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Lingerie History

  • The History of the Babydoll Nightgown

    The History of the Babydoll Nightgown

    Left: a vintage Velrose® lingerie design from our archives Right: the Shadowline® Silhouette Vintage Babydoll Nightie in Blush The most recent addition to our romantic Silhouette collection is the Vintage Babydoll Nightie  – a piece that, like the name suggests, was inspired by the original vintage nylon babydolls of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Interested in learning more about the origins of this iconic sleepwear design, and how it got its name? Let’s dive in! The creation of the babydoll nightgown (and babydoll pajama set) It may now be a symbol of femininity and seduction, but the babydoll’s short silhouette was one born simply out of practical necessity. American lingerie designer Sylvia Pedlar, founder of the now-defunct brand Iris Lingerie, first introduced these extra-cropped nightgowns in 1942 in response to...

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  • The History of Loungewear: From Homewear to Streetwear

    Shadowline® Petals Sleeveless Swing Top and Capri PJ Set Loungewear has taken on many different forms over the centuries. So how did it originate, how has it changed, and what might the future of loungewear hold? Loungewear vs. Sleepwear Before we begin, it helps to define exactly what loungewear is. With the recent rise of pajama dressing, it’s true that there’s some crossover with sleepwear. Can you wear your pajamas for lounging? Of course! And can you fall asleep in your loungewear? Most likely – it’s designed to be ultra-comfy (though possibly not light and breathable). However, while sleepwear is primarily designed to be slept in, loungewear occupies a middle ground between sleepwear and outerwear: comfort-first clothes that are generally more informal and less tailored than those worn to head...

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    The History of Loungewear: From Homewear to Streetwear
  • Lingerie History: The Evolution of Chemises, Slips and Camisoles

    Lingerie History: The Evolution of Chemises, Slips and Camisoles

    Left: image © Artycrafter. Right: Velrose® Full Slip with Wide Lace As a company that was founded over a century ago in 1914, we’re fascinated with the history of intimate apparel and in particular, the history of slips – one of our signature products, and the first lingerie garment we ever made. But it’s impossible to talk about the origins of slips in isolation; learn a little about where they came from, and you’ll soon discover that their story is closely interwoven with the histories of chemises and camisoles. So today, let’s talk about where these three lingerie types came from, and why at one point in history, you’d expect to wear a chemise and a slip-style garment together! Old-fashioned chemises. Image © Average Images Tracing the chemise's origins Worn...

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  • Peignoirs: The History of One of Lingerie’s Most Glamorous Styles

    When it comes to homewear, there’s simply nothing else as glamorous as a peignoir set. Typically light, floaty and decorated with lace, it’s a style that harks back to the silver screen starlets of Old Hollywood. But when did it actually originate, and is there a difference between a peignoir robe and a dressing gown or housecoat? Image © Yann Poirier A cape to comb your hair in First appearing in the late 16th to early 17th century, the earliest peignoirs were loose fabric coverings, cape-like in style and without sleeves, which were tied around the neck to cover the shoulders while brushing out one’s hair. Hence the name, which comes from the French word peigner meaning ‘to comb’. This was simply a functional garment that prevented hair or cosmetics...

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    Peignoirs: The History of One of Lingerie’s Most Glamorous Styles
  • Get the Vintage Lingerie Look: 1950s Style

    Get the Vintage Lingerie Look: 1950s Style

    Fashion in the 1950s was all about glamor – and curves! After all, this was the decade when Marilyn Monroe was at the height of her fame, and women everywhere wanted to imitate her voluptuous look. It was also an era still heavily influenced by Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’, an hourglassy silhouette introduced towards the end of the 1940s which went on to transform clothing trends for years to come.For those who didn’t naturally have that hourglass figure, lingerie became an essential tool to fake it. As Dior himself once said, “Without foundations, there can be no fashion.”Love 1950s style lingerie? Here’s a guide to the most popular underwear and sleepwear styles of the period, and what to buy to get a similar look today:Shadowline® Rochelle Satin Full Slip with...

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  • The Fascinating History of Pajamas

    Image: © Everett Collection Inc.Wearing pajamas to bed is something that unites us almost globally. But have you ever wondered when they were first invented, or where? Today, we’re going to walk you through the origins of the pajama set, plus show you some utterly gorgeous Shadowline® pajama sets from our archives!Sleepwear before pajamasBefore the Western world adopted pajamas, most people regardless of gender slept in a long and fairly shapeless nightdress or nightshirt. This simple design was easy to make, which was important since the majority of clothing at this time was hand-sewn at home.Vintage Shadowline® pajama set from 1983. Image courtesy of Lois at Ginger Head Vintage on Etsy.Vintage Shadowline® pajama set c. 1980s. Image courtesy of Mary at Fabulous Chic Vintage on Etsy.The invention of pajamasThe name...

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    The Fascinating History of Pajamas
  • Get the Vintage Lingerie Look: 1920s Style

    Get the Vintage Lingerie Look: 1920s Style

    Image: © Everett Collection Inc.With a company history dating back to 1914, and plenty of decades-long loyal customers, we know that lots of our fans take an interest in vintage lingerie styles. Which is why we are launching a new series for our blog today which will walk you through how to ‘get the look’ from some of our very favorite eras in the history of intimates. First up, the roaring twenties.What did 1920s lingerie look like?The 1920s was a period of major transformation for women’s fashions, and all-new outerwear meant an underwear update was in order too. Hemlines rose significantly, meaning the floor-length petticoats of old were out, and for the first time in a long time women were enjoying relaxed, flexible silhouettes that didn’t require the sculpting power...

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    A 100-Year History of Women’s Panty Styles

    Just like more visible fashions, women’s panties have changed a lot over the years. Shape trends have come and gone (and in some cases, come back again), while innovations in the textile industry have driven other design changes from decade to decade.That garments evolve over time is no surprise. What may surprise you to learn however is that for a long, long time, most women didn’t actually wear underwear – a simple, long chemise provided all the modesty they needed or were expected to wear!By the early Victorian era however, bloomers (known at the time as drawers) had made their entrance. They became the norm by the early 1900s, a change that was in part driven by a slowly-growing acceptance of women choosing to wear pants instead of a skirt,...

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    A 100-Year History of Women’s Panty Styles

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Shadowline Ivory Lace Trim Hipster Panty
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Shadowline® Lace Trim Hipster Panty
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11005 Ivory Front
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Shadowline® Spandex Hipster Panty
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Velrose® Lace Camisole
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Velrose® Lace Camisole
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Sapphire Cherish Cap Sleeve 38" Short Nightgown
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Shadowline® Cherish Cap Sleeve Short Nightgown
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