Bridal Lingerie – An Evolution

One of a bride’s most important considerations, second only to her choice of wedding gown, is her choice of bridal lingerie. Just as fashions have evolved over time, so too have the styles and trends in bridal lingerie...

·        Minoan women in ancient Crete saw their breasts as symbols of power. They wore strips of leather around their breasts, pushing them out from the clothing, fully exposed, to achieve a warrior’s appearance.

·        Ancient Greek and Roman women bound rather than enhanced their breasts. They used bands of gauze under their loose shift dresses to flatten and support the breast.

·        During the Dark Ages, women of European cultures wore no lingerie, save for a plain and shapeless linen shift under their dresses.

·        By the Fourteenth Century, early corsetry was coming into vogue. Women not only cinched their waists, but flattened their breasts, achieving a straight and flat front to their torsos.

·        Elizabethan-era women wore decorative undergarments, with lace trims, whale-boned corsets, and an early version of the “bustle” to enhance the hips.

·        Despite the reputation for being prim, proper, and very buttoned up, the Victorians of the Nineteenth Century embraced colourful, lacy, embellished undergarments. Silk, frilly pantaloons were popular amongst the wealthy; garters were invented to hold stockings in place; and corsetry evolved to accentuate the breasts. Bridal dresses were, for the first time, most commonly white, and lingerie was worn to complement this.

Over the following century, bridal wear became an industry in and of itself, and bridal lingerie also came into its own. Today, bridal lingerie serves two distinct purposes: to make the bride look and feel sexy, seductive, and beautiful, and also to create the perfect silhouette under the bridal gown. Depending upon the style of bridal gown chosen, today’s bride might wear a backless bodysuit, a bustier and thong, suspenders and stockings, a bridal petticoat, a push-up, plunge, or adhesive bra, and, of course, a garter. The choices are almost endless.

The Pros and Cons of Wearing an Undershirt

In days gone by, every man wore an undershirt or singlet on a daily basis. Outer garments were not as comfortable against the skin, not as easy to wash, and the undershirt not only provided warmth and comfort, it protected and preserved the life of the outer shirt.

These days, however, undershirts are, for some men, something of a taboo. For others, they’d never leave the house dressed well without one.

So should you wear or not wear a singlet or undershirt?

Here are some pros and cons for wearing an undershirt...

PROS:

v Undershirts (particularly T-shirt styles) reduce the incidence of sweat marks appearing on and staining your shirt or even jacket

v Undershirts can be more comfortable and prevent chafing when wearing stiff or starched dress shirts

v A cotton undershirt can be cool under synthetic shirts in hot humid weather

v An undershirt provides a thin but effective insulating layer of warmth

v Undershirts hide dark nipples from showing through light coloured shirts

v Undershirts disguise heavy chest hair and prevent it from poking through the surface or buttons of a shirt

CONS:

v Multiple layers can feel constrictive

v An undershirt can be stifling in hot weather if worn under a cotton shirt

v Undershirts are obvious under a lightweight or light coloured shirt

v Historically, “elegant” men did not wear undershirts under their dress shirts

v Today’s antiperspirants work so well the need for undershirting is negated

There are, even today, many proponents of the belief that without a vest or undershirt, a man is not properly dressed. Fortunately, the days are passed when all undershirts were obvious through clothing. The humble white vest now has evolved and there are other options available in flesh tones, or other colours to complement the over shirt so as not to be as obvious.

And from this woman’s perspective, a plain white T-shirt under a casual button down shirt looks very well put together – and gets a thumbs up from me. Think Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando... enough said! 

Singlets: To Wear or Not To Wear?

When I was a child, in the late 1970s and into the 1980s, it went without saying that I wore a singlet – all the time. I was not considered by my mother (or grandmothers, for that matter), to be fully dressed unless I had my white cotton Bonds girl’s undershirt under whatever I was wearing. If said singlet was untucked, I was told I would catch “cold in the kidneys” or, even worse, pneumonia. When I got older and graduated to a bra (and made the choice that wearing a singlet as well was ridiculous), my grandmothers were almost scandalised.
It goes without saying that babies wear singlets, for the extra warmth and comfort they offer, but what about everyone else?
Small kids can also benefit from the extra warmth a singlet offers. There is also the aspect of modesty, where thin fabric on T-shirts or shirts offers just a little too much information (particularly true in prepubescent girls).  But what about older people?
We all know grandpa religiously wears his white cotton singlet, probably tucked into his white Y-fronts. Grandma most likely wears a singlet with her bra, “step ins”, petticoat and pantyhose on a daily basis as well (well, my old granny does, anyway). Do younger generations still wear them?

