Lingerie Terms

Bustier - Corset like garment, but lighter in weight and without the heavy structure of a corset. Bustiers are usually shorter than corsets, ending at the waist, and are often worn on the outside rather than strictly as an undergarment. Some come with G-String, thong or panty.

Camisole or Cami - A short sleeveless undergarment for women. A short negligee sometimes worn as an outer garment (depending on the material) or under a suit jacket.

Charmeuse - A fine, semi-lustrous, satin-like, silky, soft material.

Chemise - A loose-fitting dress type garment without a waist that hangs from the shoulders, typically with a short hemline.

Corset - A close fitting undergarment often tightened with laces. Most corsets extend from the breasts to the hips, and are constructed to enhance the figure by cinching the waist, thereby enhancing the bust and hips. Most corsets are fitted with four or more adjustable garter straps to support the stockings of your choice.

Cuban Heel - A rectangular designed reinforced heel, usually with a reinforced foot and back seam.

Fence Net - A very large net design similar to that of a chain link fence and used for stockings.

Fishnet - A smaller net design, which is taken from the construction of a fisherman's net, usually made of nylon or nylon-lycra blends.

G-String - A panty with a very thin (string like) band of fabric in the back.

Garters - The clips that attach to the top welt of the stockings are called garters. Generally they are attached to an adjustable elastic strap, which is in turn attached to the garment worn on the waist or body, these are called garter straps.

Garter Belt or Garter Belts - These are garments made for the express purpose of holding up stockings.

Garter Hose - This refers to a garment where a waist band, garter straps and stocking legs are permanently attached in one piece, simulating the use of a garter belt and stockings, but in fact being a one piece garment.

Opaque - The term given to stockings or tights when made of a higher density material, making them less transparent and appear more dense than the lighter choices.

Reinforced - The sections of a garment that have been strengthened by double knitting to provide additional durability. This usually resulted in a darkening of the area, which is then considered a design feature.

Shelf Bra - Comes below the breast to just under the nipple. It's usually supported and structured though the "boning" process which helps in uplifting the breasts for added cleavage.

Silicone - A rubber like polymer, which maintains its elasticity over a wide range of temperatures. Used inside the lace top of hold-up stockings to cling to the skin and help keep the stocking up without garters

Stay Up Stockings - Stockings that stay up without the need for garters. True hold-ups usually consist of a decorative stretch lace top, with a silicone band inside of the lace to help grip the leg.

Stockings - Although the popular use of this word has come to be "anything worn on the legs" (i.e. pantyhose, hold-ups or tights), which is the more traditional definition. Stockings, are the traditional style that are put on individually and attached at the top to a garter for support. These can come in plain top, satin top, or lace top, but should not be confused with hold-ups, which stay up by themselves. You can find them in the Hosiery section on www.playfuldesire.com

Tap Pants - Very feminine boxer shorts.

Teddy - A woman's undergarment combining a camisole top and panties.

Thong - A panty with a small strip or band of fabric in the back. Thongs have more material in the back than a G-string.

Tights - These are pantyhose made of a heavier denier in opaque or semi-opaque materials. They are usually dyed in deep colors and are more sporty and durable than pantyhose.

Underwire - A strip of flatted steel-wire (or other man-made material) placed under the cups of the bra (sewn into the material) for added support.