Lingerie and Corsetry: Understanding the Fundamentals

Balancing comfort, aesthetics, and craftsmanship, lingerie accompanies the body on a daily basis while expressing a sense of intimacy.

From everyday lingerie to corsetry, it now comes in a wide variety of shapes, materials, and uses.

Long reduced to its function as underwear, lingerie has gradually established itself as a true element of the wardrobe. Today, it combines technical expertise, comfort, and aesthetics.

Delicate fabrics, precise cuts, refined finishes: each piece is designed to adapt to the body while meeting a wide range of needs.

→ To understand how these pieces are made, see: “Behind the Scenes of the Bra”

Everyday lingerie:
Discreet and comfortable, designed to follow the body’s movements: bras, briefs, bodysuits, bralettes.

Shapewear (corsetry):
Structures the silhouette and plays with volume: shapewear, bustiers, corsets, basques.

Nightwear:
Designed for comfort and softness: nightdresses, pyjamas, nightshirts.

Technical lingerie:
Adapted to specific uses: sports, maternity, nursing, menstrual cycle.

→ To choose lingerie suited to your body shape, see: “How to Choose the Right Bra”

The choice of fabrics directly influences comfort and function:

• Cotton: soft and breathable, ideal for everyday wear
• Microfibre: second-skin effect
• Elastane: flexibility and stretch
• Lace / embroidery: refined aesthetic
• Silk / satin: softness and fluidity
• Tulle / mesh: lightness and transparency

Rooted in historical craftsmanship, corsetry focuses on support and shaping the body.

Originally rigid, it has evolved towards greater comfort, incorporating technical fabrics, more ergonomic structures, and better respect for the body.

Today, it allows for sculpting without compression, combining traditional savoir-faire with textile innovation.

BOTTOMS

• Thong: highly cut style held by an elastic waistband, leaving the buttocks fully exposed
• Tanga: intermediate style, offering light coverage, often in lace or embroidery
• Briefs: classic style, narrower at the sides, covering the buttocks
• Full briefs: more covering than briefs, fully covering the buttocks for added comfort
• Shorty: short-inspired shape, partially covering the buttocks
• Boxer briefs: longer style, fully covering the buttocks with a short-like cut

TOPS

• Bustier: garment covering the bust, often structured (boned or underwired), enhancing the silhouette
• Basque: shaping garment that cinches the waist, sometimes with garter straps to hold stockings
• Corset: structured garment, usually boned and laced, designed to sculpt from bust to hips

CORSETRY / FOUNDATION PIECES

• Wireless bra: soft and comfortable, suited for smaller busts or everyday wear
• Underwired bra: provides enhanced support and structure
• Bodysuit: one-piece garment covering the torso and fastening at the crotch, worn as underwear or outerwear
• Camisole: lightweight top with thin straps, fluid and comfortable

NIGHTWEAR

• Nightdress: short, lightweight, and feminine
• Dressing gown: light loungewear piece, often worn over a nightdress

→ To understand how a bra is constructed, see: “Behind the Scenes of the Bra”
→ To choose the right model for your needs, see: “How to Choose the Right Bra”