The original purpose of the singlet (as with other undergarments) was not for warmth, insulation, or even comfort, but to protect the outer clothing  from sweat and the smelly body – remember, in the old days, few people bathed on a daily basis. Outerwear was also scratchy, so softer undergarments offered some respite.
Today’s outer garments are most commonly made with breathable fabrics – and we generally wash frequently – so the necessity of the singlet is not the same as it was forty years ago.
So why wear a singlet? Not just for warmth in cooler weather, they are comfy and great for layering. It also does still protect your clothing – and can be washed much more than outerwear.
Today’s singlet is so much more than an undergarment! And when worn as an undergarment, there are many options – the white cotton tank top under a man’s shirt is not the only choice. Other popular options are crew neck T-shirts, V-neck T’s, long sleeved T-s, and athletic undershirts. Some women’s singlets have inbuilt bras, or are fitted to provide a shape-wear style advantage.
Next time we will look at the Pros and Cons of wearing a singlet...

Exposing the Truth: Men’s Undies and Fertility

Are you a guy who favours white Y-fronts, silky boxers, or Lycra trunks? Did you know your underwear of choice can actually affect your fertility?

There are numerous urban myths relating to a guy’s underwear of choice, and its implications for the sex of any babies he fathers. One popular story, believed by many, is that wearing tight undies will result in a baby boy, whereas looser garments will give the happy couple a baby girl. If only it was that simple!

Scientists and researchers have debunked this myth – let’s face it, in certain cultures, every man would be wearing the tightest briefs possible to ensure a long line of sons – and sons there would be, if it in fact worked. We know this is simply not the case.

There is, however, some truth to the idea that the style of underwear worn can impact on a man’s overall fertility.

A man’s testicles hang outside the pelvis for a reason – and it can’t be denied that inside the pelvis would be a safer environment. But optimal temperature is imperative for sperm production – it must be lower than the core body temperature - and at warmer temperatures, sperm counts diminish. Some researchers have found evidence to suggest that tight underwear, which holds the testes close to the body, particularly in warm weather, can be detrimental to a man’s sperm count (and consequently, his fertility).

Low sperm count is the cause of infertility in half of couples who struggle to conceive.

The effects of overheating the testicles are, fortunately, temporary, lasting from three to eleven weeks.  Additionally, there is some suggestion by scientists that polyester underwear also reduces sperm production, as this fabric creates electrostatic friction.

Some people have pondered this quandary to the extreme. There is even one company who has patented cooling boxers with the specific purpose of cooling the scrotum: organic cotton shorts with an ergonomic gel cold pack to insert into the undies. Wearers are “strongly advised “not to wear them for more than an hour at a time.

So what is the answer? Ideally, when trying to conceive, wear loose, cotton underwear. It needn’t be boxers, necessarily; gentle support is still important, particularly when exercising or playing sports. The key is to wear undies that aren’t too tight or restrictive, but are comfortable and allow a little “hang”. At the same time, don’t sit in hot spas, saunas, or baths, and don’t wear those tight skinny jeans. And don’t wear underwear to bed.

Underwear and Good Health

·        For optimum health, men and women should both opt for cotton underwear. Cotton is breathable, comfortable, and absorbs moisture – thus reducing bacteria growth. Still love the satin, lace or polyester briefs? Satin and lace undies are so pretty – yet they aren't so good for you. Think of them as you would sweets – a “sometimes” treat, but not a daily go-to staple. And make sure they always have a cotton gusset.

·        Many modern fabrics are even better than cotton at wicking sweat and keeping the wearer drier. And make sure they always have a cotton gusset. But don’t be fooled by “silver infused” antimicrobial undies – just a few washes and at least half the silver is gone. Not worth the money, is it?

·        What is healthier – underwear or going commando? It all comes down to fabric choice. The groin is a warm and moist environment – a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Cotton undies will catch and absorb sweat, so should be worn for optimal health. There are, however, some pants and shorts these days made with inbuilt “undies” – with antibacterial wicking fabrics. In these cases, undies aren't really necessary.

·        Another underwear “staple” that really shouldn't be worn every day is the high control shape wear so many of us rely on for a smooth (and slimmer) shape. Great for a night out or a special occasion, care should be taken that the right size is chosen. Don’t go too tight!! Frequent wearing of shape wear, or wearing pieces that are too tight, can lead to a myriad of health problems – from heartburn to pain, bloating to flatulence, digestive upset and incontinence. Other risks include pain and numbness or tingling in the legs and feet, poor circulation, varicose veins, swollen ankles and even blood clots. Finally, moisture is often trapped by these garments – resulting in skin irritations and infections. The moral of the story? Keep your shape wear for certain occasions or outfits – not for everyday wear.

