Today, in the middle of the 21st century, we buy lingerie online with a few clicks. We are selecting our lingerie from a vast variety of styles and sizes, picking it as per the need of each and every outfit with ease. However, this convenience is the result of centuries of evolution in women’s lingerie. Let’s dive into the super fascinating history of lingerie.
1. Ancient Foundation:
The earliest records found for undergarments are dated back to ancient times. Women wore garments resembling skirts under their clothes in Egypt, around 3000 BC. During the same time in Greece and Rome, women wrapped a piece of linen or animal skins around their chest for support. This awareness for support seems to have laid the foundation for the evolution of women’s underwear.
2. Medieval Undergarments:
During the medieval times, women’s underwear remained minimal yet elaborative. Women wore long shirts or chemise under their dresses. Made with soft linen these chemises were sometimes decorated with lace and embroidery, heavier the embroidery wealthier the person is.
3. Pre Corset Era
The shapewear history seems to have started in the 16th century. In this era shapewears were primarily made with fabric or leather, to add the stiffness reeds, wood, and baleen were added. These were firmly knotted around the waist and bust to maintain and enhance the body shape.These were worn to add comfort and helped keep back straight. During the era, wealthier women made them fancier by adding layers, lace and ruffs.
4. Beginning of Corset Era:
With the start of the 18th century, women's undergarments continued to shape the body’s silhouette. Corsets were introduced to the women and they became a big chapter in the women’s shapewear history. At the start they were made with whalebone and helped the wearer to maintain upright posture. As the century progressed, more intrigued and improved corsets were made. Flexible steel staps, tight shoulder straps were woven through the fabric or leather to achieve desired body shape. Edwardian corsets and Victorian undergarments were at the forefront of vintage lingerie styles. Through the 19th century the popularity of corsets grew among all classes, and women with big, fuller breasts and unnaturally small waists were becoming a common sight. To reach the “hourglass figure”, ladies of the time were binding the corset so tight that adverse effects of the act started surfacing.
Corset Advertisement In London
20th Century:
With the beginning of the 20th century, the evolution of lingerie took a faster pace. The shift in political powers and social freedom given to women really helped this evolution. Mid 20th century women entered the workforce and maintaining the famous corset look was not an option. In 1914, American Mary Phelps Jacob patented the first modern brassiere, further propelling the move away from restrictive corsetry. With it began the era of lighter undergarments. The 1930s introduced standardized cup sizes, and the invention of new materials like nylon. During World War II, practicality became paramount, and designs shifted to accommodate women's active roles in society. Since then, women’s lingerie was divided vertically in tops and bottoms. By 1940’s women were using simple cotton or silk and lace lingerie with lines to knot them in the back. The late 20th century again saw the evolution of women's underwear, with the invention of new materials like lycra and spandex the history of bras started to change.
21st Century And Luxury Lingerie:
The biggest evolution of lingerie is ongoing, it can be seen everyday with the development of new underwear with every change of demand. With women playing n number of roles in society, the demand for comfort, style and designs changes everyday. In 1972, Sonari was founded to fulfill the basic needs of Indian women that fits in their budget. And that’s how we brought the evolution of lingerie in India, as a purely made in India brand. Today, we are promoting a wide array of lingerie from everyday light cotton bras to thickly padded activewear. Women can choose lingerie as per their needs and choices.
2005
In 2005 we launched Kirtika. We designed the Kirtika by keeping the need of the time and women in mind. The bra is stylish, wire free and provides medium coverage. With seamed cups and adjustable straps, the option of customised fitting is also given. A bra made from cotton to keep women cool, light and comfortable everyday. Ever since then Kirtika has been one of the top selling products, giving us the confidence that we are the part of history of lingerie in India.
2015
As the decade progressed, we noticed women’s lingerie needs are changing again. With women wearing more fancy dresses, Sonari launched a more versatile bra to meet all their fashion needs. Magica– made with soft cotton, it gives ½ coverage, contains wire for more support and offers the detachable strap option, so our ladies can nail any look they want and wear whatever they like without worrying about the underwear.Magica has rooted our belief that we understand modern women and their changing needs, helping us grow further.
2025
Here we are in 2025 and women are playing more roles than ever before and with it the demand for the most fancy, comfy and classy lingerie at reasonable rates is also growing. We, at Sonari, have always been at the forefront for meeting these comfort needs and we are leading the evolution of lingerie again. We are bringing you the product of your dreams and meeting your needs. So, my ladies stay tuned with us to be a part of the next chapter in the evolution of women's underwear, where comfort meets innovation and elegance knows no boundaries. Till then, keep buying lingerie online
