A Beginner's Guide to the World of Lingerie

Though lingerie models plaster our billboards and sexy underwear features prominently in fashion magazines and pop culture, most people are not prepared for the sheer mind-boggling choice the very first time they walk into the lingerie section of a major department store or specialist retailer. Corsets, basques, camisoles, babydolls and more; sometimes the jargon for skimpy undergarments is just as confusing as it is for computers or mobile phones. This handy guide will help you identify some of the most popular types of lingerie, helping you to avoid blank looks or embarrassment the next time you go out shopping for something special.

The Corset

Dating back to the medieval period, the corset was originally a hardened bodice made from two sheets of linen and hardened with a layer of paste. The corset that emerged in the early modern period was designed to help achieve a slimmer waist and uplift breasts and could be tightened using ties at the back to increase the level of compression. Smaller and smaller waists became fashionable, to the point where corsets became so tight that they were endangering the health of the women who wore them. Corsets are still worn today, though they are more of a niche item. They are easily recognisable from their strapless design, tight waist and laces at the back that can be tightened to push the breasts up.

Basques and Camisoles

A basque is similar to a corset in some ways but tends to be less focused on tightening the waist and is commonly made with straps. Basques often focus on the cleavage or accentuating a toned tummy and are sometimes heavily embroiders. A huge range of basques are available and they tend to be much more ‘mainstream’ than corsets, while maintaining much of the sex appeal. A camisole is a sleeveless vest-style garment that extends to the waist and main be plain for practical day-to-day wear or made from silk, satin or lace and highly decorated for special occasions. Camisoles tend to be much more loosely fitting than basques.

Thongs

The thong has been one of the most controversial items of lingerie in recent years, due in no small part to children’s versions being created by some manufacturers. Thongs, sometimes known as g-strings, are panties that only cover the front, leaving the backside mostly exposed, with only a thin string of fabric at the rear. Thongs are sometimes worn so that the string rises above the level of the trousers or shorts and are often ornamented with metal or diamante decorations. 

Stockings and Suspenders

Suspender belts and sheer stockings are one of the classic images associated with the word ‘lingerie’. The suspender belt originated in the garter, developed in the late nineteenth century as a practical means of attaching stockings to a corset but has since made its name as a standalone item.  It is worn around the waist and linked to sheer stockings by strips of elasticated material. Supplanted by tights as underwear for practical day-to-day wear, stockings and suspenders have endured as a staple of erotic fantasy fiction.