·        Love your thong or g-string? It might not actually love you. Fabulous under tight clothing, it is actually a hazard if worn for too long or for exercising. The issue is not only if the thong is too tight (ouch!) but that it acts as a wick, drawing moisture from the rear towards the urinary tract – leading to possible infections. Again – wear “sometimes”, not “always”.

Everything in moderation – what better reason than to have an underwear wardrobe containing many kinds of undies?

Do Mormons Really Wear Sacred Underwear?

Most of us might not know a lot about the Mormon religion, but one thing many are aware of is that Mormons must wear “sanctified” or “sacred” underwear. Is this true? Or is it just a myth?

While most Mormon children wear undies the same as any other child, it is a fact that most faithful, adult members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (ie, Mormons) do wear a special underwear garment which is directly related to the Mormon temple.

Referred to by Mormons simply as “Garment”, this is an item of apparel worn under the clothing and against the skin. As such, it replaces normal underwear for most. It is a symbolic representation of the promises the faithful Mormon has made to God. Not exactly “sacred”, but it is “secret”.

The Garment is worn for the first visit to Temple, where individual instructions are given as to its wear and care, and a sacred ceremony referred to as the Temple Endowment is undergone. From this time, the Garment must be worn day and night, as a permanent reminder of the covenant made by the wearer to the church. The point of it is to foster a continuous and constant obedience to God, helping the wearer keep his or her focus.

Mormons believe that Adam and Eve wore clothing made for them by God when they departed from the Garden of Eden; modern day Mormons wear the underwear apparel in this same context.

The Garment serves to remind the wearer that he or she is apart from the rest of the non-Mormon world. The length and modest cut of this underwear requires the wearer to dress modestly. The only times the garment is allowed to be removed are briefly for swimming, going to the toilet, or for marital intimacy.

Consisting of two pieces, a top and a bottom, the underwear is always white, unless required by members of the armed services, in which case suitable colours are substituted.

Contrary to popular belief, Mormon women still usually wear a bra. Garments do not have knee or nipple protectors. Boys don’t wear it to prevent masturbation; instead they are warned against masturbation as inappropriate in church classes. Only as adults are garments worn for the first time.

Weird? To non-Mormons, maybe, yet other religions have their own apparel requirements. For example, Jewish men wear a yarmulke (head cap); Christian ministers wear a clerical collar; Buddhist monks wear saffron and orange robes. Muslim women may choose to wear the hijab (head scarf). All serve to reflect the religious convictions of the wearer.

But Mormons are the only ones with religious underwear.

Weird and Shocking Undies Snippets...

·        Technological advances apply to underwear too! DEOEST, a Japanese manufacturer, proudly brings the latest innovative underwear invention, marketed as perfect for any man suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or following a high protein diet. Presenting the DEOEST deodorising boxer brief: engineered from textile fibres with ceramic nano particles and ions incorporated into the weave, it’s claimed these shorts will kill up to ninety five percent of sweat, gas, and any other foul aroma native to the region. Apparently, eighty percent of the odour is eliminated within thirty seconds of being emitted; the technology is good for up to one hundred washes if laundering instructions are followed. The question remains – will the guys wear them?

·        How often do you wash your bra? It may (or may not!) come as a surprise to learn that many women rarely wash their bras – some almost never! Why not? Aside from the obvious laziness, bras can be destroyed in the washing machine if not placed in a lingerie bag. And most women are too lazy to hand wash ... but bras are expensive. They deserve to be treated well. And failure to wash them will result in chemicals in sweat causing the fabric to deteriorate (not to mention, smell funkier as time goes on). Sweat from your armpits, cleavage, under your boobs, and from your back all winds up caught by your bra. So how often is right to launder this essential garment? After between three and six wears, depending on weather, humidity, perspiration, etc,  is ideal.

·        Unsurprisingly, market research studies have shown that men commonly do not change their underwear nearly often enough. And no, we are not talking about singlets here. Mintel’s 2012 British study learned that 22% of British men don’t change their undies daily; and M&S polled to learn that 33% change their undies only every two to three days. One in forty will wear a single pair for as long as possible. Pity the poor wife, girlfriend, or partner who is likely charged with washing these. How does a guy know when it’s time to wash their daks? The “Smell test” is the go-to method. For the record, men, like women, should change their undies daily; twice daily is better!