- The Beginning :
1889 was when it all began. Prior to that time, the primary undergarment worn by the female species was the corset. The intention? To play down her attractive feminine attributes by using these extremely tight and constricting pieces of clothing. In fact, before this time, the female was depicted even artistically, as flat-chested and dressed in vibrant, colourful garments, depending on the era to which she belonged.
Then, it happened. A certain Mme. Cudelle of France had an idea, which led her to chop off the midriff of her corset, so as to allow more movement of her previously suffocated waist. And behold, we had the first ever Brassiere!
The rest, as they say, is history. From then on, lingerie only grew in popularity, and further went on to become what is today a booming multi-million dollar industry, which caters to couples all over the world, who continue to enjoy the stimulating sensuality that these garments arouse when a woman wears them to seduce her man. In fact, apart from the most straight-laced of extremely conservative and highly reserved men, there isn’t a single male on this planet who does not have a special, weak spot for these aesthetic, sexy, lacy, and curvy female undergarments. As far as I’m concerned, brevity is the one thing I like best about sexy lingerie. Need I really elaborate any further?
Sexy Lingerie is the Ticket to Universal Enjoyment...
Which man doesn’t love finding his woman waiting for him, all dressed up in a set of sexy, seductive lingerie, when he comes home from a tiring day of work?
Which woman doesn’t find pleasurable the sensuality and ecstasy that she feels when wearing these minimal, lacy items, which go far in accentuating her natural curves, only to make her more physically attractive?
Which couple can resist being turned on by each other, especially when She is dressed in skimpy, sexy lingerie, and He too, is adorned in a pair of satin briefs with a robe to match?
Besides the department store & catalogue resources, most cities have at least one shop that caters to a clientele which appreciates the more ‘risqué’ types of lingerie. In fact, in the recent years, these enterprises have become extremely chic, and are sophisticated enough for not only women, but also men to shop in freely, without being conscious. So much so that today, it has become a common place affair to see couples shop for various items on display in lingerie stores.
The term ‘Lingerie’ has been derived from French, and means ‘women’s undergarments’. These garments are heavily eroticised in Western culture. In the USA the word is doubly-mispronounced, as though it were 'lonjeray'. The correct pronunciation of the 'in' vowel sound is like the ‘a’ in 'fat', & the ‘ie’ vowel, quite obviously, should be as the ‘ee’ in 'fee'.
Today, Lingerie Boutiques have become so very popular in malls all across Australia and America, that the stigma and taboo of purchasing and wearing lingerie is now a thing of the past. However, in order to make things a little easier for all those shy women who’ve never purchased any lingerie, and are still slightly edgy or hesitant about visiting a store, we present to you here a comprehensive guide of all the styles you are most likely to encounter.
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- Short History of Lingerie...
1907: American Vogue magazine once published a picture of a hard, inflexible, boned brassiere, which had no division at the cleavage and between the breasts. Though it’s hard to believe, this was a sample of what the women actually wore over their corsets at one point in time.
1913: A lady called Mary Phelps created the first ever idea of a modern bra, by attaching together 2 lacy handkerchiefs with some help from her maid. She then went ahead and sold the patent of her fancy innovation to Mr. Warner, whom she met at a garden party the following year. It would be interesting to know how that discussion went!
1918: All through this time, corset-makers were busy designing bras that were made to flatten a woman’s assets rather than enhance them. However, this didn’t last much longer, for they were ignoring the main idea, you see, that curves are much more alluring that plain, boring flatness.
1925: The first ever modern bra as we know it today was introduced with not only a division between the breasts, but also with adjustable straps.
1938: This year saw men rejoicing everywhere, as bra-makers finally acknowledged that all breasts were not of a standard size. Hence, for the first time in history, bras began to be made in cup-sizes A, B, C, and D.
1940: The sly tactic of adding padding to bra cups to enhance breast size, was introduced. It was a deceiving, manipulative move, which has raised no complaints from any males till date.
1950s: Strapless bras now came into the picture, which now allowed women to comfortably wear off-shoulder dresses and still use a bra.
