If you’re curious about wearing lingerie but don’t know your teddies from your bustiers, you’ve come to the right place. Our complete guide to lingerie breaks down the various types of lingerie, how to wear them, and common features.
Table of Contents
What is Lingerie?
Lingerie is intimate apparel largely designed for use in the bedroom or during sensual moments. It is often made of lightweight materials such as satin and may be embellished with lace, bows, fishnets, and other adornments. Lingerie tends to connote a sexy style.
Different Types of Lingerie
There are many different lingerie types that each have their own terminology. Here, we’ve broken down the most common lingerie styles along with examples of each one. Click through on each style to see more of them.
Teddy
A teddy is a one-piece type of lingerie that covers the torso and crotch (unless it’s a crotchless teddy, which has an opening). A teddy combines the effect of a camisole top and panty into one garment. Many teddies are made of eye-catching materials such as lace. Teddies will likely show off the wearer’s cleavage.
Bodysuit
A bodysuit is similar to a teddy; it can also be worn as part of a fashion outfit rather than intended solely for the bedroom. Bodysuits tend to have a tighter fit than teddies and are more like one-piece bathing suits in their construction.
Babydoll
Babydoll lingerie is a one-piece short nightgown that’s snug around the chest, like a bra, and then loose and flowing below, with the hemline usually landing between the belly button and waist. Babydolls are often made of sheer material and may come with matching panties.
Chemise
A chemise is a type of lingerie that’s similar on top to a babydoll, but is more snug below and may end at a lower point, such as the upper thigh or knees. A chemise may appear similar to a teddy, but it’s open at the bottom, and often worn with garters. A chemise can be worn with panties or without them.
Corset
A corset is designed to minimize the waist and uplift the breasts. Historically, corsets had boning made from baleen and were often secured extremely tightly. Modern corsets are designed to be more wearable but still provide an hourglass figure. The two main types of corsets are overbust and underbust. Overbust corsets cover the bust (breasts), while underbust corsets push the bust upward from below and may be worn with a bra.
Bustier
A bustier is similar to a corset since it pushes up the bust, but it’s less restrictive and tight. Bustiers typically end at the waist or hips and are likely more comfortable to wear than corsets. A bustier is an excellent option for those who want to enhance the appearance of their breasts; it performs a similar role to a push-up bra, with an even more dramatic presentation.
Bodystocking
A bodystocking is a one-piece type of lingerie that covers the whole body, including the torso, legs, and sometimes the arms. Some specific types include fishnet and crotchless bodystockings, which are open at the crotch area. Body stockings are an especially sexy style of lingerie.
Bra
A bra is an undergarment designed to support the breasts. Most bras have shoulder straps; strapless bras run across the chest horizontally. Bras may have underwire for added support. Common types of bras include padded, unpadded, t-shirt bras, push-up bras, and demi bras, among others.
Bralette
A bralette is a bra that generally doesn’t have wire and offers lighter support. It can easily be worn as a bra top underneath a jacket, sheer top, or mini crop top.
Panties
Panties are underwear that can come in various styles, from G-string or thong panties, which feature a string that bisects the butt cheeks, to full or half coverage. Crotchless panties are a type of panties without a crotch for easy access.
Garters & Garter Belts
A garter is a band of fabric, usually made with elastic, worn around the thigh to keep stockings in place. It’s a traditional part of weddings, in which the garter is tossed into the crowd of guests as a symbol of good luck. The more common garter belt is worn around the waist, with straps attached to keep stockings in place. Garter belts can be worn on their own or with a matching lingerie set. In modern times, they are often used more for decorative purposes than everyday use.
Hosiery
Hosiery refers to types of leg coverings such as stockings, tights, or pantyhose. It is sometimes known as legwear. Hosiery may cover the feet or be footless. It can be full coverage (from feet to waist), thigh-high, which may have elastic to stay up on its own or be supported by garters, or knee-high. Hosiery can be paired with other lingerie styles or fashion outfits to accentuate the legs.
Lingerie Dress
A lingerie dress is a sexy dress that could be worn as lingerie in the bedroom or as a dress to wear out and about. A typical lingerie dress is short and sexy.
Fantasy (Role-Play) Lingerie
Fantasy lingerie is all about getting into character and role-playing erotically. Common fantasy lingerie themes are nurse or doctor, student, and cop. These sexy outfits are often worn as a way to help usher in a sensual mood, followed by dirty talk dialogue as your chosen “character.” One or all partners can dress up in fantasy lingerie.
Bridal Lingerie
Bridal lingerie is white lingerie worn by a bride, often during their honeymoon. Bridal lingerie is often given to a bride at their wedding shower and typically emphasizes a delicate, pretty pattern befitting the occasion.
