From the corset to the panty and bra. Lingerie has evolved a lot in recent years, both in the models and the concept of underwear itself.
Nowadays, lingerie is mainly seen as a sensual accessory. But the story of underwear shows that it goes far beyond an object linked only to desire and pleasure. To know the whole context in which the intimate pieces were created, is also to understand how society evolved, especially for women.
Far beyond a panty and bra, lingerie is also a symbol of the struggle for gender equality, and addressing delicate issues such as sexuality and morality. Not to mention the style, of course, since the piece is now an important part of the fashion industry.
Until arriving at the model we see today, the underwear has undergone several changes, from the format to the purpose. And that says a lot about the role of women throughout history.
Imagine you, a world where women wore super tight corsets, in order to fine-tune your waistline. Or that they tiled their breasts, squeezing them to achieve a more androgynous look. And that they even burned bras in the public square to declare their own freedom. All this is part of history, and has helped solidify lingerie as we know it today.
Therefore, today we will know more about the history of lingerie, and how it became what it is today.
The first underwear

It is not known for sure when and where the idea of underwear began. However, the first record of clothing of the kind comes from Ancient Greece. At that time, it was common for women to use a band of cloth around the chest, covering and supporting the breasts. In addition, they also used a kind of cotton diaper on the bottom.
The bras and panties that are used today, appeared even in the 19th century. However, until that time, what predominated even in the women’s clothing under women were corsets and crinolines. Thus, these clothes were intended to redraw the female silhouette, leaving women with the thinnest waistlines and erect posture.
The word lingerie originates from the Latin name linum, which meant linen. Thus, this word underwent several changes, of concept and writing, until arriving in lingerie that, in French, meant the color of the linen threads with which the pieces were made.
This concept was initially used as a euphemism for underwear considered scandalous. Thus, until its popularization in the 1850s, the term lingerie was used in general, to refer to underwear that had many details, regardless of whether they were female or masculine.
Finally, sensuality was only associated with underwear long after, in the 1950s, with the popularization of pin-ups.
History of the lingerie

It can be said then that the history of lingerie begins in the 19th century, when in 1800 the first panties were created. At that time, this was not the name, the percussor piece of panties was called pantaloon. The pantaloons were made primarily in pastel tones, with light fabric, and shape very similar to male shorts, which reached knee height.
Three decades later, in the period marked by the romantic style, women wore clothes with a marked waist, bell-shaped skirts and smbling sleeves. This style was only possible thanks to the advent of the corset and crinoline, which was used to leave the woman with a seductive and elegant appearance.

Only then in the 1850s that different models of underwear begin to be made. However, this was only the modernization of the traditional corsets, which now gained new props, such as satin, bulge and income.
Boss for breasts

Until then, the focus of the underwear was to maintain the posture and silhouette of women. Therefore, there was nothing specific to support the breasts in a practical way. This changes in 1889, when Hermione Caddole invents a revolutionary piece: the booness for breasts. His idea completely changed the concept of support for breasts, which now came with handles that rested on the shoulders.
So it can be said that the first contemporary bra was the invention of Caddole. This was intended to give women a little more comfort. Made with a fabric based on cotton and silk, the piece revolutionized the fashion world, giving rise to the base model of the bras used today.
Revolution of intimate pieces

Soon after, in the early 1890s the intimate pieces begin to gain a new look. At this time, they cease to be so bulky and restrictive, and the traditional corsets are replaced by the brassiere, a type of bra.
Another major change happens in the 1920s, when lingerie go through a repaginada, gaining a more masculinized aspect. Thus, the shape of the pieces no longer gave chance for bulky clothes, and women began to wear fairer pieces, such as petticoat. With this, they allowed a silhouette less fair and freer.
In addition, manufacturers begin to invest in a lighter version of this piece, giving priority to fresher and more comfortable fabrics. Thus, the piece combined well with more fluid dresses, marked from the 20s and 30s.

