A modern camisole

A camisole is a sleeveless undergarment for women, normally extending to the waist. The camisole is usually made of satin, nylon, or cotton.

Historical definition[link]

Historically, camisole referred to jackets of various kinds,^[1] including overshirts (worn under a doublet or bodice),^[2] women's négligées and sleeved jackets worn by men.^[3]

Modern usage[link]

A young woman in a vest top. Lycra led to closer fitting vest tops in the late 2000s.^[4]

In modern usage a camisole or cami is a loose-fitting^[5][6] sleeveless woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body but is shorter than a chemise. A camisole normally extends to the waist but is sometimes cropped to expose the midriff, or extended to cover the entire pelvic region. Camisoles are manufactured from light materials,^[7] commonly cotton-based, occasionally satin or silk, or stretch fabrics such as lycra, nylon, or spandex.

A camisole typically has thin "spaghetti straps" and can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Since 1989, some camisoles^[8] have come with a built-in underwire bra or other support which eliminates the need for a bra among those who prefer one. Recently, camisoles have been known to be used as outerwear.^[9]

A variety of sleeveless body shaping undergarments have been derived from the camisole shape,^[10] offering medium control of the bust, waist and/or abdomen. Such control camisoles are the most casual of shaping garments, covering the torso from above the chest to at or below the waist. They look similar to tight-fitting cotton or silk camisoles, but the straps are usually wider, the hems longer, and the stretchy, shiny fabric provides a smoothing touch.

Camisole (usually "camisole de force") is also a clinical term for a straitjacket.^[3][7][11]

See also[link]

• Babydoll
• Basque
• Bra
• Bustier
• Camiknickers
• Corset

Sources[link]

• Barbier, Muriel & Boucher, Shazia (2003). The Story of Lingerie. Parkstone. ISBN 1-85995-804-4
• Saint-Laurent, Cecil (1986). The Great Book of Lingerie. Academy editions. ISBN 0-85670-901-8

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Free Library citations for camisole in Thackeray (1847), Charlotte Brontë (1857), and Somerset Maugham (1915)
• Wikitionary: 1870 citation for straightjacket/camisole

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