Lingerie Glossary Of Terms on PlayfulThreads.com

Appliqué - Decorating a piece of fabric by cutting pieces of one material and applying them to the surface of another.

Attached Garter Belt - Thigh highs or stockings that have a garter belt permanently attached.

Babydoll - A short lightweight, sheer, flowing nightgown that is typically trimmed with lace, ruffles, bows or embellishments. Babydolls have an empire-waist and consists of form-fitting cups. They are usually made from nylon, chiffon or silk. Also maybe called a negligee or chemise.

Back Seams - Thigh highs or stockings with a seam running up the back of the leg.

Bandeau - A strapless, wide band of fabric that is worn around the bust. The bandeau is a lot like a tube top. They are minimally supportive.

Bikini - A panty with a waistband that rests below the belly button and around your hips. There is moderate coverage over the buttocks. The sides range in thickness from a fuller cut to a string bikini. The bikini is the most popular panty style.

Bikini Swimsuit - A snug-fitting two piece garment used for swimming or sunbathing leaving the midriff open.

Bikini Top - A bikini top can range from completely covering the breasts to one that barely covers the nipples. A triangle bikini top is the most popular style in bikini tops. A halter bikini top will give you more support and coverage of your breasts than the triangle bikini top. The underwire bikini top will give you the most lift and support.

Black Light Glow - Fabric that is made to glow under a blacklight.

Boa - A scarf made of feathers.

Bodice - A women’s laced outer garment that is the fitted part of a dress that extends from the waist to the shoulder. It can be worn like a vest or over a top.

Bodystocking - A piece of hosiery that is snug-fitting from the neck through the waist down to the toes. A bodystocking covers your entire body. It can be worn underneath your clothes or as a sexy piece of lingerie. A bodystocking highlights all parts of the body, making it the perfect fit for any confident women.

Boning - Plastic supports that are sewn vertically into a corset or bustier to help maintain a slim, hourglass figure.

Booty Shorts - Shorts that enhance your buttocks.

Boy Shorts - Women’s panties that are a feminine version of the men’s classic underwear shape. They are generally low rise with wide, square-cut sides. This type of women’s undergarments are especially flattering to straight hip figures and usually prevent visible panty lines.

Bra - A undergarment that women wear to support and give shape to their breasts. Bras come in various sizes, colors and fabrics to compliment every women. Although bras serve a functional purpose as a women’s undergarment, they are also a sexy garment to add to your collection of lingerie.

Brazilian Cut - Panty or swimsuit bottom is between a thong and a bikini at the back, so it shows off about half of your cheeks.

Bridal - Undergarments worn for both the wedding day or night.

Brief - A panty that has moderate to full coverage with a high-cut leg.

Burnout - A slightly textured layer over a sheer fabric.

Bustier - A bra that extends from the breasts to the waist to offer support and shape. Some bustiers have flexible boning, optional shoulder straps, removable garters or lace-up closures. The bustier is usually compared with the corset. Both are structured to give you an hour glass figure. However, a bustier is usually lighter in weight than a corset and is shorter, since it ends at the waist. A bustier can be worn under your clothes as an undergarment or as a top with a pair of jeans. A bustier usually comes with a G-string, panty or thong.

Button Front - Buttons on a garment that open and close in the front.

Chain Bra - A bra top that consist of chains over the breasts and leather straps.

Camisole or Cami - A short top that is usually fitted through the bust and ends at the waist. Camisoles can come in many fabrics from lace to silk to mesh to leather. A Cami top can be worn under a suit jacket with just a little peaking out or it can be worn as outerwear depending on how revealing the fabric is.

Camouflage - A pattern on the fabric that consists of random areas of earth tones.

Chantilly Lace - Delicate lace fabric made from a mesh background with floral designs.

Charmeuse - A shiny, lightweight satin-like silk fabric that you cannot see through (opaque). Charmeuse fabric is soft and drapes beautifully over your body. This fabric is usually used for a babydoll or chemise.

Cheeky Shorts - Shorts that accentuate your buttocks. Also called booty shorts.

Chemise - A slip or short thin under dress. A chemise is similar to the babydoll, but it is more fitted around the hips.

Chiffon - A delicate, soft, sheer silk fabric. Chiffon is ultra-lightweight and strong.

Choker - A necklace that fits snug around the neck.

Cire - Fabric that has a glazed finish.

Cleavage - A sexy part of a women’s body is the vertical line between a women’s breasts when she wears low-cut tops or dresses.

Clubwear - Type of revealing, sexy and provocative clothing that is worn to nightclubs or danceclubs. Also known as street lingerie or street wear.

