Lingerie Glossary - An A-Z of Lingerie

12 December 2010

Choosing the right type of lingerie can make you feel sexy and confident, with figure enhancing qualities and comfort being key factors in your decision. There are many different types of lingerie, with each type fitting to every occasion and how you want it to make you feel. Lovehoney's guide to the different lingerie types ensures you can make an informed decision when it comes to finding the item for you.

Babydoll

A babydoll is similar to a chemise, but is usually looser-fitting than a chemise and tends to flare out at the hips, with a full and flouncy skirt. A babydoll is a very playful and provocative piece of lingerie that enhances the bust and shows the legs. Because babydolls boost the bust and flare out from the underbust, a babydoll is a great choice if you wish to draw attention away from your tummy.

Basque

A basque is a sexy undergarment, like a longer version of a bra or a more supportive camisole. It's an undergarment that looks like a corset with cups for your breasts. It may have plastic boning, which can give extra shaping but will not reduce your waist like a corset does.

Bodystocking

Bodystockings are stretchy head-to-toe garments, usually made from the same materials as tights. They're a fanastic base for outfits as well as a sexy all-in-one lingerie solution in themselves. Although they cover large areas of the body, the sheer and fishnet fabrics make them sexy and crotchless varieties mean that don't stop play at all.

Bra Set

Bra sets are a perfect treat for any woman, as they present the goods in the best way possible - high on the chest with lots of support and emphasis to feminine curves. Bra sets also come with a range of matching underwear so if your bum is your best asset, go for a matching thong or string. If you want to make sure all the attention is on the cleavage - go for matching briefs or shorts.

Briefs and Shorts

With so many names, we're not surprised that briefs and shorts, French knickers, booty shorts, boy shorts and hot pants can get confusing! Essentially, all these types of knickers have a full front and a flattering covered rear for a demurely sexy look. In some styles, particularly French knickers, the bum gets a bit of cheeky exposure. Perfect for finishing a retro style outfit, shorts and briefs also look excellent with corsets, covering the lumps and bumps that have been squeezed in all directions!

Bustier

A bustier is a piece of lingerie that looks like a corset but can be worn as a top, over a dress or as an undergarment. It may have plastic boning or a steel front busk, but bustiers will not reduce your waist or change your shape. Bustiers are an attractive and more comfortable option for people who do not want to reduce their waist or change their shape, but like the way that corsets look.

Camisole

A camisole is another name for a vest top and is often shortened to 'cami'. Because a vest top alone does not make a complete lingerie look, camisoles are often sold with matching knickers in cami sets. If buying a camisole separately, make sure to get some matching undies! Note the fabric of a camisole - a figure-hugging lace or mesh camisole will give a very different feel to a floating silk or satin top. A camisole set is a great way add curves by breaking up the lines of your body to emphasise a cute bottom and beautiful bust!

Chemise

A chemise is short dress that's a favourite for wearing in the boudoir. They are often delicate and provocative at the same time, and can be worn easily as nightwear or loungewear. Chemises are generally loose fitting, with gentle tailoring at the waist and a slim fit at the hips for a slinky and streamlined look. Chemises are flattering for all body shapes, but really enhance a 'skittle-shaped' figure.

Corset

A corset is a form-shaping garment that incorporates metal bones. It can be worn as a top or an undergarment. Corsets are designed to improve posture, reduce your waist and sometimes boost your bust. Some corsets cover the bust whereas others sit underneath the bust (also known as an underbust corset).

Hold-Up Stockings

Specially designed hold-up stockings and thigh highs stay perfectly poised on your legs with either elasticated tops or gripping silicone material. Like tights, they can be sheer, opaque, fishnet or fence net (wider fishnet) and have a backseam or be seamless. Unlike tights, they make a feature of their tops which can be trimmed with lace, ribbon or even PVC! They provide the finishing touch to any outfit or lingerie set and do away with having to think about suspender belts.

Teddy or Body

'Teddy' and 'body' are names used to describe a body-suit like piece of lingerie that combines a vest top and knickers in one piece. Usually tight to the body, they are extremely sensual to wear and are perfect for flattering both athletic and curvy figures. They range from being fairly covering (great if you're body-conscious) to very exposing if that's your desired look.

Thong and G String

A modern classic, thongs and g strings create a smooth line and leave your bottom cheekily exposed. G-string is often used interchangeably with the word thong but technically the difference between a g-string and a thong is the width of the fabric that passes between the buttocks, the string being narrower. The skimpiness of thong underwear is often highly erotic for the wearer as well as the onlooker and a thong is a great choice for the bedroom, if not everyday wear.

Suspender and Garter Belts

A suspender belt, sometimes called a garter belt, is a belt with straps that attach to suspender stockings to hold them up. They usually have 4 straps (one at the front and back of each leg) but some retro-style suspender belts have 6 straps for added security. Suspender straps (also known as garter straps) can be added to the bottom of a camisole, corset, basque or bustier so that the suspender belt doesn't need to be worn.

Suspender Stockings

Suspender stockings require a suspender belt to stay up, otherwise they will end up around your ankles! Because of this, you should make sure the lingerie set will look good with a suspender belt as part of the outfit. Suspender stockings look fantastic with corsets, basques and bustiers because they often come with suspender straps (also called garter straps) attached to them already. Matching your suspender stockings to your lingerie is an art form, but when it's pulled off the effects are eye-popping!

Tights

Whether fishnet, sheer or completely opaque, your outfit will always benefit from the finishing touch of tights or stockings. The options are almost endless. Spice up some workwear with a sexy back seam, or accessorise an outfit with patterned tights. With smoothing and shaping properties, tights are fantastic for creating a sexy silhouette. While many people find tights extremely sexy, they are usually worn as part of an everyday outfit rather than with a lingerie set. If that's the case for you, why not have a look at some stockings?

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