Underwear Collection (#45)

Radiator, thermogram
Radiator. Thermogram of underpants drying on a radiator. The colours show variation in temperature. The scale runs from white (warmest) through red, yellow, green and blue to purple (coldest)

Cotton and synthetic fibres, SEM
Cotton and synthetic underwear fibres. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a cotton and polyurethane mixture of fibres woven to form part of a womans underwear item

Thigh measurement
MODEL RELEASED. Thigh measurement. Woman measuring the size of her thigh size using a tape measure

Measuring body fat
MODEL RELEASED. Measuring body fat

Mens health
MODEL RELEASED. Mens health

Man weighing himself
MODEL RELEASED. Man weighing himself

Silent Still: Bathroom

CASSATT: GIRL, 1886. Girl Arranging Her Hair. Canvas by Mary Cassatt

Silent Still: Exercise

GOLD DUST GERTIE, 1931. Chic Johnson (1891-1962) and Ole Olsen (1892-1965) in a scene from the 1931 film, Gold Dust Gertie

SILENT STILL: SHOWGIRLS. Silent film still. Viola Dana in Rouged Lips, 1923

David Wright woman in black underwear
Elegant woman with red hair, wearing black underwear. She appears to be sitting up in bed, with a dark green cover in front of her

David Wright woman in red underwear
Elegant woman with brown hair, wearing skimpy red underwear, and holding a red and black striped evening dress in front of her

David Wright woman in black fur coat
Elegant woman with reddish brown hair, wearing a black fur coat over her skimpy underwear. She is sitting on table next to a vase of pink roses

David Wright woman in black and pink underwear
Elegant woman with red hair, wearing black and pink underwear. She is either putting on or taking off an earring. David Wright (1912 - 1967), was a popular British artist specialising in glamour

David Wright woman with cigarette
Elegant woman standing at her bedroom window with a cigarette in her hand. She is in her underwear, and her hair is tied up in a red scarf

The Modern Girl by Reginald E. Higgins
Sub-titled, Silk and shingle, the artist Reginald Higgins draws his favourite subject, the shorn and shingled modern 1920s girl

Young woman in very fancy underwear
A young woman in very fancy underwear, getting dressed beside a fine four-poster bed

Wolsey knitwear advertisement
Advertisement for Wolsey clothing, showcasing their sleek vest and pantie sets

On The Right Line
How the inventor of the Charleston first received his inspiration for the peculiar rhythm of its intriguing movement. illustration by William Heath Robinson

Advertisement for Kestos Backless Brassieres and girdles

Silhouette American Bras
Advertisement for Silhouette American bras, the figure secret of American women, providing the perfect fifties silhouette underneath clothing whether you have a small bust

Kestos advertisement
Advertisement for Kestos brassieres giving reassuring and firm support under the most revealing of bathing and beach suits in 1933

Girl in underwear by Bevan Petman
Illustration from an advertisement for Celanese fabric by Bevan Petman, showing a young woman in her underwear

Underwear Adjustment
A maid helps madam with her suspenders

Swinging in Spain
El Columpio (= swing) in Andaluzia : most eyes except the dogs are on the young girl, hopeful or fearful that she will display her underwear

Sewing Underwear
Photograph showing a woman adding trim and finishing touches to underclothes in 1911

Aertex advertisement, 1906
An advertisement showing the styles of shirts and underwear made from Aertex, 1906

Cami-Nickers 1926
Advertisement for crepe de chine cami knickers; model also wears a shingled lace bonnet with long streamers

Chemise & Nightgown 1919
WOLFHEAD UNDERGARMENTS: a lady in black stockings wears an Empire chemise with a lace yoke, her friend wears a nightdress, while the maid brings in a tiered under-skirt

Aertex telephone user
Advertisement from 1924 for Aertex underwear showing a businessman or office worker taking a telephone call at his desk

Woman / Bra / Tape Player
A woman in a bikini puts on her favourite tunes

Blonde Pin-Up 7 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, kneels, with eyes closed, on pink satin & points her shapely leg at the floor

Poro-Plastic Corset
The patent Poro-Plastic corset is composed of felt & is seamless, boneless & stitchless and yet affords excellent support being elastic & porous & lightweight

An Impromptu Display
An impromptu exhibition of underwear

Underwear C. 1923
A silk crepe nightgown with wing sleeves & pin tucks & chemise & knickers to match; pleated cami-knickers; princess petticoat & knickers composed of fine pleats

Blonde Pin-Up 2 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, kneels on pink satin & points her shapely leg at the floor. Her head is tilted backwards

Blonde Pin-Up 5 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, sits side on with one leg tucked beneath her & points the other straight down at the floor

Pin-Up / Gold Slingbacks
Blonde fifties pin-up wearing a black, off-the-shoulder garment (bathing costume or underwear ?) & gold slingback sandals, kneels on a floral print rug

Blonde Pin-Up 6 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, kneels in profile on pink satin

Blonde Pin-Up 4 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, kneels on pink satin & points her shapely leg at the floor

Blonde Pin-Up 3 / Colour
Fifties blonde bombshell, in a strapless accordian pleated chemise, kneels on pink satin & points her shapely leg at the floor

Lady and her Knickers
She is about to put on some lacey knickers from Racine of Paris

Lingerie 1933
A selection of slips, knickers with open French legs & lace trim & a full-length nightdress

Lingerie / Womans Journal
Empire nightdress worn with a lace bolero, cami-knickers with cross-over lace trim or with lace medallions, slip with lace insertions & a wrap-over dressing gown. (see also 10434676)

Lacing up Corset / Sager
A lady in her boudoir laces up her corset while chatting to a female friend. Her maid holds the rest of her outfit which includes an enormous hat

D. W Corset Circa 1912
A young lady, about to put on her petticoat, allows cupid to lace her into her long line corset. Her Empire chemise is visible beneath

Kidfitting Corsets 1911
The newly fashionable long line corsets which create the Directoire or Empire silhouette in lighweight batiste for the summer months

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"From vintage pin-up girls to iconic actresses, it has always played a significant role in fashion and culture. In David Wright's Pin-up calendar girl from 1950, the allure of lingerie is captured with elegance and grace. Claudia Cardinale, the stunning actress from November 1963 on the set of Circus World, showcases how undergarments can enhance confidence and beauty. Even health campaigns recognized the importance of underwear; as seen in the poster 'Eat More Fruit - for Health and Vitality, ' published by Retail. It emphasized that wearing proper undergarments contributes to overall well-being. Advertisements like English Rose dream corselette (1952) or Pifco electric vibratory massager demonstrate how lingerie evolved over time to cater to women's desires for comfort and style. The English Rose Corsetry advertisement exemplifies timeless sophistication. Behind-the-scenes moments are also worth mentioning when discussing underwear's impact. An intimate backstage moment at Paris Revue reveals how lingerie empowers performers on stage while woven fabric SEM highlights its intricate craftsmanship. David Wright's depiction of a woman reclining in black lingerie reminds us that undergarments have long been associated with sensuality and seduction. Merlin Enabnit's artwork titled 'This cost a pretty figure' emphasizes that investing in quality lingerie is an investment in oneself. Underwear not only enhances physical appearance but also boosts self-confidence. Putting on lipstick, as depicted by David Wright, symbolizes getting ready for any occasion with poise and charm. Lastly, it is important to acknowledge that age should never limit one's appreciation for beautiful undergarments. Linsey Dawn McKenzie, a 16-year-old model featured in March '95 issue proves that embracing personal style starts at any age. " whether it be through artistry or personal expression, underwear remains an essential part of our lives – shaping our bodies while empowering us from within.