The Lingerie Glossary 📚
“Learning never exhausts the mind.”
Here at eliDesign, we know most people aren’t sure what most Lingerie words mean. We have researched and put together some popular words with their meanings for you which will help you with shopping for your #secretluxuries. Also, it can be great to learn a few new words.
Babydoll - A loose lingerie top that covers up to your upper thighs. It is fitted at the bust and loose from the middle to the bottom. They are usually made from sheer, chiffon or lightweight lace.
Balconette/Balcony Bra - An underwire bra cut straight across the cups. It has a high centre front gore.
Bandeau - A bra with a band of fabric fitted just across your bust.
Basque - This is shapewear designed to smooth your silhouette and give you support. it covers your torso but unlike a corset, it is stretchy and made from plastic boning.
Bias-cut Gown - A slip dress that skims your body. It is like a lightweight dress and worn underneath clothes, to lounge or as night wear.
Bikini Briefs - This is a classic underwear shape that has the waist sitting at your hips and has adequate coverage both at the front and the back. This style of briefs are popular with most women because of how comfortable and versitle they are to wear.
Bloomers - These are loosly fitted shorts like underwear worn up to your waist and gathered around your legs. They were very popular in the 1850s.
Bodysuits - This style of lingerie covers your bust, waist and hips all in one. They are often made from sheer or lace and are stretchy. There are different neckline, bottom styles and leg cut options. Most fasten at the crotch area but some fasten at the back ot the front.
Bralette - A bra without any underwire or any sort of boning. It can be worn as a soft cup bra. Some women wear them as tops in summer time.
Brassiere/Bra - This is underwear that covers and supports your breasts. They usually fall in the catergory of bralettes which have less support or sports bra which have more support and coverage to hold your breasts during exersice.
Brazilians - Also known as tangas. These have full coverage across the front but skimmer across the back, so a little booty is shown.
Briefs - They can be called Panties. These come in different styles from moderate coverage across the hips, waist, abdomen and bottom.
Bustier - This shapes your torso to give you a smooth sihouette and surpports your bust. It will not reduce your waistline like a corset but does smooth out your lumps and bumps.
Camisole/Cami - Loungewear top that covers your torso. It normally has narrow or spaghetti straps and are often worn under blouses or jumpers for warmth. They can also be worn to bed with briefs or a pair of shorts.
Corset - A heavy structured undergarment that covers your torso. It is made with high quality non-stretch fabric with many panels which contour and reshape your bust and waist. Handcrafted corsets are still very popular and are boned with steel and have front closures called busks which makes dressing easier to dress in this modern era. Some also have back closures that lace up through gorments/eyelets. They reduce your shape dramatically and can also be worn as outwear.
Demi Cup-Bra - This is a revealing underwire bra with a plunging neckline at the front with covers half of your breasts.
Dressing Gown - A full coverage robe. It can either be long or short and is most layered with lounge and sleepwear. Different materials can be used for this item.
French Knickers - They are loose fitted underwear very similar to shorts. They are fitted at your waist and looser over your legs. French knickers are often worn as sleepwear or for lounging.
Garters - Are individual thigh elasticated bands made from lace and silks which are worn at your upper leg.
Garter Belts - These are the same at suspender belt. They have a waistband with 4 to 6 straps that attach at the top of your stockings.
Girdle - This is a retro shapewear undergarment to smooth your lower torso and hips. It is made from stretchy materials and often has a hook and eye closure at the back.
G-String - A very skimpy thong that has only elastic between your cheeks and shows off all your booty.
Gusset - The crotch area of your underwear usually lined with natural fibres like cotton or silk.
High-waisted Briefs - A brief style that extends up to your navel reaching your body’s natural waistline. Mid-rise briefs are just above the hips and low-rise are just on the hips.
Hosiery - Any leg wear such as tights, stocking and socks.
Knickers - Includes anything that is worn to cover your bottom and your crotch area.
Lingerie - A word for all underwear/undergarments. It is a French word for linen because underwear in Europe was mostly made from linen fabrics.
Longline Bra - A bra that extends below your bust to cover your ribs. Some have underwire but some don’t and these are often made from lace and some have some type of boning for extra support.
Loungewear - Clothes that are worn at home for comfort and relaxing. Includes bralettes, camisoles, slips and night dresses.
Moulded Cup Bra - A bra cup that has been formed by one piece of foam fabric which has been rounded to fit your breast shape. They are seamless and sometimes called a t-shirt bra.
Negligee - Nightwear decorated with lace trimmings.
Night Gown/Nightie - A loose fitted cami which covers your torso and upper legs. Can be made from sheer, silk and cotton materials.
Overbust Corset - Covers your torso including your under bust, waistline and upper hips. A bra should be worn to give more support.
Panties - Another word for Knickers or briefs of any style.
Panty-hose - An American term for tights. A combinations of panty (briefs) and hose (tights) combined together.
Pasties - Adhesive nipple covers.
Plunge Bra - A bra with a low neckline at the centre reveling your chest cleavage.
Push Up Bra - A bra made to push your breasts together and up. They are heavily structured and include underwire, side boning, strong straps and mostly padded.
Pyjamas (Pajamas) - Soft comfortable breathable clothing worn at home for sleeping or for lounging.
Romper - Similar to playsuits, they are one piece of loungewear that covers the bust and torso up to the bikini line, They are usually loosly fitted.
Slip - Loosely fitted undergarment which covers your torso and legs. It is a lightweight dress which can be worn under clothes for lounging or as nightwear.
Soft Cup Bra - A bra without underwire or boning.
Stockings - A term for undergarments which covers your legs individually. They are mostly made from nylon and are stretchy with elastic or sticky grips at the top. Some may require a suspender of garter belt to hold them up.
Suspender Belt - Also known as a garter belt. They are designed to hold up your stockings from falling down.
Tanga - Known as the Brazilian briefs.
Tap Pants - Also called French knickers. They are loose fitted underwear similar to shorts.
Teddy - Similar to rompers. They are often made from soft, loose fabric. Normally worn as nightwear.
Thongs - These briefs have a very narrow back which rests in-between your cheeks showing a lot of your booty. They can be high-waited, low-rise or mid-rise.
Triangle Bra - A bra that has two triangle shaped cups that are usually wire free. Similar to a bikini top.
Trousseau - A set of undergarments purchased specifically for a wedding. They are often worn under the wedding gown.
T-Shirt Bra - A moulded cup bra without any seams. They are usually made in neutral colours worn for causal purposes.
Underbust Corset - A boned structured corset which covers your ribs all the way down to your hips. These are often worn with a bra separately.
Underwear/Undies - Any type of undergarment worn underneath your clothes.
Waist Cincher - Also known as a Waspie Corset. They are a structured and boned corset that only covers a small portion of your abdomen to cinch your waist. They can be worn as outerwear to create a certain look.
