Designer lingerie fabrics & what they mean to you
When selecting your Designer Lingerie it is important to consider not only the size, and style of the lingerie, but also the material.
Lingerie is made from many different fabrics, and some are easier to wear than others. Below is a list of many different common lingerie fabrics, and how they will wear on your body. This should help you decide when looking at lingerie if the end look will be what you are going for, as well as to help you understand how the lingerie should be cared for. For more information on how to care for your lingerie.
Lingerie Fabrics
Boning: A strip of stiff material that is placed in certain areas of the garment to create structure and a desired look or support. Seen mainly in bras, and corsets.
Chiffon: A sheer, soft fabric, typically made of silk or polyester.
Cotton: A fabric made from a soft, fluffy fiber found on the cotton plant.
Fishnet: A coarse open-mesh fabric often seen in fishnet stockings.
Lycra: A spandex synthetic fiber that is very stretchy and is used in tight, body hugging garments like teddies and corsets.
Mesh: A woven knit, or knotted material of open texture with evenly spaced holes, often seen in mesh babydolls.
Microfiber: A man made blend of polyester and polyamide that is exceptionally soft and holds its’ shape well. These fibers have an excellent moisture removal or wicking quality and are easy to care for. Much of Natori sleepwear is made from microfiber.
Nylon: Nylon is a synthetic material most commonly remembered for nylon stockings or “nylons”, nylon is used in many easy to care for garments. It is elastic, wrinkle resistant and super easy to care for.
Poly: A polymerized plastic or something made of this, especially a polyester fiber, fabric, or garment.
Polyester: A man made material designed to stretch, resist wrinkling and is durable. It is popular for blending with other fibers.
Silk: Silk is a natural lustrous fiber that is long, also known as a filament fiber. Silk is derived from insect larvae most commonly silkworms.
Silk Lingerie: Silk Lingerie can be made of several different kinds of silk. This can result in several different finishes on the garment from shinny and lustrous to matt and stretchy.
For more information on Silk visit: The Free Dictionary
Silk Charmeuse is a finish of silk lingerie that results in a very high sheen, and has very little give to the fabric. Lingerie made from silk charmeuse have to be hand washed, and lay against the skin in a way that will show anything that is beneath it. This can make garments made from silk charmeuse harder to wear, unless the garments are cut on a bias. When lingerie, such as silk chemises are cut on a bias they have more stretch, and are more flattering on the body. A great example of silk chemise that is cut on the bias, and is flattering is the Linda Hartman Classic Hart Silk Chemise
Pebbled Silk is a finish of silk lingerie that results in a matt almost granular appearance. Lingerie made from pebbled silk also known as barathea silk is a more forgiving fabric that silk charmeuse, and can be extremely flattering. This fabric also has a softer hand than silk charmeuse is growing in popularity. Designer Lingerie made from barathea silk should be hand washed. A great example of a silk gown that is made from pebbled silk is the Linda Hartman Duet Silk Gown
Satin: A soft, shiny material with a dull backing. Often used in place of silk lingerie for the more durable fiber content.
Spandex: Any of various elastics, stretchy textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane. Often used in body hugging fabrics to provide ease of movement.
Rayon: Rayon is a manufactured fiber that is derived from cellulose. Cellulose is derived from plant fibers. A more common name for Rayon is Vicous. It is one of the softest most luxurious fibers, and highly coveted. Viscous lingerie can be made from just rayon, or blended with laces, and other fabrics. Lingerie made from rayon should be hand washed and cared for, in order to keep the fabric lasting a long time. Overtime, and with wear rayon fabrics can begin to pill with age. A great example of a viscous babydoll with a lace trim is the Lavit Vanessa babydoll
For more information on Rayon visit: Wise Geek
Modal: Modal is a manufactured fiber that is derived from the cellulose of beech trees. It is a form of rayon. Modal is resistent to shrinkage, and holds color well. It is a very soft material that has a slight sheen to the fabric. It drapes, and hangs beautifully, or can be form fitting when designed to hug the body. Often modal is blended with spandex in order to give the lingerie more stretch and bounce. Modal lingerie should be hand washed. A great example of a modal chemise is the Natori Zen Floral Chemise
For more information on Modal visit: Wikipedia
