Glossary
A Glossary for Lingerie, Bras & other Intimate Apparel
Adhesive Bra - A one-piece bra, or 2 separate cups, that uses medical-grade adhesive to stick to your body.
Athletic Bra - Worn during exercise and designed to minimize breast movement.
Backless Bra - No band in back or dips so low that it will not show under backless clothing.
Back Wings - The strips of fabric extending from the base of the cups to the back.
Babydoll - A short gown that fits snugly around the bust and flares toward the hemline.
Balcony Bra (aka: Balconnet or Balconette) - the cups of a balcony bra do not provide full coverage over the breasts, they are cut in a horizontal line across the top of the bust.
Bamboo - Bamboo fibers are naturally porous, so they absorb moisture and wick it away from the skin, keeping you cooler and drier than synthetics or cotton.
Bandeau Bra - A strapless band of fabric worn around the bust.
Basque - A tight fitting bodice, basque is the 20th century name for a corset.
Bikini - One of the most popular panty styles.
Bodice - A tight fitting corset worn laced over a blouse or as an undergarment.
Body - A one-piece skin tight garment, often sleeveless, covering the torso & fastening under the crotch.
Bodystocking - Often worn by dancers to appear nude, it is skin tight from wrists to ankles.
Boning - Thin strips (usually plastic) sewn into a garment for more structure.
Boxer Brief - Men's underwear combining the length of a boxer short with the snug fit and support of a brief.
Boxer Shorts (or Boxers) - Loose-fitting men's underwear.
Boy Shorts, Boyleg Panties - The feminine version of men's classic underwear shape, generally low rise with wide, almost square-cut sides.
Bralette - An unlined soft cup (or no cup) bra that resembles a short cami.
Briefs - Underpants without legs, for men or women.
Bustier - A strapless 'elongated' bra that provides extra lift to the breasts.
Camiknickers - Knickers attached to a camisole top, which straps over your shoulders & buttons at the crotch.
Camisole - A sleeveless top, often paired with matching undies or worn under a jacket.
Center Gore - The fabric in the front center of a bra (between the cups).
Chantilly Lace - A handmade floral bobbin lace from the city of Chantilly, France. Semi-sheer with large and/or small flowers.
Charmeuse - A specific fabric weave that is soft & supple, with a satin finish on the outside and a dull finish on the inside.
Chemise - A straight gown that 'skims' the body.
Cleavage - The vertical line between a womans breasts, visible when she wears a low-cut top.
Cleavage Bra - see Décolleté Bra
Chiffon - A sheer silk weave that is lightweight and strong with a slightly rough feel.
Combed Cotton - The shortest, additional fibers are removed, leaving only high-quality fibers with excellent strength and softness.
Comfort Straps - Wider than average straps, they are usually padded or lined for comfort.
Compression Bra - Usually called a sports bra, a compression bra presses the breast tissue against the chest to reduce movement.
Compression Shorts - Designed to combat fatigue in an athletes muscles.
Contour Bra - Cups that are lined or padded to hold their shape even when not being worn. They have a smooth shape and hide the nipples - even under tight clothing.
Control Panty - The shape of a brief with a tummy-flattening front panel and/or total smoothing built into the design.
Control Top - Generally, pantyhose with a stretchy, supportive top designed to smooth the stomach, bottom and midriff.
Convertible Bra - Bras with straps that fully or partially detach and can be worn multiple ways... halter, conventional, off-the-shoulder, one-shoulder, criss-crossed or strapless.
Cookies, Cutlets or Cupcakes - A pad inserted in the cup of a bra to change the shape or even out the appearance of different sized breasts.
Corset - A very tight fitting lingerie used to shape the body and define the waist.
Crew Neck - The most common type of neckline in t-shirts.
Crossover Bra - A wireless bra designed to create an "X" in the front center for support.
Décolleté Bra - A bra designed to dip low in front so that cleavage (and not a bra) is seen under low-cut garments.
Demi Bra - A demi bra only covers the lower half of the breast and the shoulder straps are usually set farther apart.
Denier - Used to gauge the thickness of hosiery, the lower the denier the sheerer the stockings or tights.
Encapsulation Bra - A sports bra that has separate cups for each breast.
Extenders - Elastic pieces with hooks and eyes, attached to a bra to extend its length.
French Cut - A womens brief with high-cut legs.
Front-Close - A bra that hooks in the center front.
Full Coverage or Full Cup Bra - A full cup bra completely covers most of the breast for added support.
Full Coverage Brief - A panty style with full bottom coverage, a high waist and a low leg line.
Full Figure Bra - Bras sizes 32-36DD and 38-42C-DD or larger are classified as full figure and are designed for additional support.
Full Support Bra - Extra or stronger banding under the cups, more substantial side panels and closures with more hooks.
G-string - A strip of cloth worn between the legs & attached to a waistband.
Garter - An elastic ribbon or band, originally used to hold up stockings (before suspenders). Now used to titillate & often worn by brides or just for fun.
Gel Bra - see Liquid Filled.
Girdle - Close-fitting, extended undergarments that go from the waist to below the hips.
Gossamer - A very light & sheer, gauze-like fabric.
