Lingerie Glossary

Appliqué - Decorative fabric, lace, or embroidery sewn onto lingerie for embellishment.

Babydoll - A short, loose-fitting nightgown, often with a fitted bodice and a flouncy, short skirt, ending around the upper thigh.

Balconette Bra - A bra with a horizontal, "balcony-like" neckline and wide-set straps that provide a natural lift and rounded shape to the bust.

Balcony Bra - See: Balconette Bra

Basque - Garment with a longline bra and structured bodice similar to a corset but lighter and often with shoulder straps. Also called a torselette.

Bikini Panties - A classic underwear cut with moderate front and back coverage and low-rise waistband.

Binding - Elastic or fabric trim used to finish garment edges.

Bodice - The torso-covering section of a garment.

Bodysuit - A one-piece lingerie garment covering the torso and crotch, often sheer or lace.

Boning - Plastic or metal strips sewn into garments for structure and shaping. The name comes from the original use of whalebone for the same purpose.

Boyshorts - Panties with low leg openings and extended hip coverage, inspired by men’s briefs.

Bralette - A lightweight, non-wired bra, often lace, designed for comfort and style.

Brazilian Panties - A style of underwear with more back coverage than a thong but less than bikini.

Busk - a rigid, supportive element used in a corset or other lingerie, such as a bustier or bodice.

Bustier - A structured top designed to lift and support the bust while providing light shaping to the waist, typically ending at or just above the hips.

Camisole - A loungewear top that covers the torso, usually with narrow or spaghetti straps.

Center Gore - The piece of fabric that connects the two cups of a bra.

Chemise - A slip-like lingerie dress, usually satin or lace, that skims the body.

Chiffon - A lightweight, sheer fabric often used for lingerie overlays.

Corset - A structured garment with boning, laces, or hooks designed to shape the waist and torso.

Cut-Out - Open sections in lingerie exposing skin, often for decorative effect.

Demi Bra - A bra with cups covering half to three-quarters of the bust, enhancing cleavage.

Eyelash Lace - Lace with delicate, fringe-like threads on the edges.

Eyelet - Small, reinforced hole in fabric used for lacing or decoration.

Fishnet - Open-mesh fabric used in stockings, bodysuits, or panels.

Full Cup Bra - A bra style with cups that cover the entire breast for maximum support.

G-String - Minimal underwear with a narrow waistband and string back.

Garter Belt - A waistband with straps (garters) that clip to stockings.

Garters - Not to be confused with garter belts, garters are individual elasticated bands, either for decoration or to hold up stockings.

Gusset - The crotch panel sewn into underwear or bodysuits for comfort and hygiene.

Halter Neck - Straps that tie or fasten behind the neck, leaving shoulders bare.

High-Cut - Panties with higher leg openings to elongate the legs.

High-Waisted - Panties or shapewear that rise to or above the natural waistline.

Hipster - Underwear style that sits low on the hips with moderate coverage.

Illusion Panel - Sheer mesh panel that suggests exposure while providing coverage.

Inset Lace - Lace fabric set into lingerie as decorative detail.

Jacquard - A luxurious fabric with intricate, raised patterns that are woven directly into the material rather than printed on the surface. .

Kimono - Loose, lightweight robe or jacket, often made of satin or lace, that mimics a traditional Japanese kimono but is designed as a piece of sensual loungewear. .

Lace - Decorative openwork fabric commonly used in lingerie.

Lace-Up - Adjustable lacing used as a closure or decorative detail.

Longline Bra - A bra extending down the torso for support and shaping.

Lycra - A trademark of DuPont, Lycra is the spandex fiber produced by DuPont.

Mesh - Semi-transparent net fabric used in panels or full garments.

Modal - A semi-synthetic fabric derived from beechwood pulp known for exceptional softness and breathability.

Nipple Cover - Small, adhesive patches that cover the nipples and areolae. They are worn beneath tight or sheer garments for the purpose of concealing the nipples.

Negligee - A long, sheer or semi-sheer nightgown, often more flowing than a babydoll.

Nude G-String - A G-string that is nude in color, often worn under other lingerie for modesty or hygeine. May also be worn with the intent of removing the thin side straps in photo retouching for an implied nude look.

Open-Cup Bra - A bra that frames but does not cover the bust.

Ouvert opening - Strategic opening in lingerie meant to be revealing and provocative. From the French "open".

Overbust Corset - A corset that covers the entire torso, including the bust, waist, and upper hips.

Overlay - A second fabric layer (lace or mesh) laid over a solid base.

Panel - Distinct fabric section in a garment that provides shaping or decoration.

Pasties - Adhesive covers worn over the nipples, often decorative.

Peignoir - A sheer, flowing robe, often floor-length, worn over lingerie.

Plunge Bra - A bra with a deep V neckline that reveals more cleavage than a standard bra.

Push-Up Bra - A bra with padding that enhances cleavage.

Racerback - A bra style with straps meeting in the center back, often forming a Y-shape.

Rise - Where the waistband of a panty falls on the torso relative the the natural waist. Above the natural waistline is "high-rise", below is "low-rise".

Ruched - A technique where fabric is gathered, folded, or pleated to create a textured, ruffled, or rippling effect.

Quarter Cup Bra - A bra with very low-cut cups exposing most of the breast.

Shapewear - Undergarments designed to smooth and contour the body.

Shelf Bra - A bra that lifts the bust but leaves it mostly uncovered.

Slip - A straight underdress garment, often satin or silk.

Spandex - A synthetic fabric that is prized for its elasticity. Contrary to popular belief, the term "spandex" is not a brand name.

Stay-Ups - Stockings that stay up without the need for garters. They are constructed with a special band or cuff at the top that prevents slippage.

Suspender Belt - See: Garter Belt

Sweetheart Neckline - Neckline shaped like the top of a heart, flattering to the bust.

Tanga - Underwear cut with narrow sides, more revealing than bikini but fuller than thong.

Tap Pants - Loose-fitting short shorts-style lingerie bottoms.

Teddy - One-piece lingerie combining camisole and panties.

Thigh-highs - A one-piece garment that combines the top of a camisole with the bottom of panties, typically made from delicate fabrics like lace, satin, or mesh. .

Thong - Panties with minimal back coverage and a thin strip between the cheeks.

Torsolette - A long-line, fitted undergarment that extends from the bust to the torso, typically featuring a combination of a bra and a shaping garment like a light corset or bustier. .

Triangle Bra - A bra with soft triangular cups, usually unlined and wireless.

Tulle - A fine, lightweight, and sheer netting fabric used to provide delicate and structured support or as a decorative overlay. .

Tunic Slip - A slip cut like a tunic, longer and looser than a chemise.

Underbust Corset - A corset beginning under the bustline, shaping waist and hips.

Underwire - A thin metal or plastic wire sewn into bra cups for support.

V-Plunge - An extreme plunge neckline cut into a sharp V.

Wings - The side and back panels of a bra that wrap around the body to provide support and anchor the bra.