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Lingerie

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Image:Knickers1.jpgLingerie is a term for women's fashion undergarments. It derives from the French word 'lin' for linen.<ref>Free Dictionary</ref> While the term in the French language applies to all undergarments for either sex, in English it is applied only to those women's undergarments designed to be visually appealing or erotic, typically incorporating materials such as lace and silk, and not applied to functional cotton undergarments.

The concept of lingerie being visually appealing is relatively recent. Up through the first half of the 20th century women selected underwear for three major purposes: to alter their shape (first with corsets and later with girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or for modesty. Women's underwear was often very large and bulky. As the 20th century progressed underwear became smaller and more form fitting. In the 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamourize lingerie and the idea of lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed. (1)

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[edit] Pronunciation

The word is often pronounced, in approximation of the French original (/lɛ̃ʒʀi/), as [ˌlɑn(d)ʒəˈɹeɪ]. Nonetheless, alternatives like [ˈlæn(d)ʒəˌɹi], are also common. The Oxford English Reference Dictionary gives only /ˈlɒnʒeɹi/.

[edit] Retailers

Some of the most recognizable names in the lingerie industry

[edit] USA

[edit] France

[edit] UK

[edit] Italy

[edit] Germany

[edit] Typology

Half slip

[edit] See also

[edit] References

<references/>

[edit] Sources

  • [1] History of Lingerie: From Functional to Feminine
  • [2] Types of Lingerie
  • [3] Guide to Sexy Types of Lingerie
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
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da:Lingeri de:Dessous es:Lencería fr:Lingerie nl:Lingerie ja:ランジェリー pt:Lingerie ru:Женское нижнее бельё sv:Lingerie

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