Lingerie

Lingerie is a term for women's fashion undergarments. It derives from the French word 'lin' for linen. more...

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While the term in the French language applies to all undergarments for either sex, in English it is applied only to those women's undergarments designed to be visually appealing or erotic, typically incorporating materials such as lace and silk, and not applied to functional cotton undergarments.

The concept of lingerie being visually appealing is relatively recent. Up through the first half of the 20th century women selected underwear for three major purposes: to alter their shape (first with corsets and later with girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or for modesty. Women's underwear was often very large and bulky. As the 20th century progressed underwear became smaller and more form fitting. In the 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamourize lingerie and the idea of lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed. (1)

Pronunciation

The word is often pronounced, in approximation of the French original (/lɛ̃ʒʀi/), as . Nonetheless, alternatives like , are also common. The Oxford English Reference Dictionary gives only /ˈlɒnʒeɹi/.

Typology

Babydoll, a short nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women.; Basque, a tight, form-fitting bodice or coat; Bedjacket, worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and modesty.; Blanket sleeper; Bloomers, underpants with short legs.; Bodystocking, a unitard.; Bodysuit, a leotard-like undergarment, usually skintight or formfitting.; Bodice, covers the body from the neck to the waist.; Boy shorts, a style of panties, so named for their resemblance to male shorts.; Brassiere; Bustier; Camisole, sleeveless and tight fitting, covering the top part of the body; Cami Shorts; Chemise; Corset by bone, a bodice worn to mold and shape the torso.; Corselet = Brassiere + Girdle; Corsage by elastic, covering the body from the neck to the waist, similar to a corset.; Drawers a pant-like garment worn during the 19th century for modesty and warmth. Some drawers were split-leg, in that the crotch seam was left open.; French maid, a form of ladies' fantasywear; G-String/Thong, a narrow piece of cloth passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as a bikini bottom or as underwear by both men and women.; Garter; Garter belt, used to keep stockings up; Girdle, resembles a tight pair of athletic shorts; Granny panties; Hosiery; Jersey nightshirt - A long, loose T-shirt made of cotton, polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a Babydoll.; Knickers; Leotard; Merry widow; Naughty & Nice; Negligee; Nightgown or Nightie, a loosely hanging item of nightwear, may vary from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir).; Nightshirt; Panties; Peignoir; Petticoat; Pettipants; Robe; Slip (Full slip and Half slip / Underskirt); Spanky-Pants, "Spankies" (color-coordinated underpants worn by cheerleaders); Stockings; Stringbody; Suspender belt (British), aka Garter belt (US); Tanga; Tap Pants; Teddy; Undergarment; Unitard;

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