The Encyclopedia

Lingerie Fabrics — A Material Guide

Silk, lace, satin, mesh — the textiles that define lingerie. Explore the properties, origins, and craftsmanship behind each fabric used in intimate apparel.

11 entries

Lace

Openwork fabric in which solid motifs, usually floral, are held together by a net ground or by bars, made today on Leavers or Raschel machines.

Mesh

Plain knitted net with small, evenly spaced holes and no pattern, from sheer bralette mesh to firm power mesh in shapewear.

Tulle

Very fine, light net with small hexagonal holes, used in lingerie as a sheer ground for embroidery and as see-through overlay panels.

Satin

Smooth fabric with a glossy face and dull back, made by a satin weave in silk, polyester, nylon or acetate, used for slips and robes.

Cotton

Natural plant fiber that is matte, soft and breathable, used for everyday bras, briefs and panty gussets, usually knit and often blended.

Jersey Knit

Single-knit fabric with fine V-shaped columns on the face and loops on the back, the stretchy T-shirt fabric of soft bras and sleepwear.

Microfiber

Smooth synthetic fabric knitted from nylon or polyester filaments finer than one denier, standard for T-shirt bras and invisible underwear.

Chiffon

Light, sheer plain-weave cloth of twisted yarns with a faint crepe texture, used for floating overlays, negligees and robes.

Velvet

Woven fabric with a dense pile of short cut fibers that looks lighter or darker by direction, used for bodysuits, bralettes and robes.

Embroidered

Fabric decorated with thread stitched onto a base cloth, usually tulle or mesh, so motifs sit raised on a sheer ground in bras and briefs.

Leather / Vinyl / Latex

Glossy, opaque, non-woven surfaces grouped together: genuine leather, faux PU leather, PVC vinyl and latex rubber, often in black or red.