Lingerie is a French term, referring to women's undergarments. The word 'lingerie' is very feminine and denotes excitement, sensuality and elegance. The word lingerie does not point towards the dull collection of everyday underwear but captures the feminine, fashionable and adventurous essence of all women. Lingerie is the most intimate wear of any woman, and often becomes a secret expression of her innermost feelings. No wonder women of today are attracted to a glittering array of lingerie styles, colors and textures.

For the modern woman, lingerie should be perfect blend of comfort and style. It should be made from functional and soothing fabrics like cotton, hosiery, silk and satin. Lingerie can be categorized into many items. Thongs are alluring and one of the fastest selling pieces of lingerie.

Panties, also known as briefs, knicks and smalls, are popular lingerie. Camisoles are pretty and charming underwear. Slips, either half or full, are generally made from satin or charmeuse. Bras or brassiere, are one of the most intricate pieces of lingerie. They can be further classified into sports bra, push-up bra, strapless bra and padded bra. Nighties, nightgowns and nightshirts are nightwear essentials.

All lingerie is machine made but some specialty shops offer hand-sewn items. Some even design lingerie to your specifications. It is very common to have wedding, honeymoon and anniversary lingerie designed.

When buying any piece of lingerie, one must be very careful about the sizing. Lingerie is numbered in different sizes according to the bust, cup size, waist and hip measurements. If you are buying a particular piece of lingerie for the first time, it is better to try it on for size and comfort. But if you know your sizes, you can order lingerie on the Internet. When you buy new lingerie, check the washing instructions, warranty details and exchange policy of the store. Some popular brands of lingerie e are Gossard, Marks & Spencer, Sloggi, Victorias Secret and Wolford Lingerie.