U is for UNDIES!!

The Rogue Speaks:

Undies began as the simple loincloth. It was a piece of animal skin that was brought up between the legs and tied around the waist with sinew or a vine. I'm sure that Jane was delighted with the look!


The loincloth remained popular for quite some time. King Tut was buried with 147 of them in his tomb. Men wore them in ancient Rome, and so did women, with the addition of a breast cloth.


In the Middle Ages, men and women both wore braies, which looked like long, loose shorts.


During the Renaissance, clausses were invented. A codpiece was added for the men's version, which you see in the example below. I don't think they came in that color, though.


Medieval women wore a chemise along with braies that covered their legs.

With the 16th century came the invention of corsets. These uncomfortable contraptions containing cane or bone stays were obviously the idea of some male chauvinist, who wanted to keep his wife on the verge of fainting from not being able to take a deep breath!!

In the 1900's, designers took out the hated whale bone and women sighed with relief.

In 1913, Mary Phelps Jacob invented the bra by sewing two handkerchiefs together. The bra tied in the back with ribbon.


During that time, bloomers came along and were made popular by the Gibson Girls.


In the 20's, bloomers became shorter, and were known as step-ins. Thanks to the flappers of that decade, the era of sexy lingerie began.


In the 50's and 60's, bras were designed to emphasize women's breast. If I had been a young fellow who had never seen a naked woman back then, this vision would be a little frightening. Those things look like they could put out an eye!!


During that time, women's hip huggers and bikini panties were invented, and were made of nylon, adding to the sex appeal.

In the 70's, manufacturers began creating what I call "punitive underwear." Pantyhose were invented, along with the "teddy," which was supposed to be very sexy, but had snaps at the crotch. As far as I am concerned, that garment was very uncomfortable, and was not particularly flattering for many women, unless they were lingerie models for Frederick's of Hollywood.


O.k., yeah, I owned a couple. But after a few very uncomfortable evenings, they mysteriously disappeared in the washer! Darn!!!

In the 1990's, panties became even MORE brief, and the thong became very popular with the younger set. Frankly, I wouldn't be caught dead in a thong! Can you spell "cellulite?"


I have been asked by my husband over the years to come to bed in something more glamorous than a tee shirt and a pair of old cotton pj bottoms. My response to him is that if he would put on a sexy thong for men, then I would oblige.


Oddly enough, that has stopped being issue, and he has started giving me the free tee shirts he gets all the time for giving blood at the Red Cross. We have finally arrived at that stage in our lives when it doesn't really matter WHAT we wear to bed at night, as long as we can lock the dogs out on the porch for a while!!

I hope you have enjoyed my little history lesson for this week. Please visit Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday for more fabulous "U" offerings!!

Oh, if you missed my post for Whimsical Wednesday, be sure to check it out before you go.


P.S. The music you hear is called The Underwear Song. Unfortunately, I cannot understand a word the vocalist is saying. If YOU can, please let me know if it is rated G!