EVER WONDER WHAT ALL THIS LINGERIE TERMINOLOGY MEANS?
A – APPLIQUÉ
Appliqué is a decoration method where lace, embroidery or additional fabric are stitched or bonded onto the base fabric to create a three-dimensional effect. Often, satin or silk bras, briefs, suspender belts and negligee are decorated with appliquéd lace, creating a sumptuous, opulent look and feel.
B – BRA
Bras are arguably the defining and most referred to item when it comes to lingerie. The bra is designed to offer support to the breasts, and even alter the appearance of breast shape, offering uplift, rounding and much more. Bras come in many types, from seamless t-shirt styles to sensual ouvert designs.
C – CORSET
Corsets are a historical lingerie pieces, and were designed even before the bra, to sculpt and enhance the female form. Today, corsets are used in the boudoir as a seductive look, and with enthusiasts for waist training. Quality corsets contain steel boning and are secured with lacing to create hourglass contours.
D – DESSOUS
Dessous, is French for 'worn underneath', or 'underwear' and is now a commonly used and fashionable term for fine underwear, or lingerie. Some lingerie constructed with sheer mesh and the finest of silks is described as 'dessous' to evoke a sense of luxury and delicacy.
E – ELASTIC
Where would we be without it?! Elastic, or elastane is a crucial factor in well-fitting lingerie. From brief waists, bra straps and even fabric with stretch in it, women rely on elastic in lingerie to allow for frequent fluctuations in female form and size.
F – FRILLS
When provocative and flirtatious lingerie is the order of the day, frills go down a treat. From layers of ruffles across the derrière, to frill-trimmed bra cups and Brazilian knickers, frills add an instant feel for fun, flirting and fabulousness.
G – G-STRING
A g-string is a type of lingerie bottom, assumed to be named after the finest string on a violin. It is best recognised however, for it's 'string' or thong back. The g-string is popular in lingerie for seduction, but is often worn by women wanting to avoid a visible panty-line with their outerwear.
H – HOOK AND EYE
The majority of bras (and the front of most corsets) are fastened with the hook and eye system. A hook-and-eye closure is a very simple and secure method of fastening garments together. It consists of a metal hook, commonly made of flattened wire bent to the required shape, and an eye (or 'eyelet') of the same material into which the hook fits.
I – INCHES
The measurement in which bra band sizing is determined. Bra sizing is made up of the numeric band size, and then the cup size, hence '32B' or, '38D'. Bra fit is very important for breast and posture health so it is advised that women get measured every 6 months.
J – JACQUARD
Jacquard is a sumptuous, beautiful fabric with inter-women patterns. Using different yarns the pattern can be 'lifted' for a textured effect. Jacquard is often seen on opulent lingerie pieces, such as corsetry.
K – KNICKERS
Knickers are a crucial item in the discerning woman's lingerie drawer – lucky knickers, anyone? Knickers come in all shapes, sizes, colours and cuts. From Brazilian to boy, there is a knicker for every woman, and every occasion.
L – LACE
You needn't search the lingerie rails long before being faced with beautiful lace, an iconic element of lingerie. There are many types of lace, in many colours but the first laces came from Italy in the 15th Century and were quickly distributed throughout Western Europe, where some lace production still exists today.
M – MESH
Lingerie sometimes features sheer mesh for a seductive look and feel, while some lingerie pieces incorporate the modern technology of 'power mesh' which sculpts and smooths the female form. 'Power mesh' is most commonly found in shapewear, such as high-waist knickers and shaping slips.
N - NUDE
Nude lingerie is most commonly seen with seamless and t-shirt styles, a practical colour for wearing beneath most outerwear clothes. Over the years, there has been dispute over nude lingerie, with women campaigning for lingerie to become available in all shades of nude.
O – OPULENCE
A little opulence goes a long way! Bluebella loves to amp up the luxe look with crystal embellishments, gold coloured hardware, gems and satin ribbons to create a truly opulent lingerie look.
P – PUSH-UP BRA
A push-up bra visibly increases the size of the bust, and creates a full cleavage effect, which is deemed a more enticing look for breasts, both in and out of clothes. A push-up bra helps to create a more youthful and sexy aesthetic to the bust.
Q – QUALITY
Bluebella pride themselves on premium quality lingerie, designed to look beautiful and crafted to last. Combining the finest fabrics, quality trims and embellishments, and the best construction techniques, Bluebella lingerie offers flawless fit and wearable pieces that look great season after season.
R – RED
Red is the colour of passion and most commonly the colour of choice for seduction lingerie. Red lingerie is historically worn on special occasions and given as a gift for Valentine's Day, for instance.
S – SATIN
Satin is a smooth fabric, shiny on the outside and with a silky drape, which can be stretch or non-stretch. Bluebella specialises in quality lingerie in the finest satin fabric, which is soft on skin, and creates a truly sensual boudoir look.
T – THONG
A thong is a type of lingerie bottom best recognised for it's narrow 'string' effect back (see G-string). The thong is a popular choice for seduction, but is often worn by women wanting to avoid a visible panty-line with their outerwear.
U – UNDERWIRE
Underwire is sewn into the bra to lift and shape the bust. Underwire is found at the base of the cup and is designed to sit just beneath the breast tissue, also offering support. Most bras are underwired and they are particularly suitable for larger cup sizes.
V – VARIABLE STRAPS
Variable straps are also known as multi-way straps which use a single set of straps in a variety of positions. A number of shapes can be achieved, for example halter, cross-back, standard and strapless which is useful for varying types of dress and top necklines.
W – WEARABLE
Bluebella lingerie isn't all beauty over practicality. Our stunning lingerie sets are practical, made with care and take the real woman into account, offering designs that look fabulous, but can take you from day to night.
X – X-FACTOR
Every woman has it, and at Bluebella we know that sometimes it just take the right lingerie set to bring it out! Lingerie has the ability to empower a woman, give her confidence and a fun, flirtatious attitude. We call that 'the real x-factor'. Girls, use it!
Y – YOUTHFUL
Bluebella creates lingerie for every woman, but our youthful take on design means our lingerie sets inject a real element of fun and care-free attitude, that no woman wants to lose, no matter how old she is!
Z – ZEST
The Bluebella woman has an unparalleled zest for life, facing each day with enthusiasm, confidence and fabulousness. The secret? She's wearing Bluebella lingerie of course!
