"Unmentionables" sub-List (Clothing)

Updated: April 6, 2009

This is my "Unmentionables" sub-list from my "Clothing/Materials Reference (Full List)" . The intention of this list is as a creative writing reference, but if it helps for other projects, that's ok, too.

Breaking this list out of the main list should make it easier to search for items under the identified topic. Other clothing/materials items should be referenced from "Clothing/Materials Reference (Full List)"  or from their individual breakdown category. This list is comprehensive, but also incomplete. (Reference sites and citations at the end.)

"Unmentionables" is a special category for underwear types, nightclothes, and general modesty items worn through the ages and world regions. The document has been set to 18+ as certain words denoting body parts are used where appropriate and in a reference-only method, younger viewers may require parental guidance.

Organized by sections below:
Head
Body (One-Two Piece Ensembles)
Bodice/Torso (Breast Support, Gown, Shirt)
Lower Body (Feet, Leggings, Loins, Skirt, Waist)
General Terms
References


"Unmentionables" (modesty items)
Unmentionable [circa 1820-30]
British Regency - 1811-1820
Victorian Era - 1837-1901
Edwardian Era - 1901-1910

Short editorial: The term "unmentionable" is a euphemism mostly regarding personal undergarments (items considered as not ever to be seen in public), breeches and trousers (because they split the "trunk" along each leg and at an early age were used to initiate young boys into young manhood) and other modesty items (e.g. veils and opaque garments that conceal nearly the entire body). The term was made popular during the early 1800's. Human "limbs", including the whole arm to the wrist, all of the leg, daring ankles, and often even exposed table and chair legs were thought to be improper to be displayed "nude" in public and high-society homes as well as in those homes trying to emulate finer living conditions; and as such was not discussed in polite conversation of the period. Lacy, ruffled, embroidered and eyelet-styled sleeves became fashionable in covering the "indecency" of exposed furniture legs. The term "leg" was often one that invoked shock to the more delicate persons of breeding and society, therefore earning the more accepted euphemism "limb" in its place (note that during this time the male genitalia also earned the reference "limb" as the term "member", even discussing such, was never thought of as polite). Concepts of decency changed many times over the centuries and from region to region, but when the term "unmentionables" was used garments that displayed the bare shoulder, hinted at an ankle, or highlighted the division and contours of human legs (i.e. pants, jeans, trousers worn by women up until the mid 20th century) were considered daring, base, rebellious and unladylike. Often such garments were a favorite with the youth, stylized by a budding movie industry, or were required by the pre-industrial and industrial age working class (e.g. farming, ranching, mining, factories, etc.) until the garment itself eventually became accepted among the general populace. Shape and bodily support changes in undergarments typically followed, function before style, the changes of external clothing worn in each evolving period. More and more women taking part in equestrian activities, sports, entering the workforce in traditionally non-feminine roles and environments, and moving into the austere wilds of regions to be explored, settled and exploited by pioneers (e.g. along the North, South and Latin American regions, Australia, New Zealand, etc.) also played a part in garment and vocabulary acceptance. (Citations at end of document)


(Note: "Circa" identifies dates when listed items began use. Any missing circa data will be added as I locate them.)

Head
- Kerchief – [circa 1250-1300] a scarf-like garment women wore on the head during sleep, usually to control the hair as well as for modesty
- Nightcap – [circa 1350-1400] a stocking cap for sleeping in during cold nights; a novelty in contemporary times, was in use when beds used bed warming pans and before central heating and air conditioning when houses were heated with fireplaces and cast-iron cooking stoves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightcap_(garment) (copy up to include "(garment)" to go to the correct link)


