Lingerie

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Lingerie is clothing for women that includes underwear like bras, sleepwear, and light robes. It is often designed to look attractive or fashionable. People sometimes think of lingerie as sexy, but it can also be practical. It’s made from light, smooth fabrics such as silk, satin, lace, chiffon, Lycra, cotton, or polyester.

The word lingerie comes from French and means undergarments or light clothing. Most lingerie is made for women, but some brands now design pieces for men too.

History in brief: Lingerie began to develop in the late 1800s as a move away from bulky corsets. Lady Duff-Gordon (Lucile) helped push for more comfortable designs. In the early 20th century, underwear served three main purposes: changing the body's shape, staying clean, and modesty. Corsets got smaller, bras appeared in the early 1900s, and World War I pushed for lighter, more practical undergarments. In the 1930s and 1940s, bras with padded cups and underwire became common, while girdles helped shape the waist.

In the 1960s, fashion and social attitudes relaxed, and the idea of the ideal body changed. Designers like André Courrèges showcased youth culture and a modern, confident woman. Lingerie then became smaller and more form-fitting, with glamorization by brands such as Frederick’s of Hollywood.

Today, some lingerie is designed to be worn as outerwear. The market is large, with bras and briefs making up much of the sales. Major brands include Victoria’s Secret (U.S.), Triumph, Chantelle, and Aubade. In 2020, there were reports of trends like male lingerie appearing on runways and possibly in high street stores. In some countries, such as Iran, there are bans on imported lingerie.