Bra Glossary

Panties Glossary

Lingerie Glossary

Shapewear Glossary

Hosiery Glossary

Solution Products Glossary

Fabrics and Trims Glossary

Bra Glossary

Balconette

Also known as a shelf bra, Balconettes are a more revealing version of a demi bra. Offering little to no coverage, balconettes bras create dramatic uplift and cleavage. The nipple and areola is often exposed in this bra style.

Bustier

A formfitting sleeveless and usually strapless woman's top, worn as lingerie and often as evening attire.

Clear Straps

Revealing fashions call for versatile undergarments! Clear Strap Liquid Lift Bra offers maximum versatility and provides comfortable support. Comes with removable inserts, reinforced clear straps and extra matching straps.

Convertible

Strapless Bra is ideal as it can convert to 5 different styles including: halter top, racer back, criss-cross, regular and strapless. Offers great support.

Corset

A corset is a highly structured, form fitted support garment that extends from the bust to the hip. Most corsets have lace up details, flexible boning throughout the body of the garment for additional shaping, and close in the back with a long row of hooks and eyes.

Demi

Normally just covers the lower portion of the breast. These bras offer less coverage than a full cup and more than a balconette. Demi bras cover the nipple and approximately ½ (half) to ¾ of the breast, but if it seems like you’re “spilling out” of your demi cup its probably the wrong size.

Front Closure

A bra that closes in the front, instead of the back. Easier ability to add or remove bra. Great for those that have discomfort with bras with back closures.

Full Cup

A full cup bras completely covers most of the breast, offering both more coverage and more support than a demi cup bra.

Full Figure Bras

Full figure bras consist of any styled bra specifically available for larger breasted women. These are cup sizes D or above, but is not discriminatory in the size of the wearer. Often offers better support and comfort for larger breast.

Maternity

Maternity bras offer support and comfort during pregnancy. They do not have underwires, since they can be very uncomfortable during pregnancy. Also see sleep bra.

Minimizer

A minimizer bra reduces the appearance of the bust by up to one cup size.

Molded

Molded bras have cups, which are machine molded. The cups mirror the natural shape of a woman, for shape and comfort. Molded bras are generally unlined and may be either soft cup or underwire.

Nursing

Post-natal bras that offer cups that open to make it easier to breastfeed. These bras are underwire-free for comfort.

Plunge

Shapes and lifts the bust for a fuller look. Reveals the top part of the breasts. Creates a sexy neckline by uplifting bust. Straps are usually set wider apart making them excellent for wearing with low cut styles.

Padded

Lifts and supports the bust. Creates a more noticeable look. Ideal for smaller breasted women. Comes with removable Air Lift inserts.  Also, see Push-Up.

Push-up

Pushes breasts up and together. Lifts the breasts to create cleavage. Repositions the bust for added size, a look achieved through removable inserts such as liquid and air bags or other cookies. Ideal for low and plunging necklines. Maximizes cleavage.

Racer Back

A back silhouette, which curves in between the shoulder blades. Many convertible bras can also be worn as racerback.

Seamless

Supports the bust. Generally light, smooth and seamless. Very comfortable (good everyday bra), seam-free cups make the bra discreet under a tight fitting shirt. There may be seams in other parts of the bra and still be considered seamless.  Seamless bras are a great choice for pairing with clingy knits, t-shirts and lightweight fabrics, since they are virtually invisible under clothing.  Also see T-Shirt Bra.

Sleep Bra

The sleep bras offer selections that are comfortable to sleep in. Sleep bras are extremely comfortable after some bust surgical procedures, during pregnancy, larger breasts women and those that require a bra that is comfortable for sleeping and everyday wear.

Soft Cup

Soft Cup bras do not have underwires for a more comfortable fit, but may be padded or lined.

Sports Bra

Sports bras are specifically designed to offer the appropriate amount of support during moderate to intense physical activity.

T-Shirt Bra

Designed to appear invisible under even the thinnest fabrics, t-shirt bras are seamless, generally made of micro-fiber with contour cups.

Underwire

Lifts each breast and gives it definition. Gives shape to smaller busts and offers great support to larger busts. Ensures a natural contour. Normally made with Metal wires in the lower edges of the bra cups support the bust.

Hosiery Glossary

Footless Pantyhose

Replaces panty and allows great control and smooth shape under pants, longer dresses and skirts since the leg ends about mid calf on this pantyhose.

