Glossary

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

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

Balcony
See Balconette.

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

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

Bikini
Low-cut pants which sit on the hip.

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

Bodice
Sleeveless undergarment fitting a woman's upper half.

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 Originally made from bone (hence it's name), but now made of plastic.

Brassière
Brassière, more commonly known as bra, garment for supporting the breasts. See Lingerie Guide for further information on various styles.

Briefs
Large-style pants, like small shorts

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

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

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

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

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

Crotchless
An opening in the garment that covers the crotch area.

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

Dressing-gown
Long robe to wear over nightwear: also bathrobe.

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

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

G string
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).

Hold ups
Stockings with elasticated top to stay up without needing straps.

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

Knickers
See pants.

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

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

Negligée
Light dressing-gown for women.

Nightie
Dress-style garment for sleeping in.

Pajamas
Shirt and trousers for sleeping in.

Pants
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.

Panties
See pants.

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

Peignoir
A negligée or gown.

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

Push Up
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.

Pyjamas
See Pajamas.

Slip
One-piece dress-style undergarment.

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

Stockings
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.

Strapless
A garment with no shoulder straps.

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

Teddiette
A teddy with attached garters for holding up stockings.

Teddy
One-piece garment with high-cut legs.

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

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

Tights
Sheer one-piece leg covering usually made of nylon.

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