The Third Floor

Supported and shaped

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.