chemise
chemise — noun
- chemisesingular
- chemisesplural
1. a soft, loose-fitting piece of women's underwear that reaches from the shoulders
a soft, loose-fitting piece of women's underwear that reaches from the shoulders down past the hips, often worn under a dress or as a nightgown.
Sofia packed a silk chemise into her suitcase for the weekend trip to Paris.
collocation: silk chemise
The shop window displayed a lace chemise next to several matching robes.
collocation: lace chemise / matching robes
Henrik bought his wife a cotton chemise to wear on hot summer nights.
The museum had a worn linen chemise from the eighteenth century behind glass.
Liang slipped a thin chemise under her wedding dress to keep the fabric smooth.
文法句型
a/the chemise
用法筆記
Subject is usually a woman or a piece of historical clothing. The word is mostly found in fashion writing, historical descriptions, and high-end lingerie catalogues — daily English speakers say 'slip' or 'nightie' instead.
常見錯誤
2. a simple unfitted dress whose fabric drops in a vertical line from the shoulder
a simple unfitted dress whose fabric drops in a vertical line from the shoulder seam down to the knee or lower, with no shaping at the waist.
Élise chose a black chemise for the gallery opening because the cut felt modern.
fashion context: chemise dress
The 1920s fashion magazine showed models in beaded chemises at evening parties.
historical: 1920s chemise dress
Sivan sewed a simple linen chemise that hung loosely from her shoulders to her ankles.
Pim wore a pale blue chemise to the summer wedding to stay cool in the heat.
The boutique stocked a cream chemise that flattered women of every body shape.
- shift dress
near-equivalent everyday term in modern fashion writing
- smock
very loose pull-on dress, often work-related
- bodycon dress
tight, fitted dress — opposite cut
文法句型
a/the chemise
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this is an outer dress meant to be seen, not underwear. The shape is the key signal — straight, unfitted, hanging from the shoulders. Common in fashion writing about the 1920s and in modern minimalist style.