The concept of lingerie being visually appealing was a development of the later nineteenth century. Up through the first half of the 20th century women selected underwear for three major purposes: to alter their shape (first with corsets and later with girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or for modesty. Women's underwear before the invention of the crinoline was often very large and bulky. As the 20th century progressed underwear became smaller and more form fitting. In the 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamorize lingerie and the idea of lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed.
The lingerie industry has expanded in the 21st century with designs that double as outerwear. The French refer to this as 'dessous-dessus' which basically means innerwear as outerwear. The boutique Faire Frou Frou, which is an antiquated phrase meaning "show it off", heralds this philosophy by categorizing lingerie as an accessory with details such as straps and lace trim that should be layered and shown as part of one's outerwear.
Category of Lingerie
- Babydoll, a short nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for women.
- Basque, a tight, form-fitting bodice or coat
- Bedjacket, worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and modesty.
- Blanket sleeper
- Bloomers, underpants with short legs.
- Bodystocking, a unitard.
- Bodysuit, a leotard-like undergarment, usually skintight or formfitting.
- Bodice, covers the body from the neck to the waist.
- Boy shorts, a style of panties, so named for their resemblance to male shorts.
- Brassiere
- Bustier
- Camisole, sleeveless and tight fitting, covering the top part of the body
- Cami knickers, camisole and knickers joined as one garment
- Cami Shorts
- Cheeky, exposes the bottom part of the buttocks
- Chemise
- Corset by bone, a bodice worn to mold and shape the torso.
- Corselet = Brassiere + Girdle
- Corsage by elastic, covering the body from the neck to the waist, similar to a corset.
- French maid, a form of ladies' fantasy wear
- G-String/Thong, a narrow piece of cloth passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as a bikini bottom or as underwear by both men and women.
- Garter
- Garter belt, used to keep stockings up
- Knickers
- Nightshirt
- Panties
- Robe
- Slip (Full slip and Half slip / Underskirt)
- Tanga
- Tap Pants
Since the mid-1990's women have had more choice in bra sizes; the focus has changed from choosing bras in an average size to wearing bras that actually fit perfectly. In the UK, for example, the media is fueling an awareness campaign about the need for each woman to have a proper bra fitting before every purchase.
Companies such as Bravissimo, created in 1995 by Sarah Tremellan, have filled the gap. Tremellan, having realised that she did not fit the 'standard' size (then reputed to be 34B and now 34DD), wanted choice. She created Bravissimo, which provides a wide range of lingerie and swimwear in D-K cup. Her company allows women in non-standard sizes, such as 30G or 38J to wear attractive as well as functional lingerie.
Other companies have provided made to measure alternatives. The world famous French House of Cadolle, now owned by the fifth generation Cadolle, Poupie Cadolle, makes bras, corsets and other lingerie on a made to measure basis (also known as Demi-mesure for clothes adapted to fit the customers' measurements). The made to measure method is also used by British firm Kate Gibson Lingerie, founded by Kate Mellor and Katy Gibson. Kate Gibson Lingerie, taking the opposite track from Bravissimo, only produces petite lingerie for women who wear AA to 34B cup bras, thereby provided choice for smaller women. Both Cadolle and Kate Gibson Lingerie use couture fabrics and laces to created designer lingerie and petite designer lingerie.
Companies such as The Natori Company, founded in 1977 by Josie Natori have helped expand lingerie beyond bras and underwear into the areas of sleepwear and loungewear, creating clothes that can be "worn either to bed or out on the town." [1]
Online lingerie stores such as BeCheeky.com, owned by husband and wife team, James and Sarah Akin Smith import designer lingerie from around the world. James found buying lingerie for his wife an embarrassing and difficult experience, having been sold hundred of pounds of lingerie of the wrong size in a store in Canada and decided there had to be a better way. The company started selling one-size thongs and now introduce many unusual brands sourced from all over the world.
Credit: Wikipedia
No comments:
Post a Comment