Corsets - The Corset as a Fashion Accessory

The corset comes of age
Women with curves have always been consider sexy and what better way to accentuate curves than with a corset. That is why the popularity of the corset has always been high. But recently the corset has changed from an undergarment to a fashion statement. This was perhaps due partly to the influence of Madonna during the 80's.

Corsets aren't just to define the shape of the body anymore. Whether worn under the clothing or over, corsets have evolved into a beautiful and sexy fashion accessory.

Corsets can be worn with a pair of jeans, or a short skirt. Topping a long skirt they become formal wear. The styles, colors and designs are endless and add a bit of playfulness to any wardrobe.
A Brief History of the Corset
The traditional corset was made to define the waistline and give the wearer an hourglass figure. Corsets were made by corsetmakers and fitted to the individual wearer. The size and shape of traditional corsets ranged from a waistcincher, which served only to minimized the size of the waist, to an underbust corset which started at the bustline and ran down to the top of the hips, and finally to a full body corset which encompassed the bust and ran down over the hips, sometimes down to the thighs. During the 19th century, the corsets were made from heavy cotton or leather and had steel or whalebone stays. The lacing usually ran up the back, making it necessary to have someone else do the cinching, usually a maid.

The main purpose of a corset is to minimize the size of the waist which accentuates the size of the bust and hips. The result is the perfect hourglass figure. With a well constructed corset, the wearer can comfortably reduce the size of the waist by 2 to 4 inches. Dedicated corset wearers strive for an unrealistic waist measurement of 16 to 17 inches. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Ethel Granger's waist size as 13 inches.

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The Health Risks of Wearing Thong Panties

Thong panties may look sexy, but the health effects associated with them aren’t. Here’s what you need to know before you slip on another pair of thongs.

You’ve worked hard on your exercise program and have finally sculpted the tight abdominals and buttocks of your dreams. To celebrate, you plan on pulling out that sexy pair of thongs hiding in the bottom of your underwear drawer. Besides, they do a great job of hiding panty lines. But, wait! Have you ever stopped to consider the downsides of wearing this type of underwear? What are the health risks of wearing thong panties?
The way a thong is constructed makes it a perfect set-up for infection. That thin band of material that fits so snuggly against delicate areas is like a sponge for bacteria. The concern with women wearing thongs is that fecal bacteria from the anal area can make its way to the vagina and urethra creating ideal conditions for a urinary tract or vaginal infection. All it takes is for the thong to slide a little when you walk to send fecal bacteria where it’s not supposed to be. Most panties don’t cause this type of problem because they’re looser and allow better air flow. This problem may be lessened, but not eliminated, by choosing cotton thongs rather than ones made of synthetic materials.
The other problem associated with women wearing thongs is the irritating effect of the tight material against the skin. When a woman walks around all day wearing thong panties, the material rubs against the urethra and outer vaginal area creating areas of irritation and even small tears. These irritated areas can also be set-ups for infection. This can be a particular problem for women who are prone to vaginal or urinary tract infections.

Vaginal and urinary tract infections aren’t the only problem associated with wearing thongs. Thongs can irritate hemorrhoids and even cause anal lacerations. Even more risky is wearing a thong during exercise, especially when working out in hot weather. Sweating combined with the close contact of the material against the skin creates the perfect environment for a vaginal yeast infection. While no studies have correlated the wearing of thongs with yeast infections, any time you have moist skin and irritation, the risks are higher.

Does this mean that you should empty your underwear drawer and toss out your thongs? This may not be necessary if you wear a thong only occasionally and don’t sleep in them or work out in them. The less they’re worn the better, but if you can’t wean them completely from your underwear drawer, at least wear them in moderation, keeping in mind that a urinary tract or yeast infection isn’t very sexy.

Source:http://healthmad.com/

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Nylon Panties

Slipping into (or out of) something comfortable did not used to be a simple matter. The layers of clothing inhibited facile stripping. In fact, many of the undergarments we take for granted only came about through modern technology. The history of nylon and nylon underpants is one tied closely to technology and the sexualization of women’s underwear. Enter the nylon panty.

Vintage Lingerie - The History of Nylon Panties
The late 19th and early 20th century was a time of natural materials. It also saw two innovations. Mass production made clothing more readily available. This started around 1840 but the availability of sewing machines and advancements in assembly production made ready-made underwear more prominent after the 1860s. The Victorian mentality stifled freedom in many aspects of dress, including undergarments. However, the following period - 1890-1913, the Belle Epoque, produced extravagant, lighter and more sensual underwear. During this period of history, the word lingerie came into usage as a term to describe all forms of undergarments. Lingerie could come as a set: knickers, bust bodice, chemise and petticoat, all in one color and material.

Nylon Panty

For the working and the lower classes, the materials remained cotton and flannel, although wool and a wool-cotton blend were popular for “health” reasons. The wealthier began to experiment with cambrics, merino, and silks. These materials remained important and, for many, an extravagance. Lingerie was expensive to own. WWI upset the supply up materials but it was not until the arrival of the Great Depression that the old order was overturned. This, in part, was due to the emergence of synthetic materials such as the sometimes-explosive nitrocellulose (cotton and nitric acid), the more reliable rayon and the polyamide fiber - nylon.

Nylon but did not emerge as a commercial product until the late 1930s. It began as a practical substance. After its invention between 1927 and 1938 by the Du Pont laboratories, nylon functioned in various capacities. During World War II, nylon performed as parachute material. It became used as glider tow-ropes. There was no such thing as nylon panties – nylon knickers in the United Kingdom, until the 1950s. This is when this manmade fabric began to dominate in the production of underwear by such companies as Cooper’s Inc. (Jockeys). Initially non-porous, the formula of nylon was altered to meet the new demands.
Nylon Panties For Men
Meanwhile, male undergarments tended to play up the stereotype of men and protect “the boys.” As a result, men began to wear nylon briefs before women - nylon panty products for men were the norm.

The technology made such things as slinky, sheer nylon panties possible. Yet, the initial concentration was on nylon panties for men. This focus on freeing men’s genitalia while utilizing the most modern material has been a common thread throughout fashion history. Female garments tended to restrict movement and/or emphasize the specific role of women in the culture and period. Throughout history, it can be argued women sported underwear for one of 3 reasons:

To alter their shape to suit the ideal
To ensure they met hygiene standards
For modesty

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Source:http://julieannamos.hubpages.com/

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