1959: Warners and Du Pont’s novel invention, Lycra, started being used in brassieres, and has become an indispensable ingredient of all lingerie today. This very Lycra has helped to expand the now wide array of fashions and styles in undergarments.
1965: The no-bra bra was introduced with the double benefit of providing support with a nothing-under effect, at the same time. While half-hearted women’s libbers celebrated, males all over unconsciously decided to let these libbers enjoy, while they continued to enjoy their women who looked seductive in a set of sexy lingerie.
1973: The first no-bounce sports bra was introduced. Males ignored this change. So what!
1980s: This era saw Frederick’s of Hollywood and Victoria’s Secret become national icons. Now men not only started ordering sexy lingerie for their women from catalogues, but they also started shopping for women’s lingerie at malls, with complete boldness and confidence.
1990s: The internet started becoming a prime platform for online shoppers, who could order some of the most risqué’ lingerie from a number of online websites and lingerie catalogues with user friendly means of operation. Now lingerie from any part of the world could be ordered electronically.
2000 onwards: For those adventurous ones who decide to take the plunge and enjoy this form of sexuality, it just keeps getting better & better & better!
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- A Few Interesting Facts About Lingerie...
The breast size of the average European woman seems to be increasing – over the past 10 years, the generally demanded cup size has shifted from 34B to 36C.
While the DD cup size was rare 20 years ago, today even G cups are not uncommon. This increase can probably be attributed to constantly changing diets and hormonal fluctuations caused by the Pill.
Bra-wearers seem to definitely be getting younger. Twenty years ago, teen bras were worn when a girl turned 12 or 13. However, today 8 and 9 year olds are taking the plunge.
In 1971 skin tones were bestsellers and were second favourites until about 5-7 years ago.
Tea Rose coloured bras were hot favourites between the twenties and the fifties. But today, white colour bras are in maximum demand, followed by shades of ivory and cream.
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- Few Styles
| Chemise - |
A gown that falls straight and skims the body.
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| Negligee - |
A loose, sheer gown. A Peignoir set is a Negligee that is accompanied with a matching sheer robe.
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| Babydoll - |
A short gown that is well-fitting around the bust, but flares toward hemline.
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| Pajamas - |
Pants and a top - these originally got their style from men's p.j.s.
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| Bustier - |
A lengthened strapless bra that provides an extra lift to the breasts. .
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| Camisole - |
A sleeveless top that can be coupled with matching underwear, or even worn under a jacket for work.
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| Teddy - |
A one-piece garment with a bodysuit sort of style.
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| Tap pants – |
Similar to men’s boxing shorts, but a shorter and softer version.
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| Thong – |
This style covers only the front, leaving just a thin strap for the rear.
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- Getting it right underneath
Fit is everything in a bra. When you visit a good lingerie boutique, have an expert “fit” you. No doubt you may feel uncomfortable that a stranger is doing this, but honestly, it is the most reliable way to get yourself a perfectly fitted bra. If you want to wear form-fitting, low-cut apparel, but are afraid that you don’t have a cleavage that is sexy enough, do not worry! Give Mother Nature a boost and use a push-up bra, which will do wonders to accentuate your cleavage.
For large, bustier women, a full cup with under-wire is the best and most sensible choice. However, Minimisers are also a good style that can help reduce the bust-line, if needed.
For smaller breasts, well-padded push-up bras are the best choice. One can even have an entire wardrobe of lingerie to suit every occasion – a casual look calls for simple, comfy (often cotton) styles; sexier looks demand lace, and if you’re daring enough, then maybe even a thigh-high & garter belt. These can be a lot of fun to use.
Keep in mind the details! Remember, that while wearing knit shirts, smooth-seamed cups are a must, and the colour of the bra must be appropriate. While light coloured tops call for a nude coloured bra, black bras can be worn under dark colours. Ensure that the straps don’t show, and if they do, switch to a strapless bra.
When wearing any pants or bottoms that are extremely fitted, opt for a pair of thongs or super-smooth panties. It is very important to ensure that your panty lines don’t show at any cost!
