Guide to Lingerie Styles
If you're baffled by basques or confused by corsets, Lovehoney's easy lingerie guide will explain everything. Armed with this information, choosing the perfect lingerie to make you or your partner feel sexy and confident should be easy.
We've split this guide into structured lingerie (basques, corsets and other figure-hugging and body-sculpting garments) and unstructured lingerie (flirty, feminine and comfortable lingerie like babydolls, chemises and camisole sets) to suit your mood or your partner's style. We also explain the different types of knickers, thongs and g-strings as well as sex-on-legs hosiery (from stockings and suspenders, to bodystockings and tights).
Structured Lingerie: Stylish & Seductive
With figure-hugging and body-sculpting effects, structured lingerie is the perfect way to create a classically seductive lingerie look, whilst enhancing your shape at the same time.
A basque is like a corset or bustier, but has cups and is made from lacier materials. Think of it a bit like a longer version of a bra. It may have plastic boning to give extra shape, but it won't reduce your waist.
Bustiers look like corsets, but will not reduce your waist. Bustiers are an attractive and more comfortable option for people who do not want to change their shape, but like the way that corsets look.
Corsets are specifically designed to reduce your waist, boost your bust and when laced up tight, they're a huge turn on. Most corsets cover the bust whereas others (underbust corsets) expose the breasts.
Basque
Bustier
Corset
Mini Dress
A mini dress is just that - a dress with a shorter than normal hemline. Normally tight-fitting, a slinky mini dress can take you from nightclub to bedroom.
Catsuit
Make like Catwoman in a sleek, sexy catsuit! Catsuits are a full body, tight-fitting suit that normally feature a zip along the front (and sometimes hold a crotchless secret!)
Merry Widow
A merry widow is a shape-smoothing, cupless basque, with built-in suspenders. The merry widow is an excellent choice for those who want a more risqué or fetish style of lingerie.
Unstructured Lingerie: Flirty & Feminine
If you prefer a less restrictive and more flirtatious lingerie style then choose something playful and floaty that allows you to roll around the bed (or kitchen counter) without restriction.
Babydoll
Flyaway
Chemise
With cups and a full skirt, a babydoll is a playful and provocative piece of lingerie that enhances the bust and shows the legs. Because babydolls flare out from under the bust, a babydoll is great for drawing attention away from your tummy.
Make like Catwoman in a sleek, sexy catsuit! Catsuits are a full body, tight-fitting suit that normally feature a zip along the front (and sometimes hold a crotchless secret!)If you love the look of a babydoll but want to show off your stomach at the same time, a flyaway option is for you. It takes all the best features of a babydoll and makes them that little bit more exposing with a split front or back (or both).
Chemises are practical yet sexy, and can be worn easily as nightwear or loungewear. They're loose fitting, with gentle tailoring at the waist and a slim fit at the hips for a slinky look. Chemises are flattering for all body shapes, so make an ideal gift.
Cami Set
A camisole (or 'cami') is just another name for a vest top. They're usually sold with matching knickers or shorts in cami sets. A camisole set is a great way to emphasise a cute bottom and beautiful bust. Remember: a figure-hugging lace or mesh cami will give a different feel to a floating silk or satin top.
Teddy
A teddy (also called a playsuit) is bodysuit-like lingerie that combines a vest top and shorts in one. They are extremely sensual to wear and are perfect for flattering both athletic and curvy figures. They range from being fairly covering (great if you're body conscious) to very exposing, if that's your desired look.
Body
A body is similar to a teddy, but much closer-fitting: it's shaped like a traditional one piece swimsuit, with the vest top and bikini style briefs in one. Showing off more of your legs than a teddy, a body is a great choice for those who want to display their curves in a cosy close-fitting all-in-one garment.
Knickers/Panties
The easiest (and least expensive) way to add something new to your underwear drawer, feeling sexy starts with a new pair of knickers. Choose from knickers and briefs for fuller coverage or something skimpier to showcase a peachy bum.
Briefs & Shorts
G-String
Thong
Briefs, shorts, French knickers, booty shorts, boy shorts and hot pants - with so many names, they can get confusing! All these types of knickers have a full front and a covered rear for a demurely sexy look.
The main difference between a thong and G-string is the width of the fabric that passes between the buttocks - in a G-string it's barely there. The skimpy rear gives an even more revealing bedroom look.
A modern classic, the thong leaves your bottom cheekily exposed. Perfect for avoiding VPL, a thong is highly erotic for the wearer as well as the onlooker, making this the perfect choice for bedroom or everyday wear.
Hosiery & Stockings
Stockings are the perfect way to complete a lingerie set for a top-to-toe sexy look. Whether you want sheer, fishnet, fencenet or back-seamed, choose from hosiery to smooth your legs (and body).
Hold Ups
Hold-up stockings and thigh highs stay have elasticated tops or gripping silicone material, so they stay in place without needing a suspender belt. Unlike tights, they make a feature of their tops which can be trimmed with lace, ribbon or PVC.
Suspender Stockings
Suspender stockings need a suspender belt or straps on your corset to stay up, otherwise they will end up around your ankles. Matching your suspender stockings to your lingerie is an art form, but when it's pulled off the effects are eye-popping.
Suspender Belt
A suspender belt, sometimes called a garter belt, is a strip of fabric that fastens around the waist with straps that attach to suspender stockings to hold them up. They usually have 4 straps but some retro-styled belts have more straps, for added security.
Bodystocking
Bodystockings are stretchy head-to-toe garments made from the same materials as tights. They're a fanastic base for outfits as well as a sexy all-in-one lingerie solution. Although they cover large areas of the body, the fabrics make them sexy and crotchless varieties don't stop play.
Tights
With smoothing and shaping properties, tights are fantastic for creating a sexy silhouette. While many people find tights extremely sexy, they are usually worn as part of an everyday outfit rather than with a lingerie set. If that's the case for you, why not have a look at some stockings?
