Camisole

Most camisoles are made from light fabrics such as nylon, satin, silk, cotton, spandex, or lycra. Many are trimmed in lace which helps enhance their aesthetic appeal and make them seem more modest when worn underneath low-cut blouses and dresses.

Traditional camisoles provide little support for the bust. Some women, especially those with large breasts, may prefer to wear a camisole over top of a brassiere. However, they can also be worn without this extra piece of lingerie. Camis developed in the late 80s had built-in underwire bras or other structures for added support, which do away with the need for a bra. Camisoles which have shaping features for the bust, torso, or waist are known as control camisoles.

While originally designed as an undergarment, some women now choose to wear camisoles as part of their outfits. A camisole is different from a babydoll, which is a garment that tends to have a looser fit. Like most items of female lingerie, camisoles are sometimes thought of as a fetish object. Those who fetishize camisoles may encourage their partners to wear them, or spend time looking at images of other women wearing camisoles.