Early Introductions of the Lingerie

Lingerie has always been a part of women’s daily clothing. But how has the lingerie industry evolved to what it is now?

The lingerie was first introduced into the public in the midst of the 19th century and one of the biggest lingerie manufacturers is Felina. The history of the company can be traced back to the past 120 years.

Between the years 1810 and 1870, women were bothered by the corset, bustle, and the crinoline. Women who were fashion conscious appeared to the public with a ‘wasp waist’ which was created by bodices which were laced-up and mechanical corsets. However, in 1870, this artificial silhouette began to slip to the back and this bustle which was shaped like a basket created an erotically charged ‘false posterior.’

In the last third parts of the 19th century, however, more luxury in lingerie was introduced. They were extended to include fine Dutch linen as well as embroidery and lace work, crochet work, and heart shaped broderie. It was indeed the period where imagination had no limits. This started the art which was called ‘white needlework.’

During that time, the corset was being used exclusively to provide shape to a woman’s figure. It then acquired an added fashion accent which is now called as ‘suspenders.’

In the 1900, the typical woman’s silhouettes exhibited a woman without a stomach. Because of this, the lower part of the body was enforced to form a straight line in 1910.

The Age of Industrialization

Before industrialization began, corsets were being individually hand sewn by the corsetiere in the 1840s. When the age of industrialization came, mass production of the lingerie was linked to the introduction of the sewing machine in 1850.

Since the French were the innovators of the standardized production of corsets, the first corset sewing works made their first appearance in Germany. Among these companies was a factory situated in Bad Rappenau was founded in 1885 and has evolved to what is now Felina.

World War One gave birth to a new feminine image which was conditioned by the need of employing women along with their subsequent independence. During this period, women began resembling young men or even boys. The corset was the current item of clothing during that time and because of the necessity to cater to this new generation of women, the corset was replaced by the girdle. The first bras were also introduced.

In the 1960s, there was a big expansion in the lingerie industry of West Germany. Over 25,000 people were employed and among which, 2,000 of these were hired by Felina alone. The introduction of the fiber Lycra, mini skirt and the first tights became staples throughout the fashion industry.

Felina’s View on Today’s Lingerie

Currently, the trend for the design of lingerie was aimed to emphasize the woman’s figure and add deeper decollete. Also, another contributing factor to the changes in the lingerie industry was because of the increasing number of young women who had large bosoms and are unafraid to emphasize their decollete.

Now, Felina has added to its lingerie collection and can now cater to women who have large cup sizes. The company believes that the undergarments should not only be high fashion, but also avoid the constriction of the wearer. Undergarments should be as comfortable as possible so that the wearer will have a particular sense of well being.