The Evolution of Underwear

Not all museums are buttoned-up. Some have snaps. And hooks. And little satin bows. In Undercover, a new exhibit at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum, the evolution of women’s undergarments is chronicled across the past century, from practical girdles and anti-cellulite knickers to Wonderbras and the finest La Perlas. Displayed on the (remarkably unmodest) mannequins are designs by Stella McCartney, Christian Dior, Calvin Klein, and Elle Macpherson, who helped unveil the exhibit. “I have been passionate about underwear since I was a little girl,” Macpherson said at the exhibit’s opening.

From the shape-defining to the risqué, the history of women’s unmentionables in many ways parallels the history of women's role in society. “Developments in underwear have moved with the social and economic times,” the exhibit’s curator Alison McCann notes, “and this exhibition charts how female underwear has evolved over the past century from a functional item to a thing of beauty.” The beautiful things in Undercover (which runs until September 27) include an original Merry Widow corset inspired by Lana Turner, a stunning gown made from bras and briefs by designers Vin & Omi, and a La Perla bra encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Some Kinds Of Underwear

Religious functions

Undergarments can also have religious significance:

• Judaism. Male Orthodox Jews wear a four-cornered prayer shawl called a tallit katan, which has tzitzit (fringes) attached to the corners, draped over their shoulders. To conform with societal dress codes, a tallit katan is often worn beneath one's shirt, but above an undershirt as it should not come into contact with the skin.
• Mormonism. Most members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) wear special temple garments after they have been endowed in a temple to help them remember the teachings of the temple.
• Sikhism. One of the panj kakaar (five articles of faith) that Sikh men wear is a type of underpants called the kaccha, which are similar to boxer shorts.

Panties

These usually have an elastic waistband, a crotch to cover the genital area which is usually lined with absorbent material such as cotton, and a pair of leg openings which are often also elasticized. They either have very short or no leg sections

Thong

Has a narrow strip of material along the centre of the garment's rear which sits between the wearer's buttocks and connects the front or pouch to the waistband behind the wearer. Thongs are sometimes worn to reduce "panty lines" when wearing tightly-fitting trousers.

Brassiere

Usually consists of two cups for the breasts, a centre panel (gore), a band running around the torso under the bust, and a shoulder strap for each side.

Ingrid Vandebhosc's Underwear