Action Brief
Mens cotton briefs with a wide comfortable waistband perfect for everyday wear and support.
Adjustable Straps
Adjustable straps are when the strap length is adjustable for a better fit on the shoulders. They are almost always incorporated into the design of lingerie, swimwear and singlet-style garments. Please also see convertible straps.
Appliqué
A small decoration or ornament that is made by cutting pieces of one material and applying them to the surface of another. Appliqués can come in the form of lace, mesh, felt, beads, sequins, rhinestones, nail heads, buttons, etc.
Babies Bodysuit
A babies all-in-one fitted garment with no leg coverage. It can have long or short sleeves and usually has press studs on one shoulder or an envelope neckline and press studs on the crotch for easy changing. Also see women's bodysuit.
Backless Bra
The backless bra has no back and may also have no straps. They are usually self-adhesive, lightweight and self-supporting. It is the perfect bra when wearing low back or backless garments as well as strapless styles.
Back Wings
The back wings of a bra are the strips of fabric that extend from the outer base of the cups to fasten in the back. They are often made from cotton, mesh, satin and nylon, and they can be stretchy or non-stretchy.
Balconette Bra
Also known as demi bras, they are a half-cup bra with underwire support and a horizontal bust line. Balconette bras often give a sexier look and feel than contour bras or full cup bras, and enable low-cut necklines to be worn without the bra being seen.
Bandeau
A bandeau is a strapless bra top or swimwear top that is worn straight across the bust and looks like a wide band of fabric. Most bandeau styles come with optional shoulder or halter-neck straps.
Basque
A basque refers to any tight-fitting bodice garment worn by women. Examples include a corset and a torsolette.
Bikini Brief
Often called a bikini pant, the bikini brief is one of the most popular underwear styles among women worldwide. Bikini briefs are usually hipster style, meaning they have a waistband that sits below the belly button and around the hips, rather than one that sits at the waist. Their sides can vary in thickness from very narrow to a fuller cut. The rear coverage is moderate, and slightly less than that of a full brief. The bikini brief is great for low rise pants and suitable for comfortable everyday wear.
Bloomers
A loose fitted shorts-like garment for babies. Bloomers usually have an elasticated waistband and are stretchy around the legs.
Blouse
Similar to a shirt with buttons down, a blouse is an outer garment that is usually loose, and often made from cotton or silk.
Board Shorts
Quick drying, comfortable and lightweight shorts designed for water sports and activities. The waistband can either be elasticated or more rigid with a drawstring feature. Men’s board shorts are usually knee length with a functional fly opening.
Bodysuit
A bodysuit is a women's one-piece undergarment that covers the torso much like a leotard. Bodysuits are tight fitting and are sometimes used to provide support and shaping to the upper body. Unlike a leotard, a bodysuit usually has press studs or snap buttons at the crotch for easier dressing. Also see babies bodysuit.
Boning
Boning is a strip of stiff material sewn into the vertical seam lines of a garment or bra, and it acts as a support structure to maintain a desired look. In shapewear, boning is usually found through the midriff in vertical lines. In bras, boning can be found at the side wings, located just under the arms. Originally made from bone (hence its name), it is now generally made from plastic.
Boxer Brief
A boxer brief has the styling of traditional boxer shorts, but is cut a little shorter and fits like a brief. It may have a guy front or fly front.
Boxer Shorts
A men’s undergarment that is full cut and loosely covers the body from the waist to just above mid-thigh. They usually have a functional fly opening and an elasticated waistband.
Boyleg Brief
Also known as boy shorts, they are styled after men’s briefs and trunks. They are generally low rise with wide sides, and provide a snug fit over the rear and extend about an inch below the crotch. Boyleg briefs are especially flattering for women with straight hip figures.
Bralette
A bra-like undergarment without any lining, underwire or boning support. Bralettes are only ideal for sleeping as they do not offer a significant amount of support.
Broderie Anglaise
French for ‘English embroidery’, broderie anglaise is embroidered fabric, usually white cotton, in which holes are cut in patterns and oversewn. It is often used in lingerie, clothing and swimwear.
