Mentioning Unmentionables: A Brief History of Underwear

Today we’re looking at the history of underwear. The first
question you might ask is…Why? Why spend time thinking about
something so mundane, so personal, so domestic? Because something
so personal and utilitarian can give us a real glimpse into the
way people lived their most personal lives hundreds of years
ago. 

Throughout history, people responded to changes in climate and
technology, to wars and regimes being overthrown, to hunger, to
marriage and birth and death in public ways. They also responded
in private ways. And private choices are sometimes represented by
these most private moments and bits of clothing, worn away from
the public gaze. Looking at the private moments can help us
understand who those people really were. And understanding them
helps us understand where we come from, who we are, and who we
can be.

So let’s take a look at what’s happening under all those
glamorous clothes!


History shows us what's possible.