Lingerie

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Image:Lingerie.jpg
Assorted lingerie styles.

Lingerie is a term for women's fashion undergarments. It derives from the French word 'lin' for linen.[1] While the term in the French language applies to all undergarments for either sex, in English it is applied only 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.

The concept of lingerie being visually appealing is relatively recent. 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 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.

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[edit] Pronunciation

The word is often pronounced, in approximation of the French original (/lɛ̃ʒʀi/), as [ˌlɑn(d)ʒəˈɹi]. Nonetheless, alternatives like [ˈlæn(d)ʒəˌɹeɪ], are also common. The Oxford English Reference Dictionary gives only /ˈlɒnʒeɹi/.

[edit] Typology

Image:Half slip.jpg
Half slip
Image:Knickers1.jpg
Women's panties or knickers
  • 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
  • Garter belt, used to keep 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.
Image:Blackph.jpg
Woman wearing pantyhose.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Free Dictionary
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Lingerie

als:Dessous da:Lingeri de:Reizwäsche es:Lencería fr:Lingerie nl:Lingerie ja:ランジェリー pt:Lingerie ru:Женское нижнее бельё sv:Lingerie

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