The history of underwear
From long panties to menstrual panties
16th – 18th centuries: Breeches, a garment long reserved for the… masculine elite
The appearance of the term "breeches" dates back to the time of Charles IX. At the time, they were more of what we would call shorts today: the bottoms in question went down to mid-thigh. Over the course of the reigns, the breeches became longer and adorned with ornaments until, under the reign of Henry IV, they were enriched with gilding and ribbons... All in simplicity! Briefs are therefore a real sign of wealth, and they are only worn by men of high society. Hence the nickname “sans-culotte” given to the revolutionaries 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, elderly women and women of easy virtue. All the others are therefore naked under their dresses. It was the court that imposed this practice for reasons… of hygiene.
19th century: Breeches (finally!) follow women's fashion
Women began to wear panties when the wearing of a sort of metal cage which was used to make skirts fluff out: the crinoline became widespread. In addition to being hardly practical or comfortable, this instrument of torture prevented the young ladies of the court from sitting down without revealing their entire behind… and their front. In an unprecedented outburst of kindness, we are giving women back their big pants (and their privacy). In terms of length, we are still a long way from the thong: the panties go below the knee. It is often baggy and is slit to facilitate needs and sexual intercourse. Lifting dozens of petticoats and lowering a pair of panties would have been too long and too complicated, you understand...
Over time, dresses become more and more fitted, not to mention body-hugging. It would be vulgar to reveal women's underwear, so we shorten the panties to the knee and tighten them. These are short pants, or the ancestor of 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. It is comfortable, becoming, and hygienic, a real revolution! Cotton panties were part of the customs until Lycra, a revolutionary material because it was incredibly stretchy, came to shake up the industry. It's the Aubade brand that was the first to add color to our buttocks and adorn its little panties with patterns.
Since then, panties have been a garment in their own right. Lingerie boutiques and brands are multiplying, as are the shapes: briefs, tangas, boxers, thongs, there is something for everyone!
And today, panties change the rules!
By putting textile innovation at the service of women, Smoon is developing better panties!
These are panties that absorb periods, a real alternative to tampons and sanitary napkins.
Comfortable, ecological and without chemicals dangerous to our health, menstrual panties have it all. You can not stop progress !
By Ada
