Knickers

Women’s undergarments go by different names. In the United Kingdom and Ireland women undergarments are referred to as ’knickers’, whereas in The United States and Canada, the term ’panties’ is preferred.

Today there are many names as there are variants in the family of undergarments that were once called knickers. Thongs, g-strings, french knickers, gym knickers, school knickers, bikini panties, string bikini panties, and tangas, would be a few common examples. Knickers are made of a variety of materials like satin, silk, pvc, cotton, nylon, mesh, lace, etc.

It must be remembered that knickers refers only to women’s underwear, while terms like ’knicks’, knick-knacks' mean other things. Tarty knickers must not be confused with a type of women’s undergarment but is meant to indicate a woman who dresses in a provocative way.

In bikini panties the hip connectors are small, just like in swim wear. String bikinis are very similar to bikini panties, and are worn by high school and college girls in the U.S. String bikinis have a small string that is tied about the waist. High-cut, or control top, which are cut differently are meant to give a shape to the stomach. Boyshorts are cut like shorts that men would wear. The g-string is a thong panty that has a string running between the buttocks.

Another type of women’s undergarment is the cami-knickers. This coinage dates back to the 1920’s when these were introduced. A camisole is a single garment that is derived from camisole and knickers.