Lingerie Buying Guide

 

Glossary of Lingerie Terms

Adjustable garters The elastic straps which attach to stockings are adjustable. Related to Stockings and GarterBelts

Adjustable shoulder straps Shoulder straps can be shortened or lengthened to provide the best fit. Related to Bras,

Baby Doll A style of garment consisting of formed bodice with an attached, loose fitting skirt that falls loosely. See related Baby Doll Lingerie

Back seams Stockings Stockings with a seam running up the back of the leg. See an example of Back Seamed Stockings

Bikini A low cut panty. Bikini Panties

Bloomers An old fashioned term for loose underwear.

Boa A long scarf made of feathers. Feather Boa

Bodice The upper part of a dress.

Bodystocking Hosiery that covers the entire body. See Bodystocking for examples

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

Boxers Loose fitting underwear. See Men's Boxer section.

Boy shorts A style of panty similar in shape to boy's underwear. See Boy Shorts

Brocade Rich fabric with a raised pattern. See Brocade Lingerie

Burnout Alternating patterns of sheer and opaque fabric. See Burnout Lingerie

Bustier A bra that extends beneath the breasts to the waist similar to a corset and often has garterbelt straps built in. See Bustier section for examples

Camisole A short top with little support for the breasts. Also called Cami, See Camisole section for examples.

Charmeuse An opaque shiny fabric. See Charmeuse Lingerie

Chemise Short nightgown. See Chemise section for examples.

Chiffon A lightweight, sheer fabric. See Chiffon Lingerie

Crochet knit A large, open knit pattern See Crochet Knit Lingerie

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

Crotchless A slit or opening in the fabric covering the crotch area. See Crotchless Panties and Crotchless Pantyhose

Demi cups Demi cups cover less of the breast. See Demi Bras

Denier Denier is a unit of measure that marks the thickness of the fibers used in a piece of lingerie. Most of our lingerie is 15 denier and therefore very thin.

Embroidery Decorative designs sewn into fabric - See Embroidered Lingerie

French cut Pantyhose with sewn in decorative panty. See French Cut Lingerie

Fringe Decorative strings, usually hanging from the hem line. See Fringe Lingerie

Full cups Cups which completely cradle and support the breasts. See Full Cup Bras

Garter An elastic leg band originally designed to hold up stockings. See Garters

Garter Belt A belt worn around the waist with straps to hold stockings in place. See Garter Belts

Gown A long dress. See our Long Gowns selection.

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. See our G String Panty section for examples.

Halter top A short top held up at the neck. See Halter Tops section for examples.

His and hers Item includes matching outfits for a man and a woman. See our His and Hers section

Hook back Garment closes in back.

Hot Pants Very short pants. See the Hot Pants section for examples.

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

Jacquard Fabric characterized by an intricate weave or pattern. See Jacquard Lingerie

Keyhole An oval-shaped opening. See Keyhole Lingerie

Kick pleat An inverted pleat, often used at the bottom of a skirt.

Lace-up Back Garment laces up in the back. See Lace Up Back Lingerie

Long line A bustier that extends further down. See Long Line Lingerie

Low rise Pants Pants which ride low on the hips. See Low Rise Lingerie

Marabou Soft fluffy feather-like material. See Marabou Lingerie

Mesh/Net A knit or woven fabric consisting of small, evenly spaced holes. See Mesh Lingerie

Microfiber An extremely fine synthetic fiber. See Microfiber Lingerie

Miniskirt A very short skirt. See Mini Skirts

Muscle shirt A shirt with no sleeves.

Opaque Not see through. Semi-opaque is somewhere in between sheer. See Opaque Lingerie

Open bust Little or no coverage is provided over the breasts. See Open Bust Lingerie

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

Panty Women's underwear. See our Panty Section

Pantyhose Hosiery that offers coverage from toes to waist. See our Pantyhose section.

Peek-a-boo cups Cups with an opening that exposes the breasts or nipples. See Peek A Boo Lingerie

Pouch A man's g-string.

Push-up bras Bras that contain padding, sometimes removable, designed to push the breasts up. See Push Up Bras

Rhinestones Simulated diamonds. See Rhine Stone Lingerie

Robe A loose fitting coverup. See our Robe section

Seamless An item manufactured without seams. See Seamless Lingerie

Shelf cups Cups which only provide support and coverage underneath the breasts. An example of a Shelf Bra

Silicone cups Cups which are padded with silicone instead of fiber. See Silicone Breast Enhancer

Skirtini A mini skirt with attached garters. See Skirtinis for an example.

Stay up Stockings Stockings with rubber grips inside the tops that help to prevent them from slipping down the legs. See our extensive stockings section

Stockings Hosiery providing coverage from over the knee or mid-thigh to the toes. See our extensive stockings section

Strapless A garment without shoulder straps. See our Bustier selection for examples

Tank top A sleeveless shirt. See Tank Tops

Tap pant Short Pants with loose-fitting legs. See Charmeuse Cami Tap

Tapestry Rich looking fabric. See Tapestry Lingerie

Teddiette A teddy with attached garters to hold up stockings. See our Teddies section for examples.

Teddy A one piece garment, See our Teddies section.

Velvet Fabric with a soft, dense pile noted for its soft feel. See Velvet Lingerie

Waist Cincher A form fitting garment worn around the waist. See Waist Cincher