A Brief History of Lingerie: From Corsets to Confidence (Part 1)
Lingerie has always been more than just undergarments. Throughout history, what women wore beneath their clothes reflected not only changing fashions, but also society’s shifting perceptions of femininity, sexuality, and freedom. From the rigid corsets of the 18th century to today’s empowering MiddlewearⓇ, lingerie tells the story of women reclaiming their bodies and their power.
The 1700s: Corsets and Control
In the 18th century, women’s lingerie was less about comfort and more about conformity. Stays and corsets shaped the female body into the fashionable silhouette of the time, tightly laced to cinch the waist and lift the bust. These garments symbolized both societal expectations and the lack of bodily autonomy women faced.
The 1800s: Petticoats and Pettiness
As the 19th century progressed, multiple layers of undergarments, including petticoats, crinolines, and bloomers, were worn to create volume under skirts. The lingerie of this era was still restrictive, but the introduction of cotton and lace detailing brought an element of beauty and individuality into women’s wardrobes.
The Early 1900s: Liberation and the First Bras
The turn of the century began to shift lingerie toward liberation. Women campaigned for dress reform, seeking alternatives to restrictive corsetry. In 1914, the first modern bra patent was filed, marking the beginning of a new era. Lingerie started to evolve into garments designed not just for shaping the body, but for celebrating it.
The 1920s–1950s: Glamour and Femininity
The Roaring Twenties brought shorter hemlines and lighter lingerie. Bias-cut slips, silk chemises, and delicate lace became symbols of modern femininity. By the 1940s and 1950s, lingerie embraced Hollywood-style glamour, with bullet bras and wasp-waist corsets reflecting the hourglass ideal.
The 1960s–1980s: Revolution and Reinvention
Second-wave feminism challenged the restrictive ideals of lingerie. Bras were burned, symbolically and literally, as women rejected the notion that their worth lay in how they looked for others. But rather than disappearing, lingerie reinvented itself. The rise of bralettes, body stockings, and colorful lingerie in the 1980s brought playfulness and individuality into the mix.
The 1990s–Today: From Seduction to Self-Expression
The 1990s and 2000s saw lingerie become a fashion statement in itself. Slip dresses, visible straps, and lingerie-inspired fashion blurred the lines between the bedroom and the street. Today, lingerie is celebrated as a form of self-expression, no longer confined to the male gaze but reclaimed by women as an everyday symbol of comfort, beauty, and confidence.
The Future: MiddlewearⓇ and Empowerment
At Intensify Me, we believe lingerie is not about restriction or performance, it’s about freedom. Our MiddlewearⓇ philosophy blends lingerie with ready-to-wear, making pieces designed to be lived in, layered, and celebrated. From delicate lace to daring bodysuits, lingerie today is about choice, empowerment, and intensifying you.