Body (One-Two Piece Ensembles):
- Blanket Sleeper – (also Footie Pajamas, [Brit.] Sleepsuit or Romper suit) [circa late 19th century] long-sleeved, neck-to toe sleep garment for children, usually made of fleece and with light rubber (anti-slip) on the soles of the feet; an occasional contemporary novelty in adult sizes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blanket_sleeper
- Bodysuit – (also Bodystocking) (lingerie) [circa 1965-70] close-fitting, one-piece suit usually with a crotch snap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodysuit
          o Catsuit – (lingerie) [circa Contemporary] a tight-fitting, stretch suit extending from neck to ankles (or toes) with intimate, lace designs and intent http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catsuit
          o Body briefer – a one-piece woman's garment used to shape the body from bust to thighs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BodyBriefer
          o Leotard [circa 1915-20] a skintight, one-piece garment for the torso (no crotch fasteners) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leotard
          o Onesie – (layette) a baby's one-piece garment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onesie
          o Playsuit – [circa 1905-10] sports costume for women and children, usually of shorts and a shirt, worn for tennis or as beachwear http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playsuit_(lingerie)
          o Unitard – (bodysuit) one-piece form-fitting garment of torso and leggings often with foot straps, worn by acrobats, gymnasts, dancers, equestrian vaulters and circus performers (and "Superheroes") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unitard
- Bourqua (also Burka, Burqa or Burqua) – [circa 1830-40] (Muslim) 2 variants
          o garment that covers the woman's entire body and face, the eyes are hidden behind a net curtain
          o a veil tied on the woman's head, over a headscarf, that covers the head except for an eye-slit to see through
- Layette – [circa 1830-40] an outfit or bedding for infants
- Long Johns – [circa 1940-45] usually red undergarments for men, often extending in a single piece from neck to ankle, with flaps at the waist for relieving the body
- Pajamas – [circa 1870-75] (originally India for Pyjamas "leg garment") (also Pjs) one or two-piece sleepwear, usually loose fitting, with leggings http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pajamas
- Swaddling – [circa 1375-1425] tight banding to develop the baby's posture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaddling
- Veil – [circa 1175-1225] sheer, lacy, embroidered, crocheted, or opaque cloth worn over the face, head (or both), sometimes body