Another milestone of this era, were the sweaters sewn with panties, the so-called camiknickers. This piece became very popular among women, since it allowed its use under shorter dresses. And the camiknickers continued to be part of women’s clothing until World War II, when they began to wear trousers and act in functions, which until then were considered only masculine.
Sensuality

Sensuality comes to be related to lingerie only in the 1950s, thanks to pin-ups. While most women maintained the tradition of dressing more delicately, pin-ups came to revolutionize fashion, standard of beauty and lingerie.
They made a point of exhibiting extremely sensual and provocative intimate pieces. Not by chance, they became a symbol of sex-appeal of the time, using light corsets and colorful cinta-ligos, and full of lace and accessories. Of course, all this along with their voluptuous bodies, which set the aesthetic standard of the time.
New models of underwear

After the popularization of pin-ups, and amidst psychedelicism and rising technology, underwear has gained a new redesign. By the 1960s, women had more of the opportunity to choose which lingerie to use. Then, from that moment, the industry begins to invest in more modern models.
In the 1980s, thongs and bodys become the sensation among women, especially among rock singers of the time. Among them, we can mention the singer Cher.

In the following decade, the wonderbra (suti bra with a highlight) was in evidence on the body of model Eva Herizgova, which has imprinted an editorial for Billboard. At the time, the piece caused a huge controversy at international level. This has helped in its popularization.
The current lingeries

In the 2000s, with the turn of the century many things changed, including lingerie models. It is impossible to talk about the modernization of lingerie without mentioning the brand Victoria’s Secret, the main diffuser of the lingerie models that are currently used.
The brand was responsible for making delicate and sensual intimate pieces, the desire for consumption of many women. And in addition to the specially designed pieces, she revolutionized the intimate fashion and also the pattern of feminine beauty. This is thanks to his traditional parade, where his pieces were displayed on the bodies of lean models.
The fact is that unlike a century ago, nowadays lingeries are synonymous with comfort and freedom for women. With a huge variety of options. Currently, women have the option to choose from sexy, delicate and comfortable pieces. Made with the most diverse tissues, for all bodies. An enormous achievement, since in the past the underwear was seen as a symbol of oppression.
Curiosities
And finally, the Women’s Area separated curiosities about some pieces of lingerie that stood out in history. Check it out below!
Cors corsets

Corsets were widely used by the nobility of the 18th century. However, the piece was not at all functional, since it needed the help of a maid to be placed. Not to mention that it was very bothered and even painful. The piece was intended to fine-tune the women’s waist and project the breasts upwards. However, the corset squeezed both the internal organs of the women, which there were even cases of bleeding and deaths from their use.
Currently, the corset has been returning to fashion and is being widely worn over clothes or as a single piece, since the new models are very decorated and of the most diverse styles. However, it is very important to emphasize the care of this piece, so that no one suffers from aesthetic pressures and ends up hurting by tightening the corsets too much, as in the past.
Crinolina

Criinoline is another accessory that has been widely used by the nobility in the past. It is a frame made of linen and horsehair that was worn under the dress in order to keep the shape full of the skirt. However, it was also not comfortable and hindered the movement of women. In the 19th century women turned against the use of the accessory, on the grounds that it damaged the internal organs and deformed the body. In addition, crinoline was highly flammable, which caused several accidents, some fatalities.
Sweater combination

Shortly after the end of World War I, the standard of beauty allowed women a more straight and slender silhouette. Thus, the combination sweater began to be worn under the clothes. Currently, shirt models are used as pajamas, for sleeping, and most are made of cotton, so more comfortable for use.
Half-foot pants

The pantyhose emerged in the 20th century, becoming popular in the 1960s and 1980s. And it had influence mainly in fashion, since it made possible the use of shorter skirts and dresses. Even today, it is very common to see women wearing pantyhose under these pieces, especially in more formal work environments and places.
However, the popularity of midfoot led to the creation of other, more stripped-up models. Like, for example, the so-popes of the trawl type, with its checkerboard and leaky shape, widely used by the celebrities of the rock world.
Lingeries and the diversity of bodies

Finally, despite the whole history of lingerie, we know that the fashion industry is constantly changing. Therefore, nowadays, more than at any time, clothing, especially the underwear, have adapted to suit all body types.
In fact, the purpose of many of the manufacturers today is to seek comfort and quality, with pieces of various sizes that go hand in hand with beauty. In this way, some of these brands seek to make women aware of their beauty and their power.
Therefore, woman, always remember that you must love yourself. Love your body because it has power, you have power. Regardless of your underwear, you should feel comfortable being who you are because you are perfect in your way.
Anyway, what do you think of this matter? In fact, take the opportunity to check also who invented the high heels.
Sources: Blog da Lingerie BBC Climages
Featured Image by Juliana Lopes
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