The History Of Lingerie & Chastity Belts
Many think of chastity belts as a part of medieval society, but
there is little archaeological evidence to show that they were
common, and many examples that do exist have been denounced as
fakes. Even so, there is a basis in legend of the symbolic
nature of the chastity belt.
What archaeological evidence there is suggests the belts were
largely manufactured for women, although the main issue of
conjecture is whether or not distrustful husbands forced them on
their wives when they left home, or whether they were to
safeguard women from rape. The most probable answer is that
there were instances of both.
The most beautiful legend behind the history is written in the
poetry of Guigemar de Marie de France who wrote in the twelfth
century. She wrote that two young lovers were going to be
separated and that they performed a ritual to honour their oath
of fidelity to each other. The girl tied a knot around her
lover's shirt, while he knotted a belt around her waist. They
swore that they would only give their love to one who could
remove the garment without tearing or cutting it.
Lingerie
The first known example of women using lingerie to enhance their
figure is in Crete, with the Minoan civilisation. Archaeological
records depict a fashion of flounced skirts with a corset that
moulded around the breasts and lifted them, leaving them bare.
Whether this was a social fashion or a form of religious worship
is unknown.
In the Middle Ages, however, there was an emphasis on small
breasts, a range of different corset styles coming into fashion,
notably thecotte, the bliaunt and the surcot.
During the Renaissance, however, this style became much more
emphatic. The Spanish influence meant the introduction of much
tighter corsets that moulded the woman's shape into one
highlighting a narrow waist, flat stomach and small bust. As a
result, women often fainted, which enforced a dependency and the
notion of feminine weakness within a male-dominated society.
Later in the eighteenth century, women emphasised a more
voluptuous figure and began to employ more luxurious fabrics to
enhance the sensual power of the female shape. This style
continued, although in the 1770's, boned corsets were prohibited
only to make a reappearance in the 1800's.
Bodices that could be laced by the wearer also came into fashion.
In the 1900's, scented underwear and specific types of lingerie
for different activities and times of day became fashionable.
The fashion for tight corsets, however, remained. Garters and
suspenders grew in popularity as more women wore stockings.
The twentieth century saw a decisive break from the tradition of
the previous years, as more and more companies began to have an
interest in the role of a woman's body in her notions of self.
Styles diversified and became more comfortable, while bra sizes
and designs developed.
This development of lingerie throughout the ages has left women
today with a much firmer sense of their own beauty, and the
range of styles, fabrics and sizes allows each woman to dress
according to her own style and what makes her feel positive
about herself and her body. The romantic aspect of lingerie is
essentially the feeling of self worth that comes from sensuality
and indulgence.