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Lingerie is a term for fashionable and alluring women's undergarments. It derives from the French word linge, "washables" - as in faire le linge, "do the laundry" - and ultimately from lin for washable linen, the fabric from which European undergarments were made before the general introduction of cotton from Egypt and then from India.
While the term in the French language applies to all undergarments for either gender, in English it is applied specifically to those women's undergarments designed to be visually appealing or erotic, typically incorporating materials such as Lycra, nylon (nylon tricot), polyester, satin, lace and/or silk and not applied to functional cotton undergarments. It is commonly pronounced in English with a faux French pronunciation (such as LONJ-er-ee in British pronunciation or lonj-er-AY in American pronunciation).
The concept of lingerie being visually appealing was a development of the later nineteenth century. Up through the first half of the 20th century women selected underwear for three major purposes: to alter their shape (first with corsets and later with girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or for modesty. Women's underwear before the invention of the crinoline was often very large and bulky. As the 20th century progressed underwear became smaller and more form fitting. In the 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamorize lingerie and the idea of lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed.
The lingerie industry has expanded in the 21st century with designs that double as outerwear. The French refer to this as 'dessous-dessus' which basically means innerwear as outerwear. The boutique Faire Frou Frou, which is an antiquated phrase meaning "show it off", heralds this philosophy by categorizing lingerie as an accessory with details such as straps and lace trim that should be layered and shown as part of one's outerwear.
Types of Lingerie:
- Babydoll, a short nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women
- Basque, a tight, form-fitting bodice or coat
- Bedjacket, worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and modesty
- Blanket sleeper
- Bloomers, underpants with short legs
- Bodystocking, a unitard
- Bodysuit, a leotard-like undergarment, usually skintight or formfitting
- Bodice, covers the body from the neck to the waist
- Boyshorts, a style of panties, so named for their resemblance to male shorts
- Brassiere - Bras
- Bustier
- Camisole, sleeveless and tight fitting, covering the top part of the body
- Camiknickers, camisole and knickers joined as one garment
- Cami Shorts
- Cheeky, exposes the bottom part of the buttocks
- Corset by bone, a bodice worn to mold and shape the torso
- Corselet = Brassiere + Girdle
- Corsage by elastic, covering the body from the neck to the waist, similar to a corset
- Drawers a pant-like garment worn during the 19th century for modesty and warmth. Some drawers were split-leg, in that the crotch seam was left open
- French maid, a form of ladies' fantasywear
- G-String / Thong, a narrow piece of cloth passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as a bikini bottom or as underwear by both men and women
- Garter
- Garterbelt, used to keep nylon stockings up
- Girdle, resembles a tight pair of athletic shorts
- Granny panties
- Hosiery
- Jersey nightshirt - A long, loose T-shirt made of cotton, polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a Babydoll
- Knickers
- Leotard
- Merry widow
- Naughty & Nice
- Negligee
- Nightgown or Nightie, a loosely hanging item of nightwear, may vary from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir)
- Nightshirt
- Panties
- Pantyhose
- Peignoir
- Petticoat
- Pettipants
- Robe
- Slips (Full slip and Half slip / Underskirt)
- Spanky-Pants, "Spankies" (color-coordinated underpants worn by cheerleaders)
- Stockings
- Stringbody
- Suspender belt (British), aka Garterbelt (US)
- Tanga
- Tap Pants
- Teddy
- Undergarment
- Unitard One piece, skin tight garment
Other companies have provided made to measure alternatives. The world famous French House of Cadolle, now owned by the fifth generation Cadolle, Poupie Cadolle, makes bras, corsets and other lingerie on a made to measure basis (also known as Demi-mesure for clothes adapted to fit the customers' measurements). The made to measure method is also used by British firm Kate Gibson Lingerie, founded by Kate Mellor and Katy Gibson. Kate Gibson Lingerie, taking the opposite track from Bravissimo, only produces petite lingerie for women who wear AA to 34B cup bras, thereby provided choice for smaller women. Both Cadolle and Kate Gibson Lingerie use couture fabrics and laces to created designer lingerie and petite designer lingerie.
Within the UK the choice of lingerie available is vast. In London Rigby and Peller are famous for their fitting service, and produce their own branded lingerie that sits alongside other brands such as Lejaby, Prima Donna and other premium brands. Bravissimo specialises in larger cup size bras, and has a huge choice of Fantasie and Freya. For more provocative sexy luxury lingerie Agent Provocateur is available in major UK cities and online. A newer brand Boudiche emerged in the last few years with boutiques in Scotland offering designer brands sourced from around the world, including from the UK, Undrest, and more unusual brands such as I.D. Sarrieri from Romania.