Camisole
The camisole (sometimes called cami for short) usually refers to a sleeveless top with thin spaghetti straps, worn as a garment under sheer clothing or as sleepwear. Camisoles are made from all different fabrications such as silk, cotton, microfibre, satin or polyester. They can be plain and basic or trimmed with lace or silk. Some styles incorporate a sewn-in shelf bra or inner lining to provide support for the chest.
Cap Sleeve
A very short sleeve that hangs over the shoulder but does not go beyond the armhole on the underside.
Chemise
Sometimes called a slip, a chemise is a straight-hanging, loose-fitting, sleeveless sleepwear garment for women. The traditional style of chemise lacks definition in the waist area, but the modern ones can be sexy and contoured.
Chesty Singlet
A classic ribbed singlet/tank style manufactured by Bonds.
Comfort Straps
Comfort straps are wider than average bra straps. They usually feature soft padding and are designed to provide extra comfort and support around the shoulder area. Comfort straps are great for fuller figured women or women who experience shoulder and neck pain due to their bras.
Compression Tank
A tight compression tank top that firms the chest, flattens the stomach, supports the lower back and improves posture for the wearer, all whilst being discreet enough to wear under other singlets or tops.
Compression Tee
A tight ergonomic, tapered shape tee that firms the chest, flattens the stomach, supports the lower back and improves posture for the wearer.
Contour Bra
These are bras with moulded contour cups that hold their shape even when not being worn. One of the most popular bra styles, contour bras are usually padded and can provide a smooth shape and excellent support to the bust.
Control Brief
A control brief is a special type of brief designed to offer support and give a slimmer appearance to the hip and buttock area. This shapewear piece usually features a tummy-flattening front and/or smoothing technology in the design. Control briefs usually contain a stretch material such as Lycra or spandex.
Convertible Bra
The convertible bra is a multi-functional bra that can be worn several different ways to suit your clothing. Some of the convertible styles include halter, cross-back, strapless, one shoulder, and low-back. There is a large range of convertible bras on offer from all the different lingerie brands, and the majority of them come with a few standard straps as well as optional longer straps.
Convertible Straps
Convertible straps can usually be adjusted and worn as different styles such as cross-back, halter or one-shoulder to suit the wearer’s clothing. Please also see adjustable straps and convertible bra.
Corded Trunk
This refers to men’s swim trunks and underwear trunks that have a cord connected at the waistband. This adds support and allows the wearer to adjust the trunk to their desired fit.
Corset
Corsets are tight fitting, body enhancing undergarments worn to create an hourglass-shaped silhouette. They are designed to make women look slimmer by pulling in the waist and lifting the breasts. Corsets traditionally feature boning, and have a lace-up or hook-and-eye closure at the back. Most corsets have detachable garters for stockings.
Coverall
Also known as an all-in-one or a growsuit, a coverall is a babies garment with long legs and either long sleeves or short sleeves. It usually has an envelope neckline or a press stud shoulder opening, and press studs on the crotch.
Crew Neck
A high, round and collarless neckline with a ribbed finishing.
Drawstring Waist
A waistband designed with a fabric cord that can be pulled tighter or loosened to adjust to each individual wearer’s desired look.
Dress
A one-piece garment that has an attached skirt and bodice.
Embellishment
An embellishment is any decoration or ornamentation that adds colour or design interest to fabric or clothing. Examples include appliqués, beads, buttons, embroidery, fabric paint or other decorations that have either been stuck or sewn onto the fabric.
Embroidery
Embroidery is any decorative and ornamental designs made from needlework either by hand or by machines. It may also incorporate other materials such as pearls, beads, sequins and metal strips.
Envelope Neckline
An easy-to-use neckline often used in children’s clothing that can stretch over a baby’s or toddler’s head without the use of press studs on the shoulders.
Eyelet
Eyelets are small round metal rings, used either for decoration purposes or as reinforcement to small holes in fabric.
Floating Underwire
Often found in swimwear tankinis and sleepwear singlets, floating underwire is hidden and doesn’t show from the front for an unstructured look, whilst providing bust support just like traditional underwire.
