Maybe you’re finally dipping your toes in the world of sexy lingerie, or perhaps you’re just brushing up on your brassiere knowledge—either way, there are many reasons you should know all the types of lingerie.
Not only will you increase your know-how about these sexy little numbers, but, in turn, you’ll also become more confident in choosing the right lingerie for you (or your partner.)
Especially when you begin to learn which lingerie styles look best on each body type, you’ll never have a problem buying lingerie online again!
This article will go over all the types of lingerie, when you should wear them, and what makes them different from the others.
Are you ready to get a lesson in lingerie?
By definition, a camisole is “a woman's loose-fitting undergarment for the upper body, typically held up by shoulder straps and showcasing decorative trimming.”
Camisoles, otherwise known as a “camis” for short, are essentially tank tops that can be worn either underneath your clothing for extra coverage or alone for an extra sultry silhouette.
Lingerie Diva specializes in sexy-yet-comfy camisole styles that typically feature delicate lace trim around the bust area and/or the bottom hem. These extra little details make this lingerie item a dainty piece every woman should own in a few go-to neutral hues.
A cami can be worn to bed for a sweet and stylish slumber, or it can be worn as part of your everyday outfits.
The beauty of a camisole is its amazing versatility, so you can’t go wrong with getting a few different styles and colors!
This tight garment is meant to slim your waist and accentuate your gorgeous curves.
Typically extending only from your chest to your hips, a corset will carve out your stunning shape.
A corset can also be known as a girdle, especially when it's worn as an undergarment to shape the figure beneath your clothing.
However, there are also playful corsets that can spice up your time in the bedroom and amp up the intrigue on ordinary outfits.
If you want to lift your bust, a bustier is for you!
Not too dissimilar from a corset, the bustier is a form-fitting garment that boosts up your bust by tightening around the upper midriff.
You tighten a bustier using corset-like ties, which also gives your waist a slightly slimmer shape thanks to the boning often included within the fabric. A bustier is strapless and sleeveless and often worn as a top.
That is where corsets and bustiers differ—a corset is meant to be worn as an undergarment, whereas a bustier can standalone as a sexy top (unless, of course, it’s a cupless bustier for the bedroom!).
Teddy, bodysuit, camiknicker—all terms for one type of lingerie.
A teddy is an all-in-one piece that fits like a bodysuit or one-piece swimsuit, but it is typically sheerer than these types of garments. Basically, a teddy is a playtime-approved bodysuit.
Depending on how adventurous you are in the bedroom, there are many types of teddies you can choose from—whether you’re more into a sexy S&M-inspired style or a classy white one-piece, the range of teddies is wide enough for you to find one that suits your lingerie style.
Teddies don't always make it outside the bedroom, but you could dress up a more conservative teddy with a skirt or denim for a night out on the town!
Inspired by the shapes worn in the 1920s, a chemise is a dress that hangs straight from the shoulders and gives your figure a uniform shape.
If you like loose-fitting clothing, a chemise will be your new favorite item! This roomy garment is a great way to make bedtime much cuter. Silk chemises make lovely nightgowns and play up your feminine side.
Some chemises are so stylish, they almost look like mini-dresses you can wear out! You can also crank up the naughtiness with a cupless chemise if that’s your style.
Ladies who love convenience will love bra-and-panty sets.
These pieces of lingerie are exactly what they sound like—matching bras and panties that come as a set when you purchase them.
When men try to buy lingerie for their partners, they often underestimate the value of a darling bra-and-panty set. Often, all it takes is a matching set to make a woman feel sexy in her own skin—it’s a treat ladies don’t always get to experience.
The last type of lingerie we’re looking at today is the robe.
Robes are open garments that tie in the front and can be worn for a variety of occasions.
You might wear a robe when primping and getting ready for a date night, or you might wear a robe to surprise your partner with a special reveal behind closed doors. Sheer robes amp up the heat in the bedroom and can really impress your partner.
Similarly, a gown is like a longer robe. These hot pieces add elegance and an ethereal flair to your lingerie style as they cascade along the floor while teasing your goodies.
Fashionistas love choosing sexy gowns to wear in the bedroom, so this could be a great option for you if you like to stand out and make a lasting impression.
We also love a gorgeous lingerie gown for the glamorous gals who enjoy lounging like royalty. Know a queen who deserves one?
