Lingerie Trends Throughout the Decades*

Lets face it, there isn’t much better than buying yourself some truly gorgeous underwear. It can make you feel empowered, even if you’re the only person who sees it. I truly feel good about myself when I strutting around in a matching set, the kind that is slightly uncomfortable but you just know you look good in it. Sometimes if I’m having a bad mental health period, it’s the little things like matching underwear that keeps me going.

Lingerie started out as something to preserve the modesty for a woman, to something specifically chosen to look good in while undressing (or sometimes to help you look your best in clothing, slimming pants for example). We all have our preferences, some like thongs, some like full cheeks and not all types of bras will help your chest look the best it can and offer ample support.

Credit

Belle Lingerie have put together this wonderful infographic about The Evolution of Lingerie, and I was surprised to see that some of the earliest examples of underwear are still popular today such as the corset, which first appeared in the 1800, stockings that have been around from the early 1930s and even the bra that made it début as early as 1910! Of course, these older examples definitely have a more modern edge with more durable and comfortable fabrics being used.

Although some examples of lingerie are still popular today in some form, others have completely disappeared. Examples of this are the petticoat and pantaloons. They’re no longer required as western fashion has evolved. In the past it was considered risqué for women to show off their legs so these were worn under skirts and dresses to ensure that didn’t happen.

I think the future of lingerie will continue down the route of sustainability and being ethically produced. This is the direction that a lot of stores are taking when it comes to the production of clothes. As underwear is something that isn’t as commonly passed on to others after serving it’s purpose, I imagine over the next few decades fast fashion could become a thing of the past!