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The Lingerie Glossary

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.

Ladies, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. While it’s only the second day in this sweet lovin’ month, some may need a crash course in lingerie. Ok, so lingerie isn’t always the number one thing on a girl’s mind, but it may be that one thing needed to spice up a dull night. So, take out your notebook babe because we’re beginning Lingerie 101.

 
 

Babydolls: The “innocent” look
It is similar to a nightgown, but a much sexier one. It is a bra with flowy see-through fabric that goes down to about the waste line. When worn with cute panties, you will look cute and adorable. Babydolls are for girls who like to stay sweet in bed and are a bit of a tease.

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Corsets:
The “I mean business” look
Corsets can be “professional” looking because of the sleek lines on them. They can be tightened to accentuate a women’s bust and waist, making her look very tiny and curvy.  They are often strapless and go down to just above the waist. Corsets have the most unique look of them all because they date back to the 16th century.
 
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Bustier: The “everyday” look

A bustier is a bra that extends down to the waist. It provides extra support and control, and accentuates a woman’s curves. They look great with garter belts and are also commonly worn underneath clothing. Some women wear it under dresses while others wear it under jackets or cardigans. It can be a nice surprise for your man after a long day of work.
 
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Teddies:  The “less is more” look

Teddies resemble one piece bathing suits. It is basically a bra and panty that is connected by fabric. They are most commonly sleeveless and sometimes even strapless. They are also made to accentuate a women’s figure. I would say that this is the most “riskay” look of them all because they barely cover you up.
 
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Underwear: The “obvious” look
There is an endless variety of underwear, but the sexiest ones of all include thongs, g-strings, and boy shorts. I think it’s safe to assume everyone is familiar with these three, but girls just don’t know what to pair them up with. All three look great with a nice push up bra. Thongs and g-strings look best with corsets and bustiers, while boy shorts can look sexy with just a tank top or t-shirt.

 
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Garter Belts & Leg Garters: The “sexiest” look of all

Garter Belts are worn around the waist with dangling straps that either snap or clip onto stockings. They are typically used to hold up hosiery. This type of lingerie can vary in many ways from material and styles. You can pair them up with a cute bra or nothing at all.  
 
 

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Megan Maginity

Illinois State

Megan is a sophomore Journalism major at Illinois State University, with a minor in Creative Writing. She balances her time between class, her sorority- Gamma Phi Beta, and writing for the college newspaper- The Daily Vidette. When she’s not busy, Meg likes to shop for the best sales, rollerblade, hang out with friends or watch reruns of Sex and The City. Becoming a campus correspondent/editor-in-chief was a great accomplishment for her because she is an aspiring writer, hoping to take on the world of mass media after graduation in 2013.