Lingerie Glossary - What Do The Terms Mean?

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Lingerie Glossary - What Do The Terms Mean?

15 denier Denier is a unit of measure that denotes the thickness of the fiber used in a garment. 15 denier fabric is very thin and transparent.

Attached sleeves Sleeves which are attached at only one point to the side of the garment. Usually seen on certain styles of bodystockings.

Baby doll A garment usually consisting of formed cups with an attached, loose fitting skirt that falls anywhere between the belly button and the hips.

Back seams Stockings with a seam running up the back of the leg for those that like a more old fashioned (and sexy) look.

Bikini A panty that rides lower on the waist than traditional designs. Usually has a full back, unless otherwise noted.

Boa A long scarf made of feathers.

Bodice That portion of the garment which covers the breasts. The upper part of a dress.

Bodystocking Snug fitting hosiery that offers coverage from the neck or upper body down to the ankles or toes.

Bodysuit Snug fitting one piece garment similar to a leotard.

Boning Rigid supports sewn vertically into a bustier or corset that help to maintain a slim, shapely look about the torso. Originally made from bone (hence it's name), but now made of plastic.

Boxer briefs Snug fitting like briefs, but with a fuller cut and legs like boxers.

Boxers Loose fitting under shorts.

Boy shorts A women's panty style similar in shape to boy's underwear (but not quite so innocent!).

Bralette A sexy bra-like top that lacks the usual support features of a real bra.

Brazilian back A panty style that covers more of the buttocks than a thong, but less than a traditional full-back panty.

Briefs Short, snug fitting underwear with a full back.

Brocade Rich oriental fabric consisting of raised patterns, often in gold or silver.

Burnout Alternating patterns of sheer and opaque fabric.

Bustier A bra that extends beneath the breasts to the waist to provide additional support, control and sex appeal.

Camisole A short top usually offering little support for the breasts.

Chantilly lace Delicate lace made from an open, six-sided mesh background with floral designs.

Charmeuse An opaque (i.e., not see through), shiny fabric. Synonym for satin.

Chemise Short under dress or slip.

Chiffon A lightweight, sheer fabric.

Choker A snug fitting necklace.

Chopper bar lace An open net lace background that has been embroidered with a slightly raised, shiny pattern.

Contoured fit Garment is cut/sewn to the shape of the body or body part for a more comfortable fit.

Corset A snug fitting garment designed to cinch the waist and lift the breasts. Lacing in the back allows the corset to be adjusted for comfort.

Cowl A loose, draped neckline.

Crochet knit A large, open knit pattern that resembles crocheting.

Crop top A very short top extending to just below the breasts.

Crotchless A convenient slit or opening in the fabric covering the crotch area.

Cuban foot Hosiery with a contrasting colored sole (usually black) and tapered blocks at the ankle.

Decorated back A g-string or thong with decorations (jewels, rhinestones, chains, beads, etc.) in the back where the T is formed.

Demi cups Demi cups, or half cups, have a lower line which reveals more of the upper breasts.

Derriere Fancy name for a person's rear end!

Dot net Sheer net fabric decorated with evenly spaced opaque dots.

Epaulet An ornamental strip of fabric on the shoulder.

Eyelash lace Lace garment with strands at the edges that resemble eyelashes.

Eyelets Round metal ring used for lacing or decoration.

Faux fur Man made fur (i.e., not taken from animals)

Faux leather Imitation leather.

Faux pearls Imitation pearls

Fence net A large, thin open net.

Fishnet Coarse, open mesh fabric noted for its sex appeal.

Fit and flair A dress style characterized by a form fitting top which flairs out towards the hem line, often resulting in pleats (folds).

Flocking Decoration made from very short velvety fiber.

Flutter A panty style with a strip of fabric around the sides that is elastic on top, but loose on the bottom.

Fly A convenience opening in the front of shorts or pants. Can be closed with a zipper, buttons or velcro, or it might just be an overlapping flap.

French cut Pantyhose with sewn in decorative panty.

Frog closure A type of closure, often seen in oriental designs, consisting of a fancy knot that is inserted into a closed loop.

Garter An elastic leg band originally designed to hold up stockings but now just used for added sex appeal.

