A teddy is a form of bodysuit-like lingerie, often worn in the
boudoir. By definition, a teddy is an undergarment which combines a
camisole and panty in one piece. Unlike a bodysuit, it is typically
looser and more sheer, and may be designed to slip off from the
shoulders, rather than to open at the crotch. The teddy is normally
worn for the seductive look, rather than practical reasons.
Modern Teddy Styles
There are two main types of teddies available today: teddies
designed for visual appeal and teddies designed as practical
clothing. Most modern teddies fall into one of these two categories.
Common teddy styles are listed and explained below.
Traditional teddy: a loose-fitting teddy designed for visual appeal
and to show off the wearer's figure. Traditional teddies often use
sheer or partially sheer material. This is the style most people
picture when they think of a teddy.
Bareback teddy: a teddy with an open back. Bareback teddies
typically include one or more straps to provide bust support, so
they can be worn without a bra and give the wearer the appearance of
a bare back. This makes them an excellent undergarment choice for
tops with open or partially open backs.
Fashion top teddy: a teddy which combines a thong panty, bra and
fashion top. Fashion top teddies come in a wide variety of styles,
from simple styles with plain materials to very fancy styles with
beads, crystals or sequins. Fashion top teddies can be worn as fancy
undergarments or as an outer garment without a top over them.
Teddiette: a teddy with detachable garters.
Sleep teddy: a loose-fitting teddy designed as sleepwear. Sleep
teddies tend to use simpler materials and styles than teddies
designed for visual appeal.
Body briefer teddy: a fitted teddy designed for smoothing and
shaping of the wearer's figure. Body briefer's typically come in a
variety of control levels, achieved by using different materials or
thicknesses of materials in the body areas they are designed to
control. Like sleep teddies, body briefers tend to use simpler
materials and styles than teddies designed for visual appeal. Body
briefers are also commonly referred to as "body shapers" or "women's
shapers".
Garters are items of clothing, used to keep stockings up. Normally
just a few inches in width, they are usually made of leather or
heavy cloth, and adorned with small bells and/or ribbons. In the
18th to 20th centuries, they were tied just below the knee, where
the leg was skinniest, to keep the stocking from slipping. The
advent of elastic has made them unnecessary from this functional
standpoint, although they are still often worn for fashion.
Garters in fashion
A garter is often worn by newlywed brides. It is the groom's
privilege to remove the garter and toss it to the male guests. The
symbolism to deflowering is unambiguous. Historically, this
tradition also relates to the belief that taking an article of the
bride's clothing would bring good luck. As this often resulted in
the destruction of the bride's dress, the tradition arose for the
bride to toss articles of clothing to the guests, including the
garter. Another superstition that has circulated is the male
equivalent of the bride throwing her bouquet to the unmarried
ladies, i.e., the unmarried male wedding guest who successfully
caught the garter was believed to be the next man to be headed to
the altar from the group of single men at that wedding.
Traditionally, the man who caught the garter and the lady who caught
the bouquet will share the next dance.
In Elizabethan fashions, men wore garters with their hose, and
colorful garters were an object of display. In Shakespeare's Twelfth
Night, "cross braced" garters are an object of some derision. In
male fashion, a type of garter for holding up socks has continued as
a part of male dress up to the present (although its use may be
considered somewhat stodgy).
Order of the Garter
A famous "garter" in English is the Order of the Garter, which
traces its history to the Middle English poem Sir Gawain and the
Green Knight. In the poem, Gawain accepts a garter from the wife of
his host (while resisting her carnal temptations) to save his life
and then wears it as a mark of shame for his moral failure and
cowardice. King Arthur and his men proclaim it no shame and begin,
themselves, to wear the garter to indicate their shared fate. At
that point, however, the garter was a larger garment that was used
as a foundation.
The Order, which is the oldest and highest British Order of
Chivalry, was founded in 1348 by Edward III. The Order consists of
Her Majesty The Queen who is Sovereign of the Order, His Royal
Highness The Prince of Wales and 24 Knights Companions.
