Balcony Bras
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The balcony bra is one of the more versatile bra types as it is ideal for women with a smaller bust size
and for wearing everyday. Its low cut shape enables the wearer to be more flexible with their choice of
clothing. Balcony bras give a smooth breast shape under clothing so are suitable for high necked garments,
but the fact that they sit across the bust and only cover three quarters of the breast mean that they are
ideal for lower cut garments, particularly square necklines.
Basque
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A basque is very similar to a corset but it is always worn as underwear and tends to be boned but much less
structured than a corset. It is tight fitting and covers the breasts whilst being shorter. A basque does not
dramatically alter a woman's body shape in the way that a corset can, but will give definition to the waist
and smooth the stomach under clothes.
Bra Back / Bra Band
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The bra band is the section that goes around the rib cage and sits under the bust. Many women assume that bra straps are responsible for supporting the bust when actually it is the bra brand that is providing support for the breasts. In the UK bra bands are measured in inches and usually start at 28 inches. Contrary to popular belief that you should measure around the ribs and then add on inches to achieve the correct band size inches should be removed from that measurement if anything. A bra band is elasticated whereas a tape measure is not so by adding inches the support from the bra band is removed. A bra band should be firm fitting but not so tight as to be uncomfortable or leave strong marks.
Bra Cups
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Bra cups are the sections of the bras that hold your breasts. They are usually panelled in three sections: side panel, bottom panel and top panel to provide support as well as following the natural curve of the breast. The cut of the cup is dependent on the bra style but the basic construct remains.
Bra Straps
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Bra straps rise up and over the shoulder and can be an integral part of the bra or detachable straps.
Detachable straps are found on multi-way bras and allow you to create halter neck, cross back or remove the
straps altogether for a strapless bra. Other bra straps available include low down converters that attach to
your normal bra and enable the bra to be converted for low backed items.
Briefs
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Briefs are a small item of underwear, otherwise known as a bikini pant which give full coverage to the
bottom and are cut to the hips. Briefs usually finish on the belly button unless they are low rise or mini
breifs.
Built in Bras
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Built in bras are sometimes referred to as shelf bras and they are usually incorporated into swimsuits or vest tops so that the garments provide support without the additional requirement of a bra. Built in bras usually have an additional piece of stretch fabric in half or all of the top with an elasticated band across the bottom to act as a bra band.
Bustier
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Bustiers are similar to corsets and whilst it is possible to wear a bustier as an outerwear garment they are more commonly worn as underwear. As the name suggests a bustier enhances the breast area and can be drawn in to slim the waist. However, this is not to the same extent as a corset. Bustiers often have stocking attachments.
Camisole
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A camisole is a vest top that is traditionally crafted from satin or silk. More structured than a chemise, a camisole skims the ribcage and gives definition to the bust. Camisoles are often worn as part of a lingerie set with shorts, bloomers or French knickers. They can also be worn with a matching bra to provide additional breast support and a desirable shape.
Chemise
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Chemises are a loose nightdress that characteristically finishes at the thigh. The top half of a chemise is
usually similar shape to a vest and fits loosely around the bust whilst the straps are narrow. Chemises are
normally crafted from silk or satin. Chemises are sometimes made with a built-in bra cup for extra support to
the bust.
Corset
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Corsets have been worn for centuries and they are designed to mould the body into a desired shape,
particularly through slimming the waist area. The desired body shape is an hourglass figure with the bust and
hip area balanced and the waist drawn in. Corsets are today designed to be worn as outerwear and fasten with a
busk front to be tightened by lacing
Cup Sizes
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Bra cups form the alphabetical part of bra sizes e.g. 32B but actual size is dependent on bra band size so the physical size of a 32B will be smaller than a 38B. Traditional measuring methods suggest that cup size can be determined by the difference in inches between the fullest part of the breast and the ribcage. However, cup size is highly dependent on the shape of a womans breasts and the style of bra. Bra cups should hug the breast and leave no gaps. Likewise the cups should not cut into the breast creating a four boobs appearance.
