A Condensed History of Lingerie

Some may think that the invention of lingerie may be a recent development, but they would be wrong! Lingerie has been an ever changing facet of female clothing since ancient times, and continues to change even today. Here's a quick peek at lingerie throughout recorded time.

Ancient Civilizations

In ancient Minoan society women wore bone corsets much like ladies of Victorian times. These corsets however pushed the breasts up, then left them exposed. It is surmised that this fashion was created to honor women's gift of creating life.

In Medieval times undergarments were a barrier between sweat and dirt from people's bodies to their clothing. Outer clothing was rarely washed, so the chemise served as a way to keep the outer clothing clean. Women in this time bound their breasts so tight it almost appeared they had none.

Renaissance to Victorian Times

Around the 16^th century however, women began to appreciate their curves again. This is when one of the biggest players in lingerie history, the corset, came into play. From the 16^th to 19^th centuries proper ladies wore corsets to tighten their bellies and push their breasts up and out. These corsets were so tight they even caused women to frequently faint!

Modern Lingerie

By the 20^th century doctors were concerned about the effects of corsets on women, and new undergarments came into play. The brassiere (French for "support") was a new garment that sported the breasts but left the waist free. By the time WWI hit, women everywhere demanded lighter undergarments that would allow them to work freely in the jobs men had left them.

In 1940 a man named Frederick Mellinger started a lingerie business in his Manhattan loft. Soon after he moved to Hollywood, and founded the world famous Fredericks of Hollywood. From this point on underwear became more colorful, began to be seen as erotic and playful.

Today Fredericks and Victoria's Secret are two of the biggest lingerie companies in the world, creating under things to fulfill and man or woman's fantasy. Who knows where they will take us next in the sensual world of lingerie?