Decoding Lingerie Vernacular

Even someone who's been wearing fine French lingerie for years may struggle with the array of terms used to describe undergarments. Writer Dorothy Parker was right on the money when she said, "Brevity is the soul of lingerie." However, when it comes to choosing monikers for their creations, lingerie designers are often anything but brief or clear. Thus, we've compiled an easy guide to some of the more obscure terms in the lingerie vernacular.

• Baby doll. A short, often sheer gown with bra-like cups and a flowing skirt. Often paired with a matching robe.


• Basque. The corset's less-structured cousin. Like a corset, a basque extends from the bust to roughly the hip area and provides some shape, but not as much as a traditional corset. Basques may have shoulder straps. Also related to a bustier.


• Bustier. As the name suggests, a bustier enhances décolletage with a boned, fitted, corset-type cinching garment that does not have shoulder straps. Usually, bustiers are not worn as outerwear and have stocking attachments. Tanga Fine Lingerie carries bustiers from Argentovivo, Rien of France, Simone Perele, and others.


• Chemise. A nightgown-type garment that reaches the thighs or the knees. Often constructed of a silky material and has thin straps. Top chemise brands at Tanga Fine Lingerie include Aubade, Lise Charmel, Flora Nikrooz, and more.


• Garter belt. If you've ever worn thigh-high stockings that do not have elastic at the top, yo're familiar with all of the ways in which a garter belt can come in handy. This is a strip of fabric that encircles the waist and has places for stockings to hook into—via adjustable straps similar to bra straps—to keep them from falling down. Check out the garter belts from Lise Charmel lingerie at Tanga Fine Lingerie, as well as the selection of hosiery in various colors and styles.


• G-string. The exact etymology of the term "g-string" is unknown, but the garment's popularity has elevated it to mythical status. Like a thong, a g-string is a type of underwear that offers very little coverage in front and almost no coverage in the back, leaving much skin exposed. The narrow band of fabric that connects to the waistband forms the "string." Tanga Fine Lingerie stocks g-strings from brands such as Aubade lingerie.


• Peignoir. Think '30s or '40s film star. A peignoir is a chiffon or sheer ankle-length nightgown that is usually paired with a matching robe. Sometimes also referred to as a negligee.