Corset - A bust-to-hip length garment that is designed to cinch the waist and lift the breasts giving you an hour glass figure. This snug-fitting garment has lacing or hook and eye closure in the back that can be adjusted for comfort. Corsets begin above or just below the bust and extend down to the waist or below the hips, consequently enhancing the bust and hips. They are compared in shape to the bustier, but are usually strapless and have an adjustable or removable garter straps to support the thigh highs or stockings of your choice.

Cowl Neck - Drap or fold of material at the front of the neckline.

Criss-cross Straps - Straps that cross in the back or in the front.

Crochet Knit - Open, large knit pattern that looks like crocheting.

Crop Top - A very short top that stops just below the breasts.

Crotchless - A opening or slit in the fabric covering the crotch area.

Cuban Heel - Hosiery that has a reinforced rectangular heel, usually with a back seam and reinforced foot.

Dancewear - Type of sexy, revealing and provocative clothing worn by exotic or professional dancers. Also known as stripper wear or pole dancing clothes.

Décolletage - This word describes the area of a women’s body just above her bust line and the low-cut neck on clothing that acts to show this area off.

Deep V Neck - A neckline that is shaped like a V in front that goes all the way down to your belly button.

Diamond Net - Net Hosiery in which the holes are in the shape of diamonds. The diamond net design on hosiery is a little larger design than the regular fishnets.

Dresses - A piece of clothing that is a one piece garment consisting of a skirt with an attached bodice. Our dresses come in all sizes, colors and styles. Wear them out to dinner or out to your favorite club.

Elastic - A small band of rubber used to hold up things such as panties or skirts.

Embroidery - Decorative needlework consisting of designs worked on fabrics with various types of threads.

Eyelet - Cut-out designs in fabric that have stitching or embroidery around them.

Faux Fur - Fur that is man-made and not taken from animals.

Faux Leather - Leather that is man-made and not taken from animals. Also known as imitation leather.

Fence Net - A large net that is designed similar to a chain link fence. Fence net is used for bodystockings, thigh highs, stockings, pantyhose, tops and underwear.

Fetish - Any material object or a nonsexual part of the body that arouses sexual desire.

Fishnet - A small mesh net fabric that has small openings. Usually made of nylon-lycra blends or nylon.

Flocked - A raised decoration applied to the surface of the fabric in which an adhesive is printed on the fabric in a pattern and then finely chopped fibers are applied by dusting or airbrushing. The flocked area has a soft fuzzy feel to it.

G-String - A thin piece of fabric connected to thin elastic straps in the back and around the waist. The G-string is as close as you can get to wearing no panties at all. G-strings help prevent panty lines. They are erotic, especially when your clothes come off at the end of the day.

Garters - A elastic leg band that is used to hold up thigh highs or stockings.

Garter Belt - A belt that is worn around the waist underneath the clothing with four clips made to hold up thigh highs or stockings. The garters are the straps hanging down from the garter belt, attaching to the thigh highs or stockings.

Garter Sets - Lingerie that is highlighted by garters.

Gartered Skirt - A skirt that has garters either attached or removable.

Gingham - A plain weave, lightweight cotton fabric, with a check or plaid pattern (gingham check or gingham plaid).

Go Go Shorts - Shorts generally worn by exotic dancers or stage dancers. Also worn by Go Go dancers. Go Go shorts have a high cut bottom.

Gossamer - A gauze-like fabric that is very light and sheer.

Gown - A long dress that goes to the ankles.

Halter Neck - Fabric wraps around the neck for support.

Halter Top - A short top that is help up at the neck or is tied behind the neck. A halter top usually exposes the shoulders and the back.

Hipster - Panty that sits low on the hips, both at the front and back. This style of undergarment is perfect to wear with low-rise jeans.

Hook and Eye - A type of closure used in women’s lingerie. Features hooks and eyes for adjustability.

Hosiery - All leg wear from thigh highs, stockings, knee socks or pantyhose. Hosiery comes in various styles including fishnet, silk and nylon. Since the material is usually sheer, the legs appear silky smooth and unblemished. Wear them with skirts or dresses or they look especially sexy when paired with garters.

Industrial Net - Hosiery that has larger holes than a fishnet stocking.

Jacquard - Fabric that has a intricate pattern or weave. Damask and Brocade are types of jacquard woven fabrics.

Jewelry - Adornments, such as bracelets, necklaces and earrings made of precious metals set with gems or imitation gems.

Knee High - Socks that go up to the knees.

