The Third Floor

Supported and shaped

Book

Hand-out In Shape

Here you’ll find the digital hand-out containing all gallery and object texts from the exhibition ‘In Shape’.

Video

The invention of the bra

Lingerie has been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that a standardised cup size system was invented that changed underwear forever

Article

Underwear and ideals

One moment a broad waist is fashionable, the next moment everyone wants a narrow waist. Sometimes underwear can help achieve that ideal shape.

Article
From the exhibition

Supported and shaped

Curvy bottom and hips, wasp waist or gym-honed figure: the image of the ideal body has changed a lot over the centuries. Underwear helps people get as close as possible to that perfect image.