Garter belt A belt worn around the waist with straps, called garters, that clasp onto stockings to keep them from falling down. Usually the back of the garter is adjustable to fit different waist sizes and the garter straps can be adjusted for length.

Garter straps Elastic straps (usually adjustable in length) which attach by a rubber and metal (or plastic) clip to the tops of stockings.

Gartini A combination garter belt and panty.

Gauze A loosely woven, lightweight, sheer fabric.

Georgette Sheer crepe woven from hard-twisted yarns/threads to produce a dull pebbly surface.

Gown A long dress usually extending to the ankles.

G-string A panty consisting of a triangular patch of fabric connected with thin, elastic straps in back and around the waist completely exposing the buttocks.

G-string back Only a thin piece of elastic is used in the back and around the waist, exposing all of the buttocks.

Half slip A slip is an undergarment worn under clothing to add opacity and/or prevent clinging. A half slip is cut like a skirt, whereas a full slip is cut like a dress.

Halter neck Garment wraps around the neck for support and, optionally, may be tied behind the neck (halter tie) or include a clasp (halter closure).

Halter top A short top held up at the neck usually exposing the shoulders and upper back.

Inner cap A lining inside of a wig that prevents tangling and if adjustable, allows the wig to fit virtually any size head.

Inner tie A hidden tie on the inside of a garment (usually a robe) to help keep it closed.

Iridescent Fabric which appears to change color or sparkle as it moves.

Jacquard Fabric characterized by an intricate weave or pattern. Originally named after French inventor Joseph-Marie Jacquard who invented a loom capable of producing this fabric.

Jumpsuit A one piece garment consisting of a shirt attached to pants or shorts.

Keyhole An oval-shaped opening.

Kick pleat An inverted pleat, often used at the bottom of a skirt to give it more breadth.

Knit Fabric made from interlocking loops of thread. Knit fabrics tend to stretch and conform to the shape of your body, which is a plus if you're looking for comfort, but a minus if you're trying to hide imperfections in your body shape.

Leather Cowhide.

Lined crotch An extra panel of fabric sewn into the crotch for added comfort.

Lining An extra layer of fabric sewn into the inside of a garment for added comfort, modesty and/or smoothness.

Long line A bustier that extends further down, usually to the hips.

Low rise Pants or panties which ride low on the hips instead of higher up at the waist.

Lurex® Fabric created from a trademarked metallic thread.

Lycra® A brand of spandex (elastic thread).

Marabou Soft fluffy feather-like material.

Microfiber An extremely fine synthetic fiber usually woven into soft, light weight, washable, breathable fabrics.

Miniskirt A very short skirt with a hemline that can extend anywhere from just below the buttocks (micromini) to mid-thigh.

Mock Simulated.

No fly No convenience opening in the front of shorts or pants.

Opaque Not see through. Semi-opaque is somewhere in between sheer (see through) and opaque. For example, stockings can look opaque until you stretch them over your leg, when due to the stretching, they become semi-opaque.

Open bust/tip Little or no coverage is provided over the breasts. In general, open bust means there is no cup whatsoever while open tip usually means there is a cup, but with an opening over the nipple area.

Open rear No fabric or elastic covers the area between the buttocks.

Over knee Stockings meant to rise up just over the knee. Shorter than standard thigh high stockings. Usually, they are too short to be worn with a garter belt.

Overlay Fabric (usually sheer) that is layered on top of another piece of fabric (usually opaque).

Padded cups Cups that contain padding, sometimes removable, for those with smaller breasts that might not otherwise fill out the cups.

Panty General term for women's underpants, but when used by itself, it usually refers to conservative underwear that is full cut in the back (versus thongs and g-strings which expose the buttocks) and rides normally on the waist (versus bikinis or low-rise thongs). Sometimes called briefs, but that term is usually used for men's underwear.

Pantyhose Close fitting hosiery offering coverage from toes to waist.

Patent leather Real or synthetic leather with a smooth, shiny surface on one side.

Peek-a-boo cups Cups with a slit or other opening that partially exposes the breasts or nipples.

Peignoir From the French word which translates to "garment worn while combing the hair". A negligee or dressing gown.

