In modern usage the term chemise generally refers to women's fashions that vaguely resemble the older shifts but are typically more delicate, and usually provocative. Most commonly the term refers to a loose-fitting, sleeveless, shirt-like undergarment or piece of lingerie. It can also refer to a short, sleeveless dress that hangs straight from the shoulders and fits loosely at the waist. There is a similar type of lingerie/sleepwear known as the babydoll. Both terms describe short, loose-fitting, sleeveless fashions. Typically, though, babydolls are more loose-fitting at the hips and are generally designed to more resemble a young girl's nightgown (although many modern varieties only vaguely follow this definition adding various sexualizing features which, of course, would only be appropriate for an adult).
The most common and well-known use of corsets is to slim the body and make it conform to a fashionable silhouette. For women this most frequently emphasizes a curvy figure, by reducing the waist, and thereby exaggerating the bust and hips. However, in some periods, corsets have been worn to achieve a tubular straight-up-and-down shape, which involves minimizing the bust and hips. For men, corsets are more customarily used to slim the figure. However, there was a period from around 1820 to 1835 when an hourglass figure (a small, nipped-in look to the waist) was also desirable for men; this was sometimes achieved by wearing a corset. An overbust corset encloses the torso, extending from just under the arms to the hips. An underbust corset begins just under the breasts and extends down to the hips. Some corsets extend over the hips and, in very rare instances, reach the knees (example). A shorter kind of corset, which covers the waist area (from low on the ribs to just above the hips), is called a 'waist cincher'. A corset may also include garters to hold up stockings (alternatively a separate garter belt may be worn for that).
Normally a corset supports the visible dress, and spreads the pressure from large dresses, such as the crinoline and bustle. Sometimes a corset cover is used to protect outer clothes from the corset and to smooth the lines of the corset.
Pantyhose are available in a wide range of popular styles. The sheerness of the garment, expressed as a numerical 'denier'/'dtex', ranges from 3 (extremely rare, very thin, barely visible) to 15 (standard sheer) up to 30 (semi opaque) until 70 (opaque). For people who want a slimmer form, they may opt to get "Control Top", which has a reinforced panty. The downside to Control Top Pantyhose are the panty lines that may appear when wearing high cut skirts or shorts. Sheer to Waist are just that - sheer from the toe to the waist. The "panty" portion is same thickness and color as the leg portion. Often, but not always, sheer to waist pantyhose will be reinforced along and on either side of the seam in the middle of the panty. Perfect for high slit gowns, mini-skirts and when wearing with lingerie. Also for the person who wants a bit more support on the top half, there are pantyhose that have panel gussets incorporated into them. These are either single or double types. In the single type, there are two seams instead of the usual one, with a single one on the opposite side; with double panel gussets, there are two seams on either side. The single type can be worn either way. Men usually wear them with the double line at the front, and they are mostly worn under there underwear. They both help to expand the top panty area. There are also types of pantyhose which have a lacy panty area which is normally floral in design. Many pantyhose brands now produce pantyhose that do away with seams completely, so that the outline is smooth from top to bottom. These kinds are expensive to produce, so therefore are expensive to buy in retail. They generally have a very wide lacy waistband to compensate for the smooth panty area.
Not wearing undergarments under one's outer clothing is also known in American slang as freeballing for men or freebuffing for females; the terms going commando and going bareback are also used for both sexes. Finding female celebrities who are not wearing underwear and taking upskirt pictures of them is quite a common action undertaken by the paparazzi as the right picture of the right woman can earn them a lot of money. This trend shows that a few consider underwear unnecessary for hygiene, especially for modern people who bathe every day. In situations where a certain amount of body coverage is required (legally or socially), people who prefer to go clothes free might enjoy not wearing undergarments, as that is the closest they can get to nudity. For others, there may be sexual motives; undergarments are the final physical barrier to sex, and not wearing them might be arousing. Cycling shorts and swimwear such as board shorts are usually worn without underwear. Often the same applies for a kilt.