Bodice/Torso (Breast Support, Gown, Shirt):
Bodice [circa 1560-70]
- Bandeau – [circa 1700-10] a narrow brassier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandeau
- Basque – [circa 1817] (usually in lowercase "basque", also Torsolette) a woman's tight or form-fitting bodice or coat, often lacy, sometimes having an extension that covers the hips (lingerie) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basque_(clothing) (copy up to include "(clothing)" to go to the correct link)
- Bedgown – [circa unknown] (also Bed Jacket, Short Gown or Nightgown) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedjacket
         o (Welsh) "betgwn"
- Bra (Brassier)
http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Clothing/brassier_bra_definition.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassiere
         - (Greek) Apodesmos, Mastodeton, Strophion – banded breast support
         - Bra History (Brassier) [circa 1910-15] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_brassieres
         - Designs list & descriptions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassiere_designs
         - (French) Soutien-gorge = "breast support"
          o "bra" = arm
          o [circa 1889] original 2-piece garment Le Bien-être = "well-being" - consisted of a waist corset and breast support by means of shoulder straps
         - Male Bra (also Compression Bra or Gynecomastia Vest; "Bro") a garment made for adolescent boys and middle-aged men for the management of the condition Gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) – made to typically flatten rather than lift; "Bro" – a term made popular from the 1990 TV series "Seinfeld" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Male_bra
         - (Roman) Strophium (Mamillare) – a band to support the breasts
         - Taking Measurements & Fitting – measured circumference of the ribcage and along the widest points of the breasts, the difference indicates the "cup size", rib circumference indicates the "band size" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brassiere_measurements
- Bustier – [circa 1940-45] (pronounced: Boost-ee-ay) upper body breast support covering the breast to upper waist, usually strapless http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bustier
- Chemise – [circa 1050] (French) Old French for "short tunic", often a woman's loose-fitting underdress (undergarment); varied from a simple shirt-like piece to a foundation of most multilayered garments http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Clothing/chemise_definition.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemise
          - (English) "shift" [circa 1000] or "smock" [circa 1000]; "small frocks" [circa 1300-50]
          - (Irish) "Léine"
          - (Italian) "Camicia"
          - (Scot) "Cutty-Sark" [circa 18th century] "short chemise" or "short undergarment" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutty-sark_(witch) (copy up to include "(witch)" to go to the correct link)
          - Chemisette – [circa 1800-10] (French) "little chemise"
- Control Camisole – [circa Contemporary] a body shaper for the upper female torso http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Camisole
- Control Slip – [circa Contemporary] a body shaper for the lower female torso http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_Slip ("Merry Widow")
- Corsage – [circa 1475-85] (also Bodice) the waist or bodice of a dress http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsage_%28bodice%29
- Corset – [circa 1225-35] close-fitting, body-enhancing woman's undergarment training the body with stays to an hourglass shape using lacing and boning; to corset (restrict) the body; "True" corsets do not typically have formed bra cups or underwires as a bustier would; worn in Contemporary times mostly as a novelty or in specific costuming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corset
          o Corselet – [circa 1490-1500] "Merry Widow" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corselet
          o Corsetry – the craft of corset making http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Corsetry
          o Redresseur Corset – a training corset http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redresseur_corset
          o Spirella – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirella
          o Training Corset – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Training_corset
- Liberty Bodice – [circa 19th century to 1970's] an alternative to the corset, a sleeveless bodice containing no boning, with garter suspenders http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_bodice
- Negligée (also Negligee, Negligé) – [circa 1745-50] (Americanism - from French négligé for carelessness, undress, lit., neglected) nightie, sensual or skimpy nightgown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negligee
          o Babydoll (also Baby-doll) [circa 1860-65] a loose bra-like top with attached fabric that extends from the bottom of the breasts to the waist or below http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babydoll
          o Bridal Negligee – almost any style of lingerie available, usually white, often with white or pastel appointments (pale pink or blue)
          o Camisoles (also "Camis") [circa 1810-20] – sleeveless tops extending to the waist, usually offering very little to no breast support often matched with panties
          o Chemise – [circa 1050] – similar to a camisole but extends to above or below the hips. Originally, worn as slip-like layers under dresses but now they are worn as sexy sleepwear or as a top with jeans.
          o Lingerie Gown – usually ankle to floor length, often with matching panties
          o Lingerie Robe – long (usually extending between below the hip to the floor), flowing outerwear typically worn with a matching panty or other lingerie piece, often with elbow to wrist length sleeves.
          o Lingerie Sleepshirt – short and usually buttoned up the front.
          o Naughty and Nice – 3 piece ensemble of a peignoir, baby-doll and panties http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naughty_%26_Nice
          o Teddy – [circa 1920-25] (also "Camiknickers" [circa 1910-15]) a one piece swimsuit-like lingerie garment sleepwear or undergarment, usually form-fitting, often thong-backed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_(lingerie) (copy up to include "(lingerie)" to go to the correct link)
- Nightclothes – [circa 1595-1605] garments for wearing in bed
- Nightdress – [circa 1705-15] a nightgown
- Nightgown – [circa 1350-1400] a loose gown worn for sleeping in {archaic – a dressing gown} http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightgown
- Nightie – [circa 1890-95] (also Nighty) usually a small nightgown (Negligee)
- Nightshirt – [circa 1840-50] a loose, shirt-like garment for sleeping in, usually reaches the knees or lower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightshirt
- Pasties – [circa 1950-55] jewelry-like accessories using adhesive to temporarily "glue" to and not covering much more than the areolas and nipples.
          o Breast Petal – (also Nipple Petal) similar to an adhesive bandages sold as a lingerie item http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_petal
          o Nipple Shield – (jewelry) body jewelry worn on the nipple partially hiding the areola held in place by nipple-piercing worn in a decorative fashion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipple_shield_%28jewelry%29
          o Nipple Shield – [circa 17th century] (breastfeeding) used during breastfeeding as a means of protecting the areolas and nipples from soreness and skin cracking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipple_shield_%28breastfeeding%29
- Peignoir – [circa 1825-35] a woman's dressing gown; a cloak or gown of terry cloth for wear after swimming, or after the bath; something worn while one's hair is being combed http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peignoir
- Shift – [circa 450-1100] a loose-fitting frock worn as undergarments worn by either gender (no underwear (panties/briefs) worn with the shift)
- Slip (or full slip) [circa 1751] – a lightweight dress or skirt undergarment intended to make dresses/skirts of some fabrics (often wool) more comfortable and semi-sheer dresses/skirts more opaque for modesty http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_slip
- Torsolette - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torsolette


