Glossary Lingerie P-S

Here is the Glossary Lingerie P-S on buy-lingerie which lists some common and not so common lingerie terms. If you missed it check out our Glossary Lingerie L-O.

Padded

A bra with padded fiberfill cups. The padding adds size and definition to give a well-proportioned look to smaller bustlines.

Padded Straps

Unlike traditional bra straps, padded straps mean they are of the strap that rests on the top of the shoulder has padding for additional comfort. A padded bra strap is also usually wider for added comfort.

Pajamas

Loose-fitting nightclothes comprised of a jacket or top and trousers.

Pantliner

A pantliner is any undergarment that begins at the waist and extends down past the mid-calf. A pant liner can be pantaloon-like and worn as a slip for unlined pants, or it can be form-fitting to slim and smooth the legs. Can also be called an underliner.

Pantyhose

A one piece hosiery garment consisting of two sheer legs connected to a panty and waistband. Pantyhose are usually of a 15 or 20 denier yarn and transparent, as opposed to tights, which are usually constructed of 30 denier yarn and are usually more opaque to solid in color than pantyhose.

Glossary Lingerie P-S — fishnets and pantyhose

Peignoir

A very feminine robe in sheer and/or embellished fabric. The name is French and derived from “to comb” because this was the dressing robe women would wear while they combed their hair at night. A peignoir set would include the robe and a matching nightgown.

Picot

A small, embroidered loop forming an ornamental edging on a ribbon or lace.

Plunge

A plunge bra is designed with a very low center panel to reveal more breast for a sexier look. Plunge bras create the appearance of increased cleavage because of their deep (plunging) front silhouette, angled cups and thin center gore. Plunge bras differ from push-up bras in that they are not heavily padded. A perfect choice for evening and low-cut tops.

Pointed Heel

A pointed reinforcement on the back of seamed hosiery which is also known as a “French or European” heel.

Polyamide

The basic fiber-forming substance for nylon fiber. It is also the European term for nylon.

Powernet

A two-way stretch nylon fabric that provides excellent support. Also used in high-end compression garments, powernet has high compression with low stretch qualities to give you outstanding support without stretching out and losing its strength. Bras with powernet will last longer and stretch out less than bras using other stretch fabrics.

Push-Up

A bra with additional padding at the bottom portion of the cup to lift the breasts in order to give the illusion of greater breast size. Recently, push up bras now are designed to both push up and in to create more cleavage for lower necklines. The padding, if removable, is known as a “cookie.”

Pyramid Heel

A heel similar to a pointed heel, but which reaches the point in a series of steps like a pyramid.

Racer Back

Design feature that anchors the back straps towards the center of the back and allows for a wide range of arm movement by not restricting the shoulder blades. This design is also used when traditional bra straps would show under a sleeveless garment.

Racerback

This bra is named after racing swimsuits that also have straps meeting in a “V” shape on the back between the shoulder blades. This bra style is an excellent solution for sleeveless tops. It also prevents straps from slipping off the shoulders.

Reinforced

The sections of a garment that have been strengthened by double knitting to provide additional durability. This usually resulted in a darkening of the area, which is then considered a design feature. This is exemplified in the top welt of the stocking by the reinforcements of the full fashions and the RHT’s.

Restricted Stretch

A bra strap made with restricted stretch elastic will stop the strap from curling and give just a little stretch to be comfortable. A rigid strap would have no stretch.

RHT

Or Reinforced Heel and Toe stockings as they are properly called, became popular in the 1960’s, right after the advent of the circular knit machines. This allowed the manufacture of seamless stockings for the first time. These stockings have a darker reinforcement on the toe and the reciprocal heel to prevent runs, and they have become a nostalgic retro item throughout the years much like the Fully-Fashioned stockings of the 40’s and 50’s.

Rigid Straps

Bra straps not made with elastic are called rigid straps. Full figure bra sizes many times have rigid straps because they give more support than elastic straps. A rigid strap is adjustable. Sometimes a manufacturer will have a rigid front on a bra strap and then have a piece of adjusting elastic down the back.

Rise

The rise is the measurement between the waistband and the first horizontal crotch seam of a brief or panty . The average brief or panty has a 6″ rise. A low rise is when the rise measurement is 5″ or less.

Sandal Foot

Also known as sandal-toe, they are called sandal foot because they can be worn with open toe or open sandal style shoes, and give the appearance of a nude foot. They are always seamless, and usually made of a light denier yarn.

Seamed (Overlockers)

Any bra that has seams running though the cup. A seamed bra tends to give more support than a seamless bra because seams determine the cup’s exact shape and size. The best supporting bra has seamed cups and made in 3 pieces.

Seamless

A bra with cups that have been molded into a permanent shape and fit. This bra gives a smooth and almost transparent look under clothing. They are particularly suitable under revealing and tight-fitting tops.

Semi-opaque

This is a term to describe hosiery that is slightly translucent but not totally non transparent. It is usually of a lighter denier tight, or a heavier denier stocking of hold-up.

Serged

A serger machine sews, overcasts and trims a seam all in one step. Therefore this seam is called a serged seam. A serged seam usually is made with 3 to 4 threads.

