Satin-lined drawer with luxurious black and gold bra and panty set, pearl necklaces, lipstick, perfume, and other lingerie pieces

The Ultimate Guide to Lingerie: Types & Styles

Lingerie is much more than just underwear—it's a powerful way to express your sensuality, confidence, and personal style. Whether you're looking for something special for a romantic night, or just comfortable yet beautiful daily wear, knowing different lingerie types can greatly improve your shopping experience.

In this comprehensive guide, Angel After Dark reveals everything you need to know about various types of lingerie and how each can uniquely contribute to your confidence and allure.

Types of Bras

Visual guide showing 9 different types of bras: push-up bra, demi-cup bra, underwire bra, longline bra, bralette, open cup bra, balconette bra, plunge bra, and strapless bra

Push-Up Bra Known for enhancing cleavage with padded cups that lift and shape. Ideal for adding volume under dresses and tops.

Plunge Bra Deeply cut cups designed to showcase cleavage under low-cut garments, perfect for evening wear.

Balconette Bra Characterized by wide-set straps and lower-cut cups, it enhances cleavage and creates a rounded silhouette.

Open Cup Bra A bold, seductive style offering minimal coverage, designed for intimate moments, often paired beautifully with nipple pasties.

Underwire Bra Providing support with a sewn-in wire beneath cups, it's ideal for those who seek structure without padding.

Bralette Unstructured and wire-free, providing comfort and style, perfect for casual and relaxed settings.

Strapless Bra Designed without shoulder straps, offering support with specialized gripping bands, ideal for strapless dresses or tops.

Demi-Cup Bra A sensual style with lower-cut cups providing partial coverage, great for accentuating natural curves.

Longline Bra An extended bra reaching below the bustline, providing added support and smoothing, often doubling as stylish outerwear.

Types of Panties

Visual guide showcasing different types of women's panties, including thong, g-string, tanga, cheeky panties, hipsters, bikini panties, and crotchless panties

Thong Minimal rear coverage, perfect for eliminating visible panty lines.

G-String Even less coverage than a thong, featuring a thin string at the back, ideal for tight-fitting clothing.

Tanga Intermediate coverage between a thong and bikini, combining comfort with playful exposure.

Cheeky Panties Moderate coverage that subtly highlights curves, offering a flirty yet practical fit.

Hipsters Sitting low on the hips, providing moderate coverage ideal for everyday comfort and style.

Bikini Panties Classic cut with moderate coverage, universally flattering and comfortable.

Crotchless Panties Designed with an open crotch area, these are alluring choices perfect for romantic occasions.

Sensual Lingerie Styles

Visual chart of sensual lingerie styles, featuring babydoll, corset, teddy, chemise, basque, and bodysuit

Babydoll A playful, flowing nightwear piece typically crafted from sheer or lace fabrics, perfect for romantic evenings.

Corset Structured garment designed to cinch the waist and uplift the bust, often stylish enough to wear as outerwear.

Teddy A seductive one-piece that combines a camisole and panty into an alluring garment, often with lace or satin detailing.

Chemise Elegant, short nightgowns offering graceful silhouettes, perfect for luxurious lounging.

Basque Similar to corsets but more flexible, creating a flattering silhouette without restrictive boning, ideal under evening attire or paired casually with jeans.

Bodysuit Versatile one-piece that can be comfortably worn as lingerie or stylish outerwear, available in many cuts and fabrics.

Hosiery & Accessories

Lingerie guide collage showing different hosiery and accessories, including lace stockings with garter belt, satin garter belt, sheer thigh-highs, stay-ups, and classic hosiery styles

Stockings & Thigh-highs Classic legwear that can be paired with garter belts for an elegant, vintage look.

Garter Belt (Suspender Belt) Worn at the waist with straps to attach stockings, adding sophisticated sensuality.

Stay-ups (Hold-ups) Stockings designed with silicone bands, staying in place without garters.

Hosiery Includes tights, pantyhose, stockings, and socks, essential to complete any lingerie look.

Shapewear Essentials

Visual guide to shapewear lingerie featuring three styles: a lace bustier, a satin waist cincher (waspie) on a mannequin, and a classic girdle with garter straps

Bustier Shapewear combining bra support with torso smoothing, providing a sleek silhouette without waist reduction.

Waist Cincher (Waspie) Short corset designed to accentuate the waist subtly, perfect for a vintage-inspired appearance.

Girdle Retro shapewear smoothing abdomen and hips, often featuring attached garters for stockings.

Loungewear & Nightwear

Visual display of elegant sleepwear styles including a sheer lace negligee, satin half-slip dress, matching satin and lace peignoir set, and a floral red silk kimono

Negligée Romantic nightwear, often sheer or lace, meant to be alluring and comfortably luxurious.

Slip & Half-slip Lightweight garments worn under dresses for smoothness or as sensual nightwear.

Peignoir Set Elegant robe and nightgown set, perfect for feeling glamorous at home.

Kimono Loose-fitting robe, typically satin or chiffon, ideal for luxurious lounging.

Embrace Your Lingerie Confidence

Now that you’re equipped with essential lingerie knowledge, you can confidently choose styles that match your personality, lifestyle, and desires. Angel After Dark believes every piece of lingerie should empower, inspire, and elevate how you see yourself.

Explore, experiment, and find what makes you feel most beautiful and confident—because after dark, every woman deserves to feel like an angel.

Discover your perfect lingerie pieces with Angel After Dark.

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