The history of underwear
From long panties to menstrual panties
16th – 18th centuries: Breeches, a garment long reserved for the… male elite
The appearance of the term "breeches" dates back to the time of Charles IX. At the time, it was more of what we would now call shorts: the stockings in question go down to mid-thigh. Over the course of the reigns, the breeches lengthened and adorned themselves with ornaments until they were enriched, under the reign of Henri IV, with gilding and ribbons... All in simplicity! Breeches are therefore a real sign of wealth, and they are worn only by men of high society. Hence the nickname "sans-culotte" that the revolutionaries gave themselves at the end of the old regime, who wore real striped pants.
At that time, the only women to wear panties were servants, young girls under 14, old women and women of little virtue. All the others are therefore naked under their dress. It is the court which imposed this practice and this for reasons… of hygiene.
Selene menstrual panties
Artemis Menstrual Panties
19th century: Panties follow (finally!) women's fashion
Women began to wear panties when the wearing of a sort of metal cage that was used to fluff up skirts became widespread: the crinoline. In addition to being impractical and uncomfortable, this instrument of torture prevented the damsels of the court from sitting down without revealing their entire behind… and front. In an unprecedented outpouring of kindness, women are given back their big panties (and their privacy). In terms of length, we are still a long way from a thong: the panties go down below the knee. It is often puffy and it is split in order to facilitate needs and sexual intercourse. Lifting dozens of petticoats and lowering panties would have been too long and too complicated, you understand...
Over time, dresses become more and more fitted, not to say tight. It would be vulgar to let women's underwear appear, so we shorten the panties to the knee and tighten them. It is the shorts, or the ancestor of the shorts.
From the 20th century, panties put everyone in the same boat
It was Pierre Valton who democratized panties for everyone in 1918, with the creation of the Petit Bateau brand. The famous ! We owe him the appearance of white cotton panties, without gathers, leggings or buttons, worn by men, women and children alike. It is comfortable, becoming, and hygienic, a real revolution! Cotton panties are part of the mores until Lycra, a revolutionary material since it is incredibly stretchy, comes to disrupt the industry. It is the Aubade brand which was the first to put color back on our buttocks and adorn its panties with patterns.
Since then, panties are a garment in their own right. Shops and lingerie brands are multiplying, as are shapes: briefs, thongs, boxers, thongs, there's something for everyone!
And today, panties change the rules!
By putting textile innovation at the service of women, Smoon is developing better panties!
It is a panty that allows you to absorb your periods, a real alternative to tampons and sanitary napkins.
Comfortable, ecological and free of chemicals that are dangerous to our health, menstrual panties have it all. You can not stop progress !
By Ada
