U-tan Peek-a-boo

[Urbano Bozman]

AtAngela Friedman, we receive a lot of questions about language when it comes to lingerie. From customers confused by different terminology for underwear (are knickers and panties the same thing?) to those who can't decide whether they want a corset or a bustier, to those who don't know whether their significant other prefers babydolls or slips... We're here to help!

All of the varied lingerie language can be confusing, but once you learn these definitions, you'll be so much better prepared for future lingerie shopping! Even if you think you already know the difference between a bikini and a brief, read through our glossary to be sure you have every detail figured out.

Babydoll: A loose lingerie top that covers the torso and upper thighs, fitted at the bust and floating loosely through the middle and bottom of the garment, often made in sheer or wispy fabrics like chiffon or lightweight lace.

Basque: A shapewear garment designed to smooth the silhouette and support the bust, covering the entire torso. Unlike a corset, a basque is usually made of stretch fabrics and contains plastic boning (not steel), and it will not reduce the waist or dramatically alter the shape of the body, but rather simply smooth.

Bias-cut gown: A body-skimming slip that covers the entire torso and upper legs, structured like a lightweight dress and worn under your clothes or for loungewear or nightwear. The term "bias-cut" specifically refers to how the pattern pieces are cut diagonally on the fabric, which allows for additional, curve-hugging stretch throughout the garment, which molds to fit a variety of body types. Read our full guide to silk slips to learn more about how and why you should wear them.

Bikini briefs: A classic underwear shape with a waistband sitting along the hip bones, and moderate coverage both front and back. Low-rise bikini briefs are a timeless go-to for many because of their comfort and versatility.

Bloomers: Loose, frilly underwear that is often fitted at the waist and gathered around the legs. These were first popularized by feminist Amelia Bloomer in the 1850s, when it was considered a scandal for women to wear anything but skirts! Our silk ruffled panties are a more modern take on this classic.

Brassiere / bra: An undergarment that covers and supports the breasts, taking many shapes and forms for style and comfort. Bras generally fall into 3 main categories: bralettes (which are un-wired and have less support), underwire bras (which have structure and support), and sports bras (which cover more skin and are made to hold in the breasts during exercise).

Bodysuit: A stretch garment that covers the bust, waist, and hips, all in one, cut similarly to a dancer's leotard. Bodysuits are often made of sheer mesh and stretch lace, and can feature a variety of different necklines and leg cuts, as well as sometimes containing closures in the gusset (crotch area) for ease of dressing.

Brazilian knickers: Also known as cheeky briefs or tangas, this form of underwear has full coverage across the front, but a skimpier back than a bikini or brief. Tangas reveal most of the cheeks, with a wider fabric band across the top of the derrire.

Bustier: A torso shaping garment, designed to smooth the silhouette and support the bust, like a girdle and bra combined. Unlike a true corset, a bustier is usually made of stretch fabrics and contains plastic boning (not steel), and it will not reduce the waist or dramatically alter the shape of the body, but rather simply smooth. Bustiers are usually strapless and have underwires and hook and eye closures at the back, and can sometimes be worn as outerwear.

Camisole / cami: A loungewear top that covers the torso, usually with narrow or spaghetti straps. Camisoles are often layered under blouses or sweaters for an extra layer of warmth, modesty, or for a peek of pretty lace under a low neckline. Camisoles can also be worn as loungewear and sleepwear, especially when paired with tap pants.

Cheeky knickers: Also known as tangas or Brazilian briefs, this underwear has full coverage across the fron, but a skimpier back than a bikini or brief. Tangas reveal most of the cheeks, with a wider fabric band across the top of the derrire.

Corset: A corset is a heavily structured undergarment covering the torso, made from high-grade and non-stretch fabric, with many shaped panels designed to contour and reshape the bust and waist. Genuine corsets are handcrafted by specialty artisans, boned with steel, and usually have a front closure called a busk (the metal studs that allow for easier dressing) and back closure that laces with 2-part metal grommets. Unlike bustiers or basques, corsets do not stretch and dramatically reduce the waist size immediately, and they can be worn as lingerie, outerwear, or for fanciful costumes.

