Your Ultimate Plus Size Lingerie Boutique

Baby Doll- a short and sweet night dress that just covers the bottom and is worn with matching panties.

Bodystocking- also known as a catsuit - this stretchy one piece hugs the body from top to toe and is usually made of a sheer, lace or fishnet fabric. The full-body stocking was made famous by Catwoman and Diana Rigg in the 1960s hit TV show the Avengers - meow!

Bodysuit- like the swimsuit of the lingerie world - except a bodysuit usually has a snap crotch and works as a sleek alternative to camisole, because it will always stay “tucked in”.

Boning- refers to the plastic strips sewn vertically to the inside of some corsets and bustiers. The added support and structure provide flattering, body-contouring effects. Originally whale bones were sewn into corsets to provide a slimming structured shape, but these days plastic strips are sewn into the garment to shape and slim the waist and tummy, and accentuate the bustline by providing a "pushed-up" look.

Boy shorts-like their name, are similar to little-boys briefs. Comfy and cute, they are boxy, low rise, and have wide-cut legs. If thongs aren't your thing, but you'd like to avoid VPL (visible panty line) boy shorts are the perfect choice!

Burnout- this is a sexy fabric that combines both sheer and opaque patterns - showing off a little skin, but not too much.

Bras:‘Demi’ or ‘Half’ bra- this covers the lower half of the breast, leaving the nipple exposed and creates a bra-less look when paired with low necklines or worn under form fitting garments. Push-up bra- lifts the breast skyward to create the ultimate cleavage. Underwire bra- semi-circular metal wires in the bottom of the bra support the breasts, enhancing their shape. Shelf-bra- as the name suggests, this bra creates a shelf-like support for each breast, leaving the nipple and upper breast exposed. All the support of a push-up bra with a no-bra appearance.

Bustiers- similar to a corset, this is a bra that extends down the torso to provide bust support which smoothing and shaping the waist. Bustiers can be worn as outer-wear with a jacket, but also look fabulous when worn with garters and stockings - very Parisian can-can dancer!

Camisole- a silky loose-fitting tank top, similar to a slip, but shorter, this used to be considered underwear but has recently become a staple in every woman's closet. Wear for a casual but classy evening with jeans and a blazer, or with a pair with matching tap pants for a comfortable, yet alluring, sleepwear outfit.

Catsuit- also known as a bodystocking - this stretchy one piece hugs the body from top to toe and is usually made of a sheer, lace or fishnet fabric. Made famous by Catwoman and Diana Rigg in the 1960s hit TV show the Avengers - meow!

Charmeuse(fabric) - a lightweight silk or silk-like fabric of French origin. Charmeuse is often preferred over silk because it has all the luxury of silk, but with one benefit - it's machine-washable.

Chemise- the chemise is a short gown, slightly longer than a baby doll, offering a little more coverage. Designed to give a feminine, graceful look it falls loosely over the body and clings subtly to the curves. Chemises are especially popular as gifts since they are easy to fit and flattering to most figures.

Chiffon(fabric) - a gorgeous, gauzy fabric that shows off your silhouette, made from a simple weave of silk, polyester or other fiber.

Corset- Corsets are typically constructed of silk or satin stiffened with boning, also called stays.  Centuries ago, steel and whalebone were favored. Plastic is now the most commonly used material and is just as strong as steel but with more flexability.  Known for enhancing the bust and slimming the waist, corsets are held together by lacing which can be tightened or loosened to achieve the desired effect.

d'Orsay- a style of women's pump in which the vamp of the shoe is cut away very close to the toe box, and the sides are cut away, revealing the arch of the foot.

Faux- imitation, mock, not real, fake. C'est Francais you know!

G-String- one woman's fashion revolution, another woman's worst nightmare - this slip of fabric is a small triangular panty at the front with a narrow band of elastic at the back which fits snugly between your butt cheeks, providing almost no coverage at all. A G-string under everyday wear is surprisingly comfortable and gives a smooth look with no panty-lines. Great to wear under slim fitting clothes and for women who are extra-proud of their derriere.

Garter Belt- a classic in any woman's arsenal of seduction, this is worn in conjunction with stockings - not pantyhose. A garter belt is worn around the waist or hips, and from it hang elastic straps that clip to the top of stockings to keep them in place. Garters (the elastic straps that clip onto the stocking) can also be found attached to the bottom of a bustier or the legs of a teddiette.

Gown- decadent yet demure, gowns are longer than chemises or baby dolls, with hemlines ranging from mid-calf to floor length. Worn with a matching robe they make luxurious sleepwear and go by the term "Peignoir Set".

