KissMeGoodnight
Article Series: Lingerie
Wearing Lingerie: Sizzling Secrets
What
is a Chemise?
Defining what a chemise is
not as easy as one might think. There are many forms of the
chemise still
around today. There is the original version of the chemise
also called “léine” by the Irish. That is a simple
shirt or smock worn under the clothes. Its original design was to
keep sweat and body oils from staining and/or spreading to
the outer garments. It first became really popular back in
the European middle ages. Women would wear them under their
gowns or robes depending on their social status. Men even wore
chemises with their trousers and covered it with doublets and
royal robes, as well. In this day and age, the chemise was
the only piece of clothing that was actually regularly washed
because it was against the skin. As time moved on, the men’s
chemise fell out of fashion, but the women’s did not. The only
remnants left of the male chemise is in shirts today. In most
Western cultures, women still wear chemises in some fashion
or another. Some styles are still reminiscent of the original,
while others are now considered lingerie.
Chemises that still resemble the one from centuries ago come
in an array of fabrics today. The standard cotton and
satin chemises are the most popular ones. These can be worn under
formal Renaissance dress, used as sleepwear, or as shirts.
They are still very popular today and have many functions.
Most are offered in white, cream, and black so they can be
worn under just about anything. The white and cream are the
most common colors and most widely used. The black has become
more popular in the 20th century and can be used under specific
gothic attire. No matter how you use a chemise of this type,
it can be fun and fashionable. Not to mention it makes a great
and comfortable nightgown as well. This is a lightweight garment
that is so comfortable it can be slept in any time of the year.
The other more popular and common type of the chemise is the
lingerie piece that has come to the forefront in modern culture.
This type of chemise is a slip like garment that has spaghetti
type straps to hold it on the shoulders. It can be worn under
dresses and/or skirts or used as intimate apparel. This flirty
little mini-slip is approximately thigh length or a little
above. This is what most Americans call a chemise and not the
original garment. These are very easy to find in any department
or retail lingerie store just about anywhere. Chemises come
in an array of fabric types, colors, and designs. Most styles
offer a variety of textures and fabric combinations that can
suit any woman’s desire. The total possible combinations are
endless. Designers have flooded the market with any possible
color and/or fabric combination and possibility.
Some common standards for chemises as lingerie are crushed
velvet, silk, satin, lace, and mesh. The simple sexy crushed
velvet chemise is a classic always. It is sexy and sweet all
at the same time. Its soft texture is pleasant to touch and
wear yet doesn’t reveal too much and is seductively flirty.
The silk and satin chemises are soft and sensual and can be
a bit more playful. You can get them with just the silk or
satin or with a combination of other materials. Many chemises
of this style incorporate lace, mesh, embroidery, and sequins
for that extra pizzazz. Many women today will wear a chemise
as a dress out on the town as long as it is not too revealing.
Chemises also come in full lace or mesh and a combination of
both. These are sexy play outfits to be worn for intimate play.
The color schemes of chemises can range in so many possible
directions. You can have anything from solid colors that can
range from bold, pastel, to earth tones. There are also two-toned
chemises that have an array of color displays as well. What
ever you decide to go with you can bet your will look fabulous
and sexy.
The chemise has been around for centuries and even in its
simplest design it was considered sexy. Now with the crimping
of modern lingerie, chemises have been taken to a new level.
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KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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