Lingerie Glossary

A garment that usually consists of formed cups with a loose fitting, attached skirt falling anywhere between the hips and belly button.

Style of bra that lifts the breasts and exposes the top part.

See Balconette.

Sleeveless tight-fitting bra top extending slightly below the waist.

Long robe to wear over nightwear: also dressing-gown.

Low-cut pants which sit on the hip.

An old fashioned type of women's underwear that resembles loose fitting trousers or shorts.

Sleeveless undergarment fitting a woman's upper half.

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 Originally made from bone (hence it's name), but now made of plastic.

Brassière, more commonly known as bra, garment for supporting the breasts.

Large-style pants, like small shorts

Close-fitting strapless top. Many have boning for support and fit and most have removable adjustable garter straps attached.

A short vest top that offers little support for the breasts but provide coverage under see-through clothes.

A straight-hanging short lounge dress, worn like a slip.

A garment designed to pull in the waist, lift the breasts and emphasize a woman's shape. It often has lacing in the back that can be adjusted and has straps for stockings attached.

A very short top extending to just below the breasts.

An opening in the garment that covers the crotch area.

Half-cups which have a lower line revealing more of the upper breasts.

Long robe to wear over nightwear: also bathrobe.

An elastic band worn around the leg, originally to hold up a stocking or sock, but now mainly for decoration.

Waistband with straps that have clasps to hold stockings in place. Adjustable waist and garter straps.

Pants consisting of a triangular patch of fabric connected with thin, elastic straps in back and around the waist completely exposing the buttocks. Good for wearing under trousers to avoid VPL (visible panty line).

Stockings with elasticated top to stay up without needing straps.

Sheer leg coverings made of nylon or silk: tights, stockings.

See pants.

Bras for large-breasted women to make their bust look smaller.

Bra that can be worn strapless or with straps to wear under strapless or halter-neck tops.

Light dressing-gown for women.

Dress-style garment for sleeping in.

Shirt and trousers for sleeping in.

A small piece of cloth going around the hips and down between the legs to cover the genital area: also panties (US), knickers. See Lingerie Guide for further information on various styles.

See pants.

Peephole bras have a hole in the cup to expose the nipple.

A negligée or gown.

Larger size, usually larger than a UK size 16. See section on plus-size lingerie.

Bra cups contain some type of padding, which may or may not be removable, used to create a more flattering cleavage or to add bust size by pushing breasts upwards and inwards.

See Pajamas.

One-piece dress-style undergarment.

Stockings that have a rubber grip that keeps the stocking in place.

Hosiery that covers from mid-thigh to the toes and are usually held up by being attached to a suspender belt or to an undergarment by straps.

A garment with no shoulder straps.

Goes around the waist with adjustable straps to keep stockings up.

A teddy with attached garters for holding up stockings.

One-piece garment with high-cut legs.

A garment with the bottom half fashioned like a thong with the rear area exposed.

Pants with a thin strip of material that exposes most of the buttocks.

Sheer one-piece leg covering usually made of nylon.

Bra cups with wire sewn into the base adding extra support and lift. Especially desirable feature for larger-breasted women.