Fly Front
Also known as Y-front, this refers to men's briefs that have a fly as part of an inverted ‘Y’ formed by the front seams.
French Knickers
Also known as culottes, they are wide-legged knickers which cover the hip, most of the upper thigh and all of the buttocks. They are generally recognised for their looser fitting leg which allows a more comfortable fit. Often trimmed with lace or silk, french knickers are popular due to their sexy appearance. There are different types of french knickers to suit most shapes and sizes, e.g. some with a slimmer leg and some with a wider leg, some are low-rise and some are high-rise, some made from plain mesh fabrication and some with more decorative trims.
Front-fastening Bra
Struggling with bra hooks around the back can be quite uncomfortable and awkward for some, and that’s where front-fastening bras come in. Front-fastening bras have closures, usually hooks and eyes, at the front rather than at the back. They can be underwired or wirefree.
Full Brief
A full brief is an underwear style that sits at the waist and has full rear coverage with a low leg line. They also generally have fuller coverage on the sides of the hips. Full briefs are popular amongst women everywhere due to their level of comfort and coverage.
Full Cup Bra
Full cup bras are ideal for women with larger cup sizes, as they provide full coverage and excellent bust support. They are usually designed with slightly wider shoulder straps for added back support and comfort.
Functional Fly
This refers to when the front fly on a men’s garment or undergarment provides an opening.
Garter
A garter, sometimes called a garter belt, is a lingerie garment worn around the waist or hips. Four garter straps, usually adjustable in length, hang from the garter, with two at the front and two at the back. The ends of these straps contain metal or plastic clips which are then attached to the top of stockings to prevent them from slipping down.
Gathered Sleeve
A cute sleeve style that has gathering along the top seam where it’s attached to the shoulder.
Gripper Tape
Elastic or silicone tape designed to gently grip the skin to hold a garment in place. Gripper tape is often used in strapless bras, bandeau swimwear tops or stay-up stockings.
G-string
Similar to a thong, a g-string has minimal fabric extending from the crotch to the waistband and hips. G-strings have virtually no rear coverage, but the advantage of g-strings is that they eliminate visible panty lines which makes them a perfect form of underwear for many styles of clothing. Other less popular variations of the g-string are the t-string and v-string. As their names suggest, they have thin strings of fabric joining the hips and back, forming a ‘T’ and ‘V’ shape respectively. T-strings and V-strings have very small triangles of fabric at the front, and offer the least rear coverage out of all the underwear styles.
Gusset
A gusset is the triangular or rectangular section of fabric that acts as lining in the crotch area of underwear or shapewear. Gussets are usually made of cotton and provide extra comfort and modesty for the wearer.
Half Cup Bra
The half cup bra offers about three quarters of coverage of the breasts and this gives it a sexier look and feel. Half cup bras still provide great support to the breasts and they can help to enhance the cleavage when worn with clothing with low necklines.
Halter Bra
A bra style that features straps that fasten behind the neck. Many halter bras can be converted into strapless, cross-back, or one-shoulder styles.
Hipster
Also known as low rise, hipster refers to the style of clothing or underwear with a waistband that sits at or below the hips.
Hook and Eye
The most common type of closure used to fasten women's lingerie, shapewear and other garments. It includes a small hook secured to one side of the garment that grasps a small loop (the eye) secured to the other side.
Inbuilt Brief
This is usually made from some kind of mesh material that is incorporated into men’s swim or board shorts. It provides support without the wearer having to actually wear briefs.
Inbuilt Cups
Moulded cups that are sewn into the garment for support and shaping. Inbuilt cups are non-removable.
Jammer
A style of men’s swimsuit mainly used in competition, providing moderate coverage from the mid-waist to just above the knee.
Keyhole
A keyhole is a slit or oval-shaped opening, often found at the front or back of the neckline on dresses and blouses. Keyholes are usually secured at the top with a button or a hook and eye fastening.
Leggings
A fitted pant-style garment for children with an elasticated waistband. Leggings can be full length or three quarter in length, and are very soft and comfortable to wear.
