HNB4M: WORLD OF

FASHION RESEARCH
PROJECT
Lingerie

By: Cindy Li

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

What Is Lingerie?
Lingerie is fancy nightwear for women. They are flexible, stretchy, sheer, or decorative.
They use materials such as Lycra, nylon, silk, polyester, satin, and sheer fabric.

Ancient Egyptian Lingerie Fashions

It is believed that lingerie started with the Egyptians around 3000 B.C. To the Egyptians,
clothing was a status symbol for them. The higher-ranking women would wear narrow tunics as
undergarments that started below the females chest, it extended to their ankles and were also
supported by a crosswire shoulder strap. Since the Egyptian climate is hot, they favoured light
clothing that was made from plant fibres, such as linin. 1(Ewing. E, 1972)

Medieval Lingerie fashions

In July 2008, during an reconstruction in the Lengberg Castle, a Vault was found. Because of its
dry conditions, worked wood, leather shoes, and textiles were persevered well. Four of the linin
garments were also found and they seem to resemble modern bras. The bra was made from
simple strips of cloth or leather; they seem to designed to flatten the breasts rather than
enhancing them. 2(Hodgman. C, 2015)

1 Ewing, E. (2018, February 22). A History of Lingerie. Retrieved January 18th, 2016 from

http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/028lingerie.html2 Hodgman, C. (2015, November 17).

Medieval underwear. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from
http://www.historyextra.com/lingerie.html

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

However, there are some evidence showing that women did try to enhance their breasts.
Some women would insert two bags in to their dresses; they did this for fitting tight. It is
believed that every morning they would put the bags into their breasts and fasten then with a
matching band. 2(Hodgman. C, 2015)

The 1500s Lingerie Fashions

Corsets came into play in females lingerie by the 1500s. As the years went by the tightness and
the structure changed. The corset flattened raised the bust, it hides the stomach and hips. A
corset made up of a metal, also known as the iron corset may have been worn during this time.
Wearing an iron corset is extremely comfortable which shows how extreme women were during
this time were in order to appear beautiful. It is also rumored that Catherine Dmedici had
extremely stick standards for her ladies in waiting; she hated seeing anyone with a thick waist. 3
(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)

The French Revolution

Around 1789 for a brief moment women were shunned the corsets and conforming
underwear, and rebelled against the symbols of aristocracy. Empire waist dress were trending at
this period of time, it didnt require women to wear tight corsets anymore and for once, women

2 Hodgman, C. (2015, November 17). Medieval underwear. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from

http://www.historyextra.com/lingerie.html 3 Sexylingerieshop (2015, August). History of

Lingerie - Lingerie Throughout History. Retrieved January 21, 2016, from
http://www.sexylingerieshop.com/history-of-lingerie.php

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

were able to relax and breathe again. Breasts became the focus, a light corset was designed once
again to be worn under gowns and dress; to push the bust up. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
By 1825 once again, the corset came back; women everywhere desired the hour-glass shape. The
design of the corset was adjusted; metal eyelets were included so women could easily tighten
lace into them without tearing or ripping the corset. By the 1900s corsets were considered the
norm once again. In this century, stockings and garters came into play with wearing corsets.
3

(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)

The Flapper Era

By the 1920s, women desired another type of figure. Instead of the hour-glass shaped, the
straighter, almost boyish in figure was desired. Camisole was popular as lingerie during this
time. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
By the 1950s, once again, the hourglass shaped was popular. Thigh high stockings and
garters were also in high demand and to be worse with lingerie, it was considered as a sexy style.
3

(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)

The 1980s - 1900s Technology and Lingerie

During this time period the bust was popular again. A new company, Wonderbra and
other push-up bras gave women the cleavage they wanted. Bras that were padded and had
underwire were extremely popular and still popular today. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
Lingerie For Modern Women

Sexylingerieshop (2015, August). History of Lingerie - Lingerie Throughout History. Retrieved

January 21, 2016, from http://www.sexylingerieshop.com/history-of-lingerie.php
3

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

Todays lingerie is made to feel comfortable for the wearer, unlike other time periods.
Even thought its comfortable, it still enhances and flatters the body of the wearer. Lingerie come
many different styles, colours and fabrics. They can be padded, strapless, backless, convertible
and so on. Lingerie has come a long way, many changes and alterations were made to get to
where it is now. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)

