----- Original Message -----
From: "Zuzana Kraemerova" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
<< Well, in a chapter about women's underwear, I found a picture of a woman
wearing something like male braies, and another picture depicting a woman
with a garment that looked like today's pants or knickers. It was redrawn,
but if I could only remember the source...>>
I betcha the top image here was at least one of them:
http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/library/drawers.htm
<< The author said nothing and it looked like he was thinking it was a
general practice for women to wear such underclothes. Well, if I remember
right, all history of underwear books tell you what a scandal it was when
(was it catherine de medici?) in the 16th century started to wear drawers,
inspired by the eastern countries. Then, it was actually the 19th century
when drawers became common and were no sign of scandal or anything else. >>
From what I've read--not that I've researched it seriously or
anything--there was a good bit of scandal associated with the wearing of
drawers/pantaloons/pantalettes (ankle-length drawers) in the early 19thC
(starting in 1806). It was considered highly indecent to have anything
between your legs like that; the shameless hussies, wearing men's garments!
Also, a flesh-toned pair worn under a sheer gown, as apparently was
sometimes done, presented a very scandalously risque look--think wet t-shirt
with no bra, especially since dashing females are said to have dampened
their dresses to make them cling.
-E House
_______________________________________________
h-costume mailing list
[email protected]
http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