Lining
Usually made from cotton, silk or polyester, lining is a layer of fabric sewn into the inside surface of a garment. Lining is designed to add comfort, create smooth lines, and/or add opaqueness to sheer outer fabrics.
Maternity Bra
Maternity bras are specially designed for expectant or nursing mothers, often with soft drop-down cups for easier feeding. They are usually wirefree as rigid underwire can put pressure on milk ducts and restrict milk flow. A soft cup wireless bra is less restrictive through the underbust and will allow for growth. Please see our separate and more extensive guide on maternity and nursing bras.
Mid-rise
This refers to a style of men’s brief or trunk where the waistband sits slightly below the waistline, just at or just above the navel.
Minimiser Bra
The minimiser bra is designed to make larger busts appear smaller, whilst providing the added support they need. It should also help to give a more flattering and smoother look to the bust. Minimiser bras are generally designed for cup sizes DD and up.
Moulded Cups
Often padded, moulded cups provide an enhanced shape and extra support for the bust, and are most suitable for A to C cups.
Nappy Cover
Also known as a nappy pant, a nappy cover is a loose fit fabric brief or bloomer with elasticated waist and legs that is worn to disguise a nappy.
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is cultivated from non-genetically modified plants which are grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as pesticides or fertilisers. Organic production systems help to promote and enhance biodiversity, restore and maintain soil fertility, and minimise the use of toxic and harmful chemicals.
Padded Bra
Padded bras are any bra with padding inside the lining. They can be slightly padded for subtle lift and support, or have push up padding to provide a much fuller bust and enhanced cleavage.
Plunge Bra
A plunge bra has a deep plunging front with a narrow centre gore, creating the appearance of increased cleavage and a defined bust. They are best worn with a low-cut neckline and are one of the most popular styles of bra.
Press Studs
Made from plastic or metal, press studs are a pair of interlocking discs that are used instead of buttons for garment closure. They are also known as poppers, snap fasteners or snaps.
Push Up Bra
Push up bras are structured so that the breasts are lifted upwards and pushed closer together for maximum cleavage. They can come with varying degrees of padding, typically filled with foam, rubber or gel. Some can also come with removable inserts that fit into a pocket on the inside of each cup.
Raglan Sleeve
A sleeve joined to the body of a garment by a long slanting seam starting at the neck and continuing around the armhole.
Removable Cups
Padded booster cups that are used to create a smooth, rounded bust shape in women’s swimwear or clothing. They are held in place by a lined pocket and can be removed through a split in the lining.
Roll Top Pant
A women’s swimwear pant that has a wide and stretchy panel of fabric that acts as an adjustable waistband. The panel can be rolled up or down to create the desired amount of coverage, hence its name.
Ruching
Also spelt ‘rouching’, it is a sewing technique in which fabric is gathered. This is commonly used on side seams of garments for a flattering effect.
Shapewear
Shapewear is the overall term for any style of lingerie or undergarment designed to control and shape the body in order to create a slimmer, more flattering silhouette. Shapewear’s fabric composition always includes a stretchy material such as spandex or elastane. Types of shapewear include bodysuits, body slips, camisoles, tummy bands, control briefs, waist shapers and thigh shapers.
Shelf Bra
An inbuilt bra lining for your bust featuring supportive elastic and no underwire for a comfortable feel and unstructured look.
Skirtini
Derived from the words ‘skirt’ and ‘bikini’, a skirtini is a women’s swimwear bikini pant that has an attached mini skirt over-layer. Skirtinis are stylish and offer slightly better coverage on the hips than traditional bikini pants.
Sleeping Bag
Sleeping bags for babies and toddlers are the safer alternative to traditional blankets and top sheets, as they prevent children from kicking off their covers and getting tangled up. They help to provide a safe sleeping environment for children by maintaining a consistent and comfortable temperature, ensuring a peace of mind and a night of soundless sleep for the whole family.
Sliding Tri
A style of swimwear top with two triangular pieces of fabric that can be adjusted for more or less bust coverage. They are a popular modern and sexy style.