Graduated Padding - For a more natural push-up effect, extra padding starts heavy in the bottom of the cup and gradually becomes lighter towards the top.
Gusset - The triangular or rectangular piece of fabric in the crotch area.
Halter - A top with a strap that goes from one side, around the back of the neck, and connects at the other side.
Halter Bra - Designed like a halter top, with shoulder straps that attach behind the neck.
Hi-Cut Panty - See French Cut.
High Waist Brief - Like a hybrid of a panty and a body piece, it provides support and shaping through the midriff area.
Hipster or Hip-hugger Panty - Designed to sit low on the hips at the front and back, to wear with low-rise jeans.
Hosiery - The catch-all word for stockings of all lengths as well as pantyhose and tights.
Inner Sling - Curved strips of fabric that follow the natural curve of the bra for invisible additional coverage.
Jacquard - The decorative pattern sewn or woven into a fabric.
Jersey Knit - A Jersey fabric offers soft, breathable comfort.
Jockstrap - A supportive garment made for men, to support the genitals during athletic activities.
Kimono - A wide-sleeved robe with a belt, inspired by the Japanese kimono.
Leotard Back Bra - The back of a bra is rounded rather than squared.
Liquid Filled Bra - Bras with saline, water or gel-filled cups to give the look of added size.
LongLine - see Bustier.
Low Back Bra - A bra with a U-shaped back and narrow wings.
Low Rise Panties - Panties with a waistline that rests at or below the hips.
Mastectomy Bra - Designed for women who have had one or both breasts surgically removed.
Maternity Bra - Designed for women who are pregnant. offering more support with a wider band, bounce reducing straps and greater cup coverage.
Maternity Panties - Designed for comfort and support throughout pregnancy.
Matte Finish - In lingerie, 'Matte' is used to describe a non-lustrous finish on a fabric.
Minimizer - Minimizer bras hold the breast tissue snugly and redistribute the breast tissue towards the sides and center.
Moisture Wicking Fabric - Special fabric that draws sweat and moisture away from the skin.
Molded Bra - see Contour Bra.
Multiway Bra - see Convertible Bra.
Negligee - A loose, sheer gown... with a matching sheer robe it becomes a Peignoir set.
Nursing Bra - Greater support & comfort like a maternity bra, with cup openings to allow for breastfeeding.
Padded Bra - A bra with padding added to the cups to add size and definition. Removable pads are called cookies, Cutlets or Cupcakes.
Pajamas - Pants and top, originally styled after men's pjs.
Pasties - Self-adhesive patches worn to cover the nipples.
Petals - See Pasties.
Petite-Figure Bra - A bra designed for petite women with a narrow back measurement.
Pima Cotton - After Egyptian and Supima, Pima is ranked as one of the finest grades of cotton.
Piping - A fold of fabric used to create an outline, a design or a contrasting trim.
Plunge Bra - see Décolleté Bra
Plus Size - See Full Figure.
Push Up Bra (or Push-Up Bra) - A bra with padded cups designed to press the breasts upwards.
Queen Size - Simply an extension of the average size range in apparel.
Racer Back - A bra with back straps that are attached near the center of the back, designed to hide bra straps under sleeveless tops.
Satin - A traditional fabric with a smooth, lustrous finish.
Seamless Bra - The cups formed into a permanent shape from a single piece of fabric to look smooth under clothing.
Semi-Opaque - Slightly translucent (but not transparent) fabric.
Silk - Naturally soft, silk has the ability to regulate temperature and will keep you cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather.
Shaper Bra - A form-fitting bra designed to slim your silhouette.
Shelf Bra - A bra designed with little or no cups for show and not for support, they reveal most of the breast, including the nipple.
Soft Cup - A bra with a molded cup, without padding or an underwire.
Spandex - A synthetic fiber well known for its exceptional elasticity.
Sports Bra - See Athletic Bra
Strapless Bra - A bra with wide sides and an underwire, without shoulder straps (or with removable straps).
String Bra - Designed like a string bikini with triangles covering the nipples and held together by thin straps.
String Bikini Panty - A panty with the waistband below the belly button, high-cut legs and a thin string attachment from the front to the back.
T-Shirt Bra - "T-shirt bras" are always seamless, have contour cups, and have no lace or ornamentation... see also Contour Bra.
Tanga Panty - A European style with the back panel wider than a thong, but narrower than a bikini.
Tap pants - Soft, very short version of boxing shorts.
Teddy - A one-piece style, similar to a bodysuit.
Thong - Provides coverage in the front of the panty with a thin strap in the back.
Tights - One-piece clinging hosiery, covering the body from the waist to the toes.
Training Bra - A beginner's bra for young girls, usually without a cup size.
Triangle Bra - See String Bra.
Tummy Shaper - Designed to smooth and slim the tummy.
Underwire - A sewn-in U-shape wire or molded plastic underneath the breast in each bra cup.
Waspie - A belt-like corset designed to create a small waist.
Water Bra - see Liquid Filled.
Wicking - The action of a fabric moving moisture away from the skin.
Wing - The side of the bra band that stretches around towards the back.