Lingerie Terms and Definitions
Like many specialized things in this world the land of lingerie has it’s own terminology, descriptions and jargon. Here is a concise list of the most common terms you will hear when it comes time to shop for lingerie so that you won’t be mystified by some of the exotic phrases that you will hear (many of them derived from French words for underwear.)
Babydoll – This is a short silky or lacy nightgown or negligee
Basque – This is a very tight overcoat that fits over a corset that has a contoured waistline and extends past the hips.
Bedjacket – This is a short-cropped covering made out of silk, satin or lace that is usually tied with ribbons.
Bloomers – These are underpants with short flounced legs and a drawstring waist.
Bodystocking- Also known as a unitard this is a stocking with long or short sleeves that slips over the entire body including the feet.
Boy shorts – This is a style of underwear or bathing suit bottoms that are shaped to look like boy’s outerwear.
Brassiere – This is the long form of the word “bra” .
Bustier – This is a type of corset that lifts up the breasts, cinches in the breasts and creates cleavage. It is usually a very structured garment and can be long or short in the torso.
Camisole – This is a sleeveless undershirt that is usually quite tight fitting
Camiknickers – This is a pair of knickers and a camisole attached together – sometimes they are also known as camishorts.
Cheeky – This is a term lingerie sales people might use to describe boy shorts or pants that expose a great deal of the buttocks.
Chemise – This is the classic smock or shift that is often worn as a nightgown or as a slip
Corset – This is a highly boned garment that is intended to shape and mold a woman’s body so that it appears curvaceous. It extends from the breasts and down past the hips into the pubic area.
Corselette or Corselete – This is a one piece lingerie combo of brassiere and girdle.
Corsage – This is the same as the corset that is made out of elastic.
Drawers – Sometimes you will hear women’s panties referred to as drawers but they were more common in the 19th century. They were a pant like garment with a split leg that allowed for an open crotch seam.
G-String or Thong – This is a style of underwear or bikini bottom where a narrow piece of cloth is threaded through the buttocks and attached to a band around the hips.
Garter – A garter is a device that hangs from a band of elasticized material called a garter belt and they are used to keep stockings up.
Granny panties – A nickname used to describe underwear that is high waited and low cut in the leg.
Hosiery – A slang term for stockings.
Jersey nightshirt – This is a long loose T-shirt made out of cotton, nylon or satin that is worn at night or over other lingerie.
Merry Widow – This refers to a style of black and white corset.
Negligee – This is a sheer nightgown that is usually in the Baby Doll Style
Peignoir – This is a sheer floor length housecoat.
Tap Pants – These are loose satin shorts.
Teddy – This is a short-sleeved lingerie top usually worn with underwear or shorts.