Shadow Toe

This refers to a slightly reinforced toe sometimes called a run-guard toe. It is barely seen, and gives the protection of the reinforced toe, without the noticeable darkening detail.

Shape Enhancer

A shapewear garment that controls the tummy, and shapes the waist and sides. It commonly has hook and eyes at the waist, and usually has boning to keep the waist from rolling. Can also be called a waistnipper.

Sheen

This is a term, sometimes called gossamer given to the shininess or glitter like appearance of the stockings. 100% nylon non-stretch stockings and nylon-lycra blends have a very high sheen, which is their trademark.

Shelf Bra

An underwire bra with little or no cups. This bra will support your breasts while displaying most of your breast including your nipples.

Side Sling

A side sling can be a vertical panel of fabric incorporated into a seamed cup bra that helps to center and contain the breast tissue. A side sling can also be an addition vertical piece of fabric sewn inside the outer edge of a cup to perform the same function.

Silicone

A rubber like polymer, which maintains its elasticity over a wide range of temperatures. Used inside the lace top of hold-up stockings to cling to the skin and keep the stocking up without garters.

Simplex

A type of knit fabric that is firm, yet can also be knit to give a little stretch. Simplex has a mechanical stretch meaning that it stretches evenly in all directions. However, like our skin, it can stretch, but wants to bounce back to it’s original state. Therefore, it’s a perfect “second skin” fabric.

Soft Cup

A bra without an underwire is called a soft cup or wire-free bra. Maternity, sports and teenage bras traditionally were always soft cup bras. But not anymore – there are underwires available in all these styles. Soft cup bras now have great support as well. A soft cup bra is a great solution for a woman who never can find a comfortable underwire bra. Soft cups come in all size ranges. When fitting yourself in a soft cup bra, the center front may not completely sit flat on your sternum, but it should still separate your breasts.

Soutache

Soutache consists of loops similar to a ribbon, made of silk or other material, primarily attached by hand on fabric in an intricate pattern. Soutache is both used in lingerie and swimwear and represents one of the most sophisticated types of workmanships used by lingerie designers.

Soy

Soy fabric is made from the leftover dregs from soybean oil or tofu production. The protein is extracted and the fiber spun into cloth. It is an excellent recycle scenario that makes this fabric eco-friendly. Similar to natural silk, it is common for there to be occasional slubs in the soy fabric, which adds to its natural beauty.
Soy is incredibly soft and silky and is otherwise known as vegetable cashmere. Soy is as easy to care for as any cotton t-shirt.

Spacer Foam

Spacer foam, also called spacer fabric, is a very expensive knit used as the cup fabric in molded bras. It is a knit that has both a top and bottom layer, with filaments between – similar to a corrugated box. This creates air pockets between the layers. All of this is knit as one piece of fabric. The advantage of spacer foam is that it is very light weight , breathes, can be thinner than traditional foam used in contour bra cups, won’t yellow, yet provides modesty like a contour cup bra.

Spandex

A synthetic fiber made from polyurethane. It is lightweight, highly elastic, strong, durable and non-absorbent to water and oils. A great alternative to people allergic to latex. In Europe, they call this elastane.

Sports Bra

A support bra worn during exercise that minimizes breast bounce. It is comfortable, and gives good support. Its design includes wider straps, and broader cup coverage. All our sports bras have a sports level rating from High Impact to Low Impact. Women really should have a variety of sports bras if they do more than one sports activity.

Stabilizer

A rigid fabric interlining that restricts the stretch of selected areas of the garment to allow for better support

Stay Ups

Stockings that stay up without the need for garters. True stay-ups usually consist of a decorative stretch lace top, with a silicone band inside of the lace to help grip the leg.

Stockings

Although the popular use of this word has come to be anything worn on the legs (i.e. pantyhose, hold-ups or tights) we will stick with the more traditional definition. Stockings, as referred to on this web site, are the traditional style that are put on individually and attached to a garter at the top for support. These can come in plain top, satin top, or lace top, but should not be confused with hold-ups, which stay up by themselves.

Strapless

An underwire bra with wide sides, no straps or removable straps, and a hook back. Many times silicone is stitched to the upper and lower edges of the bra to keep it secure on the body. Mostly worn with strapless tops, evening gowns or with tops where a normal bra would show. A strapless bra must be the right size – too loose, and you have no support, too tight and it will work it’s way down your torso. In fact a well-fitting strapless bra could reveal your true bra size because there is no fudging on size with a strapless.

Stretch

Bras made with Lycra fabric, which lends a smooth, sleek look as well as freedom in movement, comfort and fit.

String Bikini

A bikini panty with high cut leg line, thin string sides and full back coverage.

Support Panel

A support panel is another name for an Inner sling sewn inside a bra’s cups. An inner sling can be a curved strip of fabric which 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 or bottoms of the bra cup. Some support panels can be sewn outside the cup, or incorporated into the cup design as an added panel.

Surplice

Surplice is the name for a diagonally crossed neckline and/or bodice to give the look of it being wrapped. This style can also be called a “faux wrap” and creates a deep v-shaped neckline.