For the sleekest lines under a fitted dress, one-piece or slip-type stretch slimmer’s can be worn. If full-coverage is what your want, then panty-liners are available as well, which go all the way down to nearly ankle-length.
Small bust fixers: Women with small breasts should stay away from the bandeaux bra, which gives an even flatter look. A padded bra, a push-up, or even a gel-filled bra must be purchased instead, which will work wonders to accentuate and enhance the shape of your breasts.
Well endowed to-dos: Large-busted women must always buy bras that provide support. Demi-cup or half-cup bras must be avoided, for risk of making large, heavy boobs look droopy. Instead, a full-cup bra will do the trick by not only giving your breasts support and lift, but also a flattering shape to go with that.
Strapless Solutions: When purchasing a strapless bra, make sure to move around a lot. So bend your arms and even raise them over your head; just to be certain that your bra won’t fall off while dancing at a party!
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- ‘Before You Buy’ Topics
First Training Bras: Training bras are worn by young girls who have just started to develop breasts, and who still don’t fit into the standard bra-sizes. While a young girl who has just begun to develop breasts should definitely wear a training bra, there is no harm in letting a young girl get one for herself before she actually feels a real need for it. It is important for a young developing girl to wear a training bra, but if her breasts size demands a full-fledged, well-fitted bra, she should wear one, irrespective of her age.
Light Support Bras: Light support bras are advisable for girls with smaller breasts, as they usually have no under-wires. They make many girls feel more at ease as they are less constricting and uncomfortable. Because they are wireless they are more flattering on trimmer figures, and also provide less shaping as compared to other bras. These bras come in padded and unpadded varieties, and the choice one makes is truly a matter of personal preference.
Full Support Bras: Full support bras are generally equipped with an under-wire or plastic boning which helps hold them up. Not only can they be worn by women with any bust size, but they are extremely essential for women who have larger, heavier breasts. These bras are flattering on any figure, and built more like bikini tops rather than underwear. They come in both padded as well as non-padded varieties.
Push Up Bras: The Push-Up bra, which was also commonly known as the ‘padded bra’, is the popular category under which falls the world-renowned Wonder bra. These bras not only give the breasts a lift, but they also add shape with the help of a little extra padding. Nowadays, some innovative push-up bra makers also use silicone inserts, gel, or water sacks which help add the fullness and voluptuousness of natural breasts. They are known to ‘lift and separate’, thus giving the look of a full cleavage on breasts of all sizes. These bras are known to always offer a lot of support to the breasts.
Sports Bras: Even though it is the most uncelebrated and unflattering bra of all others, the Sports Bra ironically, is probably the most important for any growing teen to possess. More than providing full support, these bras also prevent the breasts from moving around during any kind of vigorous athletic activity. Breast tissue is known to be very delicate and the growing tissue more so. Hence it needs to be extremely well protected during high impact exercise and sports. These bras are not only for big-breasted women, and girls with smaller breasts too should invest in a good sports bra if they plan to take up physical education or participate in sports.
Many women believe that they have determined their proper size, based upon the overall fit of their lingerie, but it has been found that a lot of us are still not wearing the size appropriate for us. Lingerie experts have estimated that at least 70% of the women are wearing the wrong size, mostly due to an incorrect band and/or cup size. In order to get the correctly fitted bra, follow these simple steps:
When you have worn your bra, wrap a measuring tape snugly and not too tightly, around your rib cage, just under the lower band of your bra. 5 more inches must be added to this measurement so as to get your real band size. If this measurement is an odd number, round up the figure by one inch. Measure around the fullest part of your bust in order to determine you cup size. The difference between this measurement and the band measurement will give you your proper cup size. If the difference is:
1" your cup size is A
2" your cup size is B
3" your cup size is C
4" your cup size is D
5" your cup size is DD (European E)
6" your cup size is DDD (European F)
7" your cup size is F (European G)
A professional, knowledgeable bra fitter must be consulted if you are still uncertain about what your bra size really is. Buying good quality products is only the first step in finding the perfect foundations. Investing in a well-fitting bra will not only ensure that your lingerie is comfortable, but it will also provide good support along with smooth, sleek lines under your clothing.