Knit - Knitted fabrics are much more elastic than woven fabrics. They provide a lot of give and flow over the body nicely, however they are thicker than woven fabrics. Knitted fabrics resist wrinkles and are generally warmer than woven fabrics.

Lace - Lightweight openwork fabric with a pattern with open holes in the work.

Lace-up Back - Clothing that laces up the back for additional support or decoration.

Lace-up Front - Clothing that laces up the front for decoration or additional support.

Lace-up Side - Clothing that laces up the sides for decoration or an adjustable fit.

Leather - Material that is made from cows. Also called cowhide.

Lariat - A long noosed rope necklace that hangs down into your décolletage.

Leg Wear - Hosiery to dress up your legs. Range in style from stockings, pantyhose, knee highs, bodystockings to thigh highs.

Lined - Clothing that has an extra layer of fabric sewn into the inside of the garment.

Lingerie - Women’s undergarments and nightclothes. Lingerie can be functional or it can be worn spice up the night. Some lingerie is considered street lingerie because it is acceptable to wear it out with a pair of jeans for a great hot look.

Low Back Tee - Panties that have a small patch of fabric to cover your front and then has small elastic waistband that rests below the hips. Over the buttocks the waist band forms a letter “T”.

Low-Rise - Panties with a waistband that rests below the hips. Also known as hipster or hip-hugger panties.

Lycra - A well-known brand of spandex.

Lycra Net - Hosiery that has holes through out. Styles vary from stockings, thigh highs to pantyhose. Lycra Net Hosiery is more stretchy than fishnet. It will give more and then go back, just like spandex.

Marabou - Fluffy, soft feather-like material.

Matte - A unglazed, smooth dull finish that lacks luster and shine.

Mesh - A woven or knit fabric that has small, evenly-spaced holes. A mesh fabric produces a net or sheer-like effect.

Micro Shorts - Shorts that are low-rise and that accentuate the buttocks.

Microfiber - A fine, thin man-made fiber that is lightweight and washable. Microfiber fabrics are very soft and wrinkle resistant.

Mini Dress - A one piece garment that has a bodice connected to a mini skirt that goes to just below the buttocks to mid-thigh.

Mini Skirt - A very short skirt that falls just below the buttocks to mid-thigh. Also know as a micromini.

Negligee - A flowing robe made from delicate fabric like silk or rayon with lace.

Net - A woven or knit fabric with a open mesh pattern of evenly spaced holes.

Nipple Cover - A piece of material to cover the nipple area. Usually known as pasties.

Nylon - A synthetic fiber that is elastic and very strong.

One Piece Swimsuit - A one piece bathing suit usually covers the breasts down through the entire mid-section. It is used for swimming and sunbathing. One piece swimsuits come in a variety of styles from tank suits, halter neck suits, bandeau and plunge front swimsuits.

Opaque - Hosiery that you cannot see through.

Open Back - Refers to the material not covering the area of your back in a dress or top.

Open Bust / Tip - Open bust means that there is no coverage for your breasts. Open tip means that it just covers the top of the nipple area.

Open Rear - Open area between the buttocks not covered by fabric.

Padded Bra - Cups that are padded, either to help fill out a cup size or to enhance your cup size. Sometimes the pads are removable.

Panties - Women’s underwear that comes in all shapes, colors and fabrics. They allow you to have full coverage or barely any coverage at all. They range from hiphugger or bikini panties to cotton or lace panties. All panties are made to fit and suit any version of the women’s body.

Pantyhose - Hosiery that goes from the waist down to the toes.

Pasties - Adhesive coverings that cover a women’s nipples. They are available in all different colors and sizes. They are not usually much larger than a women’s areola.

Patent Leather - Man-made or real leather that has a smooth, shiny surface on one side.

Petticoat Style - Resembles a petticoat in ruffles and lace.

Pin Striped - A thin stripe that runs down a fabric.

Plaid - Fabric that has bands of color running vertically and horizontally intersecting to form squares.

Pleated - A type of fold formed by doubling the fabric back upon itself and securing it in place.

Pleather - A fabric finish that looks like a leather-like finish. Pleather is cheaper than real leather.

Plunge - A word used to describe the deepness of the front of a dress or top. A plunge front dress covers only part of the breast and usually goes down to the belly button.

Plus Size - An extension of the average size range made to fit larger, curvier, more voluptuous women.

Removable Garters - Elastic straps that attach to thigh highs or stockings to hold them up. They can be removed if thigh highs or stockings will not be used.

Ribbed - A raised ridge, either vertical, horizontal or diagonal in fabrics.

