History of Lingerie: Explained in 3 Short Stages

We wear undergarments (almost) every day, but do you know the history of lingerie? When did people start wearing pretty little things, and why? There is no doubting that this subject matter is fascinating—how can an item conceal while reveal, or be modest and erotic at the same time? 

If you’ve ever wondered about the history of lingerie, we’re here to give you a quick and dirty rundown of this fashion must-have’s origins. Get cozy, Diva, and take notes! You never know when you might need this info in trivia. 😉

History of Lingerie

Stage 1: The Creation of Corsets

There’s always an original piece that inspires more creativity, and for lingerie, that would be the corset. These lace-up garments were first worn in Europe in the 1500s to cinch women’s waists and boost the breasts. In the pursuit of the era’s highly-coveted flat-torsoed shape, women would wear corsets beneath their dresses to train their waists to be narrower. Believe it or not, the first corsets (made in Italy) had shoulder straps!

Related: How to Lace a Corset

Many corset designs were created and adapted up through the late 1890s and beyond—often different iterations to accentuate different parts (bust, bosom, etc.)

Knowing how old the design is, it is amazing that corsets are still around. Even waist trainers still have popularity!

Related: Bustier Vs. Corset: What’s the Difference?

Stage 2: Moving to Modernism

As lingerie moved further from body-shaping devices and more into items somewhat meant to be seen, the history of lingerie takes a turn during the 1920s in America.

More boyish figures and flowy silhouettes became the style during the Roaring ‘20s—a stark contrast to the pushed-in and pushed-up looks women had worn up to this point.

During the ‘20s, loose, shapeless dresses were worn—very similar to flapper dress costumes we wear on Halloween today. In addition to light slips and longer hemlines, this era also introduced wearing stockings that went up to the knee, teasing the kneecap for risqué moments. 

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Garters & Garter Belts

We may take more sexual liberties with our hosiery, chemises, and babydoll lingerie pieces today—but we wouldn’t be able to without the progress of lingerie’s past! 

Stage 3: ABC Sizes & Beyond

It was in 1944 that S. H. and Company first denoted bra measurements the way we know them now—using letters for the cup sizes. This method quickly became the industry standard. After WWII when wire production picked back up, so did the popularity of push-up bras.

Related: How to Measure Your Bra Size the Right Way

In 1946, the first strapless bras (as we know them today) were introduced, giving women a better option than corsets and bustiers for revealing necklines.

After that, the iconic western lingerie looks we still illicit today began to have their heyday. Bullet bras were huge in the 1950s during the time pin-ups were the pinnacle of sexy women.

Related: Tattooed Pinup Babes to Follow Right Now

Then, women’s liberation hit hard in the ‘60s, when bras were burned and frilly lingerie looks filled the racks. From this point on, the sexy lace two-piece sets and other modern styles we still rock today continued their rise in popularity—and clearly they stuck! 

This may have been an extremely condensed version of the history of lingerie, but if you’re anything like us, the mere mention of lingerie makes you ready to shop!

Put your new history knowledge to work and shop Lingerie Diva’s deals of the week… for, uh, research.