Garter Belt

Normally used with stockings and is worn around the waist and clipped or binded to the top of stockings to keep the stockings in place. Garter belts are often attachable with some bustiers and other lingerie styles.

Panties Glossary

Bikini

Rises higher than a hipster and lower than a brief. Offers full back coverage with a waistline that falls below the navel, and rests on the hips.

Boy Leg

The legs of the panty is similar to men briefs or “hot pants.” The waist sits low on the hips, and the back has full coverage. Very sexy and stylish, may also offer a seamless look under fitting pants or skirts.

Brief

Offers the most front, side, and back coverage of any other panty. Full back coverage and a high-rise waist, its waistband rises to, or just above the navel. Ideal for those seeking maximum coverage.

G-String

A panty with a string (less than 3/4”) back and sides. The panty typically has a front panel with string sides and back.  Often worn to prevent panty lines under tight-fitting garments. Less coverage than a thong.

Invisible Panty

New, patented product that is seamless in design, backless and extremely sexy.  The adjustable leg straps and cotton-crotch makes it irresistible to all women.

Low-Rise

Any panty that sits lower on the waist. A good choice with today’s low-waist jeans and skirts or other styles that sit lower on the waist.

String Panty

A style of panty that consists of less side coverage than a regular panty. Features a string of fabric at panty's sides and full back coverage.  The String Panty is available in Thong, G-String, Bikini or Brief styles.

Thong

The most comfortable open-back panty. Features more side and back coverage than a g-string or triangle string thong. Ideal for those seeking a smooth seamless silhouette beneath clothing.

Shapewear Glossary

Bodysuit

A shapewear product that normally includes coverage for the bust to panty areas.  Smoothes body under all types of styles. Also comes in seamless, strapless and thong back styles. Is also referred to as a body brief or body girdle.

Control Cami

With or without a built in bra and provides a smooth look under blouses, dresses, sweaters diminishing bulk under sweaters with some control.  If it has a bra, the back does not have a closure and provides a smooth look with little back roll.

Control Slip

Great under your favorite dresses and gowns providing light control and smooth lines.

Girdle

Classic styled shapewear that is normally very firmed and provides coverage from the waist to the knee.

Leg/Thigh Shapers

Replaces panty and controls the tummy and thighs for a smooth look under pants, dresses and skirts.  Just make sure the leg opening is not too tight.  Great for bulges that show when you sit, stand or walk.

Longline

Replaces bra and smoothes below the bra to the waist for a slim look under dresses or clingy

Long Leg Brief

Replaces panty and great control and shape under pants, longer dresses and skirts since the leg ends about mid-calf.  Long leg brief is shapewear fabrication but similar in shape to footless pantyhose.

knits.  Best worn with bottom shapewear piece.

back roll and panty lines.

Panty Brief

Replaces panty and gives tummy and derriere support and control under most garments.  If too tight and bulges at the leg, do not wear under clingy knits.  Choose a thigh slimmer instead.

Thong Shaper

Provides smooth look eliminating visible panty lines under slim pants.

Waist Cincher

Perfect to create an hour glass shape under snug or slim fitting garments.  Use this if your tummy is larger in proportion to the bust and hips.  Have you ever tried on a pair of pants and they fit except in the waist?  This is the shapewear piece for you.  You may be able to buy a pant that fits better.

Fabric and Trims Glossary

Applique

A decoration or ornament made by cutting pieces of one material and applying them to the surface of another.

Burnout

A design on fabric, such as velvet, that exposes the sheer, underside material. Similar in appearance to flocking.

Charmeuse

A satin finished silk-like fabric.

Chenille

Fuzzy fabric, with "caterpillar" appearance. French in origin

Chiffon

A fabric of sheer silk or rayon.

Cotton
A natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant. Cotton allows the skin to breathe and it wears and washes well.

Crushed Velvet

Velvet with a crinkly look; not shiny.

Denier

A unit or fineness for rayon, nylon, and silk fibers, based on a standard mass per length.

Embroidery
An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which colored threads are sewn onto the fabric to create a design. Embroidery may be done either by hand or machine.

Eyelet
A type of fabric with patterned cut-out designs, around which stitching or embroidery is applied to prevent the fabric from raveling.

Faux Leather

Imitation, man-made leather-like fabric.

Flocked

Design or pattern on fabric that is not intricately part of the fabric.

