What is a chemise? Is it something you wear under your clothes or over them? What does it mean?
Chemises come in various styles and designs. They are usually worn underneath clothing such as dresses and skirts. The word chemise comes from the French language, meaning shirt.

A chemise actually is a sleeveless garment that covers the chest area. It has two parts: a bodice and a skirt. There are also variations of chemisettes (chemise tops) that cover only the upper part of the body.
What Exactly Defines A Chemise?
The term chemise is derived from the Latin word camae meaning “bedding,” and refers to a type of nightgown or dressing gown.
In English, the word chemise is used to refer to both a woman’s undergarment and a man’s outerwear. A chemise is typically a sleeveless dress or tunic that covers the torso and extends down to just above the knees.
In France, the chemise is a long, loose, flowing dress that is sometimes called a robe de nuit because it is worn during the evening hours. This style of dress is very similar to what we know today as a nightgown.
A simple chemise is often seen as a short, sleeveless type garment that comes to about mid-thigh.
What Is A Modern Chemise?
The modern chemise is mainly a woman’s garment that closely resembles shirts that are older, but is most likely much less revealing than you’d think.
The term, most commonly, refers to a sleeveless, loose-fitting undergarment or lingerie which is made to be unfitting directly on the waist.
It can also translate to sleeveless, short dresses that hang straight down directly from your shoulders and fit looser on average on your waist.
Chemises typically do not have any fasteners or buttons and are put on by dropping them over your head or carefully stepping in them and lifting them.
Modern chemise as lingerie is very similar to the baby doll, which is also a loose-fitting, short, sleeveless style garment that is often worn underneath clothing. However, baby dolls tend to be looser fitting directly on the hips.
What Is The History Of The Chemise?
The chemise seems to have originated in ancient Rome. A Roman woman wore a tunic over her dress and a palla around her shoulders. This was called a “tunica”.
When women began wearing dresses, it became necessary to wear something underneath the dress.
Women continued to wear the same type of garments underneath their dresses, except for the fact that the length of the dress changed. Eventually, the tunica came to mean just the outer layer of clothing.
In the Middle Ages, chemise was used to cover the body during religious ceremonies. During the Renaissance, chemise was adopted as a form of everyday attire.
By the 17th century, chemise had become very fashionable, and women often wore several layers of clothing beneath their dresses, called a chemise.
From the mid-18th century onward, chemises gradually lost popularity among wealthy ladies, while working-class women continued to wear them. They remained common among poor women until well into the 20th century.
During the 19th century, chemises were replaced by drawers, slips, and petticoats. Petticoats are still commonly worn today.
Drawers are rarely seen outside historical costume dramas. Slips are now considered part of lingerie.

How Does A Camisole Differ From A Chemise?
The word camisole dates back to the Middle Ages when it meant a long shirt or robe that went down to the knees. Over time, the name evolved into a garment that covered the chest and stomach area.
Camisoles are typically made of cotton, silk, satin, or nylon. They go down to the waistline and come in different styles such as racerback, plunge necklines, scoop necks, halter tops, etc.
A chemise is a loose-fitting sleeveless undershirt, usually white, that goes down to just above the knee. Camisoles are similar, except they go up to the waistline.
They’re typically made of lighter material than a chemise. However, there are many different types of camisoles, including ones that cover the breasts and others that don’t.
How Do You Wear A Chemise Today?
A chemise is one of those pieces of lingerie that many people don’t think about wearing. But if you want to look great while staying comfortable, then a chemise is a must-have piece.
A chemise is basically a short dress that covers your breasts and stomach area. They come in different styles, colors, fabrics, and cuts. There are even some that are designed specifically for women with larger chests.
The best thing about chemise is that it doesn’t show much skin, making it perfect for work or play.
You can wear it underneath a shirt, blouse, sweater, or anything else that might cover up your chest. And because it stays tucked away, you won’t feel self-conscious.
You’ll find that there are several types of chemises out there. Some are sheer, others are opaque, and still, others are made of lace. Whatever type you decide to go with, you’ll always look good in it.
Why You Should Invest In A Satin Chemise
You’ve probably seen those beautiful women wearing satin chemises underneath their dresses and blouses. But did you know that there are many benefits to owning one? Here are some reasons why you need a satin chemise in your life:
- They’ll Make Your Curves Look Amazing!
- They’ll Lift Your Mood In Bed
- They’ll Help Prevent Bunched Skirts
- They’ll Keep Static Fabrics Down
- They’ll Make You Feel Sexy And Feminine!
- They’ll Be Comfortable To Wear Under Clothes
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a new way to spice things up in the bedroom, then a satin chemise could be exactly what you need.
It’s an undergarment that will help you look and feel sexy without having to worry about showing too much skin. So whether you’re planning on going out tonight or spending the day at home, make sure you have a satin chemise ready to go.
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