French knickers: Also called tap pants, French knickers are a loose-fitting type of underwear that are similar to shorts. They have a fitted waist and looser fabric over the leg lines, without leg elastics like more fitted briefs would have. French knickers are often worn for sleep or lounging, but can also be worn as practical underwear beneath fuller dresses and skirts.

Full slip: A loosely-fitted undergarment that covers the entire torso and upper legs, structured like a lightweight dress and worn under your clothes or for loungewear or nightwear. This is different from a half slip which only covers the lower half of the body. Read our full guide to silk slips to learn more about how and why you should wear them!

Fully-fashioned stockings: A traditional-style pair of legwear with all the bells and whistles! Fully-fashioned stockings feature that quintessential back seam that you'll recognize from vintage films, a keyhole shape along the top welt, a reinforced heel and toe, and tiny picot lines (stitch marks from the knitting machines where the garment is shaped). You can find some wonderful suppliers of these on our stockings information page.

Garter belt: The same garment as a suspender belt, consisting of a waistband with 4-6 straps that connect to the top of your stockings. Garter belts are often part of a full 3-piece lingerie set. They're a great way to transition a lingerie set from day into sexy nightwear, as well as being practical in themselves. Read our full guide to garter belts to learn more about how to wear and style them.

Girdle: A retro shapewear garment designed to smooth the abdomen and hips, made of firm stretch materials and generally with a hook and eye closure along the back. Traditional girdles usually feature suspender or garter straps at the bottom edge to clip to your stockings.

Half slip: A loosely-fitted undergarment that covers the lower abdomen and thighs, structured like a lightweight skirt and worn under your clothes or for loungewear or nightwear. This is different from a full slip which also covers the chest. Read our full guide to silk slips to learn more about how and why you should wear them!

High-waisted knickers: An underwear style that extends up to around the navel, hitting the body at the natural waist. (The natural waist is usually the smallest part of the midsection, or where your body creases when you bend side to side.) High-waisted knickers stand in contrast to mid-rise and low-rise styles that are much more revealing of the abdomen.

Lingerie: A catch-all term for any undergarments - not just the sexy stuff! Lingerie comes from the French word for linen wear, because originally European undergarments were made of linen textiles. Nowadays, lingerie can include garments of any fiber, including bras, panties, shapewear, boudoir accessories, and more, whether they are practical, decorative, sexy, modest, or anything else. Read our article A Brief History of Lingerie for more historical context!

Longline bra: A brassiere that extends below the underbust to cover part of the upper ribs, literally a long bra. Sometimes these are soft cup bralettes and sometimes they may have underwires and boning for structure, similar to a bustier.

Loungewear: Soft, comfortable undergarments that are worn at home for relaxing or sleep. These can include bralettes and tap pants, camisoles, slips and night dresses, robes and dressing gowns, pajamas, and more. Read our full guide to loungewear for more recommendations on how to style these pieces for working from home.

Low-rise knickers: Any briefs or underwear style that is cut lower across the tummy, revealing more of the abdomen. Low-rise knickers are skimpier than full briefs and are best worn with any low-rise trousers or skirts to avoid a peek of your undergarments accidentally showing.

Molded cup bra: A brassiere whose cups are each formed out of a single piece of foam that mimics a rounded breast shape. They are seamless across the cups and are often also called t-shirt bras because they don't show under fitted tops.

Neglige: Any nightwear, generally decorative with lace and trimmings and often of the sexy or sheer variety. A negligee can include a top (like a babydoll or slip), a bottom (like French knickers or a half slip), or both (like a peignoir set), but definitely is the sort of word you would use for something that's meant to be seen!

Nightgown / nightdress / nightie: A loosely-fitted undergarment that covers the entire torso and upper legs, structured like a lightweight dress and worn for loungewear or nightwear. Read our full guide to silk slips to learn more about how and why you should wear them.

Nursing bra: A specialty brassiere intended for breastfeeding infants, with adjustable clasps above each cup that allow the fabric to be lowered for easy feeding access. Nursing bras can be structured underwire bras or soft cup bralettes, and they can be exclusively functional, highly-decorative, or both. Read our guide to lingerie for new moms for gift and style recommendations.

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