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Fashion has always been a mix of the unpredictable and the illogical, often veering into the outright bizarre. Over the centuries, clothing trends have shifted dramatically, and even something as mundane as underwear has seen its fair share of peculiar transformations. Brace yourself as we dive into 10 outrageous historical undergarments that will make you grateful for modern-day comfort.
10. Subligaculum And Strophium
Anyone who studied Latin in school might recall the phrase Semper ubi sub ubi, which translates to “always where under where” in English.
In ancient Rome, women’s undergarments bore a striking resemblance to today’s bikinis. The strophium, a snug leather band, was used to support and flatten the breasts. Small breasts and wide hips were considered fashionable, and the strophium helped women achieve this ideal silhouette.
While true underpants didn’t exist, the subligaculum was commonly worn by athletes and laborers, such as slaves, who worked under the sun. This garment, oddly reminiscent of a diaper, was a loincloth crafted from wool or leather. Interestingly, not everyone wore it—going without undergarments beneath a toga was perfectly acceptable.
9. Pantalets
Women started wearing pantalets and drawers around 1830. During the Middle Ages, undergarments were nonexistent for women, and by the 19th century, pantalets were primarily reserved for upper-class women. Despite being a form of underwear, pantalets were crotchless and consisted of two separate pieces fastened together at the hips.
Pantalets weren’t designed for full coverage but rather to showcase the elaborate embroidery on the legs when a woman’s skirts lifted. The quality of the embroidery even became a status symbol. Owning such garments signaled wealth and style, while those who couldn’t afford them were often seen as middle or lower-class women who had to keep their skirts firmly in place.
8. Silk Stockings
Silk stockings weren’t technically undergarments, but they became essential when little else was worn beneath skirts. During the 16th century, women typically wore stockings made of wool or linen under their dresses.
This shifted on New Year’s Day in 1560 when Queen Elizabeth received silk stockings as a gift. Enamored by their elegance, she ordered seven pairs in various colors. Inspired by the queen, affluent women across Europe began wearing silk stockings under their skirts, and the trend quickly gained widespread popularity.
Interestingly, stockings regained their status as a symbol of prestige during World War II. Due to wartime shortages, stockings became scarce, and those who managed to acquire them were highly admired.
Naturally, every woman desired stockings. To mimic the look, women began painting stockings directly onto their legs. Stockings of that era featured a dark seam running down the back of the leg, so women used brushes to paint a black line on each leg. This creative solution even earned its own name: “glamor hose.”
7. Chemise
The chemise was a basic, flowing garment worn beneath everyday attire during the Middle Ages. It served as a staple for both men and women and was the sole article of clothing that underwent regular washing.
In the 1780s, Marie Antoinette, France’s queen, popularized the chemise as an everyday dress, offering a stark contrast to the rigid court fashion of the time. However, the chemise a la reine quickly fell out of favor following the queen’s execution during the revolution.
Surprisingly, within just a few years, a similar version of the chemise made a comeback. During the Empire era, a lightweight, nearly see-through chemise became fashionable, resembling a tunic. Its transparency was such that flesh-toned undergarments were worn beneath to create the illusion of near-nudity.
6. Teddy Or Camiknickers
The teddy debuted in the 1910s but gained widespread popularity a decade later during the Roaring Twenties. This one-piece garment covered both the torso and crotch, designed to be either snug or loose depending on the style of the dress worn over it.
In the 1920s, women aimed for a seamless, undergarment-free appearance, and teddies were designed to hug the body tightly, much like today’s shapewear. During this era, designers began paying attention to the aesthetics of undergarments, incorporating embellishments such as lace and ribbons.
The teddy’s design endured through both World War I and World War II. It remained a comfortable choice, even when paired with trousers, and its influence is evident in modern swimwear, which can be seen as a direct evolution of the teddy.
5. Early Bra
Women across the globe owe a debt of gratitude to Mary Phelps Jacob, the inventor of the modern bra, a garment worn daily by millions.
At 19, while preparing for a debutante ball in Manhattan, Jacob faced a significant challenge. The fashion of her era favored slim figures and low necklines, which posed a problem for her fuller figure. Her corset constantly peeked out of her dress, leading to frustration.
Driven by necessity, Jacob and her maid crafted the first bra by sewing together two pieces of fabric. Jacob patented her creation in 1914, marking the birth of the modern bra.
Her invention couldn’t have come at a better time. With the outbreak of World War I, the metal used in corsets was redirected for the war effort. Women embraced the bra as a more comfortable alternative to the restrictive corset.
4. Corset
Corsets were a staple in both women’s and men’s wardrobes for more than 300 years, outlasting any other undergarment in history. They gained popularity in the 16th century and were initially crafted from iron.
By the Elizabethan era, iron was replaced by whalebone, which was not actual bone but the baleen teeth whales use to filter krill. The demand for whalebone during the corset era contributed significantly to the endangerment of whales due to excessive hunting.
Over the centuries, corset styles evolved dramatically, transitioning from a conical waistline in the Elizabethan period to the iconic hourglass shape of the Victorian era. Victorian corsets were notorious for their extreme tight lacing, often cinching waists to unnaturally small sizes.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria famously had a waist measuring just 41 centimeters (16 inches). It took years for medical professionals to recognize the health risks associated with corsets. Their decline finally came with the onset of World War I.
3. Chastity Belts
Chastity belts, primarily designed for women in the 16th century, were iron devices intended to prevent sexual activity or masturbation. Some versions even featured spikes for added deterrence. While myths suggest they were used during the Crusades to ensure wives' fidelity while their husbands were away, historical evidence for this is scarce.
After fading from use post-Renaissance, chastity belts resurfaced in the late 18th century as medical devices. During this time, masturbation was deemed harmful, and these belts were prescribed as treatments for both men and women.
In the 1920s, some women adopted chastity belts as so-called “anti-rape” devices. However, modern scholars argue that the medieval use of chastity belts is largely a myth, with historical depictions likely being satirical or fabricated.
2. Radioactive Underwear
During the early 20th century, before the dangers of radioactivity were fully recognized, it was hailed as a miracle cure. From the 1920s to the 1950s, radium was incorporated into various products, including cosmetics, food, and even undergarments.
Radium, found in hot springs, was believed to have health benefits, making the fascination with this “newly discovered natural wonder” more understandable. Both men and women purchased “glowing underwear” or inserted radioactive pads into their undergarments.
1. Menstrual Belts
Introduced around 1900, the menstrual belt aimed to simplify women’s lives. It involved wearing a belt around the hips with a detachable pad. Initially, these pads were often made of wool and required frequent washing.
In 1913, disposable “sanitary napkins” were introduced, revolutionizing menstrual care. By the 1950s, menstrual belts were replaced by menstrual panties, eventually evolving into the modern pads we use today, which were developed in the 1980s.
Historically, women relied on various absorbent materials such as grass, hay, sponges, and rabbit skins. The ancient Egyptians even crafted tampons from softened papyrus.
