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SANDALFOOT HOSE
Sheer hose with no visible reinforcements at the toes or heals—ideal for wear with open-toed shoes or sandals. But be gentle pulling it over your foot! |
SATIN
What it is:Satin can refer to either a smooth, lustrous silk fabric woven with floating yarns (which reflect light) or the type of weave itself, which can be made of other fibers such as polyester or rayon. Sateen is cotton made in a satin weave. The lingerie connection:Soft and sensual, it feels like skin. The rich, glossy finish makes it a decadent fabric for all forms of lingerie—from robes and pajamas to camisoles, bras and panties. Charmeuse is like satin, just shiny on one side, matte on the other—and luxurious on both sides. |
SEAMED HOSE
Sheer or opaque hose with a seam up the back of each leg. Before the advent of circular knitting machines, all stockings had seams up the back as a result of their construction. Later, with advances in weaving technology, the seams were no longer necessary—stockings with seams today are “mock seams,” for appearance only. |
SEAMED/CUT-AND-SEWN
A bra with cups constructed out of carefully cut pieces of fabric that are then sewn together to form the rounded shape of a breast. The cups consist of two or more sections; generally, the more seams, the more support. |
SEAMLESS PANTY
Thanks to modern technology, this style eliminates side seams, giving a smooth appearance under garments. |
SHEER TO WAIST
Sheer tights with a consistent appearance from waist to toe, ideal for a more uniform look. They lack the heavier, reinforced panty portion that is knit into many styles, with the higher risk of poking your fingers through the upper region as you pull them on. Avoid that final yank! |
SHORTIE PAJAMAS
Two-piece pajamas with short bottoms, most often worn in warm weather. |
SILK
What it is:Silk is the fiber obtained from the cocoon of the silkworm. The lingerie connection: The queen of fabrics. Lustrous and lightweight, it drapes beautifully, feels sumptuous against the body and accepts color dyes exceptionally well, making it the ultimate luxury in lingerie. Despite its delicate feel, silk is also known for its resiliency, elasticity and strength. Stockings were originally made of silk before the advent of nylon, although silk versions are still available for those who can’t wear man-made fibers or who simply seek the exquisiteness of the real thing. |
SILK KNIT
What it is:Silk fabric that is knitted rather than woven. It stretches and clings to the body. The lingerie connection:Soft, drapey and surprisingly warm, silk knit is often used for thin layering pieces such as long underwear and camisoles. It provides warmth without bulk. |
SOFT CUP/NO-WIRE/WIRELESS BRA
Available in many shapes and styles, a bra without wire that provides light support. Best for the smaller and firmer busted, or for when you just a want a break from wearing an underwire bra. |
SPANDEX
What it is:Man-made fibers composed mainly of polyurethane. The lingerie connection: Stretch, strength and shaping! Spandex is lightweight and provides garments with stretch and flexibility. Spandex is not used alone but blended with a variety of other fibers, such as nylon, polyester, silk or cotton. It takes on many forms, from smooth and sleek fabric to stretch lace, is used in every type of lingerie, and gives the “shape” to shapewear. Lycra is a trademarked type of spandex. |
SPORTS BRA
Sports bras protect chest ligaments and prevent breast tissue damage. Compression styles are best for smaller cups sizes, while more structured harness styles, which encapsulate each breast, are best for women who wear larger cups. |
STAY-UPS/HOLD-UPS
Stockings that stay up without the aid of garters. A special rubber or silicone is applied on the inner edges of the stocking tops that grip the skin around the thigh (much the same as the gripping material around the inside edges of strapless bras). |
STOCKINGS
Hosiery you wear with a garter belt. |
STRAPLESS/BANDEAU BRA
These bras come without shoulder straps and are usually lined with silicone or rubber strips on the inner edges to help keep the bra from slipping down. They can be underwire, seamless, push-up, padded—or bandeau, which is more like a rectangular tube. |
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