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15 Denier – Denier is a unit used to measure the thickness of the fabric (usually in tights) 15 denier is transparent and very fine. Adjustable Back – A bra (or garment) with more then one set of eyelets at the back for a flexible fit. Adjustable Suspenders – elastic straps that are attached to hold up stockings, which are adjustable in length. Adjustable Shoulder Straps – The majority of our garment have shoulder straps that you can adjust to fit the best. Animal Print – Pattern printed fabric that resembles an animal, usually a leopard or tiger. Attached Suspender Belt – Some garments (i.e. basques) have suspender belts permanently attached. Many of our basques come with suspenders attached but they are removable if you wish. Baby Doll – A garment, usually consisting of formed cups, with an attached, loose fitting skirt that falls anywhere between the belly button and the hips. Back Seams – Stockings or tights made with a seam running up the back for those who like an old fashioned (common in the 1940’s) and sexy look. Bikini – A swimsuit consisting of two parts looking like a bra and pants. Bloomers – An old fashioned form of underwear consisting of a slightly gathered, elasticised waistband and loose fitting trousers or shorts. (See Pantalon) Boa – A long scarf made of feathers (for the true Audrey Hepburn look!) Bodice – The upper part of a dress or the bit of a garment that covers the breasts. Body stocking – A well fitting stocking that covers you from the neck or upper body down to the ankles or even the toes. Body (suit) – Snug fitting one-piece garment similar to a leotard. Boning – Rigid supports sewn vertically into a corset or bustier that help maintain a slim, shapely figure for the wearer. Originally they were made form bone (hence the name) but now made from plastic. Always reminds us of the whalebones on Whitby’s west cliff! Boxers – A type of mens pants shaped like shorts with a special pouch. Brocade – Rich, oriental-like fabric consisting of raised patterns, often in gold or silver. Brushed Back – A material backing made from brushed cotton often used in pyjamas to give a warm, flannel feel. Burnout – Alternating patterns of sheer and opaque fabric. Button Front – Quite simply an item of clothing that button/unbuttons at the front. Camisole – A short, feminine top often offering little support for the breasts but can be worn inside and outside. Camouflage – A fabric print characterized by random patches of earthy tones (dark green or beige). Traditionally worn by military for concealment it turned into a wide spread craze in the 1990’s. Chantilly Lace – Delicate lace made form an open six-sided mesh background with floral designs. Charmeuse – A French word meaning a soft, smooth silk dress-fabric. Chemise – Short under-dress or slip. Chenille – Can be a fabric and a yarn. Chenille fabric used in lingerie is an imitation of the yarn and has patterns of soft, protruding loops of fibre that look and fell like chenille yarn. The yarn is commonly used to make throw pillows and sweaters. Chiffon – A lightweight, sheer fabric. Choker – A snug fitting necklace. Chopper Bar Lace – An open net lace background that has been embroidered with a slightly raised, shiny pattern. Corsage – A floral fashion accessory. Can be pinned to a dress or shirt or slipped round the wrist with elastic. Corset – A snug fitting garment designed to give you an hourglass figure by cinching in the waist and lifting up the breasts. Lacing in the back allows a corset to be adjusted for comfort. Criss-cross Straps – A garment with straps that cross at the back to form an x. Crochet Knit – A large, open knit pattern that resembles crocheting. Crop Top (Sports) – A very short top extending to just below the breasts. (This word always reminds me of Mark and Spencer’s school range and me and my sister dancing around in the bathroom!) Crotchless – Pants with a slit or opening in fabric covering the crotch. Culottes – Close fitting pants following the basic shape of shorts. (See Hot Pants) Demi Cups – Demi cups (or half cups) have a lower line, which reveals more of the breast. You can also buy quarter cups. Dot Net – Sheer net fabric covered in evenly spaced opaque dots. Dotted Swiss – Sheer material decorated with evenly spaced raised dots. Drawstring Waist – A string or strip of fabric sewn into the band, which draws the waist up for a comfy, fit and is then tied into a bow. Dressing Gown/Robe – An overobe (most commonly for nightwear). Embroidery – Decorative designs sewn into fabric traditionally by hand but nowadays by machine. Eyelash Lace – Lace garment with strands at the edges that resemble eyelashes. Faux Fur – Man made fur. Faux Leather – Imitation leather. Fence Net – A large, thin open net. Fishnet – Coarse, open mesh fabric often noted for its sex appeal. Flared – A dress style characterized by a form-fitting top, which flares out towards the hemline, often resulting in pleats/folds. Flounce – A piece of material gathered and attached at one side, such as a large ruffle. French Cut Bra – A sheer, full cup bra. French Cut Knickers – Loose full pants, often made of silk or lace. French Cut Tights – Tights with sewn it decorative pants. French Net – Very coarse, six-sided open mesh fabric. Fringe – Decorative thin strips or strings, usually hanging from the hemline. Fully Fashioned – Stockings woven by a machine to follow the shape of the foot and leg. Garter – A decorated elastic leg band originally designed to hold up stockings but now used at weddings for tradition and added sex appeal. G-String – A type of knickers consisting of a triangular patch of fabric connected with very thin, elastic straps up the back and around the waist in a ‘T’ shape. This completely exposes the bum but eliminates Visible Panty Lines (VPL). G-String Back – A type of thong but with