Here is the Glossary Lingerie G-K on buy-lingerie which lists some common and not so common lingerie terms. If you missed it check out our Glossary Lingerie D-F.
Glossary Lingerie G-K
G-String
- Similar to a thong, a g-string leaves your bottom exposed. But a g-string is more skimpy. There is no small triangle of fabric at the waistband in the back. Rather, the back has a simple string coming off a thin waistband. Otherwise, you can’t tell the difference from the front between a g-string and a thong. Worn to prevent panty lines under tight-fitting garments.
Garter
- A strap hanging from a garter belt or bustier to support stockings (not pantyhose), It is also the term used for a band worn around the arm to hold up a shirt sleeve. Or around the knee to hold up socks.
Garter Belt
- A belt worn around the waist with four clips or garters to keep stockings (not pantyhose) up and in place. Garter belt can be purchased in a variety of colors. Lingerie fashion etiquette dictates that the color and design of the garter belt match the stockings and panties.
Garter Hose
- This refers to a garment where a waist band, garter straps and stocking legs are permanently attached in one piece. Simulating the use of a garterbelt and stockings. But in fact being a one piece garment.
Garter Panty
- A panty usually made of stretch fabric which contains garter straps or garter clips to hold up stockings. Without need for a garterbelt, girdle or corset.
Girdle
- Name given to any undergarment that is close fitting, often boned and usually elasticized, that extends from the waist to below the hips. With the new fabrics and construction techniques available, this word has become somewhat obsolete. It has been replaced with the word shaper or shapewear.
Girdlette
- A garment that is larger than a garterbelt and smaller than a girdle.
Gore
- A triangular or diamond shape piece of fabric inserted into the seams of a garment to offer more shaping.
Gossamer
- The dictionary refers to gossamer as a light, thin, filmy like cloth. We see that filminess and sheen in the100% non-stretch nylons made famous by the artist Vargas, and the model Bettie Page.
Gusset Closure
- The name given to a hook-and-eye or snap crotch closure. Usually seen on body briefers or body suits.
Half Cup
- Another name for a demi cup (or demi) style bra. A half cup means a contoured underwire design with a large portion of the upper half of the cup being cut away to expose the upper part of the breasts. Shoulder straps are also set farther apart (wide-set). Such bras are often referred to as being decollete‚ and are worn when the top of a garment is cut low, wide or square. Men find this style bra very attractive on women. This style has many names and can be miscalled a balconette or a shelf bra.
Halter
- A bra style featuring straps that fasten behind the neck. This bra is perfect for backless dresses. Can many times also convert to criss-cross or one-shoulder configurations.
Hi-Cut Brief
- Also known as a “French cut” brief, this panty is high-cut on the leg and sides yet offers full coverage in back.
Hi-Cut Rio
- A panty style similar to the string bikini, but with moderate back coverage that looks more like a “v” instead of the “u” which is found in full coverage backs. Many times, the waistband in the high-cut Rio is nothing more than a 1″ to 2″ piece of elastic.
Hi-Waisted Brief
- Shapewear with a brief panty and a high waist to give shaping and support to the waistline.
Hidden Underwire
- A bra construction technique where the bra’s bottom edge does not have underwire casing, so looks like there is no underwire. Underwires are wrapped, then sandwiched between two layers of fabric. This construction is also called “floating wire.”
- Women with large and/or heavy breasts can find this construction uncomfortable because this style can roll under, under their breasts.
Hipster
- A mid coverage panty, which rests lower on the hip than a brief. the rise is shorter. So the waistline of the hipster is well below the navel. A hipster is a perfect solution for wearing under low cut jeans.
Hold Ups
- Stockings that stay up without the need for garters. True hold-ups usually consist of a decorative stretch lace top, with a silicone band inside of the lace to help grip the leg.
Hosiery
- General term meaning leg covering such as stockings, pantyhose, tights, or socks.
Inner Sling
- Another name for support panels in a bra cup. It can be a curved strip of fabric that follows the natural curve of the bra, similar to an underwire, except soft. This fabric is rigid and sewn inside the cup to provide additional support. An inner sling can also go around the entire breast circumference, or just be panels on the sides of the breast.
Interlining
- A padding, or stiffening fabric, either sewn to the wrong side of the lining or the inner side of the outer shell fabric. Interlining is used primarily to provide warmth.
Jersey
- A generic term for a plain knit fabric without a distinct rib. Originally made of wool, jersey fabric was first manufactured on the island of Jersey.
Keyhole
- This is a design feature that creates an arched opening in the center back or center front panel of a garment.
Kimono
- A wide-sleeved robe with a belt. Inspired by traditional Japanese costume.
Knit
- Made the same way a knitted scarf is made by someone at home with two needles and a ball of yarn. Knitting is a process that loops a piece of yarn in a row a few times. Then links those loops with another row of loops and so on. Knit fabrics are naturally stretchy because of the loops in the fibers. They include jersey, mesh, toweling, felt and fleece.
