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CHEMISE/SHIFT/SMOCK
A slip that hangs straight to a place somewhere on the thigh, it is not usually fitted to the body. |
CHIFFON
What it is:A sheer fabric made with a simple weave of tightly twisted or crepe yarns. Originally made in silk, it is now also made in other fibers. |
CHINESE PAJAMAS
Designed after garments worn in China, this style pairs pajama pants with a mandarin jacket featuring side slits and, often, braided front closures (called frogs). |
COMFORT STRAPS
Softly padded, lined or wider-than-normal straps that increase comfort—essentials for any fuller busted woman who has experienced shoulder and neck pain from the weight of her breasts pulling her bra straps down into her shoulders. Bras shouldn’t be a pain in the neck! |
CONTOUR
A molded or cut-and-sewn bra designed with a fiberfill or foam lining to provide definition and shape. Because of the lining, nipple show-through is eliminated. Contour cups don’t increase size; instead they create a rounder, more symmetrical bustline. |
CONTROL BRIEF
Looks like a panty, but acts like a girdle. A brief, available in various lengths, made with elastic yarns designed to smooth and minimize. If you’re looking for some middle management, panties with a reinforced front panel give extra attention to the tummy and midriff. Great under straight skirts, knits and flat-front pants. |
CONTROL CAMISOLE
Resembling a tight camisole or tank top, it gives a seamless, contoured look under sheer or form-fitting tops that show the slightest detail of an undergarment. An often overlooked solution for those sensitive to underwire bras, or those concerned about back fat squeezed over the lat muscles by bra bands. |
CONTROL SHORT
Bike short styles slim from the waist to the upper leg, instantly reshaping bulging hips and thighs; they also often have a woven built-in lift feature for droopy bottoms. |
CONTROL THONG
Newer styles with a specific waist-cinching feature come in varying lengths. Some begin just under the ribs, some under the bust line, some at the waist, and compress the midsection from that point to the hips, eliminating lines at the waist and providing a smooth silhouette on all sides. |
CONTROL-TOP PANTYHOSE
As the name implies, hosiery with a panty portion containing more spandex to provide control, like a lightweight shaper. There are styles that target the tummy, while others go after the derriere and thighs. This is where hosiery and shapewear meet. |
CONVERTIBLE (BACKLESS & HALTER)
A bra designed with modifiable and sometimes detachable straps to be worn under halter, racerback, cross-back, one-shoulder or low-back garments. The halter feature, with straps that go behind the neck, leaves shoulders and upper back bare. Despite being “backless,” this style often is low-back rather than no-back, with closures at waist level. For a completely backless look, try a self-adhesive |
COTTON
What it is:A soft white vegetable fiber from the cotton plant that is composed mainly of cellulose. The lingerie connection: The comfort food of fabric. Coming in many forms, from the finest combed cotton to fluffy terry, cotton is extremely comfortable, absorbent, durable and washable. Beware of excessive shrinkage. Sometimes, taking a larger size is suggested for this reason. Don’t be put off by a cotton blend—one with spandex stretches to makes a garment even more comfortable to wear and helps the item retain its shape. No matter what material your panties are made from, a cotton crotch lining is always recommended. |
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