Fastening
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Traditional bra fastenings are a hook and eye fastening on the back of the bra band. These are usually in double configurations but bras with wider bands can have up to four hooks. Some bras are front fastening with a hook in between the cups and often sports bras hook or zip up the front. Fashion bras that are designed for special occasion wear rather than everyday wear can have unusual fastenings including ribbons or ties.
French Knickers
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French knickers are loose fitting undergarments that are usually made from silk or other luxurious materials.
They are shorts or hot pant shaped, but very loose fitting and whilst they can be worn as everyday briefs they
are often worn and nightwear or lounge wear in conjunction with a matching camisole.
Full Cup Bras
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Full cup bras encompass the entire breast and can be underwired or non-wired. Extremely comfortable for
everyday wear they are widely available in simple or decadent styles and create very smooth lines under
clothing. They are recommended for wear under high cut tops and for everyday wear for women with a fuller
bust.
Half Cup Bras
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Half cup bras cover half of the breast and create a square neckline. Ideal for wearing under low cut necklines they are comfortable for everyday wear but are striking enough for evening wear. Half cup bras are underwired and can be padded or non padded.
High Cut Leg
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High cut leg applies to briefs or swimwear that has been shaped to display maximum leg length. A high cut item is usually high waisted so that the briefs or swimwear cover the tummy whilst lengthening and flattering the leg by being cut to sit high on the hip.
High Rise
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High rise knickers and bikini bottoms are designed to sit around the waist. High waisted items give smooth lines under clothing and are very comfortable whilst covering the tummy area. This type of cut is ideal for anyone who is tummy conscious and combined with a high cut leg draws the eye away from the waist to the lengthened legs.
Hold Ups
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Hold up stockings give the appearance of wearing tights but they do not have a built in panty. They are usually held up around the thigh with a wide piece of elasticated lace and often have a tacky strip similar to strapless bras that help to keep them in place. Hold Ups are usually very sheer and either natural or black.
Low Cut
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Low cut pants and swimwear are cut so that the leg of the briefs sit on the top of the thigh. This is very common in shorty style briefs or mini briefs that are low rise (waistband sits on the hips or lower). Low cut legs can also be found on high waisted briefs to give maximum comfort and coverage.
Low Rise
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When items are low rise the waistband sits very low on or beneath the hips. This gives an appearance of a longer torso and allows you to wear the briefs discreetly under low rise items of clothing such as low slung trousers or jeans, without the threat of showing your briefs above your clothing.
Maternity Bras
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The term maternity bra refers to any bra worn during pregnancy. Maternity bras are often fitted with
slightly larger cup sizes than required and with a looser back size to accommodate your changing figure.
It is common for the breast size to increase and the rib cage to expand during pregnancy and for this
reason it is important to be fitted regularly throughout the pregnancy for maternity bras. Maternity bras
for the later stages of pregnancy often have a flexi-wire or are soft cup.
Maternity Briefs
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Maternity briefs are knickers that can either be high cut and sit over your bump or low cut to sit
underneath your belly. They are highly comfortable and designed to support the lower back and baby.
Mid Cut
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Mid cut knickers or swim wear sit between the hip bone and the top of the thigh. This cut is ideal for women who wish to lengthen the appearance of the leg without feeling over exposed. Mid cut items can be high waisted or low rise.
Mid Rise
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Mid rise pants or bikini bottoms have a waistband that sits between the hips and waist providing the best of both worlds. This type of brief does not shorten the torso whilst still covering a reasonable amount of the tummy area. Mid rise briefs are subtle under lower cut trousers and skirts whilst still providing coverage.
Multi-Way Bras
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Multiway bras come with detachable straps that allow you to turn your bra into a multi-way bra for wearing
under cross backed or halter neck items. A hook and loop system allows you to alter the strap configuration and
multi-way straps are adjustable in the same way as an everyday bra. Multiway bras can also be worn as strapless
bras by removing the straps completely.
Nightdress
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Nightdresses are an item of womens clothing worn for sleeping. Also commonly referred to as nightgowns or nighties they vary in length from hip to floor. Nightdresses are available in a variety of materials including cotton and silk making it either practical or sultry.
