Rapture Heels Frequently Asked Questions Important answers to general questions about lingerie. How do I convert these American sizes to European? Whats the difference between a corset and a bustier? Tips For Men Buying Lingerie For Women ? What is boning in corsets? What is the sizing for lingerie? What materials are used in lingerie? What is my body type? Stockings or pantyhose? What is your exchange or return policy? Are there different styles of panties? How can I figure out what bra to buy? Let's start with the first question. Q: How do I convert these American sizes to European? A: Please take all measurements in centimeters and then divide by 2.54 which will give you the equivalent in inches. An example would be a waist size of 78.74 centimeters divided by 2.54 would equal a 31 inch waist. Top Q: Whats the difference between a corset and a bustier? A: Bustier: A bosom-to-hip corset-style garment, usually trimmed in lavish lace. Additional features may include detachable garters, flexible boning, optional shoulder straps, and a lace-up closing. This garment is usually worn by a woman for the visual enjoyment of the man in her life. A bra that extends beneath the breasts to the waist to provide additional support, control and sex appeal. A tight-fitting often strapless top worn as a brassiere or outer garment. A tightly fitted top. Some have removable garters (to wear with Stockings). Some come with G-String, thong or panty. A close fitting sleeveless, strapless top with boning to give it shape. Bustiers (1) The beautiful body-contouring bustier is a decorated bra that extends down the torso. Flattering to many figures, they provide breast support while smoothing and shaping the waist. Worn with garters and stockings they make a complete outfit. Use your imagination to accessorize with gloves and heels. (2) The bustier is a bra that extends to the waist. Bustiers come in various types, including brasselettes, bustier tops, and camisettes. A bustier provides bust support, and may also smooth or shape the waist. Often worn with garters and stockings. Bustiers gained in popularity in the 1980s as outwear due to a popular female singer. (3) Also called corsets. All these terms refer to a bra that extends to the waist area and sometimes a little lower. Made to be used to push-up the breasts and to tighten the waist so as to create an "hour glass" shape. Garters extend from the waist area for stockings. Some styles are not sheer and may be worn out under a blazer. The best bustiers are the ones that give you the most options: removable straps garters and push-up pads. The hourglass shape is accomplished with boning or ribbing vertically in the material. Corset: A woman's support undergarment that is boned and close fitting. It is almost always hooked and laced. It begins either above or just below the bust and extends down to the waist or below the hips. Usually garters are attached at its base. A snug fitting garment designed to cinch the waist and lift the breasts. Lacing in the back allows the corset to be adjusted for comfort. A woman's close-fitting boned supporting undergarment that is often hooked and laced and that extends from above or beneath the bust or from the waist to below the hips and has garters attached. Top Q: Tips For Men Buying Lingerie For Women? A: If you’re buying a piece of intimate apparel for a woman, you’ve got half of it licked! You’re in the right place. Now, let’s make it simple for you to get her something both of you will enjoy. Top Q: What is boning in corsets? A: Boning is a strip of stiff material is placed in certain areas of the garment to help structure a desired look or support. You may see this in many bustiers and bras. Refers to the plastic strips sewn vertically to the inside of some corsets and bustiers. The added support and structure provide flattering, body-contouring effects. Boning shapes and slims the waist and tummy, and accentuates the bustline. Rigid supports sewn vertically into a bustier or corset that help to maintain a slim, shapely look about the torso. Originally made from bone (hence it's name), but now made of plastic. To provide a garment with vertical support. Usually sewn into a bustier or corset to maintain a shapely look to the torso. A strip of stiff material is placed in certain areas of the bustier or bra to help structure a desired look or support. Top Q: What is the sizing for lingerie? A: We have a handy sizing chart which can be found at Top Q: What materials are used in lingerie? A: Various fabrics and lace, some are listed below: Animal Print: Leopard, tiger, or other animal pattern print printed onto the lingerie fabric. Black light glow: Fabric glows under a blacklight. Brocade: Rich oriental fabric consisting of raised patterns, often in gold or silver. Brushed back: A material backing made from brushed cotton often used in pajamas to give a warm, flannel feel against the skin. Burnout: Alternating patterns of sheer and opaque fabric. Fabric design created with combination opaque and sheer pattern. Opaque and sheer alternating fabric. Used in lingerie. A sheer opening woven into the material. Chantilly lace: Delicate lace made from an open, six-sided mesh background with floral designs. Chenille: A soft wool, cotton, silk, or rayon yarn with protruding pile. Chenille fabric used in lingerie is an imitation of chenille yarn. The fabric has patterns of soft, protuding loops of fiber that look and feel similar to the chenille yarn used to make sweaters, throw pillows, blankets and other such items. Chiffon: A sheer fabric made with a simple weave of silk, polyester or other fiber. A lightweight, sheer fabric. A sheer lightweight fabric especially of silk. Dot net: Sheer net fabric decorated with evenly spaced opaque dots. Dotted swiss: Evenly spaced raised dots on sheer material. Drawstring waist A string or strip of fabric sewn into the band which draws the waist up for a snug fit and is then tied into a bow. Embroidery: Decorative designs sewn into fabric by hand or machine. The art or process of forming decorative designs with hand or machine needlework. Eyelash lace: A lace garment where the edges have strands resembling eyelashes. Lace garment with strands at the edges that resemble eyelashes. Fascination lace: Mesh lace with shiny embroidered floral pattern. Faux Imitation: as in faux leopard, faux silk or faux leather. Faux Fur: Fake fur that is man made and