Choosing lingerie should be a fun experience, and we want you to know everything there is to know so that your lingerie shopping can be stress-free.
Hopefully, this article helped clear up any questions about the types of lingerie out there and what they’re worn for. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask in the comments!
Hosiery or stockings are close-fitting, elastic garments that cover the feet and legs. Hosiery comes in various styles including silk, nylon, and fishnet. Because the material is usually sheer, the legs are still visible but appear silky, smooth and unblemished. Many women wear them with skirts or dresses, but hosiery can also add an extra touch of sex appeal when paired up with most lingerie garments, especially when paired with garter belts and leg garters.
Garter belts and leg garters are made to hold up hosiery. Often made of silk, lace, or even leather, garter belts are worn around the waist and have dangling straps that clip or snap onto stockings. This type of lingerie has a wide array of styles, ranging from cute and flirty to an exotic dominatrix look.
In the early 1900’s, before the invention of pantyhose (a combination of panties and stockings), garter belts were the only thing you could wear to hold up stockings. Now, they’re a great way to add excitement to any piece of lingerie. Add some shoes, and you have a whole outfit!
A bodystocking is true to its name: It is fitted hosiery that covers your entire body, from the shoulders to the feet. This lingerie is similar to a leotard or a cat suit. It can be worn underneath clothes during winter or more-often-than-not as a sexy piece of lingerie. Because the bodystocking is usually made of a tight, sheer material (like nylon, lace or fishnet), it highlights all parts of the body, making it a perfect fit for any confident woman.
Panties are underwear that come in all shapes, fabrics and colors, allowing you to have lots of coverage or barely any coverage at all. From hiphugger or bikini panties to cotton or silk panties, these undergarments are made to fit and suit any version of the female body.
Women's panties, as they are seen today, were originally designed in the 1920's when bloomers (or long underwear) became shorter and looser as the flapper look came into fashion. The panties of this time were called step-ins.
Boyshorts are a relatively new kind of underwear that continues to grow in popularity. They are tight and extremely short shorts that go beneath your clothes. Because they provide more coverage than bikini underwear, they tend to stay in place better and not bunch up. Some styles only have partial rear coverage, allowing part of the lower rear to show, while others have full coverage. Either style, however, does a great job of covering the hips and upper part of the thigh.
The G-string (sometimes known as the V-string) is about as close as you can get to wearing no panties at all: It’s essentially a skimpy thong. While the thong has minimal fabric in the back, the g-string has even less. True to its name, the g-string includes a single piece of string that attaches the front side to the back. G-strings help prevent panty lines and are even more erotic than the thong, adding some extra excitement to when your clothes come off at the end of the day.
A thong is a popular type of panty that is great if you want no visible panty lines and a smooth appearance through your clothes. This smooth look is possible because of the minimal amount of fabric in the back of the undergarment. The fabric creates a "v" shape at the waistband, and then gradually thins out by the time it reaches the crotch.
The bra, or brassiere, is a close-fitting piece of lingerie that is worn to help lift and support a woman’s breasts. While bras do serve a functional purpose, they also are usually one of the first pieces a woman gets when creating a collection of lingerie. Bras come in various sizes, fabrics, styles and colors made to serve each and every woman’s needs.
The first brassiere was made in 1913, when New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob tied two handkerchiefs together with ribbon to cover the whalebone sticking out of her corset, which was visible through her sheer dress. She soon began making brassieres for her family and friends. By 1914, Jacob had a patent for her design and was marketing it throughout the United States. Although women had worn brassiere-like garments before, Jacob's was the first to be successfully marketed and widely adopted.
A demi or shelf bra covers only the lower half of the breast and is used to five a lift to the breast, but does not create cleavage. It is great for low neckline clothes.
A push0up bra lifts the beasts to create cleavage. Push-up bras often come with padding, giving the illusion of a larger, fuller chest
An underwire bra contains metal wires in the lower edges of the bra, giving extra, often-needed support for the bust. These bras are great for women that have C cups or larger.
Choosing lingerie should be a fun experience, and we want you to know everything there is to know so that your lingerie shopping can be stress-free.
Hopefully, this article helped clear up any questions about the types of lingerie out there and what they’re worn for.
