Glossary of Panties & Related Terms

Confused by those panty-related terms? Here are the most popular ones and what they mean. 

So many terms are related to panties that shopping for the right pair can get a bit confusing. 

These terms highlight the style differences or specific features of the respective underwear, so it's helpful to know them. 

Following is a list of the top 23 panty-related terms to help you make the right purchase decisions.

Glossary of Panties & Related Terms 

• Bikini– A two-piece bathing suit for women that does not cover the midriff, usually featuring a panty and bra that are close-fitting and skimpy.
• Bloomers– Knee-length baggy knickers for women. They were worn under skirts and dresses centuries ago. Modern styles reach down from the waist to the thighs.
• Boxer Briefs– A mix between boxer shorts and briefs. They are long down the leg like boxer shorts and provide more cover than typical briefs while maintaining a tight fit. 
• Boxer Shorts– Loose underpants for men that look similar to the shorts that boxers wear.
• Boyshorts– A variation of boxer shorts for women. They are often shorter and closer-fitting.
• Brazilian Shorts– A blend between a thong and classic granny briefs. They show less bum than thongs on the rear, but both are equally covered in the front.
• Bustle / Pannier– Padding or framework used to create the illusion of fullness and worn under skirts and dresses up to the 19th century. They can either add more hips, a larger behind, or a combination of both.
• Camiknickers – A combination of a camisole and French knickers as a single undergarment for women.
• Cheeky Panties – These are boyshorts that are styled to show more bum.
• Control Briefs– A combination of a panty and a girdle. They have a higher waist and longer legs than a normal panty, with the additional function of shaping the body by flattening the stomach area and lifting the buttocks.
• French Knickers– A loose-fitting and boyshorts-like undergarment for women. French knickers are comfortable, could be short or long down the thighs, and are often low-cut.
• G-String – Very skimpy panties that comprise a small piece of cloth that is attached to a waistband and covers only the genitals.
• Girdle– A piece of underwear that is worn around the lower torso from the waist down to the thighs. It is used to shape the body by lifting the buttocks and flattening the tummy area.
• High Waist Briefs – These briefs completely cover the front and rear, but reach higher above the natural waistline to the stomach area. They also have leg openings that start from the highest point of the wearer's hip, giving the wearer an illusion of longer legs.
• Low Rise Briefs– Available for both men and women, low-rise briefs sit just below the natural waistline. They are designed to enhance the wearer's visual appeal.
• Jockstrap– Any undergarment designed to protect the wearer's genitals. Jockstraps are traditionally worn by men to protect the penis and testicles, often during sporting activity. But a variation is also available for women, called the Jillstrap.
• Long Johns – Men's underwear with legs that extend to the ankles. They are usually tight-fitting.
• No Crotch / Crotchless – A panty that has no covering at the area where the legs join. Crotchless lingerie can be fun and highly seductive, as they make it easy to have sex with the underwear still on.
• Petticoat– A lightweight undergarment that is worn under skirts or dresses. They are used to add volume to the skirts and are sometimes styled to be seen.
• Thong– A panty with a fully covered front that shows plenty of bum in the rear. They are similar to g-strings but are made from wider bands of clothing.
• Tutu Skirt– The skirt worn by female ballet dancers. It is traditionally short and features multiple layers of frills, but different fashion styles have evolved from it in recent years.
• Underskirt– Another name for a petticoat.
• VPL – Short for Visible Panty Line, this term refers to panty lines that show from under a person's outer clothing. Some manufacturers offer No VPL underwear, which is guaranteed not to show such lines. 
   

Conclusion 

We have reached the end of this list of the top panty-related terms and their meanings. And as you have seen, the options are many. So hopefully, you can now make better shopping decisions.