Jacquard

Any fabric that has a pattern woven into the fabric rather than printed on it. The name comes from Joseph Marie Jacquard who designed a loom attachment capable of weaving patterns into fabric. This attachment provides versatility in designs and permits individual control of each of the warp yarns. Thus, fabrics of almost any type or complexity can be made. Brocade and damask are types of jacquard woven fabrics.

Keyhole

Material forms a teardrop shape hole that is normally in the front, usually at or near the top of the fabric.

Lining

The name given to material sewn into the inside of a garment to make it more opaque or more comfortable against the skin. Frequently lining is used in a bra to add structure or provide a pretty background to sheer and/or lacy fabrics.

Lurex

A trademark used for a yarn made of plastic-coated aluminum filaments.

Lycra

A trademark of the spandex fiber owned and produced by DuPont. It is lightweight and soft, but stronger and more durable than rubber. It is often blended with other fabrics to produce a lightweight freedom of movement in foundation garments.

Marl

A term applied to a yarn or a fabric that is made up of more than one fiber. In blended yarns, two or more different types of staple fibers are twisted or spun together to form the yarn. Polyester/cotton is an example of a typical blended yarn or fabric.

Microfiber

The name given to both ultra-fine manufactured fibers and to the technology of developing these fibers. The fabrics made from these extra-fine fibers provide a superior texture, a gentle drape, and incredible softness. It is a man-made fiber that looks and feels good on the skin as it forms to the body’s shape.

Moisture Wicking

Moisture wicking fabrics draw moisture away from the skin. This is a great feature to look for in a sports bra.

Opaque
When used in the lingerie industry, opaque means the body cannot be seen through the garment.

Panne

A velvet-like fabric that has been flattened to achieve a desired design or look.

Pique

A medium-weight fabric, either knit or woven, with raised dobby designs including cords, wales, waffles, or patterns. Woven versions have cords running lengthwise, or in the warp direction. Knitted versions are double-knit fabric constructions, created on multi-feed circular knitting machines.

Polyamide

The basic fiber-forming substance for nylon. It is also the European term for nylon.

Polyester
This is both the name of a fabric and a fiber and is second only to cotton in worldwide use. Its ability to stretch and resist wrinkling makes it a popular fabric for lingerie. Polyester has high strength (although somewhat lower than nylon), excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance. Low absorbency allows the fabric to dry quickly.

Rayon

A synthetic, silk-like fabric, but less expensive than silk. Does not trap heat against the body, and absorbs moisture. It is a comfortable fabric against skin, making it popular for lingerie.

Satin

A smooth fabric, such as silk or rayon, woven with a glossy face and a dull back.

Scallop
A decorative border on fabric or lace made up of a series or half circles.

Scoop

U-shaped curve at the neckline. May be a variety of sizes or depths.

Shirring
A decorative effect created by material being gathered into lines.

Spandex
With the same attributes as Lycra but not registered, spandex is often blended with other fabrics to give stretch and softness to a garment made from a polymer containing polyurethane.

Tricot

A soft fabric that is resistant to runs. Often porous knit. Satin tricot has a lustrous finish.

Velvet

A soft fabric, such as silk, rayon, or nylon, having a smooth, dense pile and a plain underside; something suggesting the smooth surface of velvet.

Lingerie Glossary

Baby Doll

Normally a short gown that often comes with a matching panty. Can be designed out of many various fabrics, including lace, charmeuse and opaque.

Bodice

The fitted part of a night gown, dress or top that extends from the waist to the shoulder.

Catsuit

A full-body stocking, generally made of stretchy, hosiery fabric or materials.

Chemise

A woman's loose, shirt-like gown; a loosely fitting dress that hangs straight, sometimes worn with a belt.

Gown

Gown types include baby dolls, negligees, nightdresses, and peignoirs. Used for night or lounge wear. Often made of silk, cotton, or polyester, and sometimes includes adjustable shoulder straps. Sometimes worn with matching outer robe.

Halter

A bodice for women that ties behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, and back bare.

Kimono

A loose robe worn chiefly by women. A Kimono is usually short with larger arm openings.

Peignoir

An informal gown that is classic in style and use. A customary gown worn on the wedding night or special occasions.

Teddy

A one piece lingerie style that is a combination of a cami and panty. May vary in look and style, some styles offering more coverage, while others leave little to the imagination.