Women’s underwear has thus come a long way. What was once a rigid and hard, stifling apparel, has now evolved into comfortable, practical, and even sexy lingerie that is worn by women on a daily basis. What began as an inflexible corset made of bone, which pushed the breasts up and out, has today transformed into a light and comfortable garment that provides a number of services ranging from support, to seduction, to even simple body shaping. Even panties have come a long way from what were initially just elaborate loin cloths, to erotic pieces of underclothing which nowadays seem to reveal more than hide!
One may wonder what the difference is between bras, panties, and lingerie. But usually it’s just a matter of opinion. While lingerie generally falls under the less practical and sexier category, general bras and panties include functional pieces of undergarments such as sports bras, nursing bras, as well as shape-controlling underwear.
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- International Size Conversion Charts:
| International Size Conversion Charts: |
| U.S.A. |
EURO |
FRANCE |
U.K. |
ITALY |
SPAIN |
| 30 |
65 |
80 |
30 |
1 |
80 |
| 32 |
70 |
85 |
32 |
2 |
80 |
| 34 |
75 |
90 |
34 |
3 |
90 |
| 36 |
80 |
95 |
36 |
4 |
95 |
| 38 |
85 |
100 |
38 |
5 |
100 |
| 40 |
90 |
105 |
40 |
6 |
105 |
| 40 |
90 |
105 |
40 |
6 |
105 |
| 42 |
95 |
110 |
42 |
7 |
110 |
| 44 |
100 |
115 |
44 |
8 |
115 |
| 48 |
105 |
120 |
46 |
N/A |
120 |
| N/A |
110 |
125 |
48 |
N/A |
125 |
| **Cosabella Conversion. 1=32A-C. 2=34A-C. 3=34C, 36A, 36B. 4=36B-C |
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| Size Conversion - Briefs |
| U.S.A. |
EURO |
FRANCE |
U.K. |
ITALY |
SPAIN |
| XS |
36 |
38 |
XS (1) |
2 |
38 (1) |
| S |
38 |
40 |
S (2) |
3 |
40 (2) |
| M |
40 |
42 |
M (3) |
4 |
42 (3) |
| L |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| XL |
44 |
46 |
XL (5) |
6 |
46 (5) |
| XXL |
46 |
48 |
XXL (6) |
7 |
48 (6) |
| XXXL |
46 |
48 |
XXXL (6) |
8 |
50 (7) |
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| Size Conversion — SLEEPWEAR |
| SLEEPWEAR SIZE |
U.S. DRESS SIZE |
| XS |
2 |
| S |
4-6 |
| M |
8-10 |
| L |
12 |
| XL |
14 |
| XXL |
16 |
| XXXL |
18 |
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- Fitting Problems and Solutions
| ISSUE |
RECOMMENDATION |
LINGERIE STUDIO SOLUTION |
| Straps fall down. |
First try and adjust straps, and if this doesn’t work, then reduce the cup by one size |
Measure your size for the proper fit, and buy only adjustable, high quality products.
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| Band slides up. |
Either loosen the straps or switch to tighter hooks; and if neither of these work, switch to a smaller band size. |
When you are trying on bras, it is important to ensure that the band fits at the right level, and that it isn’t too tight when clipped onto the centre hooks.
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| Straps leave marks. |
Loosen the straps a little, because marks mean that your bra is too tight. If this doesn’t help, you need to get yourself a more supportive bra. |
Avoid demi-cup bras and opt for full cup-bras instead. These have specially been designed to minimize as well as give support. Try using bra extenders. Heavier-chested women can take a look at brands that run up to G cups without sacrificing style. Like Rigby & Peller, Ballet, Chantelle and many more.
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| Breasts spill out from the sides of your bra. |
Increase the cup size. |
In such a scenario full cup bras are the best solution. Like the Peches Dolce 3402 or Lepel’s Premier bra is a sexy solution to such a problem. The side panels are made stronger so as to offer extra support without sacrificing the styling of the front and back with lace and other minor details which aren’t usually found in bras of this kind.