The origin of the symbol of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, a
blue 'garter' with the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense will probably
never be known for certain as the earliest records of the order were
destroyed by fire, however the story goes that at a ball possibly
held at Calais, Joan Countess of Salisbury dropped her garter and
King Edward, seeing her embarrassment, picked it up and bound it
about his own leg saying in French, "Evil, [or shamed] be he that
that thinks evil of it." This story is almost certainly a later
fiction. This fable appears to have originated in France and was,
perhaps, invented to try and bring discredit on the Order. There is
a natural unwillingness to believe that the world's foremost Order
of Chivalry had so frivolous a beginning.
It is thought more likely that as the garter was a small strap used
as a device to attach pieces of armour, it might have been thought
appropriate to use the garter as a symbol of binding together in
common brotherhood. Whilst the motto probably refers to the leading
political topic of the 1340s, Edward's claim to the throne of
France. The patron saint of the Order of the Garter is St. George
and as he is the patron saint of soldiers and also of England, the
spiritual home of the order has therefore always been St. George's
Chapel in Windsor Castle.
Garter belts
The garter belt (known as the suspender belt in British English) was
the vintage precursor to pantyhose. A return to retro styled garter
belts and stockings has become especially popular due to the ultra
feminine iconization of pin up girls of the past. Some fetish sites
feature garter belts and stockings solely on their site. Once a
forgotten and overlooked undergarment from the past, the popularity
of garter belts and matching stockings have made a terrific comeback
with most modern department stores selling a wide assortment.
Lingerie is a term for women's fashion undergarments. It derives
from the French word 'lin' for linen.[1] While the term in the
French language applies to all undergarments for either sex, in
English it is applied only to those women's undergarments designed
to be visually appealing or erotic, typically incorporating
materials such as Lycra, nylon (nylon tricot), polyester, satin,
lace and/or silk and not applied to functional cotton undergarments.
The concept of lingerie being visually appealing is relatively
recent. Up through the first half of the 20th century women selected
underwear for three major purposes: to alter their shape (first with
corsets and later with girdles or bras), for reasons of hygiene, or
for modesty. Women's underwear was often very large and bulky. As
the 20th century progressed underwear became smaller and more form
fitting. In the 1960s 'controversial' lingerie manufacturers such as
Frederick's of Hollywood begin to glamorize lingerie and the idea of
lingerie having a sexual appeal slowly developed.
The lingerie industry has expanded in the 21st century with designs
that double as outerwear. The French refer to this as 'dessous-dessus'
which basically means innerwear as outerwear. The boutique Faire
Frou Frou, which is an antiquated phrase meaning "show it off",
heralds this philosophy by categorizing lingerie as an accessory
with details such as straps and lace trim that should be layered and
shown as part of one's outerwear.
Typology
* Babydoll, a short nightgown or negligee intended as nightwear for
women.
* Basque, a tight, form-fitting bodice or coat
* Bedjacket, worn over a nightgown or negligee for warmth and
modesty.
* Blanket sleeper
* Bloomers, underpants with short legs.
* Bodystocking, a unitard.
* Bodysuit, a leotard-like undergarment, usually skintight or
formfitting.
* Bodice, covers the body from the neck to the waist.
* Boy shorts, a style of panties, so named for their resemblance to
male shorts.
* Brassiere
* Bustier
* Camisole, sleeveless and tight fitting, covering the top part of
the body
* Camiknickers, camisole and knickers joined as one garment
* Cami Shorts
* Chemise
* Corset by bone, a bodice worn to mold and shape the torso.
* Corselet = Brassiere + Girdle
* Corsage by elastic, covering the body from the neck to the waist,
similar to a corset.
Women's panties or knickers
Women's panties or knickers
* Drawers a pant-like garment worn during the 19th century for
modesty and warmth. Some drawers were split-leg, in that the crotch
seam was left open.
* French maid, a form of ladies' fantasywear
* G-String/Thong, a narrow piece of cloth passes between the
buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as a
bikini bottom or as underwear by both men and women.
* Garter
* Garter belt, used to keep stockings up
* Girdle, resembles a tight pair of athletic shorts
* Granny panties
* Hosiery
* Jersey nightshirt - A long, loose T-shirt made of cotton,
polyester, nylon or diaphanous chiffon that can be worn like a
Babydoll.
Woman wearing pantyhose.