Lower Body (Feet, Leggings, Loins, Skirt, Waist):

Feet:
- Come fuck me pumps – [circa 1940] high heeled, ankle strapped woman's shoes causing one to walk in a pronounced, seductive, strutting motion, made popular by actress Joan Crawford
- Spat – [circa 1795-1805] (often in the plural: Spats, short for Spatterdash) not an "unmentionable" itself, but a cloth or leather gaiter used for modesty or decorative purposes (often accented with buttons, hook & claps, or lace) used to cover the ankle and upper shoe, secured with a strap threaded beneath the shoe

Legs (Briefs, Pants, Wraps):
- Bloomers – [circa 1850-55] (Americanism after A.J. Bloomer) loose "short pant" style undergarments for women, coverage from waist to the knees, no support, usually ruffled or frilly
- Garters – [circa 1300-50] worn around the thighs to hold up stockings (hose)
         - Cross-braced (cross-bands) – [circa unknown] an open wrapping "crossing" of straps used to hold up the socks or tie down pant legs for a specific appearance
         - Garter belt – a belt with straps (2 to 4) used to hold up thigh-high stockings (hose) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garter_belt#Garter_belts
         - Suspender belt (also suspenders) [Brit] 3 types
          o straps or small bands encircling the calf of the leg to hold up socks,
          o over-the-shoulder straps to hold up trousers or skirts
          o [circa 1800's to 1970's] called "the belt" – a waistband with 2 straps used for holding feminine "napkins" (often washable) in place during menstrual cycles (more below in "Waist" section)
- Girdle – [general circa 1000; women's support circa 1925] women's support garment covering the body from the navel to just above the knees; a lower body shaper intended to reduce the bulk of a tummy and thighs improving lower body feminine appearance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girdle
- Lingerie Leggings – form-fitting stockings, hose, pantyhose, ankle stockings, socks, footless hose, etc. often frilly, lacy, ribboned, net-weave, matte or shiny finish, or any combination
- Pantalette - [circa early 19th century] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantalettes
- Pettipants – [circa 1960-65] from petticoat, similar to long shorts that can extend up to the knee, with ruffles up the legs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pettipants
- Shorts (lingerie sense only)
          - Boxers (Boxer Shorts) – [circa 1945-50] male (and more modernly, female) undergarments modeled after sports shorts worn by boxers (athletes)
          - Boy Short (women) – [circa Contemporary] not true "shorts" - see below in "Loins - Panties" section

