Appliqué:

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

Baby Doll:

A short gown, usually with matching panties, but sometimes is one piece. It has styles ranging from sheer, lace, and opaque. Night wear or sleepwear. It is a sexy and sensual choice. A great buy because they're ultra-feminine and have a "forgiving fit" and come with matching panties or thongs.

Bodice:

The fitted part of a dress that extends from the waist to the shoulder; a woman's laced outer garment, worn like a vest over a blouse.

Bodysuit:

A one piece top and bottom combination that sometimes has a snap crotch. They are sexy and compliment a woman’s figure. They may be worn as outerwear. If wearing a sheer bodysuit as outerwear, choose a similar color bra to wear underneath. The stretch suit for the entire body will flatter any woman's physique.

Boning:

It was once made from actual bone, hence the term boning. Today, boning is made of plastic strips that are drawn through slots in the material giving structure, support, and body contouring.

Bra- Demi:

Sometimes called shelf-type bra. It covers the lower portion of the breast leaving the entire nipple exposed. Though only half a bra, an "underwired" demi-cup still offers excellent breast support and uplift. It is great under a sweater because it offers bust support while leaving a natural, no bra look.

Bra- Half-Cup:

A half cup bra is just that. It is a bra with half a cup. It is very revealing but covers the nipples. It exposes a lot of bare skin and still offers support. It is sometimes called a push-up bra.

Bra- Open-Cup:

Open cup bras surround the breast leaving the nipple and surrounding area exposed. They come in different styles including push-up and underwire.

Bra- Push-Up:

Lifts the breast to create cleavage. Also know as a half-cup bra.

Bra- Shelf:

Same as Demi-bra. It covers the lower portion of the breast leaving the entire nipple exposed. Though only half a bra, an "underwired" demi-cup still offers excellent breast support and uplift. It is great under a sweater because it offers bust support while leaving a natural, no bra look.

Burnout:

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

Bustier:

Pronounced "boos tee yay". A bra with fitted sides that extend down the waist to provide an hourglass look with more control. It is often worn with garters and stockings. Bustiers gained popularity in the 1980's as outwear and evening attire.

Camisole or Cami:

A short lingerie top, fitted over the bust, and ends at the waistline. Originally were used to cover the tops of corsets. Often worn visibly under an open jacket or sheer blouse, or worn under wool garments to protect the skin. Most are lace trimmed.

Catsuit:

A full-body stocking, generally made of stretch material. It was made popular in the 1960s by Diana Rigg in The Avengers television series. Other types of catsuits include bodystockings and suspender catsuits.

Charmeuse:

Pronounced (shar moose). A man-made, silk-like fabric used in various lingerie items. It is preferred over silk because it does not have to be dry cleaned. It is originally French in origin.
Charmeuse:  A satin finished silk fabric.

Chemise:

Pronounced (shuh meese). It is originally worn to protect the skin from outer garments, and later as night wear. It is sometimes called a shift or slip. A sleep gown with no waistline and designed to fall flatteringly from the upper torso. Often it is held up by thin spaghetti straps. Since it is easy to purchase as a gift, as there are no particular sizing problems with a chemise.

Chenille: (fabric).

It is fuzzy fabric, with "caterpillar" appearance. French in origin

Chiffon:

A sheer fabric, made of silk, polyester, or other fibers. It may be solid or printed designs.

Corset:

Similar to the bustier, it is a bra with fitted boned sides to the waist and is pulled tight to the body for an hourglass look and laces are tied in the back. It may be worn under an open jacket. It is usually strapless.

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:

Ornamentation on fabric with needlework.

Faux leather:

Fake leather.

Faux:

Faux means imitation. For example, faux leather means imitation leather. Illustration is red, backless faux-suede pants.

Flocked:

It has a design or pattern on fabric that is not intricately part of the fabric.

Garter Belt:

Waisted lace belt with garters is worn around the waist and attached to thigh-high stockings (not panty hose!). They should be matched in color and design with bras, stockings and panties. Often, garters are attached to bustiers, teddiettes, and various sets. Not practical, but men seem to love it.