Petticoat An underskirt, often with fancy edging, intended to add more visual interest and/or fullness to a dress.

Polka dot A fabric pattern characterized by evenly spaced dots throughout.

Pouch A man's g-string.

Princess line Visible seams which resemble an hourglass shape for a figure flattering look.

Push-up cups Cups containing padding, sometimes removable, designed to push the breasts up to create a more flattering cleavage.

Regal lace While it sounds like lace fit for a queen, in reality, this is just a particular pattern of lace that was arbitrarily given the name "Regal" by the fabric manufacturer.

Reinforced heel Hosiery with extra or heavier fabric in the heel to enhance durability.

Reinforced toe Hosiery with extra or heavier fabric in the toe to enhance durability.

Removable pads Pads which can be removed from the cups, if desired.

Rhinestones Simulated diamonds.

Ribbed Fabric with raised vertical 'ribs' usually made into form fitting designs

Rivets A flat, round-headed metal fastener that goes through the fabric and is flattened out to form another head.

Robe A loose fitting coverup.

Satin A shiny, opaque woven fabric with a slippery feel.

Scallop edges A decorative fabric edge shaped similar to a line of scallops (or shells) lined up edge to edge.

Seamless An item manufactured without seams. Seams can be a source of discomfort, so a seamless item will tend to be more comfortable versus a similar item made with seams.

Sequins Small shiny discs used to reflect light and add interest to a garment.

Shelf cups Cups which only provide support and coverage underneath the breasts exposing the nipples.

Shirred Material which is gathered to make decorative folds

Shorts Very short pants.

Silk A natural fiber produced by silkworms that is revered for its luxuriously soft feel.

Skirtini A mini skirt with attached garters.

Slide top Often called a triangle slide top because the cups are shaped like triangles that slide along the band for adjustability.

Spandex Generic term for elastic thread. It takes just a small percentage of spandex to make a fabric stretch, so a typical cloth might be made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex.

Stay-up Stockings with rubber grips inside the tops that help to prevent them from slipping down the legs. They are meant to be worn without a garter belt, but they can usually be worn with a garter belt, if desired.

Stockings Hosiery providing coverage from over the knee or mid-thigh to the toes. Almost all modern stockings stretch and can be worn without a garter belt, but because the stockings may still slip down the leg, a garter belt will ensure they stay up and add a sexy touch to your outfit.

Strapless A garment without shoulder straps.

Studs A sharp, cone-shaped metal fastener that goes through the fabric and is flattened out to form a flat head in back.

Suspender style Stockings, pantyhose or bodystocking where the legs are held up by an attached waist band, sometimes styled to look like a garter belt. The front and back are usually open, so some may prefer to wear a g-string or thong under or on top (more convenient) of the hosiery.

Tailored Styled to look as if custom made by a tailor.

Tanga A style of panty that is cut high in back exposing some of the buttocks.

Tank top A sleeveless shirt.

Tap pant Pants with a slightly gathered, elasticized waistband and very short, loose-fitting legs.

Tapestry Rich looking fabric similar in appearance to the heavy, handwoven designs used in making curtains and upholstery.

Teddiette A teddy with attached garters to hold up stockings.

Teddy A one piece garment with high cut legs and usually a thong back.

Thong A panty with only a thin strip of material in the back that exposes most of the buttocks.

Thong back Only a thin strip of material is used in the back exposing most of the buttocks.

Tricot Plain, close warp-knitted (produced by machine with the yarns running in a lengthwise direction) nylon fabric.

Tube top A strapless, body hugging top made from a rectangular piece of fabric.

Twist A fine, sheer, mesh that stretches and clings to the body.

Underwired Adds extra support and lift for the breasts using a thin wire sewn into the base of the cups. Especially desirable feature for larger breasted women.

Vamp The part of a shoe upper or boot upper covering especially the forepart of the foot and sometimes also extending forward over the toe or backward to the back seam of the upper.

Veil A decorative headdress worn by brides.

Velvet Fabric with a short, soft, dense pile noted for its luxurious feel.

Venice lace Firm, heavy lace with an open background, usually in floral leaf patterns.

Waist cincher A form fitting garment worn around the waist to help control and smooth your mid-section. Often includes garter straps to hold up stockings.