Buying guide

Babydoll, chemise, teddy or bodystocking? Choose your shape

Updated By Adult Direct Australia

Sometimes you know the look you want before you know its name. You might want sheer fabric that moves away from the body, a short lace hem, a high-cut one-piece, or a connected lace outfit from shoulders to ankles. Start there, then compare the neckline, fabric and included pieces.

These are shape choices, not size rules. Once you have a favourite, use our lingerie sizing guide to choose its size.

Which outline are you looking for?

Four silhouettes, illustrated by the garments in this guide
Look Where the garment ends How the pieces work Start with
Babydoll A loose, floating hem in these examples Babydoll top with a separate g-string Baci Strappy Lace & Mesh Babydoll Set
Chemise A short dress-like hem in these examples Chemise with a separate thong; garters attached Lace & Mesh Chemise Set
Teddy Leg openings rather than a skirt hem A one-piece body Floral Lace Teddy
Bodystocking Lace or mesh continues down the legs Body and legs form the garment; openings vary Long Sleeve Lace Bodystocking

The label is a starting point. A chemise can have cut-outs, a babydoll can have an open front, and two bodystockings can reveal very different amounts of skin. Look at the actual garment rather than treating the name as a coverage promise.

Babydolls: let the hem float

If the appeal is a sheer layer that falls away from the body, start with these two babydolls. Each pairs a top with a separate g-string, so the hem and the bottoms are different pieces.

The Baci babydoll has straps crossing above the bust and a flowing mesh-and-lace skirt with an upper-thigh hem. The dot-mesh babydoll makes the opening part of the look: a flyaway front divides the dot-mesh skirt, with small satin ribbon bows at the top.

Choose the Baci for the strappy neckline and flowing skirt; choose the dot-mesh set if you want the split front to frame the separate bottoms.

Chemises: keep a dress-like hem

These chemises draw a more defined line through the body than the floating babydolls above, while retaining a short hem. Both are two-piece sets with a separate matching thong and attached garter straps. Stockings are not included.

The lace-and-satin chemise uses a crisscross front and open side cut-outs to break up the lace. The lace-and-mesh chemise keeps a broad sheer-mesh panel through the front, with lace-up detail at the sides. It is a choice between a more cut-out outline and a sheer front panel, rather than simply “more” or “less” lace.

Teddies: choose a one-piece body

A teddy changes the bottom edge of the outfit: instead of a skirt hem over separate briefs, the body finishes in leg openings.

The Floral Lace Teddy puts the emphasis on floral lace, underwired cups and a high-cut leg. The red version is pictured here. The Fence Mesh & Lace Teddy changes the focal point to a deep plunge, strappy front and halter neckline, with a thong back.

Choose between the floral cup-and-body shape and the longer plunging neckline. A one-piece label alone does not tell you where its openings or closures are; check the product's front and back views.

Bodystockings: carry the pattern down the legs

If you want the legs to be part of the garment, compare bodystockings rather than adding separate stockings to a chemise. Connected fabric still leaves room for large openings, changing knit patterns and different necklines.

The off-shoulder floral style combines floral motifs with contrasting mesh; the rear view shown here makes the change in pattern and the open areas easy to see. The long-sleeve style has long lace sleeves and a finer all-over lace appearance. Both have off-the-shoulder necklines, so the neckline alone is not what separates them.

Choose the pattern you want to see across the whole outfit, then open the other product images to check the back and openings. Sheer leg coverage is a different look from opaque coverage.

Keep exploring in babydolls and chemises, bodystockings or the full lingerie collection.

Lingerie shape questions

What is the difference between a babydoll and a chemise?

The babydolls here have floating skirts; the chemises keep a more defined, short dress-like outline. Cuts vary within both groups, so compare the hem, front opening and panels on the actual garment.

Is a teddy the same as a babydoll set?

No. A teddy is a one-piece body with leg openings. The babydoll sets shown here pair a separate top and g-string.

Are the stockings included with these chemises?

No. Both featured chemise sets include a matching thong and attached garter straps, but stockings are not included.

Does a bodystocking cover every part of the body?

No. Lace and mesh can be sheer, and openings differ by design. Look at the front and back views to compare the actual garment; the name does not promise opaque or uninterrupted coverage.