Garters:

Garters are elastic straps used to hold up stockings or as decoration. They are usually embellished with lace.

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.

G-String:

A panty with a small front panel of material in front that is held to the body entirely with strings with a thong back.

Halter:

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

Hosiery- Control top:

Pantyhose that provides shaping support in the panty section. Fishnet hose: Generally, a diamond pattern in loose weave.

Hosiery- French or lace:

A lace panty is sewn into the pantyhose.

Hosiery- Lace Suspender:

A section of the hose is cut out to simulate the look of stockings and a garter belt, and often worn with panties.

Hosiery- top stockings:

A lace band at the top of the stockings replaces the plain welt.

Jacquard: 

A fabric with an intricately woven pattern.

Keyhole: (neckline).

Material forms a high neckline with a teardrop hole in the front, usually very near the top of the fabric.

Kimono:

A loose robe worn chiefly by women.

Lurex:

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

Lycra: 

A trademark used for a brand of spandex.

Opaque:

Opposite of sheer. Something that blocks the transmission of light is opaque. Not see-through.

Panne: fabric).

It is a fabric similar to velvet that has been flattened to achieve the desired look.

Panties- : G-String:

The rear panel is very small, though usually larger than a thong.

Panties- Bikini:

Bikinis offer full coverage in both the front and back while the sides rest high on the hips or waist. Skimpier styles have narrow sides, including V-cut (in front), French cut (with high-cut sides) and low-cut string (with string sides).

Panties- Brief:

A full-coverage, to-the-waist panty, cut low on the thigh.

Panties- French-cut:

The leg opening extends higher than normal.

Panties- String bikini:

A narrow strip of fabric or elastic joints the front and rear panels.

Panties- Tap pants:

Shorts have loose fitting legs, generally rides higher on the sides.

Panties- Thong:

Panties have minimal coverage on the rear, usually a string or narrow band of material or elastic.

Panties- Tights:

Panties are made of stretch fabric, may include attached leg.

Panty Hose:

Stockings with attached panties.

Peignoir:

Informal dress or gown.

Polyester (fiber/fabric):

Since it has an ability to stretch and resist wrinkling, it makes polyester a popular fabric for lingerie. It is a Synthetic fabric that traps heat against body, but is used in weaves that allow air to circulate.

Princess line:

A dress, coat, or blouse made of several pieces contoured to fit the body.

Rayon: (fiber/fabric).

It is 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:

Border is curved on fabric or lace as a decoration at necklines and hemlines.

Scoop: (neckline).

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

Sheer:

Transparent or nearly so. Something that does little to block the transmission of light is sheer. It is the opposite of opaque. Like the see-through chemise in the illustration.

Shirring:

Material is gathered into lines, for decorative effect.

Spandex:

A synthetic fiber or fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane.

Stay-Up Stockings:

They are stockings that have a wide gripper top that clings to the thigh, eliminating the need for garters.

Stockings:

These have always been popular. They are sheer, thigh-high leggings that are held up by garters. There's just something about a women in stockings and garter belts that men love. Styles come in several colors to match just about anything.

Surplice:

A long, loose, flowing garment, such as a robe or nightgown.

Sweetheart: (neckline).

A series of side and lower front curves that meet in center.

Teddiette:

Like a teddy, except teddiettes come with garters (sometimes detachable) and are worn with stockings.

Teddy:

Teddies, like bodysuits, are one piece garments. Teddies do not have garters. They may be boned or otherwise constructed with built-in support. Today’s teddies are adorned with ribbon and lace and made of fine materials. It has a variety of styles which include body briefer and worn either under clothing, or as sleepwear.

Thong:

A panty with only a narrow strip in the back which forms a "V" as it tapers to the crotch. It is a nice alternative to no panty lines or no panties

Tricot and Satin Tricot: (fabric).

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

Underwire:

Underwires are rigid insertions at the base of bra cups used for support, structure, and a push-up breast appearance.

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.