From bandages to today's haute lingerie, women's undergarments tell our story. Reflecting the female body, they reveal codes and values. They show us how the image of women has evolved over time. In this article, we'll look at the evolution of the use of undergarments.
The beginnings of pre-wear lingerie dominated by utilitarian aspects
Women's lingerie originated in Ancient Greece primarily for utilitarian reasons. The aim was to protect the intimate parts of the body, with no desire to make oneself sexy or seductive. Women wore bandages and tunics as undergarments. In the Middle Ages, this vision changed little. Women wore simple shirts, always emphasizing practicality. The Renaissance saw the birth of the corset. The aim was to enhance a woman's curves. Lingerie was no longer a simple piece of fabric, but was used to reveal the sensuality of the female body. Fabrics became sexier, with a particular interest in lace. At the time, however, women's lingerie was reserved for wealthy families. In the 19th century, the wedding trousseau became more popular. Given to women at the time of their union, it was intended to follow them throughout their lives and symbolize this important day. This tradition is still alive and well in today's society. The First World War saw women's lingerie return to its original function: utilitarian. As a result, lingerie became more practical and comfortable, allowing women to move around more easily. It was stockings and garter belts that enabled women to continue expressing their elegance.
Women's lingerie becomes the expression of a woman's personality
The famous girdle appeared in the 1930s, thanks to the iconic Chantelle brand. The bra, which had taken this name in 1904, became increasingly popular with the creation of cup sizes. It was then that the lingerie we know today was born, with the use of a variety of materials (lycra, nylon, viscose...). Women's lingerie became accessible to all, and women began to buy according to their tastes and desires. After May 1968 and all its demands, women's underwear once again took a turn for the better. These years saw the liberation of the female body. Stockings gave way to tights, bras were less underwired, more colorful and more eccentric... Women became masters of their own bodies. She wore less and less underwear, and the era of "no lingerie" began, with more and more transparency. As the years went by, different types of bra were created. The 90s marked the arrival of the push-up, in a decade when women's breasts were the focus of attention. Women increasingly asserted their sex appeal and wanted undergarments that reflected it.
Today, we're going back to the 70s, with a focus on comfort. With the introduction of soft stretch by Chantelle, lingerie is adapting to a wide range of women with different body shapes. In fact, we're seeing a great Today, we're going back to the 70s, with a focus on comfort. With the introduction of soft stretch by Chantelle, lingerie is adapting to a wide range of women with different body shapes. In fact, we're seeing a great diversity of bodies and shapes promoted by the brands. So what does the future hold for women's lingerie ?
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