The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Posted by Rebekah Roy on June 17th, 2009

Evolution-of_Underwear1 The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

I went to the opening of the new exhibit at the Fashion and Textile Museum. I find the history of underwear so fascinating! At the exhibition you can see the first patented bra from 1915, and anti-cellulite knickers and a bust-firming bra. It’s interesting when I’m shopping for something like vintage 50’s prom dresses - I’m attracted to the nipped-in waist, but really am I wearing the right underwear to make this dress fit perfectly? Probably not. The exhibition got me thinking about how many different kinds of bras there are: like the demi bra or balconette can mold the breast like two scoops of ice cream. There are also bras for compressions and bras to lift and create cleavage - it gets you thinking of breasts as an accessory!

Evolution-of_Underwear2(1) The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

There were a selection of bras from M&S, Triumph, La Perla, Christian Dior, Myla and Wonderbra just to name a few

Evolution-of-Underwear3(1) The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Evolution-of-Underwear-Imodesy-Blaze-Alexia The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Evolution-of-Underwear-A The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum Evolution-of-Underwear-b The Evolution of Underwear at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Curator Alison McCann
Undercover – The Evolution of Underwear
12 June 2009 - 27 September 2009
Fashion and Textile Museum

www.ftmlondon.org

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Tags: lingerie

2 responses so far ↓

1 Chloé Nagle // Jun 17, 2009 at 23:23

This is exactly what I did my dissertation on! The evolution of underwear since 1850, along side the evolution of the female being. It’s a good read!!
2 Make Do Style // Jun 18, 2009 at 8:08

Fabulous - I’m hot footing it to this.