a string up the back. G-String Sides – A g-string but with a larger piece of material going up the back. Halter Neck – This garment wraps around the neck for support and, optionally, may be tied behind the neck (halter tie) or include a clasp (halter closure). Halter Top – A short top held up at the neck usually exposing the shoulders and upper back. Offering plenty of opportunities for that sexy man to rub suntan lotion all over! Hold-up’s/Stay-up’s – Stockings with a rubber grip inside the top that helps to prevent them from slipping down. Hook Back – An item of clothing which closes in the back with one or more hooks. Hook Front – An item of clothing that closes in the front with one or more hooks. Hook Sides – Can you guess…Yes; it’s an item of clothing which closes at the side with one or more hooks! Hot Pants – Very short shorts, often exposing part of the bum cheeks. Iridescent – A type of fabric, which appears to change colour or sparkle as it moves. Jacquard – Fabric characterized by an intricate weave or pattern. Originally named after Frenchman Joseph-Marie Jacquard who invented a loom capable of producing this fabric. Kick Pleat – An inverted pleat, often used at the bottom of skirts to give it more breadth. Lace-up Back/Front/Side – An item of clothing which laces up at the back/front or side. Leather – Cowhide Leather (Kid) – Goat hide Lining – An extra layer of fabric sewn into the inside of a garment for added comfort, warmth or modesty. Long Line – A bustier that extends further down, usually to the hips. Marabou – Soft, fluffy feather-like material. Matte – Smooth, even, non-glossy look. Microfibre – An extremely fine, synthetic fibre usually woven into soft, lightweight, washable, breathable fabrics. Miniskirt – A very short skirt with a hemline that can extend anywhere from just below the bum (micromini) to mid-thigh. Net – A knit or woven fabric with an open-mesh pattern of evenly spaced holes. Open Rear – No fabric, or even elastic, covers the area between the bum cheeks. Padded Bras – Bra cups that contain padding (often removable) for those with smaller breasts that might not otherwise fill the cups. Very useful if you have breasts that are between cup sizes. Pantalon – Pants that continue down to just above the knee. Patent Leather – Real or synthetic leather with a smooth, shiny surface on one side. Peek-a-boo Bra – A bra with a slit or other opening in the cups that partially exposes the beasts or nipples. Peignoir – A French word which roughly translates to “garment worn while combing the hair” like a negligee or nightie. Piping – A decorative cord sewn along the edges of a garment. Pouch – A man’s g-string and also the name for part of mens boxers. Princess Line – Visible seams, which resemble an hourglass shape for a figure-flattering look. Push-up Bra – A bra containing padding (often removable) in the cups designed to push the breasts up to create a more prominent cleavage. Removable/Detachable Suspenders – Elastic straps which attach to stockings to hold them up but that can be removed if you don’t want to wear stockings. (See also Attached Suspender Belt) Removable Pads – Padding which can be removed from the cups, if desired. Ribbed – Fabric with raised vertical ‘ribs’ usually made into form fitting designs. Rigid – fabric that does not stretch. Satin – A particular type of shiny, woven fabric. Scallop edges – A decorative fabric edge shaped like a line of scallops (or shells) lined up edge to edge. Seamless – An item manufactured without seams. Sequins – Small shiny discs used to reflect light and add interest to garments. Shawl – A wide scarf worn about the shoulders. Silicon Cups/Gel Bras – Cups which are padded with silicone instead of fibre. Silicone tends to provide a smoother, more natural look and a more comfortable fit. Silk – A natural fibre produced by silkworms that is revered for it’s luxurious, soft feel. Silk Knit – Silk fabric that stretches and clings to the body. Spandex/Lycra – Spandex is the American generic term for fabric created from elastic thread, which helps a garment stretch for a better fit and extra comfort. Lycra is the most widely know brand of spandex. Stockings – Hosiery providing coverage from over the knee or mid-thigh to the toes. Strapless – A garment without shoulder straps often with the same rubber strip as stockings to hold it in place. Stretch Lace – Quite simply lace that stretches. Suspender Belt – An elasticised piece of decorated fabric that fits around the hips with suspenders attached to hold up stockings. (See The Rocky Horror Picture Show!) Taffeta – A crisp plain-woven lustrous fabric. Tailored – Styled to look as if it was custom made by a tailor. Tank top – A sleeveless top. Tapestry – Rich looking fabric made to look like the heavy, hand-woven designs used in curtains and upholstery. Teddy – A one-piece garment with high cut legs and often a thong back. Thong Back – Only a thin piece of material is used in the back so most of the bum is exposed. Tie Back/Front/Side(s) – A garments that ties at the front/back or side(s). Tie Belt – A strip of fabric used to keep a robe/dressing gown closed. Tricot – Plain, close warp-knitted nylon fabric produced by a machine with the yarns running in a lengthwise direction. T-shirt bra – A plain, unusually smooth bra that gives an excellent shape under t-shirts or a t-shirt with pre-formed cups fitted in. Underwired – A bra with a thin wire sewn into base of the cups for extra support and lift. Veil – A decorative headdress worn by brides (usually made of net). Velcro Side(s) – A garment that attaches at the side using Velcro (allowing for quick removal!) Velvet – Fabric with a short, soft, dense pile noted for its plush feel. Venice Lace – Firm, Heavy lace with an open background, usually in floral leaf patterns. Zipper Front – An item which opens/closes with a zipper at the front. |