Drapers magazine, runs it's annual Drapers Awards and includes a category for 'Best Lingerie Retailer' in the UK. In 2007 this was won by Scottish Lingerie Retailer, Boudiche, in 2006 by Marks and Spencer, and previously Figleaves held the title for 2 years running.
Companies such as The Natori Company, founded in 1977 by Josie Natori have helped expand lingerie beyond bras and underwear into the areas of sleepwear and loungewear, creating clothes that can be "worn either to bed or out on the town."
The lingerie market at the turn of 21st century was driven by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics that help in designing innovative products such as laser-cut seamless bras and moulded T-shirt bras. Designers are putting greater emphasis on rich-looking fabrics, laces, embroideries and brighter, more daring colors.
The global lingerie market in 2003 was estimated at $29 billion. Bras accounted for 56 per cent while briefs represented 29 per cent of the lingerie market in 2005. The world's largest lingerie manufacturer, Victoria's Secret, operates almost exclusively in North America. The European market is quite fragmented, with Triumph International and DB Apparel leading the market.
The growing fashion appeal of lingerie has changed drastically over the years. The market is being driven by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics that help in designing innovative products such as laser-cut seamless bras and moulded T-shirt bras. Designers are putting greater emphasis on rich-looking fabrics, laces, embroideries and brighter, more daring colors. The largest-selling lingerie product is bra. There is a huge demand for full-busted bras.
Retailers acknowledge the fact that lingerie market has higher profit margins than regular apparel. They are launching new lingerie lines and also giving their older products a makeover. Lingerie vendors are focusing more on their alliances with lingerie specialty stores as compared to department stores.
This report analyses the worldwide lingerie market, with focus on the US, UK and France. Apart from providing a competitive landscape of the market, the report also profiles the major lingerie companies, with a discussion of their key business strategies. It also analyzes the major trends prevalent in the lingerie market.
It is cliché to say that lingerie is the gift that "gives to him and her", or is "the gift that gives back" because clearly the man does not lose when he gives lingerie out as a present. The only time the plan backfires is when he gets something in the wrong style-or much worse-the wrong size. But when the man puts some time and consideration into the purchase of some lingerie, he and the receiver are rewarded which is why it makes a great gift.
Too often men find themselves tempted to buy whatever they happen to find attractive or sexy. These same men are then surprised later on when their girlfriend or wife is utterly repulsed by the lingerie and refuses to wear the garment. It takes a special kind of woman to tolerate a thong but men continue to thrust their desires into lingerie purchasing decisions that utterly conflict with the desires and tastes of the partner. Thong sales only account for 23% of all lingerie purchases which is why odds are that a woman probably will not appreciate a thong as much as the man giving it.
In order to make a lingerie gift successful, the man must do his homework. What about her body is she most proud of? Whatever part of the body this happens to be, make sure to buy lingerie that accentuates this. For a woman who is particularly proud of her cleavage, a halter might be the way to go but a chemise would probably be best for someone with nice legs. No matter what part of the body she happens to be most comfortable with, there is definitely a piece of lingerie out there made to complement it.
The color of the lingerie is very important to consider as well. When deciding upon color, you have to take into account the partner's hair. Blondes tend to do best with lighter colors or even pastels. Brunettes need a color that accentuates their darker hues so purples or even dark greens and reds work well for women with this color of hair. Redheads need a dark color but it must be complementary which is why greens and blues work best.
Now lingerie need not only look great-it must feel even better! Basically, if you enjoy touching it, she should enjoy wearing it. Silks and satins are always great choices as they are always smooth to the touch and feel great on her as well. For men or women shopping online, only buy fabrics that you are personally familiar with so you know what to expect.
The right style, color, and fabric will not make the slightest difference in the world if you get the wrong size. Too many sad jokes are made about men trying to size up their partner's cup size by using their hands to cup imaginary breasts. Anyone shopping (either online or at a retailer) should know the sizes of the garments they are after before ever looking at styles and colors. If it is possible, ask. If not, you will have to play detective and sneak a peak at her unmentionables while she is in the shower or something. No matter how you do it, just make sure you get those sizes or it may come back to haunt you.
Lingerie can definitely be one of the most intimate and rewarding gifts a person can give or receive. When the desires, size, body, and tastes of the receiver are taken into consideration when making a purchase, lingerie can be rewarding to the buyer in ways no other gift possibly can. But, when a person buys something that they will like without being considerate of the person they are expecting to wear the item, a lingerie purchase can backfire. Lingerie should be a gift that a person remembers fondly so be sure to think of how she would feel wearing the item before buying and you are sure to have many happy returns!