Lingerie Fabrics

Leather and lace, silk and satin, these used to be the options when it came to steering away from simple cotton and choosing some exotic, daring type of lingerie. This however is the 21st century and lingerie goes under an exotic list of names that need a jargon-buster to help you navigate in a knowledgeable manner.



No good just clicking on an image and hoping for the best. Today’s online lingerie shopper knows exactly the style they are looking for and the image they want to create. Admittedly lingerie choices are evolving all the time but that’s no excuse for being left behind.

Here is some of the proper terminology for today's lingerie:

Boning - A strip of stiff material placed in certain areas of the garment to help structure a desired look or support. Seen in many bustiers and bras.

Burn-Out - A sheer opening woven into the material.

Charmeuse - A soft wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with protruding pile.

Chiffon - A sheer, soft fabric, especially if made of silk.

Denier - A unit of fineness of silk, rayon, or nylon yarn. Denier increases as the thickness of the fibre increases.

Faux - Imitation, such as faux silk or faux leather.

Fishnet - A coarse open-mesh fabric often seen in fishnet stockings.

Jacquard - A fabric of intricate weave or pattern.

Lurex - A trademark used for metallic yarn or thread.

Lycra - A spandex synthetic fibre. LYCRA® is very stretchy and is used in tight, body hugging garments like catsuits and sexy dresses.

Mesh - A woven knit, or knotted material of open texture with evenly spaced holes.

Netting - A net fabric with which to cover or enclose.

Patent Leather - Leather with a hard smooth glossy surface.

Poly - A polymerized plastic or something made of this, especially a polyester fiber, fabric, or garment.

Rayon - Any of a group of smooth textile fibers made from regenerated cellulose by extrusion through minute holes.

Ribbed - Vertical ridges in a garment.

Spandex - Any of various elastics, stretchy textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane.

Tricot - A plain wrap-knitted fabric like of nylon, wool, rayon, silk, or cotton with a close in elastic knit.

So next time you look at lingerie to buy be adventurous. What we wear under our clothes reflects partly the era we live in and we, all, are now part of the future.

© Designer Lingerie.org.uk 2008


Secrets vivienne printed thong
Secrets vivienne printed thong
£5.00


Turquoise spot thong
Turquoise spot thong
£6.00


Secrets button and chiffon mini
Secrets button and chiffon mini
£6.00


Secrets vivienne print short
Secrets vivienne print short
£6.00


Ivory chiffon bow balcony bra
Ivory chiffon bow balcony bra
£12.00


Secrets button and chiffon bra
Secrets button and chiffon bra
£14.00


Secrets vivienne chiffon printed bra
Secrets vivienne chiffon printed bra
£14.00


Secrets ellie chiffon short chemise with velvet trim
Secrets ellie chiffon short chemise with velvet trim
£18.00


Secrets ellie short chriffon wrap
Secrets ellie short chriffon wrap
£25.00


Fondant Black Silk Chiffon Rouched Suspender With Corset Ribbon
Fondant Black Silk Chiffon Rouched Suspender With Corset Ribbon
£33.00


Shirt Bra and Thong Set with Padded Hanger
Shirt Bra and Thong Set with Padded Hanger
£35.00


shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
£35.00


shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
£35.00


Mimi Holliday Petit Gateaux Balcony Bra, Multi
Mimi Holliday Petit Gateaux Balcony Bra, Multi
£43.20


shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
shirt bra and thong set with padded hanger
£45.00