Lingerie Lexicon

It's crucial that your lingerie be just right for the wedding. Here's the language you'll need to get what you want.

• By Sara Cardace
• Published September 2005

Boning Strips of plastic or other stiff material sewn into undergarments to provide extra support and shape. Actual bones were originally used-thus the name. Convertible Bra Bras that can be adjusted to accommodate up to six different dress styles. Cookie The removable pad in certain types of bras. Corselet (Also: Corselette) An undergarment that combines a girdle with a bra. Similar to a traditional corset. Demi Cup (Also: Balconette or Shelf Bra) A bra with a contoured underwire design, with a large portion of the upper half of the cup cut away to expose the top portion of the breasts. Girdle (Also: Shaper) A stomach-shaping undergarment that starts above the waist and ends below the hips. The old-school version of Spanx. Gusset Closure A hook-and-eye or snap closure. Merry Widow A corset with a neckline that comes to a point. Plunge (Also: D�collet�) A style of bra that is cut super-low to give cleavage a boost. Tap Pants Underwear cut to resemble short shorts. Wide-away A style of bra with straps that are cut extra-wide to accommodate certain dress styles.