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Teddy Delights
| Teddies, Teddies, Teddies, Oh My! When you call an undergarment a "teddy" it doesn't quite tell the whole story. Is it a traditional teddy? What is it made of? How high is it cut on the thigh? How snugly does it conform to the figure? Does it include structural elements such as underwire or boning? The simplest way to sum up the teddy is to say that it is a single piece of lingerie which covers both your top and bottom and is joined at the crotch. This is a little vague, to say the least, but on the upside that very same vagueness leaves a world of possibility open to your sense of taste and personal expression. The Teddy Terrific The teddy can do so many things! It's great for shaping and smoothing when it's made of Lycra, hosiery or mesh and cut snugly. Those with a full back or short style bottom are perfect for modesty under skirts. An opaque teddy, sometimes called a bodysuit, can double as a sexy top that won't come un-tucked from your jeans or slacks. Structured teddies can eliminate the need for a bra or even a tummy shaper depending on the style. Some looser fitting teddy cuts make amazing sleep and loungewear options. There's tons of flirty fun potential in layering a teddy with sleeves or a unique neckline under other garments. Certainly not to be overlooked is the universal sex appeal of a girl in something other than the expected bra and panty when the time for romance rolls around. Bodysuits, Leotards & Teddies - What's What and Why? The teddy, the leotard and the bodysuit in their current incarnations can be extremely similar. All three styles describe a one-piece garment designed to cover both your top and bottom but leave your legs free. All three are closed at the crotch. And most confusingly, all three may, given certain design and occasion criteria, be interchangeable. There are in existence garments which can in fairness be called all three. So let's discuss when to call a teddy a teddy. A teddy is specifically meant to serve as ladies' lingerie. As such they are often although not exclusively made of the finer fabrics such as silk, satin, and linen. Teddies tend toward a less opaque finish often featuring lace and mesh panels or details. Some teddies include structural elements such as underwire and boning while a leotard or a bodysuit never will. Leotards are made for men as well as women and are designed for dance, acrobatic, sports or fitness applications. Often a leotard is constructed with a panty piece sewn in. When freedom of movement is the purpose for what you wear, separate underwear is not only restrictive but redundant. Most leotards are entirely opaque but the specific sleeve length, neck cut and thigh cut can vary as wildly as those associated with the teddy. A bodysuit is meant to be worn as a regular top and can resemble anything from a snug tee to a fitted blouse. The advantage of the bodysuit is that it is constructed with a panty or over-panty piece attached. This is a very useful feature for keeping your shirt tucked in at all times. It is a rare bodysuit that does not have a closure at the crotch for ease of use. While some teddies will also have a crotch closure or an open crotch it is not a defining characteristic in the way that it is for the bodysuit. Today's Teddy Today's favorite teddy is a sleek, fitted number often made of hose or mesh. The popularity that the hosiery style teddy currently enjoys is due to its wide availability and reasonable price tag coupled with an astounding variety of individual styles and details to shop from. It is a lightweight, integrated approach to dressing under your clothes that is the perfect synthesis of comfort and attractiveness. Check out the following hosiery or mesh teddy styles and dream up some ideas for how to have a little more fun with your everyday lingerie! The Basic Mesh Teddy This style is versatile enough for almost any outfit! There isn't much difference between the basic mesh teddy and a simple sleeveless leotard or bodysuit, but when it comes to price it often weighs in as the best cost value. This unstructured garment could be sheer or semi-sheer, in which case it makes for a great underclothes smoothing and concealing layer and a stay-in-place solution for the often shifty camisole. If the basic mesh teddy is opaque it can act as a tank top style bodysuit and be a sexy warm weather outerwear option. The Long Sleeve Teddy Layer it up with lingerie! A teddy featuring long sleeves is perfect for turning convention on its ear. Wear it under a classic casual look such as jeans and a short sleeved tee. Voila! Your underwear has just become your outerwear. And what's even better is the boost your confidence gets from the feel of hose under your clothes. The Teddiette Who doesn't love a value? The teddiette combines the teddy and the garter belt into a single piece of lingerie. A basic teddy already replaces the need for both a camisole and panty. Some teddies have underwire cups and adjustable straps and can eliminate the added cost of a bra under your ensemble. There are even teddies which are constructed with boning or control panels. This means that if structure is on your dressing agenda you won't need to worry about buying a cincher or shapewear. So, the teddiette is the reigning value in ladies' lingerie as it can take the place of anywhere from three to five separate purchases. Also, some teddiettes are sold as a set with matching hosiery! It just doesn't get any more cost effective than that! The Open Back Teddy In the summertime the clothing is breezy! A teddy with a cut out back looks like a bra and panty from behind but includes a front panel. If you're a daring sort of gal you might consider a more opaque teddy with an open back for an outer wear option in the warmer weather. Cute for clubwear, pair it with a skirt or some dressy shorts and heels. Audacious by day, try one with leggings and a low-cut lightweight tunic. Let's not overlook a more modest application! There are plenty of dresses that show a bit of back skin. It's nice to have an option for underclothes which refrains from interfering with your outerwear profile. Keep it cool and remember that there's no reason to sweat great style! The Halter Neck Teddy A halter neckline can get complicated when it comes to lingerie selection. Just like strapless or open backed tops and dresses, halter tops are difficult to wear underwear with. A teddy with the same cut as your outerwear can offer lining and selective modesty. A halter cut is an amazing way to lengthen and slim your appearance as well as draw attention to your chest and neck. The String Style Teddy Whoa! This is a teddy? It isn't just a sexy bra and panty with some extra straps thrown in for style? Technically, no. The strings are the things that make it a single piece of lingerie. A string style teddy is great for everyday use. That little extra bit of sexiness under your clothes can give you a boost of confidence with an invisible source. And if you happen to have a reason to show off your underwear, what a fun surprise a little bit of detailing can offer! Fashion is Fun! As wonderful, inexpensive and versatile as they are there's no need to only wear hosiery style teddies. There's a world of teddies and good feeling to explore! Every woman deserves to look and feel amazing. Don't limit yourself! Fun and added confidence are waiting to be had. Experiment with your personal lingerie style today! |
About the Author
In addition to her freelance projects, Wynter Stark is a copyright writer for Touch of That Lingerie. A student of both fashion and life, she is an advocate for the joy and confidence that fabulous style can unlock in every woman!
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