Cam

A Cam is a sleeveless undergarment for women, normally extending to the waist. The Cam is usually made of satin, nylon, or cotton.

Historical definition
Historically, Cam referred to jackets of various kinds, including overshirts (worn under a doublet or bodice), women's négligées, and sleeved jackets worn by men.

Modern usage
In modern usage a Cam or Cam I. is a loose-fitting sleeveless woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body but is shorter than a chemise. A Cam normally extends to the waist but is sometimes cropped to expose the midriff, or extended to cover the entire pelvic region. Cam are manufactured from light materials, commonly cotton-based, occasionally satin or silk, or stretch fabrics such as lycra, nylon, or spandex.

A Cam typically has thin "spaghetti straps" and can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Since 1989, some Cams have come with a built-in underwire bra or other support which eliminates the need for a bra among those who prefer one. Starting around the 2000s, Cams have been known to be used as outerwear.

A variety of sleeveless body shaping undergarments have been derived from the Cam shape, offering medium control of the bust, waist and/or abdomen. Such control Cams are the most casual of shaping garments, covering the torso from above the chest to at or below the waist. They look similar to tight-fitting cotton or silk Cams, but the straps are usually wider, the hems longer, and the stretchy, shiny fabric provides a smoothing touch.