Teddy, chemise, babydoll, corset, bodysuit — what actually separates these shapes, which materials hold up, and how to buy plus-size lingerie that fits.
The main shapes, actually explained
- Teddy. A one-piece garment combining a top and bottom in a single silhouette, similar in construction to a bodysuit, usually with a snap or clip closure at the base for practicality. It's the most common single style searched for in this category, and the shape most people picture by default.
- Chemise. A loose, slip-style piece that hangs from the shoulders without a fitted bottom — closer to a short nightgown than to a teddy's fitted construction. Generally more comfortable for longer wear since nothing is fitted at the waist or hips.
- Babydoll. Similar to a chemise but typically shorter and paired with a separate bottom piece, with an empire-waist cut that flares out from just under the bust.
- Corset. A structured, boned piece built to shape the waist, worn either as its own top or layered over other pieces. Structure and boning quality vary enormously by price point — see the sizing section below before buying.
- Bodysuit. A fitted one-piece, snapped at the base like a teddy but generally less sheer and closer in spirit to shapewear or a going-out top than to sleepwear.
- Bra-and-panty set. Two separate coordinated pieces rather than one garment — the most flexible option since each piece can be sized independently.
Materials, and what they actually mean for wear and care
- Lace. The most common decorative material in this category — stretch lace (with spandex blended in) moves with the body and is more comfortable for extended wear than rigid lace, which is closer to a trim or accent than a wearable base fabric on its own.
- Satin and silk-look synthetics. Smooth and less breathable than lace or mesh, generally better suited to shorter wear than an all-night garment.
- Mesh and sheer fabrics. Lightweight and breathable, but generally less durable under repeated wear and wash than lace or satin — hand-washing extends life significantly.
- Leather and faux leather. A structural, higher-commitment material usually reserved for harnesses and corset-style pieces rather than everyday lingerie — see our harness and kink-style lingerie guide for that category specifically.
Sheer and see-through: a category of its own
Sheer pieces get searched separately from the shapes above for a reason — the appeal here is visibility and texture rather than a specific silhouette, so a sheer teddy and a sheer chemise get shopped as one category by a lot of people rather than two. Mesh and lace-mesh blends are the most common sheer fabrics; fully transparent vinyl or PVC-style pieces are a distinct, higher-commitment sub-category with their own care needs (wipe clean rather than wash). Sheer fabric is also the least durable option in this whole guide — expect a shorter lifespan than lace or satin regardless of how carefully it's washed.
Bridal and wedding-night lingerie
This is really an occasion category layered on top of the shapes above rather than its own separate garment — white or ivory colorways, and pieces marketed specifically as "bridal" tend to command a price premium over the identical silhouette in another color. A chemise or babydoll in white is the lowest-commitment bridal option; a white corset or bustier is the higher-structure, higher-cost end of the same idea. Buying with enough lead time to size-check and exchange before the wedding matters more here than in almost any other lingerie purchase, since there's a hard deadline attached.
Sizing, especially for plus-size
Sizing runs meaningfully inconsistent between lingerie brands, more so than in most apparel categories — checking a specific brand's size chart rather than assuming a standard size translates directly is worth the extra minute. For plus-size specifically, well-made pieces typically use reinforced seams, wider adjustable straps, and boning or structural panels placed for a curvier frame, not a straight-size pattern simply scaled up — a brand's dedicated plus-size line is generally a safer bet than an extended size range on a straight-size design.
Who each style suits
Chemises and babydolls suit people who want comfort over structure, especially for longer wear. Teddies and bodysuits suit a fitted, going-out-appropriate silhouette. Corsets suit anyone specifically wanting waist definition or structure, with the tradeoff of less all-night comfort than an unstructured piece. If you're shopping for a first piece and unsure where to start, a chemise or bra-and-panty set is the lowest-commitment entry point in the category.
Frequently asked questions
What is lingerie, exactly?
Lingerie is a general term for women's underwear and sleepwear designed with aesthetics as a priority alongside function — it covers everything from everyday bras to occasion-specific pieces like teddies, chemises, and corsets. There's no single required style; it's a broad category, not one specific garment.
What's the difference between a teddy and a chemise?
A teddy is a one-piece garment combining a top and bottom, similar in silhouette to a bodysuit, often with a snap or clip closure at the base. A chemise is a loose, slip-style piece that hangs from the shoulders without a fitted bottom, closer in construction to a nightgown.
How is plus-size lingerie sized differently?
Beyond a wider size range, well-made plus-size lingerie typically uses reinforced seams, wider adjustable straps, and boning or panels placed for a curvier frame rather than simply scaling up a straight-size pattern. Checking a brand's specific plus-size line rather than assuming their standard sizing extends is worth doing before buying.
How is sheer lingerie different from other sheer-ish fabrics like lace?
Sheer specifically means fully or near-fully transparent — mesh, tulle, or sheer-mesh blends — while lace is decorative but generally has more opaque texture built into the pattern itself. Sheer pieces are also the least durable option in this guide and hold up best to hand-washing rather than a machine cycle.