Loins (Pelvic Coverage & Smaller):
- Briefs – [general circa 1250-1300; men's garment circa Contemporary] underwear primarily for men, coverage from navel or hip to form-fitting leg, more form-fitting than shorts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briefs
         o Compression pants – [circa Contemporary] undergarment for male athletes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_shorts
         o Briefs for women – [circa Contemporary] tailored differently, see below under "Panties" section
- Diaper – [circa 1300-50] diaper cloth; (Brit) Nappy (Nappies); (slang) Dipe-dipes; used on babies, incontinent individuals, and as a woman's sanitary "napkin" during menses in parts of the world
- Loin coverings – (Loincloth, Loinclout, Breechcloth, Breechclout, Britchcloth) modesty garment covering not much more than the genitalia itself, often secured with a band, belt or straps
          - Breechcloth – [circa 1785-95] Americanism, cloth worn about the breech and loins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breechcloth
          - Cache Sexe – [circa unknown] a loincloth, often used by exotic dancers and lesser advanced cultures, covers the genitals http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cache-sexe
          - Chastity Belt – [term coined circa 1930-35] a locking garment from the Middle Ages, usually metal, often uncomfortable, used to prevent sexual intercourse and masturbation, more modernly used as a novelty or in BDSM sessions http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chastity_belt
          - Codpiece – [circa 1400-50] Middle Ages modesty or vanity covering for the male genitals worn with open front breeches or armor
          - Dhoti – [circa 1615-25] (India) men's loincloth
          - Fundoshi – (Japanese) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundoshi
          - G-string – [circa 1875-80] (gee-string or gee string) offer no support, existing cloth covers the genitals and reach between the legs in a thin band at the waist in back, usually with a small "V" shape of material or lace in the back at the waistband, held on with a thin band of elastic or string around the hips http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-string (page missing citations)
          o G-string Variants: C-string (no strings, loin covering held on in a clamp-method between the thighs); T-string or T-back (tied at both hips), V-string (open cut "V" shape in the string from buttock to rear hipstrap), dance belt, thong, string tanga
          o (Brazil) Tanga [term circa unknown]
          o (Bulgaria) Prashka "slingshots"
          o (Chinese) Dingziku "T character pants"
          o (Isreal) Khutini "string" sic.
          o (Italian) Perizoma
          o (Lithuanian) Siaurikės "narrows"
          o (Portuguese) Fio Dental "dental floss"
          o (Spanish) Hilo Dental "dental floss"
          o (Turkish) Ipli Külot "stringed underpants"
          - Jockstrap – [circa 1895-1900] male athletic support http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockstrap
          - Loincloth – [circa 1855-60] cloth worn about the loins and hips, often the only article of clothing worn in tropical areas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loincloth
          o Loincloth of Borneo http://www.ikanlundu.com/literary/borneo_loincloth.html
          - (Egypt) Penis Sheath – a wrapped cache-sexe sometimes worn by the warriors more for protection than for modesty (pre-Middle Kingdom dynasties)
          - (Roman) Subligar (Subligaculum) – loincloth "little binding underneath"

- Panties – form-fitting female undergarments covering the pelvic region
          - Bikini – [circa from 1945-50] form-fitting, briefer than the briefs or hip-huggers, cut low and narrow along the hip, can reveal some cheek and buttock cleavage, swimwear
          - Boy Short – [circa Contemporary] (also Booty Shorts) form-fitting panties for women cut with mid-hip waist and fitted legs (similar to Cheekie style, but with more hip and buttock coverage) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyshorts
          - Briefs/Hip Huggers – [circa 1965-70] form-fitting coverage usually just at or below mid-hip to the fitted leg most, if not all, the buttocks remain covered; hip huggers sometimes have a little more material coverage at the hips, but still low-cut
          – "Cheekies" – [circa Contemporary] form-fitting, mid-to-low cut along the hips, high cut along the buttocks to reveal nearly half the cheek from below
          - Control Briefs – [circa Contemporary] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_brief
          - High Waist – [circa Contemporary] pelvic-fitting panties that completely cover the pelvic region and buttocks from the navel to where fitted leg, often with added support for tummy and buttock shaping; "Granny Panties" (vernacular "Grannypannies") are the looser fitting variant with coverage only, no support
          - (Brit, Irish, commonwealth Nations) Knickers – [circa 1880-85] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knickers
          o French Knickers – covers the hip, part of the upper thigh and part of the buttocks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Knickers
          o "Tap Pant" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tap_pants
          - Pelvic Protector – (also j-strap or jill-strap) [circa Contemporary] female equivalent of athletic undergarments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_protector
- Pull-ups – (not the exercise) [circa Contemporary] (proprietary name from Huggies) An interim stage of underpants between diaper and standard underpants for toddlers. Thickly padded potty training underpants to enable toddlers to use like "grown-up" underpants until the need for diaper protection is no longer required
- Shenti (also Schenti) – (Egypt) a short kilt, usually pleated, (or loincloth) worn by men in ancient Egypt