* Knickers (British for underpants)
* Leotard
* Merry widow
* Naughty & Nice
* Negligee
* Nightgown or Nightie, a loosely hanging item of nightwear, may
vary from hip-length (babydoll) to floor-length (peignoir).
* Nightshirt
* Panties
* Peignoir
* Petticoat
* Pettipants
* Robe
* Slip (Full slip and Half slip / Underskirt)
* Spanky-Pants, "Spankies" (color-coordinated underpants worn by
cheerleaders)
* Stockings
* Stringbody
* Suspender belt (British), aka Garter belt (US)
* Tanga
* Tap Pants
* Teddy
* Undergarment
* Unitard One piece, skin tight garment
A brassiere (Brit. /'bɹæzɪə(ɹ)/; U.S. /bɹə'ziɹ/, commonly referred
to as a bra, /bɹɑ/) is an article of clothing that covers, supports,
and elevates the breasts. The bra is considered a foundation
garment, as well as an undergarment, because of its role in shaping
the wearer's figure. It was originally developed in the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to replace the corset, and
has now become, in many parts of the world, the most popular form of
undergarment for the upper body, although camisoles and chemises are
becoming more popular.
The bra may be worn to support and enhance breast shape during
everyday activities and a specialized bra, the sports bra to support
and restrain breasts during exercise. Some wearers believe that
wearing it will prevent their breasts from sagging later in life.
However, there are no reports in the scientific medical literature
that support that notion. In fact some reports have suggested that
wearing a bra will promote ligament atrophy, which contributes to
sagging, so the matter is open to debate. The bra may also be worn
to observe modesty or to present a certain image of femininity. Bras
are typically designed to lift the breasts into a particular
position, for a more youthful look or for enhancing cleavage . These
roles are sometimes conflicting. Some designers aim at producing a
garment that fulfills a practical role as well as making it look
attractive. Bras are also used during pregnancy (when breasts are
enlarged and more sensitive), and for nursing (see nursing bra) to
support and provide access for breastfeeding.
Many have questioned the practical need for the bra. Some women
prefer not to wear a bra and go braless on a regular basis. In many
nations, a bra is often not worn. Some have suggested that a bra
does little to prevent the effects of aging on the breasts, and some
have claimed that breasts are healthier when left free to move
rather than being restrained. Also, the bra has become charged with
political and cultural meanings that overlay its practical purpose.
Traditionally it is viewed as symbolic of a young girl's coming of
age, one of the tokens that indicate that she has become a young
woman. It can also be interpreted as a feminine icon. On the other
hand, some may see it as a symbol of the repression of women's
bodies. All of these debates mean that the bra has assumed a
cultural significance which exceeds that which is normally accorded
to item of clothing (e.g. socks, dress shirts, or gloves).
Etymology
The French word brassière refers to a baby's vest (undershirt) or
lifebelt, underbodice or harness. The word brassière derives from
bracière, an Old French word meaning "arm protector" and referring
to military uniforms (bras in French means "arm"). This later became
used for a military breast plate, and later for a type of woman's
corset. The current French term for brassière is soutien-gorge,
literally, "held under the neck" or "throat-support". In French,
gorge (throat) was a common euphemism for the breast. This dates
back to the garment developed by Herminie Cadolle in 1905.
The term "brassiere" seems to have come into use in the English
language as early as 1893. Manufacturers were using the term by
about 1904, Vogue magazine first used it in 1907, and by 1911 the
word had made its way into the Oxford English Dictionary. On 13
November 1914, the brassiere was patented by Mrs Mary Phelps Jacob
also known as Caresse Crosby. In the 1930s, "brassiere" gradually
came to be shortened to "bra". In the French-speaking Canadian
province of Quebec, both soutien-gorge and brassière are used
interchangeably.
The claim that the brassiere was invented by a man named Otto
Titzling (phonetically tit-sling) who lost a lawsuit with Phillip de
Brassiere (fill up de' brassiere) is an urban legend that originated
with the 1971 book Bust-Up: The Uplifting Tale of Otto Titzling and
the Development of the Bra and was propagated in a song from the
movie Beaches.