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| Fabric isn't smooth across bust. |
Wrinkles and creases usually form when the cups are too large. This would mean that all you need is a smaller cup size. |
When the seamless look is desired, opt for micro-fibre over lace. Like Chantelle’s Divine collection or the Peches Mezzanote range is a good option in this case.
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| You desire a stylish panty which hides more than a thong, but reveals more than a conservative brief. |
Opt for either a tanga or a bikini. |
Our Allecher range offers a variety of designs in bikini-style briefs. Their high, deep cut on the thigh is found to be extremely popular among females.The more daring can try a sexy tanga, the G-string or a thong.
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| Panty lines. |
Wear Thongs!! |
Our Allecher range is considered to have some of the most stylish and comfortable choice in underwear. Women who are interested in the seam-free look without a thong can also opt for the low rise or boy shorts.
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| The style of your choice has been discontinued. |
It is advisable to purchase similar products belonging to the same brand or manufacturer. While apparel styles, designs, and materials may constantly change at a high rate, manufacturers will always have unique aspects to their products, which make them more suitable to certain figures. |
Several of our manufacturers have basic collections which are made available seasonally, at Peches we work hard to style, design and manufacture only the best and choicest lingerie in the market. In case we may choose to discontinue any line, you can check the same in advance at our page “Soon to be Discontinued” to ensure that you get your final opportunity to order and purchase your favourite styles prior to their discontinuation.
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While selecting lingerie, it is important to ensure that you choose the right style to wear under your clothes, as this is extremely vital to the overall look you are trying to adopt. It is advisable to spend enough time choosing the perfect size and style to suit your body-type. After all, the right lingerie will not only make your figure look slimmer, but it will also make you look much better than you would if you wore the same clothes without the lingerie below.
Women have always been synonymous with beauty and sensuous feminine appeal; so, ensure that you never make the mistake of wearing old, worn out lingerie that is not only ill-fitted, but also does nothing to enhance your curves. This is the biggest faux pas that I have seen numerous women make, and trust me when I say; the sight is not a pretty one. So, go ahead and discard those old bras, slips, and panties that are limp and have long since lost their elasticity – you will thank me for it. Instead, go and treat yourself to some sexy lingerie which will make you feel beautiful both inside and out.
Visible panty lines are highly unattractive and a complete no-no. So, if you are planning to wear tight fitting slacks, tight dresses, or skirts, always opt for a thong. If you find these uncomfortable, longer knickers can also be worn instead. Just remember, that whatever you do, never buy panties with seams that show.
There is almost no sight as bad as that of an ill-fitting bra that is incorrect in both size and type. In such a case do go out and purchase new bras, the bands and straps of which will neither cut into your back, nor embarrass you in public. Another important factor that must be kept in mind is support. It is necessary for women with larger breasts to wear a bra with adequate support, which does its job by keeping everything where it should be. Sagging breasts that almost hang out of bras which aren’t supportive enough are quite an unappealing sight. Women with smaller breasts can make good use of Push up bras, which will work wonders to make them look better endowed. If you are already a D cup, whatever you do, do not wear a Push up bra! When selecting a bra, also make sure that the material used is thick and of good quality. This will prevent you from making a display of yourself when you are cold or excited, and I’m sure you know what I mean by that!
When it comes to choosing panty hose of the right color, factors such as the size and shape of your legs as well as your natural skin tone should be kept in mind. I’m sure most of you have seen the white hose that nurses wear under their uniforms, and you must know that these should be avoided at all costs. If you want your legs to appear slimmer and shapelier, a darker panty hose is the best choice. However, neutral colors are also the best choice for those of you who want to refrain from drawing extra attention to your legs.
Women of all ages thoroughly enjoy the gentle compression of the latest in-shape wear, which is designed to lengthen and smooth the most curvaceous plus-size body.
