A History of Underwear and Lingerie
The Teddy
A teddie or teddy is a form of undergarments similar to a bodysuit which is mostly worn in the boudoir. Dissimilar to a bodysuit however, it is usually more sheer and much looser and may be made to slip of the shoulders instead of open at the crotch. The teddy is generally worn for the tantalizing look, rather than for pragmatic reasons.
The Bra
In the late eighteen eighties the Frenchwoman Herminie Cadolle introduced the first modern brassiere. This was a two-piece undergarment known as le bien-etre (the well-being). The lower section was a corset for the waist while the top section supported the breasts by the use of straps over the shoulders. By 1905 the upper section half was being sold separately as a soutien-gorge (breast-supporter, using a euphemism for breast that conventionally means throat), the name by which bras are still called in France. Cadolle’s company is still making and selling lingerie today.
The Babydoll
The babydoll is a tiny nightgown or negligee meant as nightwear for women. The raiment is sometimes trimmed with ribbons, bows, ruffles, lace, appliques and Marabou fur, and generally has an option of spaghetti straps. Often it is manufactured of translucent or sheer material like nylon, silk or chiffon. The garment’s hemline is commonly about six inches above the knee like a minidress and could have a scoop-neck. Babydolls are traditionally considered to be exciting.
The Thong
The thong or G-string is more than likely one of the first forms of clothing known to man. It is presumed to have developed in the warmer climates of sub-Saharan Africa where garments were first worn nearly 75,000 years ago. Many tribal clans displayed thongs for millennia. These first garments were made with the male genitalia in mind.
The Corset
The corset became unfashionable during the nineteen twenties in America and Europe. Elastic bras and girdles were responsible for replacing it, but it managed to survive as an article of costume. Originally an item of underwear, the corset has turned into a popular item of outerwear in the gothic and on-the-edge fashion. In on-the-edge literature, there is usually a lot of emphasis on tightlacing. In this case the corset could still be underwear rather than outerwear.