History
During recorded history, women have used a variety of garments and
devices to cover, restrain, or elevate their breasts. Brassiere or
bikini-like garments are depicted on some female athletes in the
seventh century BC during the Minoan civilization era. Similar
functionality was achieved by both outerwear and underwear.
From the 16th century onwards, the undergarments of wealthier women
were dominated by the corset, which pushed the breasts upwards. In
the latter part of the 19th century, clothing designers began
experimenting with various alternatives to the corset, trying things
like splitting the corset into multiple parts: a girdle-like
restraining device for the lower torso, and devices that suspended
the breasts from the shoulder for the upper torso.
By the early 20th century, garments more closely resembling
contemporary bras had emerged, although large-scale commercial
production did not occur until the 1930s. Since then, bras have
replaced corsets (although some prefer camisoles), and bra
manufacture and sale has become a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Over time, the emphasis on bras has largely shifted from
functionality to fashion.
In China during the Ming dynasty a form of foundation clothe
complete with cups and straps drawn over shoulders and tied to the
girth seam at the lower back called a dudou was in vogue among the
rich women. (Oriental Clothing and Modern Fetishism, various
authors, ed. Partho Shanner, 1996, Yeti, Hong Kong). While they
first arose in the Ming Dynasty, were also common in the Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911). In English they are known as 'stomach
protectors' or 'tummy covers'
Construction and fit
A brassiere usually consists of two cups for breasts, a centre
panel, a band running around the torso under the bust, and a
shoulder strap for each side. Brassieres are typically made of a
fabric, such as cotton or polyester. Spandex and lace are also often
used for various parts of the bra. The cups for the breasts may be
reinforced by underwires made of metal originally, but mainly
plastic now. The bra is usually fastened with a hook fastener on the
band, typically at the back. In some bras the fastener is in the
front, between the cups. Others are pulled on over the head and have
no fasteners at all.
Some bras contain padding, designed either to increase comfort, to
conceal the nipples, or to make the breasts appear larger. Breast
pads, commonly known as "falsies" or "cutlets", are sometimes worn
between the breasts and the bra to create the illusion of a larger
cup size. Push-up bras in particular are designed to enhance the
cleavage and use padding and the cut of the pattern to achieve this
effect.
Fitting
The backstrap (band) and cups should provide most of the support,
rather than the shoulder straps, which are responsible for a number
of health problems (see Mechanical principles, below).
When viewed from the side, the strap that runs around the body
should be horizontal, should not ride up the back, and should be
firm but comfortable.
The underwires at the front should lie flat against the rib cage
(not the breast), along the infra-mammary fold, and should not dig
in to the chest or the breasts, rub or poke out at the front.
The breasts should be enclosed by the cups and there should be a
smooth line where the fabric at the top of the cup ends.
There should not be a ridge or any bulging over the top or sides of
the cups, even with a low-cut style such as the balconette bra.
Mechanical principles
A pair of breasts can weigh several kilograms. For instance a pair
of "D cup" breasts may weigh 15–23 pounds (7–10 kg), dependent on
band and cup size. One of the principal functions of a bra is to
elevate and "support" the breasts, that is, to raise them from their
normal position lying against the chest wall. The bra's shoulder
strap should bear little weight. This is considered the defining
characteristic of the bra: supporting the weight from the back and
shoulders, as opposed to lift from below (as corsets do).
Over-reliance on the platform (backstrap) for support will lead to
undue compression of the breasts, so much of the weight tends to be
carried by the shoulder strap, particularly for larger breasts. The
major engineering weakness of the bra is that it acts as a pulley,
transferring the weight of the breasts from the lower chest wall to
higher structures such as the back, shoulder, neck, and head. This
can result in pain and injury in those structures, especially for
women with pendulous breasts.
Size and measurement
The comfort and function of any given bra is highly dependent on the
correct size and fit. A large range of sizes are available to cater
to the wide variety in the size of women's breasts and bodies. Bra
sizes typically vary in two ways: the volume of the cups that fit
over the breast, and the length of the back strap that goes around
the body. It is essential that the bra fit correctly in both of
these dimensions. There is typically some ability to adjust the band
size, since bras usually have three or four alternative sets of
fastening hooks. The shoulder straps of a bra are also almost always
adjustable. The size of women's breasts is often expressed in terms
of her usual bra size.
