Lingerie is intimate apparel that is meant to be worn under a woman’s clothing, or in the privacy of her bedroom. If you agree with this statement then please read on because lingerie is no longer just for the bedroom or under a skirt or blouse. It has historically been worn as a foundation that distorted a woman’s form to conform to the style of the day. Corsets, waist cinchers, and similar garments were to make a woman’s body appear to have a slender waist, hourglass figure, or the appearance of smaller breasts or whatever the style was of the day. Panties were worn for the sake of modesty, but primarily for sanitary purposes. After all, preventing one from soiling a garment was one of the primary purposes of underpants or panties. Through the 19th and early 20th century, lingerie was meant to be worn as an unmentionable, under the skirts or blouses of women, and certainly out of view of others.
Styles began to change in the early 20th century with the invention of the bra, such as it was, and women’s needs also changed with more women entering the work force during the first and second world wars. Lingerie changed along with the women that wore bras, panties and hosiery. Fabrics were invented that allowed garments to stretch and give, with comfort being more and more important, and the idea of women with freakish waists became viewed as virtually ancient.
The women’s movement and women’s changing views of fashion in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s signaled a change that has led us to where we are today. Although very few women ever actually burned their bras, the movement encouraged women to reevaluate many of society’s views concerning women, and fashion was no exception. A combination of changing values and fashion shifts among women, as well as the advent of modern fabrics and manufacturing techniques have given women the freedom to create today’s sensual and often fashion trends.
In general lingerie has become more form fitting, softer, and arguably erotic. Panties have gone from full bottomed, cotton or natural fabric tent like garments often identified as “granny panties” to the skimpy, stretch thongs and g-strings women wear today. Corsets and bustiers in the past had boning, often made of whale bone, to maintain the integrity of the garment that was primarily used as a girdle or figure contorting device. The objective then was to create garments that confined, while today the objective is stretch to fit, body hugging, garments that are extremely comfortable to wear.
