custom-made for the wearer.

Tanga: A lingerie pant style that has thin straps across the hips. Also known as a Tango panty.

Tank Top: Sleeveless shirt worn by men or women can range from cotton to cotton blends to leather.

Teddy: Lingerie item that combines a camisole with a panty. A Teddy is usually form fitting without being tight and is worn underclothing or as lounge wear.

Thigh Shaper: A shape wear designed to hold in the thighs and give a firmer appearance under clothing.

Thigh-Highs: Stockings that just reach the thigh and up held up by elasticized bands.

Thong Back: Term defining lingerie, panties and clothing that has a back of thin material that rests between the buttocks leaving the area on each side of the fabric exposed.

Thong Panty: A panty with a thin fabric back that rests between the buttocks.

Thong: An underwear style for men or women and features a thin fabric strip the rests between the buttocks.

Tie Back: Any garment that has ties instead of a hook and eye or other type of closure and fastens in the back.

Tie Belt: A sash or fabric belt used to tie a garment, like a robe, closed.

Tie Front: Any garment that has ties instead of another type of closure to keep the garment fastened on the body. Fastens in the front.

Tights: One piece garment that the covers the body from the waist to the ankles and may cover the feet and toes in full-footed tights.

Trunk: Style of men's underwear that has a cut similar to a classic men's swimsuit.

T-Shirt: A knitted undershirt that is sometimes worn as outerwear. Most commonly has either a crew neck (rounded) or a V-neck constructed of ribbing for ease of wear.

Tummy Shaper: Also known as an "instant tummy tuck". This type of shape wear is designed to hold the tummy area as flat as possible.

Undergarment: A garment to be worn under other clothing. Lingerie can be considered undergarments.

Underwear: Clothing worn as the first layer next to the skin and under other clothing.

Underwire Bra: A bra constructed with wires under the cups for extra breast support.

Unmentionable: Victorian Era term to describe underwear and sometimes lingerie items as it was considered improper to mention the actual name of an undergarment in mixed company or in front of their elders. Now used as a playful term that refers mainly to sexy clothing and lingerie.

Velcro: A type of closure system that uses fabric that connects to itself using small plastic loops.

Velvet: A cotton, silk or nylon fabric with a soft feel and plain backside. Usually used in leisure and formal fabrics.

Vent: Predetermined slit on garments to give freedom of movement.

Viscose: A type of rayon with a softer and silkier appearance and feel.

V-Neck: The neckline on a t-shirt that forms a "V" in the front of the shirt.

Waist Shaper: Shape wear designed to minimize the waist area and hold it firmly in.

Wings: Side panels on bras that are used in the large and plus sized bras to give extra support on the sides of the breasts and under the arm areas.

Zip or Zipper: A type of closure using two rows of metal teeth that interlock when a pull is brought over them. Common on more fitted garments and leather wear.

Zipper Front: Garment with zip closure that closes in the front of the piece.