Here is the Glossary Lingerie D-F on buy-lingerie which lists some common and not so common lingerie terms. If you missed it check out our Glossary Lingerie A-C.
Glossary Lingerie Definitions D-F
Décolleté
- A bra style with a very low-cut front panel to create a dramatic cleavage-enhancing look. Decollete is also used as a noun to describe a woman’s chest area just above her bustline. As an adjective, it describes the low-cut neckline in a garment.
Demi Cup
- A demi cup (or demi or half cup) style bra 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 called a balconette or a shelf bra.
DriLayer
- A registered name of Moving Comfort. When stated, the garment has the ability to transfer moisture away from the skin to the outside of the fabric for quick evaporation.
Elastane
- Another name for an old fiber: Spandex. The word “elastane” is used in Europe while “spandex” is used in the United States. Elastane/spandex trade names are Lycra and Dorlastan.
Encapsulation
- This word is primarily used in defining the construction of a sports bra. If a sports bra has encapsulation design, the bra cup construction surrounds the breast for support while giving the breast a shape – no uni-boob look.
Enhancer
- Create the illusion of a fuller bust line. Enhancers are often built into the bras themselves rather than as the traditional inserts. The Wonderbra was the original bust enhancer.
Fashion Tights
- Sometimes called Fancy Tights or Fashion Pantyhose. Usually consisting of a heavier denier and unusual design or knit pattern. They come in a vast array of designs, texture, and colors. Much more costly than regular tights or panty hose they are more durable and unique in nature.
Fence Net
- A very large net design similar to that of a chain link fence and used for stockings, hold-ups, and pantyhose.
Finishing Hole
- Small opening in the back of fully-fashioned stockings where the stocking was folded over and sewn together. This detail allows the top welt to stretch for a more comfortable fit on the thigh. And is the unmistakable mark of the true full-fashioned stocking.
Fishnet
- A smaller net design, which is taken from the construction of a fisherman’s net. Usually made of nylon or nylon-lycra blends. These come in seamless or seamed styles, with various designs of lace or silicone tops on the stockings and hold-ups. Also in tights or pantyhose which are very popular with dancers and for costumes.
Flat Knit
- Process used in making full-fashioned stockings, where the yarn is knitted flat on the machine and literally sewn together to form the backseam. Tops of the stocking are then folded over and sewn. Forming the familiar double top welt and finishing hole in the back of the full-fashioned stocking.
Foam Cup
- Padding and shaping in the cup of the bra is created with foam. Such padding does not bunch up during washing and gives a smooth look to the cup.
Foam Lined Cup
- A foam lined bra cup gives the wearer modesty by preventing nipple show through. It is always thinner than a padded bra and usually does not add much size. Rather, foam lining creates a natural and youthful silhouette.
Foundations
- A “pre-war” term for shapewear, these undergarments were called foundations because of their similarity to concrete. Ladies who wore them were seen as “solid citizens” while those who refused came to be known as “loose women.” Today’s shapewear fits and feels like a second skin. Coaxing your curves into their smoothest, sleekest, most naturally perfect state.
Frastaglio
- An antique type of Florentine workmanship. Flat stitched embroidery is trimmed to cord yarn on a veil of tulle which is attached by hand to silk or another fabric. The effect obtained is a refined inlay motif that seems to climb up the fabric. Frastaglio is primarily used in silk corsetry and nightwear.
French Cut
- Another name for high-cut brief.
French Heel
- Original name for the pointed heel on seamed stockings, as opposed to the rectangular style of the Cuban Heel stocking. These have also become referred to as the European Heel or Pointed Heel.
French Knicker
- This is a panty that looks like a boyshort except the back does not have elastic in the legs so does not cup your cheeks.
French Terry
- A circular knit fabric with a looped pile back and smooth face.
FreshFX
- A product of Invista, and teamed with Lycra. FreshFX technology creates “refreshing” fabric to be used in underwear and/or sleepwear to give it a great fit, feel, coolness and freshness all day long. FreshFX also has a fabulous soft hand and an excellent drape.
Front Close
- A bra that closes in the center front with either a plastic barrel closure or a hook and eye closure. A good style for plunging or v-necklines.
Full Busted
- Women who have larger breasts but smaller band sizes, such as a 34DD.
Full Cup
- A full cup bra completely covers most of the breast, offering both more coverage and more support than a demi cup or half cup bra. It will not cause a crease or indentation along the top of the breast. Having said this, many lingerie manufacturers will use this description and the bra will not actually be full coverage.
Full Figure
- Women who wear bras sizes 32-36DD and 38-42C-DD and larger are classified as full figure women. Bras made in these sizes are usually designed to give additional support. Common features include padding, wider shoulder straps, and triple hook and eye closures.
Full Support
- A bra with this characteristic will have banding under the cups, substantial side wings, and closures with two or more hooks.
Fully Adjustable Strap
- This bra strap style has no o-rings or other hardware between the slider and the front strap base. Thus, this strap style can fully adjust to a very short strap length. A great choice for women who are petite or have a short torso.
Fully Fashioned Stockings
- These are vintage style stockings of the 40’s and 50’s, made on the original flat knit machines, where the stocking is knitted flat and sewn together in the back. These stockings are usually knitted of 15 denier 100% nylon yarn. Although some of the original vintage styles came on heavier 20 or 30 denier called “service weight” for everyday use.
- Authentic Fully-Fashioned stockings always have a top welt made by doubling over the top fabric and sewing it back unto itself. A “finishing hole” is always left in the seam in the middle of the top welt, which allows the stocking to fit better on the thigh. Design can be either of the “Cuban heel” or “Pointed French or European” style. If they are not flat knitted and sewn together with a finishing hole on the back, they are not authentic Full-Fashioned stockings. But modern reproductions called Full Fashion or Full Fashioned style.