Soft Cup Bra
Soft cup bras provide everyday comfort and support without an underwire, often relying on the strength of the underbust band to support the bust. Great for young girls who are still developing, women in the early stages of pregnancy, or women who have had surgery.
Sports Bra
Women's sports bras are designed to provide the extra bust support required while exercising. They help to absorb impact and reduce breast bounce, and also help to prevent any damage to breast tissue. There are different sports bras for low impact sports and high impact sports, while some styles are contoured for extra support and shape. Please see our separate and more extensive guide on sports bras.
Sports Brief
Sports briefs are usually made from a special moisture wick fabric that draws moisture away from the body, whilst providing support during exercise.
Strapless Bra
Strapless bras rely completely on the strength of their fabric, the design of the underbust band, and the shape of the underwire to provide support. The most supportive strapless bras have a wide band and gripper tape along the inside to prevent the bra from sliding down. Boning is often built into the sides to give added support to larger breasts. Most strapless bras come with optional straps that can be used for convertible styling. Please see our definition of convertible bras.
Swaddling Wrap
A garment used to tightly and securely wrap babies in order to restrict their movements whilst sleeping.
Swim Nappy
A reusable waterproof nappy pant used while swimming to contain messy leaks in the pool. They are lightweight and provide a snug fit.
Swim Trunk
Similar to a regular trunk in style and fit, a swim trunk is worn for swimming and other water sports as its name suggests.
Tanga
Tangas are a style of underwear that offers slight to moderate rear coverage, with a back panel wider than a thong but narrower than a bikini brief. The waistband is usually reduced to a narrow strip at the sides of the hips.
Tank
A sleeveless top with an U-shaped neckline and deep armholes. It was originally an athletic garment, however tank tops are now a fashionable staple, to be worn layered or on its own.
Tankini
A singlet-style swimwear top that usually provides full coverage for the torso and has support features for the bust such as removable cups and/or floating underwire.
Teddy
A teddy is a sexy bodysuit-like style of lingerie. It combines a camisole and panty with high cut legs in one piece. Teddies can be loose or tight fitting.
Thong
Thongs have a waistband similar to tangas, but the rear coverage is minimal. The crotch is extended to the back with a narrow strip of fabric fitting between the buttocks, which becomes wider towards the top. A thong has slightly more rear coverage than a g-string.
Tie Side Pant
A women’s swimsuit style where the pant is secured by adjustable ties on each side of the hips. The ties can be plain or adorned with small ornaments on the ends.
Torsolette
A torsolette is a shorter corset, covering the chest to the waistline. Torsolettes usually feature a lace-up or hook-and-eye fastening at the back, as well as boning or vertical seams for structure and support. Like corsets, torsolettes often come with detachable garters for stockings.
Trapeze Dress
A trapeze dress features side seams that are cut straight, narrow under the armhole and widen at the hem.
Trapeze Top
A trapeze top features side seams that are cut straight, narrow under the armhole and widen at the hem.
Trunk
A trunk is a men’s undergarment that is longer in the leg than a brief but shorter than a boxer brief. Trunks are tight-fitting and usually have an elasticated waistband with drawstrings for adjustable fit.
T-Shirt
A garment that covers the torso and is pulled over the head usually without buttons or a collar.
T-Shirt Bra
The t-shirt bra is designed to provide a smooth and seamfree appearance under form-fitting clothing. They often have padded cups to conceal nipple contours, and should have no lace or ornamentation.
Tube Bra
Also known as a bandeau or bandeau bra, the tube bra does not have straps to keep it in place, and either fastens at the back or is made of a stretchy material to slip over the body. Tube bras generally offer light support for the breasts and rarely come with underwire or padding, making them more suitable for teenage girls or women with smaller cups.
Underwire Bra
With a metal or plastic wire running under each cup, underwire bras are designed to provide added support and shape to the bust. They can be padded or otherwise, and can be very sexy and elegant in their design and fit.
Unpadded Bra
Unpadded bras are any bra without padding support inside the lining. Generally unpadded bras do not provide as much lift for the breasts as padded bras, but they usually come with underwire support.
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