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- Plus size sexy lingerie and more
From body stockings to an under-wire bra, the entire spectrum of cherished apparel that is available to the modern, full-figured, and curvaceous women is extraordinarily wide. In the white panty category alone, you will find briefs, bikinis, g-strings, French-cuts, boy-cuts, and thongs. Each style has its own exclusive and distinct characteristics, and the only exceptions are the thong and the g-string briefs, which often have many women confused about the difference between the two.
In the very same way, several women find it hard to decipher between a Baby-doll and a Chemise. To put it simply, the Chemise is slightly longer and hence provides more coverage, while the Baby-dolls are short mini-gowns which usually come with a panty, thong, or g-string to match.
Bras - a love/hate relationship: Bras are probably the most varied apparels, with regard to styles and designs. There’s usually something for everybody. So, you have demi-bras or half bras; push up bras which help create cleavage, under-wire bras that are equipped with metal wires below the cups in order to support the breasts; as well as the risqué shelf bra which is similar to the open bra, that leaves everything above the under-wire exposed.
Thong briefs, which are also known as T-back underwear in Japan, have grown in popularity only over the past decade or so, and the reason could probably be the increase in comfort level when wearing this kind of panty. With regard to the thong and the G-string, and this is just between you and me, the thong is the one that provides more coverage. The G-string, as the name suggests, is a string that is attached to a small piece of fabric in the front, which goes on to narrow down at the back.
Change is always a welcome sign. Even the corset and the bustier, which were previously stiff and bone-made, have gone through major evolution since the time of their inception. These inventions which once helped define women’s fashions for generations are now the very same ones that are used to beguile and lure gentlemen in the boudoir. Today, corsets are made much more comfortable with the use of the softest and more flexible fibre materials, which make them easy to unlace with even the clumsiest of hands. Girdles too, have changed with the times. Right from the early 1900’s, all through the 1920’s glamour years of Hollywood, and even into the 1970’s, the girdle has played a crucial role in shaping women’s fashions and fashion trends. Today, girdles are made from a blended combination of Spandex and Lycra which are combined to form a lightweight fabric that provides light, medium, and even firm control.
Wondering about stockings? Well, nylon stockings and pantyhose have been key instruments in accentuating and shaping women’s legs for a long time now. The variety of different styles, colors, and sizes of stockings for women to choose from, is wide enough to highlight and enhance their appearance in any given situation. Contrary to popular belief, not all pyjamas are conservative. Open-clasped pyjama sets can be found in abundance online, and are specially designed for easy access. A Japanese kimono or a silk robe can be worn over these pyjamas or on its own as well.
With inciting innovations in the fabric industry directly affecting the volatile fashion industry, who knows what the future will bring for us in luxurious combinations of silk and satin, sheer and opaque, lace and leather. We can only begin to speculate and imagine.
Believe it or not, but an everyday t-shirt bra has a lifespan on just three to six months, while for a panty it’s six months. So, if you have long since stopped feeling great in your lingerie, it’s time to do away with it and move on!
Baby Doll Set: A baby doll set comprises a large category of lingerie items. It’s basically a two-piece set which includes a loose, wavy, robe-like top and a bottom to match. The top comes in just below the bust line as in the case of an empire bodice, and is always very loosely fitted and short, thus ending just below your buttocks. Baby doll sets are available in a wide array of fabrics such as silk, satin, and even sheer lace.
Chemise: A chemise is different from a Baby doll because though it is billowy, it has an A-line cut and is longer than the latter. A Chemise generally has spaghetti or halter straps, and its angular shape looks appealing on practically any figure type. Women who are conscious of their mid-section can always find a chemise that has a built-in figure control. Depending on the style of the chemise, it may sometimes even come with a pair of bottoms to match. Fabric choices for this style range from patterned or solid silks to even extremely showy and revealing laces, so that there is something to match the taste of every woman.
Camisole: A camisole is basically a female undershirt. It fits loosely, and usually comes with thin spaghetti straps that go over the shoulder like sleeves. However, as times and fashions have changed, camisoles today are also available as outerwear. These are often worn more for casual outings and occasions rather than as formal wear for office-going women.
