Clothing Definitions — definitions of garments and clothing terms from Apparel Search
A camisole — cami for short — is a woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body. It is sleeveless and hangs from thin shoulder straps, traditionally in a looser fit than tight-fitting tops of similar cut, and it may end at the waist or extend over the hips. Worn historically as a light layer between corset and dress, the camisole is now made as underwear, sleepwear and an outerwear top in fabrics from cotton to silk with lace trim. This page explains its forms and uses, and how it differs from neighboring garments such as the chemise and the tank top.
A camisole can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Some camisoles come with a built-in underwire bra which eliminates the need for a bra. In modern times, the camisole has been transformed from simply being a undergarment to outerwear, with the fabric changing more into cotton based materials.
Some wearers shy away from the outerwear Cami because they fear their bra straps will be exposed, though of late several celebrities are indicating that it is fashionable to do so.
In some inpatient psychiatric circles camisole has been the affectionate term for a straight-jacket.
Learn the difference between a camisole and a chemise in our fashion terms section.
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For layering, the right camisole is close enough to lie invisible under a blouse but not so tight it rides up; adjustable straps help set the neckline exactly where the outer garment needs coverage. Cotton and modal knits breathe best for everyday layers, while silk and satin camisoles are chosen as visible tops, where the fabric's sheen is the decoration and lace at the neckline finishes the edge.
Wash camisoles gently and reshape while damp: thin straps stretch if the wet garment is hung by them, so drying flat or folded over a rail keeps the fit. With that small care, a camisole is one of the hardest-working pieces in a wardrobe — modesty layer, sleep top and evening top in a single simple pattern of two straps and a straight body.
The camisole's history runs through the corset cover: a light strapped top worn over a corset to protect the dress from its edges and to fill a low neckline. When corsets left everyday dress, the camisole stayed, first as underwear and then, from the late 20th century, as a top worn openly. That double life explains its range today, from plain cotton undershirts to lace-trimmed silk pieces priced as evening wear.
A camisole is a sleeveless undergarment for women that covers the top part of the body, suspended from thin straps and traditionally cut looser than a tight-fitting top. Modern camisoles are made in cotton, silk and synthetic fabrics, often with lace edging.
The modern camisole ends at the waist or hip and is a top only, while a chemise is a longer, dress-length undergarment reaching toward the knees. Historically the words overlapped, but in current retail the camisole is the short strapped top and the chemise the longer slip-like garment.
Camisoles are worn as a smooth layer under blouses and low necklines, as sleepwear, and as outerwear tops in dressier fabrics such as silk or satin with lace trim. A built-in shelf bra is a common feature in casual versions worn on their own.