Types of Lingerie for Each Body Type, Rectangle to Hourglass

The main types of lingerie

Lingerie is a category of clothing that covers undergarments (mainly bras), sleepwear and lightweight robes. The word comes from the French linge, meaning linen or clothes, and lingerie is usually made from light, smooth or decorative fabrics such as silk, satin, chiffon, Lycra and, traditionally, lace [2]. Most pieces fall into one of five groups:

• Bras and bralettes, from structured push up and padded bras to soft, unlined bralettes.
• Shaping pieces for the torso: corsets, bustiers, basques and corselets.
• One piece garments: bodysuits, teddies and chemises.
• Briefs and hosiery accessories: knickers, thongs, high leg briefs, suspender (garter) belts and stockings.
• Sleepwear: babydolls, nightgowns, negligees and camisoles.

Types of bra

There is no standard way of classifying bras, and designs change all the time [3]. These are the styles you will come across most often:

Bra	What it does
Full cup	Covers the whole breast for maximum support. A practical choice for larger busts [3].
Demi cup	Covers half to three quarters of the breast and gives lift and cleavage [3].
Balconette	A horizontal cut across the top of the cup that lifts the bust upwards, like a balcony [3].
Plunge	A deep centre that suits low cut tops [3].
Push up	Angled, padded cups that push the bust inwards and upwards for more cleavage. Usually a demi cup design [3].
Padded	Thicker cup lining or foam that adds shape and perceived size without the strong inward push of a push up [3].
Longline	A deeper band that extends down the ribcage, often towards the waist, for a smoother line.
Strapless	Relies on a wide band, a longer underwire and extra shaping for support [3].
T-shirt	Smooth, seamless cups that do not show under close fitting tops [3].
Bralette	An unlined, unstructured bra, usually without underwire or padding, worn as underwear or outerwear [2].

Corsets, bustiers and basques

These pieces shape the torso as well as support the bust. A corset is a boned bodice worn to mould and shape the torso, traditionally laced at the back [2]. Most modern fashion corsets have little lasting effect on body shape [7]. A bustier is a form fitting garment that pushes up the bust and shapes the waist, and is shorter than a basque, which is a tight, form fitting bodice [2][4]. A corselet (also called a merry widow) combines a bra and girdle in one foundation garment [2].

Bodysuits, teddies and chemises

One piece lingerie covers the torso in a single garment. A bodysuit is close fitting and covers the torso and crotch, much like a one piece swimsuit or leotard [5]. A teddy has a similar shape but is usually looser and sheerer, and is often sleeveless or strapless [2][6]. A chemise is cut like a straight, sleeveless slip dress and sits closer around the hips than a babydoll [2].

Briefs, suspender belts and stockings

Knickers (panties in American English) come in many cuts and levels of coverage, from full briefs to high leg styles, tangas and thongs [2]. A suspender belt, called a garter belt in American English, sits around the waist or hips and holds stockings up with elastic straps and clips [2][8]. Suspender belts are often sold as part of a matching set with a bra and briefs.

Lingerie sleepwear

A babydoll is a short, loose nightdress, usually with thin straps and an empire waist, worn with matching briefs [2]. A negligee is a sheer dressing gown or nightdress that can be knee length or floor length, a nightgown can run from hip length to the floor, and a camisole is a light, sleeveless top with thin spaghetti straps [2].

How to choose lingerie for your body type

Lingerie shop Shyaway, which made the chart above, groups women into four shapes and suggests pieces for each [1]. Its approach is to add volume where you want more, and draw attention to the waist where it is already defined.

• Rectangle (bust, waist and hips of similar width). Shyaway suggests padding to add curves: padded and push up bras, a padded bustier and bum enhancing briefs [1].
• Triangle or pear (narrower shoulders and a smaller bust than the hips). The same volume adding pieces, padded and push up bras and a padded bustier, to balance the bust with the hips. Shyaway’s article also mentions corsets for this shape [1].
• Inverted triangle (shoulders broader than the hips). Shyaway suggests one piece and loose styles: bodysuits, teddies and babydolls with frilled hems, which add shape lower down [1].
• Hourglass (bust and hips of similar size with a narrower waist). The widest choice, focused on the waist: push up and longline bras, suspender belts, high leg briefs, garter belts and corsets [1].

The short tips printed on the chart repeat each other: the inverted triangle panel has the same text as the rectangle, and the hourglass the same as the triangle, so they do not fit those shapes. The fuller advice in Shyaway’s article, summarised above, is the better guide [1]. It is also a retailer’s styling advice, not a fit rule. Comfort and the right size matter more than matching a shape.

Which body shape is most common?

Body shape categories are a styling shorthand, not medical types, and most people sit between two. When researchers at North Carolina State University measured over 6,000 women for the clothing industry around 2005, 46% were rectangular, just over 20% were “spoon” shaped, just under 14% were inverted triangles and only 8% were hourglass [9]. So the shape with the longest list of options on the chart is also the least common one.

Questions about types of lingerie

What are the different types of lingerie called?

The main types are bras (including push up, padded, balconette, plunge, longline and bralettes), corsets, bustiers and basques, bodysuits, teddies and chemises, knickers and thongs, suspender belts and stockings, and sleepwear such as babydolls, negligees and camisoles [2][3].

What is the difference between a teddy and a bodysuit?

Both are one piece garments that cover the torso and crotch. A bodysuit is close fitting, like a leotard, and can be worn as outerwear. A teddy is usually looser, sheerer and more decorative, and is worn as lingerie [5][6].

What is the difference between a corset and a bustier?

A corset is a boned bodice designed to shape the waist and torso, traditionally laced. A bustier is shorter and focuses on pushing up the bust, with some waist shaping [2][4].

What lingerie suits an inverted triangle body shape?

Shyaway suggests bodysuits, teddies and babydolls with frilled hems for an inverted triangle, because one piece and flared styles add shape below the bust [1].

What is a suspender belt?

A belt worn around the waist or hips with straps and clips that hold stockings up. It is called a garter belt in American English [8].

Sources

1. Shyaway, Modern Rules of Lingerie, the blog post that carries this chart.
2. Wikipedia, Lingerie.
3. Wikipedia, List of bra designs.
4. Wikipedia, Bustier.
5. Wikipedia, Bodysuit.
6. Wikipedia, Teddy (garment).
7. Wikipedia, Corset.
8. Wikipedia, Garter, section on suspender belts.
9. Wikipedia, Female body shape.

Last reviewed 2 November 2026