Balconettes, Knickers, and Bustiers
By Susan M. Keenan ©2007

Stylish lingerie might change from season to season, but the fact remains that nothing is quite as sexy as a woman in sexy lingerie. In fact, sexy lingerie can make or break a night of romantic interlude. That is, the presence of lacy balconettes, suggestive knickers, or strapless bustiers in the equation almost guarantees a passionate rendezvous whereas the complete absence of flimsy, revealing undergarments might quash any possibility of seduction and romance.



In fact, hot lingerie for women is almost a prerequisite for a steamy encounter. The soft, delicate feel of sheer lace, cool silk, or soft cotton caresses a woman’s skin providing a sensual experience throughout her day. Once she steps into her intimate apparel she is transformed from ordinary to extraordinary.

She becomes a sexual siren with desires of her own. What a woman wears does determine how a woman feels. If she wears clothing that is designed to tantalize, then she will feel like a temptress and in turn, she will act like a temptress.

Women don special outfits and uniforms throughout their lives for almost every occasion they attend, so why not a special outfit for a romantic liaison? Women have worn school uniforms, sports uniforms, work uniforms, gowns for medical appointments, bathing suits, wedding gowns, evening gowns, play costumes, and more. So why not wear something special for a night of seductive pleasure like a gorgeous balconette with matching thong?

The wearing of balconettes is strictly ornamental since they offer virtually no coverage whatsoever. Balconettes are also referred to as shelf bras, quite possibly because they provide a shelf or balcony so to speak upon which to rest one’s breasts. They offer a bit less coverage than the demi-cup and quite a bit less than the full cup bra.

Designed to create cleavage, or at least the appearance of such, balconettes can be a handy tool in a woman’s arsenal of feminine wiles. Typically, balconettes are designed with underwire to provide support along with the desired uplifting effect. Even so, a woman shouldn’t be spilling out of her balconette in a manner that precludes the proper look. Revealing as it is, the balconette should fit to her bust size and show off her assets without tossing them out.

Bustiers cover quite a bit more flesh than the balconette, yet they achieve the same purpose. Uplifting to the breasts, seductive to the significant other, and tight fitting for the woman who is wearing it, the bustier is not a choice for daily wear. Its close fitting form isn’t as comfortable as certain other styles of bras, yet it does create a specific look that many individuals find appealing. However, the firm structure of the bustier isn’t comfortable for every woman, so it should be worn for the first time during an occasion that is not going to last all day and all night.

Shaped bustiers, offering boning and cinch waisting, are often trimmed in ribbon and lace, adorned with ruffles and eyelet, and designed in a number of fabrics including velvet, satin, cotton, silk, lace, mesh, and more. Additionally, bustiers usually feature underwire for an ultra sexy look, lightly padded and softly molded cups for an enhanced look, and matching panties or garter belt for a complete look.

This form-fitting undergarment is available with adjustable shoulder straps to add a bit of comfort, stretch panels for a better fit, lace up detailing for seductive look, and sweetheart necklines for a touch of innocence. Bustiers are available in a variety of lengths from exceedingly long to short and skimpy. As with any fine lingerie, personal preference and the specific purpose in mind will determine which style of bustier a woman will purchase.

The luxurious feel of fine lingerie is part of bustiers that feature anything from lace up backs to button fronts to backs latched with tiny clasps to hook and eye combinations to strapless designs featuring zip fronts or backs. Sculpted bustiers are excellent to wear beneath special occasion dresses, providing a natural look beneath clothing that shapes a woman’s body to her best advantage.

Knickers, a term commonly used to refer to a lady’s undergarments, are certainly not to be lumped in with the typical granny panties. Spanning an entire array of colors, fabrics, and patterns, knickers have become quite popularized over the years. In fact, from the short waisted and knee-length to the short waisted and short length, knickers have been designed to appeal to the feminine masses in more ways than one. Today, the term “knickers” is used to refer to any of the myriads of women’s undergarments worn to cover- or not cover- a woman’s bottom or derrière.

From classic comfort to contemporary looks, knickers offer a wide variety of options suited to meet the needs of many. No longer are a woman’s knickers destined to cover every bit of flesh from her navel to her knees. No more billowing folds of cloth as in the old days tucked and hidden beneath a woman’s skirts. In fact, knickers might serve the purpose of covering a woman’s derrière, but they certainly serve more than that and they sometimes cover less than that.

The type of knickers that a woman selects to wear is usually a matter of comfort, her mood, and her intentions. Just as women have different sweaters and blouses for different occasions, women have different knickers to suit their different activities. They run the gamut from various types of briefs to different styles of thongs.

Knickers can reveal almost all or cover almost everything. They sometimes rise high on the thigh, fall just to the thigh, sit low on the hips, sit high on the waist, sit snugly, lay loosely, and more. What a woman prefers might change according to her outfit, her mood, or her activity.

Of course, these are only a few of the styles available in women’s lingerie. Today’s offerings have transformed so widely from the stark white bras and beige granny panties that were foisted on the women of the world for so many years. In fact, there’s so much to choose from in the world of fashionable lingerie, that a woman could conceivably wear something new everyday and still not sample every single variation.