The History and the Future of Lingerie

The garments that we know today as lingerie are relatively new arrivals in the garment industry.  Up until the middle of the twentieth century, most women's undergarments were large, unattractive, and more about function than form.

Around the 1960s, however, women's underwear started to become pretty.  Small, attractive pieces of undergarments replaced the cumbersome girdles and intimidating bras of previous years.  There was a distinctly feminine look to underwear now, which was in stark contrast with the utilitarian garments that women had thus far been forced to use.

These days, attractive lingerie is almost seen as the standard in women's undergarments.  Although most women have some "everyday" undergarments and some special, more attractive "special occasion" lingerie, even the everyday undergarments are much more visually appealing than those of 50 years ago.

What Defines Lingerie?

Since it is so common today, it can be difficult to distinguish between everyday undergarments and lingerie.  Many people are confused as to which pieces should be called lingerie and which just plain old underwear.

In general, lingerie can be described as the fancy undergarments that are made of high-quality material and are decorative as well as functional.  In fact, they are often more decorative than they are functional.

Everyday   underwear are usually made of cotton and feature wider waistbands and more generous cuts.  These features make everyday underwear more comfortable and practical for frequent use than lingerie, although they can still be very attractive.

What has Lingerie Done for Womankind?

Many people believe that the evolution of undergarments has led to women being more comfortable with their sexuality.  No longer confined to huge cotton panties and uncomfortable bras, women now have the choice to look sexy under their clothing no matter what they wear on the outside. 

Women who previously had no confidence in their bodies are now able to enjoy the wonders of push-up bras and panties with padded bottoms to help smooth and enhance their silhouette.

What is the Future of Underwear?

Some fashion experts predict that undergarments will continue to move to the outside of the wardrobe as opposed to the foundation of outfits.  This migration has been well noted in recent years as women have begun wearing lacy camisoles under jackets and letting the straps of their bras peek out under tank tops.

In future years, will lingerie take the place of more conventional wardrobe pieces?  This trend is already prevalent in Europe, where lingerie is often chosen as an accessory to a woman's outfit rather than just a base for other garments.