Nursing Bras
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Nursing bras are designed to provide support to the breasts after the birth of your baby whilst also
enabling easy access for breastfeeding. Nursing bras can either be underwired or soft cup that usually have a
triangular piece of fabric that unhooks from the top of the cup to allow simple breastfeeding whilst still
supporting the breasts. Underwire is discouraged in nursing bras as it is important to be well fitted for a
nursing bra, as the breasts are fuller they need more support and wearing the incorrect size can lead to much
discomfort.
Padded Bras
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Padded bras come in a variety of forms. Designed to add a natural looking fullness the padding is an integral part of the bra cups and comes in a variety of levels of padding. Padding is crafted from foam stitched into the cup but some modern bras are gel filled to give the appearance of a fuller bust. Seamfree padded bras are commonly referred to as t shirt bras because of the smooth lines they give under tight clothing.
Pants
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An informal British term for ladies briefs which causes much confusion with US citizens where the term pants refers to trousers. Americans refers to pants as panties and they are a small undergarment.
Pantyhose
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Pantyhose is an American term used to describe what English people refer to as tights. The etymology of the word refers to the one piece nature of pantyhose and the combination of panties (an American term for briefs) and hosiery.
Plunge Bras
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Plunge bras are a similar shape to a push up bra with the cups plunging low at the front. Plunge bras are designed to lift the bust and create cleavage but the lack of padding means that they do not create additional fullness. Plunge bras are ideal for wearing under low cut items.
Push Up Bras
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Push up bras are cut to lift the breast up and are often padded to ensure a fuller raised silhouette is created. The breasts are pulled together by reducing the space between the cups on the bra band and this creates a desirable cleavage. Push up bras are generally not recommended for everyday wear.
Soft Cup Bras
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Soft cup or non wired bras do not have any underwiring around the cup with all support being created through the design and structure of the bra. Soft bras do not tend to come in many styles and are usually a full cup shape.
Sports Bras
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Sports bras are designed to hold the breasts in position during exercise preventing bounce and maximising your comfort whilst also protecting the ligaments around the breast area. Sports bras are available in a variety of impact levels. A low impact sports bra is ideal for gentle exercise whereas a high impact sports bra is worn when taking part in high activity sports such as jogging or tennis. Higher level impact bras are also recommended for larger cup sizes. Sports bras are usually made from Lycra and have wide cushioned straps. Some styles of sports bras can be worn as crop tops to give support whilst allowing you to keep cool.
Stockings
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Stockings are worn with suspenders as they do not have the ability to stay up. They are usually sheer and come in a variety of forms including fishnet, bridal, seamed, seamless and Cuban heel stockings.
Strapless Bras
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Strapless bras are designed to give you the same support as regular bras, but without any straps. This makes
them ideal for wearing under thinly strapped clothing or strapless tops and dresses such as bodices or boob
tubes. Strapless bras also have a tacky strip on the inside of the bra band that prevents the bra from
slipping whilst it is worn.
Suspenders
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An English term referring to the underwear that holds traditional stockings in place. Suspender belts consist of straps, minimum of 4 and can be up to 14 straps with hooks and eyes at the ends to hold stockings in place. Suspenders can be a garment on their own or integrated as part of a corset or basque.
Tanga Briefs
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Some Hispanic cultures refer to thongs and g strings as tangas, however, in UK English tanga briefs or thongs are underwear that have full front and rear sections whilst having very narrow side sections. This lengthens the appearance of the legs whilst still providing maximum coverage.
Thongs
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The term thong has its etymology in the Old English word thwong which refers to a leather cord. It has its modern origins in South America where it appeared during the 1970s before it spread into the rest of the world in the 1980s and 1990s. Originally worn as swimwear the thong is more commonly worn as underwear.
Tights
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Tights are a form of hosiery that appeared in the 1960s and are most commonly worn by women. They are available in a wide variety of colours but are most commonly sheer/natural coloured or black. The thickness of the tights is rated in denier with the low numbers representing the thinnest tights. Tights provide warmth in the winter and provide a smooth, blemish free appearance to legs. Patterned or fishnet tights can provide an interesting accessory to an outfit.