Skirt:
- Hoop skirt – [circa 1855-60] Americanism, used for stiffening and shaping long skirts to create a full-bell appearance; often made with 4 to 6 concentric circles of whalebone (contemporary skirts utilize nylon boning)
          - Bum roll – [circa 16th to 17th centuries] a roll of material set at the top of skirt supports worn beneath the outer skirt to shape the skirt at the hips
          - Bustle – [general term circ 1615-25, clothing circa 1780-90] an underskirt framework usually made of a "basket" of concentric circles (to collapse gracefully when sitting or put in storage) or a stuffed, ruffled "pillow" style used to stiffen and shape long skirts, specifically just above the buttocks
          - Crinoline – [circa 1830-1850] hoop skirt support under gowns to flare the skirt
          - Farthingale – [circa 1545-55] hoop skirt
           (French) Vertugadin
          - Pannier – [circa 1250-1300] side hoops used to support and shape long skirts
- Lungi - [circa 1625-35] (South India & South Asia) long covering http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungi
- Petticoat – [circa 1375-1425] (also pettiskirt) underskirts for voluminous dresses and skirts
          - (India) Pavada/Pavadai in the south, Shaya in the east
- Shenti (also Schenti) – (Egypt) a short kilt usually pleated (or loincloth) worn by men in ancient Egypt
- Slip
         - Full-slip [circa 1751] (see above "Bodice/Torso" section)
         - Half-slip [circa 1950-55] a skirtlike undergarment, usually straight or flared worn under skirts to just the hemline, often thigh or knee length, occasionally floor length
         - Hip-slip similar to half-slip but shorter

Waist:
- Belt – (Sanitary Belt) once known as "the belt", used to secure enveloped sanitary napkins (pads) of special made absorbent cotton in place for menstruating women – pads were made with long cloth "tabs" intended to be pinned or clipped in place to the straps of the belt; was popularly used until the advent of adhesive absorbent sanitary pads and tampons in the 1970's (was not necessarily comfortable or a favorite, required adjusting to get the length set right, and tended to be a nuisance when trying to use the toilet – I remember my older female family members wrestling with (and cursing) these things) http://www.mum.org/belts.htm
          Tampon – (proprietary name from Tampax, c1932) from French "tampion" meaning "plug"; term dates from 1848 as a means for halting the flow of blood from a wound or body cavity; as a means to manage female menses use came into popularity in the 1970's (note: when applied correctly, tampons are not made to rupture or tear the female hymen membrane so as to not endanger a female's virginity)
- Belt corset [circa 1920] hidden belt
- Bodice belt [circa 1893] external belt
- Chastity Belt – [term circa 1930-35] (see "Loin coverings" above) worn in Middle Ages to preserve virginity or fidelity
- Drawers – [circa 1560-70] generic term for undergarments for either gender
- Girdle – [circa 1000] original term for Belt http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girdle
- Inner belt [circa 1890] hidden belt, worn inside the corset
- Ribbon Corset [circa 1954] hidden waist cincher
- Waist Cincher (also Waspie or Belt Corset) – [circa 1905] a wide belt-like garment based on the corset concept for body shaping only the waist (from the ribs to the hips) tightening the body's middle inward to create the appearance of a "wasp" waist shape http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist_cincher



General Terms:
- Bone (also Boning or Stays) usually whalebone (in vintage and older garments) or stiff nylon strips (in contemporary apparel) sewn in garments to shape the body
- Boudoir – [circa 1775-85] a lady's private bedroom, dressing room or sitting room http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudoir
- Cleavage Enhancement – body-shaping technique used to make the appearance of the breast fuller http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleavage_enhancement
- Cup
          – (Female) the twin parts of a bra that contains and helps support the breasts
          – (Male) a shield, usually nylon-plastic, used in jockstraps to protect the genitals during sports activities
- Edible Underwear – strung candy or shaped gelatin undergarment eaten during sexual activity and usually given as a gag gift http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edible_underwear
- "Falsies" – (also Bosom Pads) padding used in brassieres to enhance or balance-out the appearance of the breasts, usually plastic or silicone (sometimes covered or encased in a light cloth envelope to prevent damage or deterioration of the "form") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsies
         o Breast Prostheses – breast forms used to balance-out the appearance of the breast after mastectomies or in transgender usage, usually plastic or silicone (sometimes covered or encased in a light cloth envelope to prevent damage or deterioration of the "form") http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breast_prostheses
- Foundation garments – any garment worn beneath outer garments (street wear) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_garment
- Intimate Apparel – generic term for underwear or sleepwear
- Lacings – usually heavy-duty strings used to secure corsets, waist cinchers, and other garments to the body
- Lingerie [circa 1825-35] http://lingerie.lovetoknow.com/Main_Page
          – underwear, sleepwear, intimate apparel worn by women; having the qualities of lingerie: frilly or lacy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingerie
          – archaic: linen in general esp. of garments
- Lingerie Tape – double-sided adhesive to shape the cleavage or to secure a sleeveless dress to avoid a "wardrobe malfunction" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingerie_tape
- Nightwear – clothing for sleeping in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightwear
- Panty Line – (also VPL – Visible Panty Line) indents or creases made into the flesh from the bands of undergarments http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panty_line
- Padding – [circa 1820-30] cloth or silicone shapes used to enhance body shaping http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padding
- Stays – (also Bone or Boning) usually whalebone (in vintage and older garments), stiff nylon strips (in Contemporary apparel), shaped metal strips (underwire in bras) sewn in garments to shape the body (almost never comfortable and can leave bruising and scarring); [Brit] corset
- Tightlacing – part of corset training or waist training to achieve extremely narrow waistline appearance http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tightlacing
- Wardrobe Malfunction – [circa 2004] journalistic euphemism for a piece of a garment failing and exposing intimate body parts


