Believe it or not, that camisole you’re wearing has quite a history. Modern camisoles stem from the historical camisole. Let’s take a closer look at the history of camisoles.
The shirts were originally worn by both men and women. “Old” shirts were used more specifically as undergarments, always worn under the main clothing. As the world of fashion has changed since medieval times, so has the shirt.
During the Renaissance period, the corset became a “must have” fashion. The first corsets were worn under the shirt. However, it was only a matter of time before the fashion industry (even then) started looking for a new solution for the shirt. After all, the corset became more elaborate and ornate. The long thin shirt did not hide the corset well, so a solution had to be found.
The solution came during the Victorian era. It was the shirt. Can you believe that the camisole dates back to Victorian times? Camisoles solved the shirt dilemma. Instead of being long and bulky, the camisole was light and short. Women soon discovered that they could effectively hide their corsets without adding weight: the chemise. The camisoles hid the corset well and also maintained the illusion of being “thin.” Camisoles soon joined shirts in the “must have” fashion category. Since panties had not yet been designed, both the camisole and camisoles were worn as undergarments.
Corsets were not used as widely in the early 20th century, due to increasing health problems. Similarly, women began to enjoy athletics during this era. Therefore, bloomers were designed to appeal to the athletic yet feminine woman. “Teddies” became extremely popular because it combined the camisole and bloomers, joined in one piece.
It wasn’t until the 1920s that the stuffed animal was divided into two parts. Designers began to experiment with stuffed animals… making them “sexier” (shorter, tighter, etc.). The 1920s era ushered in modern camisole ensembles.
Since the 1920s, the camisole has evolved from being an undergarment to being both an undergarment and an outer garment. Camisoles are one of the most used basic garments among women of all ages and backgrounds. Truly, the chemise has come a long way since its origin during medieval times and clearly defines femininity.