Corset: A corset is the exact opposite of a camisole. It is a strategically constructed garment which is equipped with bones or ribs that force your body into specific proportions, depending on its shape and size. Wearing a corset can provide dramatic results by giving women a highly enticing and curvy shape. Not all corsets are easy to wear. The more constricting and shapelier a corset, the more difficult it is to wear. First time corset-users are thus advised to initially start off with corsets that aren’t too tough to get into. With the changing trends however, corsets today are becoming outerwear as well. So, while they aren’t really suitable to wear to office, they seem to go perfectly well for a dinner party, a club, or a night out in town.
Bridal Set: A merry widow, more commonly known as a bridal set, includes quite a wide array of items. It comprises a bra, a corset, or a camisole top; as well as matching panties; a garter belt; and stockings. While one can find a silk or satin set which offers a decent amount of coverage, there are other skimpy, string sets which reveal much more than they cover.
Boy Shorts: For those of you, who’ve never heard of boy shorts, think of a bedroom version of sexy hot pants. Not only do they provide full coverage of your sides, but they also hide your rear, which can be partially revealed in more daring styles. Women who do not have the perfect 10 bodies and find themselves to be of a less than perfect shape will much appreciate these figure-hugging and shaping boy shorts. They too, come in wide varieties of fabrics, all the way from comfy cottons to see-through lace.
Bikini: While bikini bottoms have extremely thin straps on the sides, they provide full coverage of your rear. They are available in both loose-fitted as well as figure-hugging styles, and are made in a wide array of fabrics.
Bustier: A bustier is a sexier version of the strapless bra. It comes with attached garter straps, goes all the way down to the waist, and is made from shiny smooth fabrics like silks and satins; hence giving an extremely sensual and exotic look. These can be worn either with or without panties.
G-String: The basic difference between a thong and a G-string is coverage. While the thong provides only a narrow strip of coverage at the rear, the G-string offers no coverage whatsoever. It has just a single string or strand, which is usually 1/8” or less in width, and has definitely been deemed as not for the faint-hearted.
Garter Belt: A garter belt comprises of a piece of fabric which wraps around the hips of a woman and generally has four straps, one for the front and back of each leg. In certain styles these straps are even attached to the lower edges of your corset or camisole. Some garter belt designs are such that they are designed to hold up stockings with the help of these straps. The correct method of wearing your garter belt would be to first attach the stockings and then slip on your panties. This may seem strange initially, but you will come to know the purpose of this method the first time you need to use the bathroom.
Peignoir: A peignoir is a long, ankle-length gown which usually comes with a matching robe.
Thong: Thongs provide anywhere between full to minimal coverage in the front, and usually have a T-shaped rear which extends into thin sides that are only 1/2” to 1” in width. The minimal coverage is due to the revealing T-shape at the rear, but despite this attribute, thongs today are not only worn inside the bedroom but often enough even outside it. In fact, a thong is the best way to rid oneself of panty line woes when wearing tight or figure-hugging clothing. Fabrics most comfortable for thongs include cotton, lycra and micro-fibre.
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- Fabrics
COTTON
Well-known for its comfort and durability, cotton is a material that not only breathes and keeps one cool, but is also easy to take care of or maintain. However, cotton is also known to shrink, and hence taking a larger size is sometimes suggested. So, irrespective of the material your underpants are made from, a cotton gusset is always recommended.
LYCRA/SPANDEX
Lycra and spandex are usually combined with nylon, polyester, silk, or even cotton, as they help provide garments with stretch and flexibility, and also to keep them in shape. So, if the label on your garment does not say 100% cotton, there’s no reason for concern, since a touch of spandex is not only beneficial for fit but also helps in shape retention.
MICROFIBER
Made from ultra-fine, man-made fibres, microfibre is an extremely lightweight fabric which is not only silky to touch but also allows your garments to mould according to the shape of your body.
NYLON
Garments made from nylon fabric not only have the light, featherweight feel of silk, but they are also much stronger, help retain shape, and can be taken care of easily.
