Lingerie in History

Early Lingeries

The first pieces of underwear can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Greece, when it seems their use was widely functional. Women of Crete were and are known to have worn a simple corset that supported their breasts at the base and a very early prototype of the bra, known as a strophium, was in use in Roman times.

In the Middle Ages, members of the European nobility began to wear straightforward linen clothes under richly decorated and expensive outer dresses. This both protected these luxurious costumes from dirty bodies, and provided a layer of warmth for the wearer. Small, firm breasts were back in vogue, and women wore a multitude of corset-like variations.

These early forms of the corset generally emerged in the fifteenth century. The rigid centrepiece, known as the basque, was often decoratively carved and enjoyed a trend as a lover's token. In the eighteenth century, although women ruled the elegant society of the salons, the corset still ruled their bodies, which attained an artistry never seen before in undergarments. Copious use of damask, satin or brocaded silk, embellished with embroidery, masked the rigid structure of whalebone within.

The New Trend

As a new century begins and another century passes, few could have imagined the huge and dramatic change in lingerie. Within a hundred years, the function, shape, and fabrics of lingerie have changed almost beyond recognition. The impact of Lycra in lingerie is unprecedented. Today there are dazzling array of underwear styles to suit everyone's taste. It is fun, sexy, raunchy, sophisticated or just plain.