Interesting Historical Facts About Lingerie

We have the first historical evidence of the use of lingerie by a woman to enhance her figure from the Minoan civilization in Crete. 

The garments that were found by archeologists featured a flounced skirt with a corset that lifted the breasts while leaving them bare. There is insufficient evidence to know whether these garments were used as part of a religious ritual or as everyday fashion.

Corsets became all the rage in the Middle Ages, when small breasts were the height of fashion. Some of the corset styles from the time include the vliaunt, surcot, and the cotte.

The style become much more emphasized during the Renaissance. Under the influence of the Spanish, we see the use of much tighter corsets. The corsets were designed to create what was then considered the perfect shape of a woman – a flat stomach, narrow waist, and small bosom. These corsets were often so tight that they caused women to faint, reinforcing the stereotype of women as the weaker sex, totally dependant on men.

The sensual shape of a woman with a more voluptuous figure came into vogue in the eighteenth century. To enhance the sensual power of their shape, many women began to use more luxurious fabrics for their garments. This style continued for quite some time. While they were prohibited in the 1770s, boned corsets began to reappear in the 1880s. Another fashion trend of the era was bodices that the wearer could lace up herself.

We see the emergence of scented underwear and lingerie designed for particular times of day or activities in the 1900s. Tight corsets continued to remain in fashion. Stockings gained in popularity among women, which made garters and suspenders more popular as well.

It is not until the twentieth century that we see a real break from the confining history of the corset. During this time a woman’s body became more of a part of how she thought of herself, and the lingerie companies created garments that catered to this. We see the development of different bra styles and sizes, as well as a more diverse selection of garments geared toward comfort and functionality.

Today’s woman has a much better sense of her own intrinsic beauty, and the range of styles, fabrics, and colors used in modern lingerie give women a chance to find those items that make her feel great about herself. Lingerie is romantic because it allows a woman to feel desirable and beautiful.



 

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