Hosiery: Stockings- nylon or silk leggings that reach mid-thigh. Traditionally they were held up with garters but newer stretch band “gripper” tops do the same job. Pantyhose- stockings and panties combined. Control Top Pantyhose- hose with extra support in the panty section to shape and slim the stomach and butt. Fishnet Hose- hose with a loosely-woven diamond pattern - like a fisherman's net. Fencenet Hose- similar to fishnet, but with a looser weave, making a larger diamond pattern. French or Lace Pantyhose- pantyhose with lace briefs at the top. Lace Top Stockings- hose trimmed with a lace band at the top of the stockings instead of a solid, unadorned band. Suspender Hose- hose with sections cut out to simulate the look to stockings and garters. Suspender hose can be worn with panties, or without, if you like the feel of nylon during romantic moments. Suspender hose and crotchless pantyhose are also good for "quickies" in unusual places.

Jacquard(fabric) - material that has a design woven into it rather than printed onto it.

Lycra(fabric) - Dupont's trademark for a type of sleek, stretchy spandex.

Marabou- a soft, fluffy, feathery trim used to adorn slipper pumps and lingerie.

Merry Widow- A merry widow is a strapless corset with half-cups for the breasts and long garters. Much like a bustier they often attach in the back using hook and eye fasteners.

Microfiber- ultra fine, man-made fibers that when woven, duplicate the look and feel of natural fibers. Known for their comfort and breathability, these yarns produce an extremely supple, very soft and luxurious fabric with a silk-like hand. Because of their inherent strength they achieve superior color, clarity and quality.

Opaque- fabric that cannot be seen through - it's the opposite of sheer!

Pantyhose- See Hosiery.

Panty Styles: Bikini- a low-cut panty with full coverage at both the front and back, with a fit similar to that of a 1970s style bikini - think Ursula Andress in Dr. No. Briefs- panties with a higher waist than the bikini that usually sits on the belly button. Boy shorts-like their name, are similar to little-boys briefs. Comfy and cute, they are boxy, low rise, and have wide-cut legs. If thongs aren't your thing, but you'd like to avoid VPL (visible panty line) boy shorts are the perfect choice! French-cut- Higher cut leg openings reminiscent of Flashdance that give the appearance of mile-long legs. G-string- this slip of fabric is a small triangular panty at the front, with a narrow band of elastic at the back that fits snugly between your butt cheeks. String Bikini- both front and rear panels offer full coverage but are joined with narrow strips of fabric or elastic at each side. Tap Pants- shorts that are similar in cut to men's boxer shorts with loose fitting legs. Thong- slightly larger than a G-string these itsy-bitsy briefs also combine a triangular front panel with a slim strip of fabric at the back that slips neatly between the butt cheeks ridging wearers of a VPL (visible panty line).

Peignoir- ooh la la! This term, from the French word "peignouer", referred to the gowns women wore while combing their hair. Peignoir now refers to a matching gown and robe set.

Polyester(fabric) - a marvelous synthetic fabric that stretches without wrinkling. Today's polyesters have been improved upon and are usually made of a weave that makes for an "airy wear" and provides breeze circulation!

Rayon(fabric) - a fabric that possesses all the luxury of silk (it's comfortable, absorbs moisture and does not trap heat against the body) but as it's synthetic it's less expensive!

Ruched (or Rouched) - fabric that has been trimmed in, gathered and sewn into a semi-linear pattern to create an elegant effect.

Satin(fabric) - a sleek, shiny woven fabric that's a must for lingerie and sheets thanks to it's lustrous finish and sensual feel.

Scallop- a pretty curved border on the edge of fabric or lace.

Sheer- an ultra-fine, flimsy texture that can be transparent or translucent in appearance.

Shirring- a smart layered effect achieved by gathering a section of material into parallel rows.

Spandex(fabric) - a revolutionary elastic textile fiber used to create stretchable body-hugging fabrics.

Stockings- a classic seduction tool, these sheer leggings used to be available only in silk (and we couldn't repeat what British gals were prepared to do for a pair from the American Air Force during the drought of World War II!). Now available in nylon too, making these a cheaper but nevertheless sexy addition to any closet. Traditionally they were held up with garters but newer stretch band “gripper” tops do the same job.

Tap Pant- soft, sweet, silky shorts with loose fitting legs and a gently gathered waistband.

Tactel- a soft, lightweight, breathable fabric which promotes shape retention and resistance to piling.

Teddiette- a teddy with garters attached, ready to be snapped onto a pair of stockings.

Teddy- a one-piece, similar in structure to a bodysuit. Depending on the fabric (a silk or satin can be loose and luxurious, while a spandex suit smoothes and shapes you figure) this all-in-one makes the perfect undergarment to wear with jeans or a skirt, because it will never come untucked - thanks to their snap crotch. Try a teddy under your suit for a sexy feeling at the office, or under your favorite jeans and sweater for a luxurious, sensual feeling on the weekends.

Thong- larger than a G-string, these itsy-bitsy briefs also combine a triangular front panel with a slim strip of fabric at the back that slips neatly between the butt cheeks ridding wearers of a VPL (visible panty line).

Tricot and Satin Tricot(fabric) - a porous knit fabric with a soft, lustrous finish which is resistant to runs.

Underwire - semi-circular metal wires in the the lower edges of bra cups to support the breasts and give a natural-looking lift. Underwires may also be found in some teddies and corsets too.