Pasties
Pasties are small, often circular-shaped items that cover the nipples. They can feature a range of colors and designs, and may have tassels, which are often seen in burlesque shows. Many people wear pasties to festivals as an easy way to look fashionable and cover up. Pasties can be used in place of a bra.
More Lingerie Info
How to choose your lingerie
Choosing lingerie will likely involve some trial and error as you figure out which styles you prefer and which make you look and feel your most sensual. First, think about what kind of sensations you prefer; do you like tight and slinky, or loose and flowy? If you want to show off a lot of skin, you can choose a very skimpy teddy. If you want to feel more covered, you can go with a bodystocking. Most importantly, search for lingerie styles in your favorite colors. You want to wear styles that make you feel sexy and authentically yourself.
Think about what you plan to do with your lingerie; is it to wear to bed on your own or to wear with a partner? This may help you narrow down the style and fabric you prefer. You may want to experiment and try something you wouldn’t typically wear just to see how it feels on you. Part of the fun of lingerie is that it shows off and enhances your body’s curves. You won’t know exactly how a given piece looks on you until you try it. Once you do, then you can use your feelings about that piece of lingerie to guide you with future purchases.
FAQs About Lingerie
What’s the sexiest type of lingerie?
There’s no single type of lingerie that’s considered “sexiest,” because sexy is in the eye of the beholder. However, many people seek out lingerie because it’s inherently sexy. The key to looking sexy in lingerie is being confident and feeling sexy. If putting on lingerie helps you feel transformed into your sexiest self, then it’s sexy, and anyone who sees you in it is sure to appreciate that.
How can I tell what size lingerie will fit me?
Make sure you have your most recent bust and hip measurements handy. Then, using those measurements as your guide, look at the sizing for the lingerie you’re interested in. If you typically wear a medium, you will likely fit into a medium style of most lingerie. If you typically wear plus-size clothing, you’ll want to look at plus-size lingerie. Some lingerie styles, like body stockings, tend to be one size fits most.
How do I shop for lingerie for myself?
You can experiment by trying different types of lingerie. Look at yourself in the mirror or take selfies to see which appeals to you. There will likely be some trial and error in figuring out which type of lingerie best suits your body’s shape. If you discover that you particularly like babydolls, for instance, you can try out different styles, cuts, and colors of babydolls. Look through your favorite fashion magazines or photos online and see which types of lingerie speak to you. Ask your friends which types of lingerie they wear and what they like about them. You want to be sure you’re selecting lingerie that doesn’t just look good in theory, but makes you look and feel amazing when you put it on.
If you need some inspiration, check out our blog post on the best lingerie for every star sign.
How do I shop for lingerie for my wife, girlfriend, or partner?
If you’re shopping for lingerie for your significant other, consider the types of lingerie they already own and how frequently they wear them. If you’re not sure, you can always opt for a set like a black lace teddy and a robe to give them the option of covering up a little more at first. If they don’t have much lingerie but wear bras and panties, use those as a guide to help you select lingerie. If you find lots of lacy bras, you may want to try a lace teddy or other lace styles. If they’re more no-nonsense, try a bodysuit that can be worn in the bedroom or out.
Then, think about the kind of lingerie you think your partner would look best in. This can be a delicate balancing act because you want to select a type of lingerie that will flatter their figure and make them look and feel their best. They may appreciate you taking the lead and picking something you like as long as it’s in the ballpark of styles they might choose for themselves.
What type of lingerie should I buy for a wedding shower?
Bridal lingerie is your best bet for items to gift at a wedding shower. If you know the bride’s favorite color or preferred styles, choose something that seems like it would suit them, making sure it’s returnable if they prefer another style.
Can I wear lingerie as part of an outfit?
Yes! You can easily incorporate many forms of lingerie into your everyday fashion. Many bodysuits, corsets, and bralettes pair perfectly with shorts, pants, or skirts. They can be worn on their own or with a sheer top or jacket to show off. For more suggestions, see our blog post on how to wear lingerie in public.
Can only women wear lingerie?
While women are the traditional lingerie wearers, people of any gender can wear lingerie. Lingerie is designed to be sensual and sexy, so any lingerie pieces that make you feel that way can work with your body.
How can I care for and store my lingerie?
Lingerie is usually made of delicate material, so it needs special attention regarding care and storage. Always follow the directions on your lingerie packaging. We recommend hand washing with a detergent designed for lingerie, ensuring a longer life for your garments. Carefully fold or hang your lingerie in a dry place away from sunlight.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the different types of lingerie. We have dozens of styles of affordable sexy lingerie to suit every personality.