POLYESTER
Polyester has become an extremely popular lingerie material especially because of its strong and quick-drying qualities. Lycra-blended polyester and higher quality polyester are always more preferable options as not only are they akin-friendly but they also fit the body well. So, gone are the days of appalling leisurewear from the 70’s, for the time has come to enjoy the fabulous feel provided by the polyester of today.
SILK
The most lavish of all lingerie fabrics is silk, known for its light weight, great feel, and ability to drape beautifully against the body. Water stains must be watched out with silk, and the only remedy to remove them is to wash the entire garment. Dry-cleaning doesn’t involve water and hence, in such cases, is not an option to remove water marks. Machine-washing, however, is not recommended.
When selecting a bra to wear, the biggest faux pas a woman can make is not choosing the right color to go beneath her clothing. An opaque or solid colored top or blouse does not call for much attention while picking a bra, so have fun wearing wild, fantastic colors if you please. But a nude or neutral colored bra which closely matches your skin tone must always be worn under white or light clothing, so as to ensure that it stays camouflaged below your clothes. Beware, even white bras can be seen under white clothes.
Tank Tops: Small-chested women are more likely to get away with wearing a tank top sans a bra. In fact, a built-in bra or shelf bra has become a common fixture in tank tops nowadays. However, it’s the heavier-chested women who need to be careful about wearing a strapless bra below their tank tops. With changing trends today, many designers have begun to create tank tops equipped with bras that have under-wire support, and hence offer more support than the conventional shelf bra. Tank tops with thick shoulder straps can also conveniently hide the straps of a bra, and in such cases a demi-bra (smaller cups) is suggested, especially if the top has a low cut neckline.
Halter Tops: Like tank tops, halter tops too, have started coming equipped with built-in bras and shelf bras. However, extra support may still be required by large-breasted women, in addition to the in-built support. In such cases, a strapless or a convertible bra can be used. The latter allows you to hook a strap around your neck, which imitates and comes beneath the strap of your halter top. When wearing such a top, it is also important to make sure that the back of your bra either stays below the back of your top, or the back of your top is high enough to hide the back of your bra.
T-Shirts & Other Tight Shirts: Seamless bras are the best option under tight tops such as t-shirts. Bras that have seams going across the nipple look highly unappealing and hence must be totally avoided. Demi bras go beautifully with low cut shirts, but these too must be seamless.
Strapless Blouses & Dresses: Today many blouses and dresses are in the tube style, that is, sans any shoulder straps or sleeves. Though some women may be able to go braless, such is not the case for all women. However, if it is a backless dress or blouse, or that with an extremely low back, hiding a strapless bra may be extremely hard. Here, a strapless bra that connects around your lower back and lower stomach will probably do the trick. Today, many women are also using invisible bras that are self-adhesive to the breasts do provide some minimal support.
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- Types of Bras
Push up Bra: Women with the smallest breast may be thrilled using a push up bra. Not only do they enhance breast size with the help of additional, removable padding inside the cups, but they also give the appearance of a voluptuous, deep cleavage.
Demi-Cup or Shelf Bras: These bras are super for low cut tops as they cover only the bottom portion of the breasts and expose the nipples. They also provide good support.
Underwired Bras: These bras come equipped with a thin wire stitched into the lower portion of the cups. Hence, they are especially appropriate for larger breasted women who require such firm support.
Minimizer Bra: Once again a bra that is suitable for women with large breasts, this bra is especially designed to make breast appear smaller. These bras are known to improve the fit of certain clothes and also provide a more professional and less distracting appearance.
Panties: Regular women’s panties come in a wide variety of styles and cuts. There is usually something for everyone, depending on individual preferences and comfort levels of women.
Bikinis: This too, is a type of panty which gives a sexier look by sitting on the hips, staying thin on the sides, and at the same time fully covering the front and rear.
Briefs (or boy short panties): These are similar to shorts and are designed to sit comfortably at the waist.
Flutter Panties: These panties sit at the waist with the help of elastic on the top, but at the bottom they are loose and frilly.
Slips: Slips are usually the best remedy for see-through garments, and are hence worn under skirts, dresses, and blouses so as to prevent unwanted attention.
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