Rhinestones - A fake gem of hard glass, that is usually cut to imitate a diamond.

Robe - A cover-up that is loose fitting.

Roleplay Costumes - Costumes that are used for fantasies or to enhance your sex life from maid, school girl to nurse.

Ruffle - Material that is pleated, gathered or curled and used as a decoration or trim.

Satin - A shiny, smooth woven fabric.

Scallop Edges - A fabric edge that is shaped like a line of scallops or shells lined up from edge-to-edge.

Seamless - A garment that does not have any seams.

Sequins - Small metal disks that shine. They are usually used for trimming.

Semi-Opaque - Hosiery that is slightly translucent but not totally see through.

Sheen - Hosiery that gives off a glitter or shininess appearance to them. Also known as gossamer. Nylon-lycra blends and 100% nylon non-stretch thigh highs and stockings have a very high sheen.

Sheer - Clothing that is transparent and allows the body to be seen.

Shorts - A garment that varies in length, it can go all the way down to the knees or just cover the buttocks.

Silicone - A elasticized rubber that is used inside the lace top of the stay up thigh highs or stockings to cling them to the skin.

Silk - A fabric that is produced by silkworms. Silk is a natural fiber that has a luxuriously soft feel.

Skirts - A piece of clothing that hangs from the waist.

Slave Bracelet - Bracelet that starts at the wrist and goes over the top of the hand to the middle finger.

Slinky Knit - A knit fabric that is elastic and soft. It forms to the shape of the body.

Slit - An opening made to ease movement in a piece of fabric.

Snap Crotch - A snap that is in the crotch area for convenience. It can snap open or close.

Spandex - Fabric created from elastic thread that helps a piece of clothing stretch for a better fit. Spandex is a generic term for this type of fabric. Lycra is a well-know brand of spandex.

Stay Up Thigh Highs - Hosiery that stays up without the need for garters. Stay ups usually have a stretch lace top with a silicone band inside of the lace to help keep the thigh highs or stockings up.

Stockings - Hosiery that goes from mid-thigh or over the knee down to the toes. Also known as thigh highs.

Strapless - A piece of clothing that does not have shoulder straps.

String Bikini - A panty whose waistband rest below the belly button with high-cut legs and a string attachment between the front and back pieces of fabric.

Studs - Ornamental buttons used to decorate a piece of fabric.

Suede - Leather with a soft napped surface.

Suspender Style - Pantyhose or stockings that are held up by an attached waistband, made to look like a garter belt. Usually a G-string or thong is worn underneath because the front and back are open.

Swimwear - Clothing that can be worn while swimming. Swimwear can be one piece or two piece and is always lined.

T-Backs - Panties with the waistband forming a “T” over the buttocks. T-backs rest at or below the hips.

Tanga Shorts - Women’s underwear that has a back panel wider than a thong but narrower than a bikini.

Teddy - Combines the look of a camisole and a panty into one piece. A one piece that has high-cut legs and a thong back. Teddies are made from all sorts of materials from lace, vinyl, leather and nylon. Teddies are made to accentuate the body.

Terry Cloth - A soft, medium weight, cotton fabric with low-twist yarns forming surface loops.

Thigh Highs - Hosiery that goes from above the knees or mid-thigh through the toes. Also known as stockings.

Thong - A women’s undergarment that has a thin strip of material in the back that exposes most of the buttocks. A thong has more fabric in the back than a G-string. A thong will give you no visible panty lines and a smooth appearance under your clothes.

Tie Back - A piece of clothing that ties or unties in the back.

Tie Belt - A piece of fabric, usually a strip, that is used to keep a robe closed.

Tie Front - A piece of clothing that ties or unties in the front.

Tie Sides Thong - A panty that has a thin strip of material in the back and has ties on the sides.

Tights - Hosiery that covers the entire leg from the waist down to the toes.

Tri Top - Also called a triangle top. It consists of a triangle shaped fabric with ties.

Triangle Bra or Top - Triangle shaped cups with thin straps. Triangle bras rarely have underwires.

Tube Top - A rectangular piece of fabric that is strapless and body-hugging.

Ultra-mini Skirt - A skirt that begins at the top of the buttocks and stops part way down the buttocks or ends at the bottom of the buttocks.

Underwire - A wire that is sewn into the base of the cups in clothing to give extra support and to lift the breasts.

Velvet - This fabric has soft, short, thick pile surface of looped warp yarns and plain back.

Vinyl - Shiny plastic fabric that is tough and flexible.

Zipper Front - A piece of clothing that open or closes in the front with a zipper.