‘Lingerie’ and ‘underwear’ are two words that are often used to mean the same thing, however they differ in certain notable respects. Officially, every piece of lingerie qualifies as underwear, although the reverse is not true. Both men and women wear underwear for comfort and practicality, whereas women tend to wear lingerie due to its’ attractiveness. Underwear has existed for considerably longer than lingerie, and typically, it does not cost as much.
Derived from the Latin word ‘lineus’, lingerie actually means ‘made of linen’, which is what it was made from traditionally (along with cotton). For centuries, both genders have worn a variety of undergarments. The majority of garments associated with womens lingerie these days, like panties and bras, are actually fairly modern. Many garments, up until the eighteenth century, were made to offer an additional insulation layer, or for modesty and hygienic reasons. The designs were frequently cumbersome and basic.
Price is another key factor that differentiates these garments from each other. Usually, standard underwear is less flamboyant and manufactured from cotton. It can be bought in packs that contain several undergarments from many department stores. In contrast, lingerie tends to be more costly. Frequently, it is made from more luxurious materials, like lace or silk. The design intricacy is another notable difference between lingerie and underwear. Most standard underwear is fairly basic, whereas modern lingerie normally has more detailed designs.
As a general rule, there are two types of modern womens lingerie. Firstly, there is the more saucy variety. This includes showcase garments, like elaborate panty and bra sets, nightgowns and decorative corsets. Fancy camisoles and short robes also fall into this group. Lots of these items are wearable beneath normal clothing, however they feature more often in intimate settings, and are meant to increase the wearer’s sexual appeal. Synthetics, silk and lace are frequently used to manufacture this kind of lingerie.
Secondly, there are undergarments which are geared towards modesty or functionality. For instance, camisoles and slips are made for wearing beneath overgarments. Bras offer coverage and support to the chest, while foundation garments smoothen out the figure. Although lots of these garments might look pretty, they are meant to be hidden. Lots of nightclothes are made to be comfortable or warm around the home, or in bed, whereas house robes provide extra coverage. Flannel, cotton and comfort materials are used to create these garments, in many cases.
