Ancient women without underwear?
Everyone knows that underwear, or lingerie, is an essential and crucial garment for modern women. It not only helps women feel more comfortable during physical activities, but also makes them more beautiful and confident with their partners. Underwear is also the ultimate weapon for enhancing intimacy and attractiveness for modern women. However, have you ever wondered how ancient women, especially concubines and maids in the palace, did not wear underwear? How did they cover their breasts and private parts to reduce embarrassment? Did they go commando for convenience? Let’s find out!
Ancient women’s substitutes for underwear or going commando
In ancient times, people used loincloths, which were perhaps the most basic form of underwear in the ancient world. Archaeologists have found remnants of leather loincloths dating back 7,000 years. In cold climates, loincloths were worn underneath clothing and served as undergarments. However, in hot regions, ancient people often went topless and wore loincloths.
Besides leather, ancient people also used plant fibers to make loincloths. Loincloths made from plant fibers could not survive for long periods of time. Therefore, scientists’ understanding of them mainly relies on illustrative drawings or notes found in various places.
The earliest evidence of ancient women’s underwear comes from the Minoan civilization (2600-1450 BCE) on the island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea. In the paintings of the Minoans, women were depicted wearing a cloth band across their chest, called apodesmos. This was a type of linen undergarment that closely resembled modern bras. Minoan women wrapped apodesmos around their chest, but the reason why they did so remains a mystery.
What did ancient women use instead of underwear?
The emergence of modern undergarments
In the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, and East Asia, Egyptian women wore a rectangular piece of fabric folded and sewn at the edges to create a tube. This was how Egyptian women covered their breasts. In India, during the time of King Harsha, bras and corsets were widely made.
In the Victorian era, things became a bit more complicated, as women began wearing overly tight corsets with laces. This made their waists look slimmer than normal, but it also harmed their bodies. Their health began to deteriorate, and they experienced issues such as nausea and dizziness. Additionally, the tight corsets pushed up their breasts, making them more cleavage-revealing.
The first modern bra was invented in 1869 by a woman named Herminie Cadolle. She designed it as a two-strapped corset. The upper part was designed with shoulder straps to better support the breasts. This new bra model was much more comfortable than the old-style corsets.
Early forms of lingerie
In 1914, Mary Phelps Jacob wanted to create a more comfortable bra that could be worn to parties. She achieved this by using two handkerchiefs and a ribbon. In the end, she created a lightweight, soft, and comfortable bra that was completely different from the one invented by Herminie Cadolle.
Since then, with numerous innovations by skilled designers, incredibly wonderful sets of lingerie and underwear have been created, just like we have today.
