Underwear

[airbolt]

As a postscript to my question on US english usage. Perhaps I am mishearing it but Americans seem to refer to ladies pants/panties as "underwear" - ie " She has a pair of black underwear " . Is this a common usage?

[silly moo]

I thought knickers / briefs were called underpants in the US - meaning worn under your 'pants / trousers'

[Clanad]

A general term applying to almost any under clothing worn by each sex.  A more descriptive term is then used to differentiate between the articles described...

[Ouisch]

Any clothing worn as a foundation garment - T-shirt, undershirt, panties (knickers), boxer shorts, briefs, bra, camisole - are referred to as "underwear" in the US.  "Underpants" can be used to describe either men's briefs or boxers or ladies' panties.  But, yes, "underwear" is a common generic term for ladies lingerie.