not taken from an animal. Faux Leather: Fake leather that is man made and not taken from an animal. Fence Net: A large, thin open net. Fiberfill: Generic term for man-made fibers used as padding. Fishnet: A coarse open-mesh fabric, often seen in fishnet stockings, noted for its sex appeal, sexy style. Open mesh resembling a fishnet, often seen in fishnet stockings. Flocking Decoration: made from very short velvety fiber. Top Q: What is my body type? A: Choosing a piece of intimate apparel means matching certain styles to certain body types. If you know your body type it is easier to pick something that looks good on you. · Smaller at the top This doesn’t mean small breasts, just a small, thin upper body? Try a Babydoll or Chemise. **If you do have small breasts, Babydolls and three and four-piece sets are a good choice. · Wider shoulders Consider a Bustier or a Set. · Hour-glass (a Vargas girl-- average top and bottom). Choose from any style. This is truly for whom manufacturers make intimate apparel. · Wider Hips Most lingerie is made to fit over the hips, however, corsets, bustiers, some darker body stockings, and three and four-piece sets are slimming to hips. Top Q: Stockings or pantyhose? A: Stockings: Hosiery that need support from a garter belt to hold them up. Stockings are nylon or silk leggings that reach mid-thigh and have traditionally been held up with garters for practical purposes - pantyhose weren't invented yet. Today's stockings and garters are worn to temp, seduce and enhance fantasy play. They can be worn to work or out on a date as foreplay for a special evening. Pantyhose: Panties built into stockings, (technically speaking) they are simply very convenient to wear, as they stay up pretty well on their own (panties are worn underneath the pantyhose. Thigh highs, Knee-highs, and Anklets: Are all basically stockings that usually have a little lace or lace trim, and most are self-supporting (stay up on their own), while some thigh-highs need a garter belt or bustier or corset with garters attached. Top Q: What is your exchange or return policy? A: Please try on your lingerie when you receive it to ensure it properly fits or isn't defective. Try panties on over other panties. We will not accept soiled clothing back. If there is a defect or size issue, contact us at raptureheels@cox.net and we will get the necessary paperwork and RMA to ensure proper return of the merchandise and giving you a credit or replacement. Top Q: Are there different styles of panties? A: Listed are a few of the popular styles. Bikini: A low-cut panty with full coverage both front and back. Boy briefs: A panty style similar in shape to boy's underwear (but much more attractive!). Boy leg brief: Reminiscent of hot pants, this style brief has legs that come to the top of the thigh. The waist sits low on the hips, and the back has full coverage. It is usually seamed in the center front and back for definition. Worn under hip-hugger style bottoms or short skirts to give a smooth line from waist to hip. Brazilian back: A panty style that covers more of the buttocks than a thong, but less than a traditional full-back panty. Brief: A panty whose waistband rests at or just below the navel, provides full back coverage, and may have a high-cut leg. Control brief: A panty shaped like a brief but designed to flatten the tummy and give support while providing a smooth silhouette. Crotchless: A convenient slit or opening in the fabric covering the crotch area. A style where no fabric covers the crotch area. French cut: Another name for high-cut brief. G-string: A bikini panty with virtually no back coverage. It consists of a small front panel held to the body entirely with strings. Worn to prevent panty lines under tight-fitting garments. Less coverage than a thong. Thong: A strip of cloth passed between the legs and supported by a waist cord that is worn for a sexy appeal. A panty consisting of a triangular patch of fabric connected with thin, elastic straps in back and around the waist completely exposing the buttocks. A panty with a triangular front panel and almost no coverage in the back, usually a narrow band of fabric or elastic. High-cut Rio: A panty style similar to the string bikini, but with moderate back coverage that looks more like a "v" instead of the "u" which is found in full coverage backs. Many times, the waistband in the high-cut Rio is nothing more than a 1" to 2" piece of elastic. Top Q: How can I figure out what bra to buy? A: BRA TYPES: Demi-bra or shelf bra: Covers only the lower half of the breast and is used to give a lift to the breasts, but does not create cleavage! Great for low neckline clothes. The push-up bra lifts the breasts to create cleavage, and if it is a good bra, will also increase the cup size of your breasts by one letter. Underwire bras is a very general term meaning that the bra has metallic wiring in the lower rim to create support. This is a must for any support or push-up bra. Listed are a few of the different types. Backless: A bra designed with a low cut adjustable back band. Balconette: Another name for a demi cup bra. More often a balconette also includes a little padding to enhance bust size. Bralette: A sexy bra-like top that lacks the usual supportive features (such as underwires) of a real bra. Contour bra: This bra type includes lightly padded fiberfill cups to add definition to the breast, a smooth shape, and elimination of nipple contours. Convertible: A convertible bra has straps, which can be worn in six different configurations: conventional, halter, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, criss-crossed, and strapless. Cookie: The name given to the removable pad in a padded bra. D AccolletAc: A bra style with a very low-cut front panel to create a dramatic cleavage-enhancing look. Demi Bra or Demi Cup: These come across the breast just above the nipple, also know as a half bra. Demi's don't expose the nipple. Under Wire: A type of support used for adding extra lift for breasts by using a thin wire that is sewn into the base of the cup. A strip of flatted steel wire (or other man-made material) sewn into the underside of each cup of a bra, used for support and shape. Bras with sewn-in molded wiring that runs underneath the breast in each bra cup. This support feature helps to lift, separate and shore up the bustline for better shape and extra support - especially for full-figured women. Top