Types of Lingerie
The Babydoll This piece of garment loose fitting, short, and it may be sleeveless. It
uses a translucent material, or even sheer. Most of the time it is worn as a nightgown. It
may include a matching pair of underwear or a loose short fitting skirt that I worn
between the belly button and the upper thigh. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
The Camisole This piece of garment is sleeves. It is loose and fitting and usually made
with extremely thin straps. It is designed to be worn under your clothes to add support
makes you feel sexier. This is usually made from cotton, satin, silk, or other form fitting
fabrics such as lycra, or spandex. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
The Teddy This piece of garment is also known as camiknickers. It is a single piece
garment that covers the torso and crotch. This garment can also be worn under your
clothes, acting as a camisole and underwear. By wearing this under your clothes, any
visible underwear line will not be visible. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)
Bustier This piece of garment tightens the abdomen and it forces the womens breast
upward and sometimes outward. This can also be word under a low-cut dress, acting as

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

push-up bra. It can also be worn as a tank top. May include matching underwear or
garters. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)4
The Chemise This piece of garment was made as a simple piece, its purpose was to be worn
on the skin to protect clothes from sweat and body oils. Although today, this garment is
an elegant lingerie that is delicate and sexy. It is loose fitting, has no buttons or fasteners.
This is made from silk, satin, lace and mesh. This garment may come with matching
underwear. 3(Sexylingerieshop. 2015)

Famous Labels Known Today

Princess Tam Tam This brand was created in the 80s by two Parisian sisters. They
owned a shop, their best seller was mens boxers; they were brightly coloured. These
boxers inspired the two sisters to create lingerie which went against the trends. Their
collection was subtle but creative, they had original prints, intricate details on straps, lacy
trims, and just like their mens boxers, it was colourful. 4(Gilliam, R. 2013)
LAgent - This collection of lingerie is designed by Penelope and Monica Cruz, with
Agent Provocateurs Creative Director Sarah Shotton. Their collection is bold, has
contrasting colour choices with many details that is considered to be playful and fresh.
(Gilliam, R. 2013)
Calvin Klein Their underwear has a slick and sophisticate aesthetic appeal. From
3

underwire to triangle bras, to gel plunge and balconettes, these pieces of clothing give

the wearer the shape they want and they provide the wearer a flawless silhouette.
4

(Gilliam, R. 2013)

Sexylingerieshop (2015, August). History of Lingerie - Lingerie Throughout History.

Retrieved January 21, 2016, from http://www.sexylingerieshop.com/history-of-lingerie.php
43

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

Stella McCartney Latest collection is inspired by bold prints and colours that stand
out, mixing in contrasting fabrics such as delicate lace and sporty fabrics. Their cotton is
also organic. 4(Gilliam, R. 2013)
Bluebella This brand was stared by an Oxford graduate student, Emily Bendell in 2005.
She has noticed a gap in the marker for sexually empowered new generation for confident
women. Their lingerie is known for being unashamedly sexy without being tacky.
4

(Gilliam, R. 2013)

References

Ewing, E. (20018, February 22). A History of Lingerie. Retrieved January 18th, 2016
from http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/028lingerie.html
54 Gilliam,

R. (2013, December 13). 8 Lingerie Brands We Should All Have In Our Underwear
Drawer. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/545106/8lingerie-brands-we-should-all-have-in-our-underwear-drawers.html

HNB4M: World of Fashion Research Project

Lingerie

Cindy Li

Gilliam, R. (2013, December 13). 8 Lingerie Brands We Should All Have In Our
Underwear Drawer. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from
http://www.marieclaire.co.uk/blogs/545106/8-lingerie-brands-we-should-all-have-in-ourunderwear-drawers.html
Hodgman, C. (2015, November 17). Medieval underwear. Retrieved January 18, 2016,
from http://www.historyextra.com/lingerie.html
Sexylingerieshop (2015, August). History of Lingerie - Lingerie Throughout History.
Retrieved January 21, 2016, from http://www.sexylingerieshop.com/history-oflingerie.php