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"Main References List" 

References:
• Clothing Definitions Database for the Clothing Industry http://www.apparelsearch.com/Definitions/Definition_List_Clothes.htm
• Fabric List/Definition http://phrontistery.info/fabric.html
• Gentleman's Emporium http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/gentlemans.php?from=topnav (Men's and lady's Victorian-style garb, "authentic products")
• Recollections http://www.recollections.biz/ (Victorian, Edwardian, American Civil War and Pioneer style clothing)
• The Renaissance Tailor http://www.vertetsable.com/research_vocabulary.htm
• Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Professions:
• Clothier http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothier
• Corsetmaker http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsetmaker
• Sewing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing
• Tailor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailor


Costumes/Dress/Garb: Ancient to Contemporary
• Costumes.org http://www.costumes.org/classes/fashiondress/ancientgreece.htm
• Basic Medieval Patterns http://www.ece.uwaterloo.ca/~arnora/arnora/costumehdbk.htm
• Assyrian dress http://www.nineveh.com/Clothing%20in%20Ancient%20Assyria.html
• Aztec dress http://www.aztec-history.com/ancient-aztec-clothing.html
• Egyptian costumes http://www.wendellhull.com/astmg4cd/orders/db/costhist.asp?page=3&era=Egypt&cate...
• Greek costumes http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/costume/costume.html
• Hebrew dress http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/33_clothing.html
• India dress http://www.ghagra.org.in/
• Japanese dress http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_clothing
         o Kimono and its parts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haori#Kimono_accessories_and_related_garments
• Medieval Clothing: A Primer http://www.mercwars.com/garbglossary.shtml
• Roman dress http://www.unrv.com/culture/ancient-roman-clothing.php
         • http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/clothing.html


Citations:
• personal experience in the 1960's, '70's and '80's
          o was required to wear dresses shopping, to restaurants, school, when attending church and when visiting my mother's-side great-grandmother's home (who passed away in 1977) – girls were forbidden to participate in "boy" sports except as spectators (especially on church grounds, less so but still pervasive, on school grounds as well);
          o in the mid-1970's into the 1980's this restriction lightened up and became mostly memories;
           jr. high (1973-1975) saw a relaxation in moving from dresses and dress pants to "nice" blue jeans; high school (1976-1980) initiated use of gym-clothes, "relaxed" blue jeans, shorts (daisy-duke cutoffs) and halter-tops; by 1981 I was married and could do as I liked;
• conversations/stories and vintage photos from family elders;
• work/research completed during construction of family tree;
• the shock I put my family through (in 1984) when I announced I (a woman) was joining the military – to my knowledge I was the first (and so far only) woman in my family on either side to do so AND made a successful career out of it.
• many books and documentaries on the subject of garments and social attitudes throughout history (see your library, book stores, specialty book stores in historical landmarked tourist areas, History/Discovery/National Geographic Channels on TV, etc.).