Measurement systems
Although all bras are labeled by size, many women find that the only
way to obtain a bra that fits properly and achieves the effect they
want is by trial and error with each bra type, model and brand. This
method is the most reliable.
Though many countries use the metric system, the majority of nations
still use imperial units to determine the underband size of the bra
itself.
There are several methods which may be used to provide an
approximate size by taking measurements. However, bra sizing systems
differ widely between countries, between manufacturers, and between
brands and designs, which can create many problems. Many researchers
have demonstrated that these problems arise because fit requires
knowing the breast volume, not the body circumference (the distance
around the body), which is what is actually measured. Although bra
sizing uses the circumference to estimate the volume, this has been
shown to be highly unreliable.
The size of a bra is commonly described by two values. The first is
the band size (underband), a number based on the circumference of
the chest under the bust, excluding the breasts. The second is the
cup size given by a letter of the alphabet, and relating to the
volume of the breasts themselves. For example, a 30D bra is for a
30-size band and a D-size cup. Cup sizes typically start with A, the
smallest, and increase alphabetically. A double lettering system may
also be used, e.g. DDD for F or AA for a size smaller than A.
Band size is usually determined by measuring body circumference
under the breasts as tight as possible. A second measurement is a
loose fit taken of the chest circumference over the fullest part of
the breasts (overbust). The cup size can then be calculated with
tables or a conversion tool from the difference between these two
measurements.
The mean underband circumference in the UK is 34 inches (86 cm). For
the overbust measurement, this is 40 inches (101 cm), for women
18–64 years.
Fitting difficulties
Women often find it difficult to find the correct bra size. To
achieve perfect sizing consistently, a bra would have to be custom
made, because a "one-size-fits-all" manufacturing process is fraught
with difficulties. Breasts vary in the position on the chest, and in
their diameters.
A number of stores have certified professional bra-fitters
specialists. However, even bra fitters have been shown to be quite
variable in their recommendations. Buying "off-the-shelf" or
"online" bras is unwise if the buyer has never tried on the brand
and type of bra that they are interested in buying. Some bra
manufacturers and distributors state that trying on and learning to
recognize a proper fit is the best way to determine a correct bra
size, much the same as with shoes. Some critics observe that
measuring systems such as the one described above often lead to an
incorrect size, most commonly too small in the cup, and too large in
the band. For anyone, especially cup sizes larger than a D, one
should get a professional fitting from the lingerie department of a
clothing store or a specialty lingerie store.
Some women intentionally buy larger cups and pad them, while yet
others buy smaller cups to give the appearance of being "full".
Finally, the elastic properties of the band make band size highly
unreliable, and in one study the label size was consistently
different from the measured size. Fashion and image drive the bra
market, and these factors often take precedence over comfort and
function.
As already noted, there is no agreed standard across all
manufacturers for measuring and specifying bra size. Obtaining the
correct size is further complicated by the fact that the size and
shape of a woman's breasts fluctuate during her menstrual cycle, and
also with weight gain or loss. Even breathing can substantially
alter the measurements.
It is frequently stated, from the results of surveys, that between
70 and 100% of women are wearing incorrectly fitted bras. This may
be partly due to a lack of understanding of how to correctly
determine bra size; it may also be due to unusual or unexpectedly
rapid growth in size brought on by pregnancy, weight gain, or
medical conditions including virginal breast hypertrophy.
As breasts become larger, their shape and the distribution of the
tissues within them changes, becoming ptotic and bulbous rather than
conical. This makes measurements increasingly unreliable, especially
for large breasts. Similarly the heavier a build the woman has, the
more inaccurate the underbust measurement as the tape sinks into the
flesh more easily. Finally, most women are asymmetrical (10%
severely), with the left breast being larger in 62%, especially when
the breasts are large.
Many of the health problems associated with bras are due to fitting
problems and are discussed further below, under health problems.
However, finding a comfortable fit is described as very difficult by
many women, which has affected sales. Medical studies have also
attested to the difficulty of getting a correct fit.
Types of bra
A wide range of styles of brassieres now exists, to be worn in a
variety of situations, and with a variety of outer garments. For
instance strapless, backless and multiway bra styles specialise in
being invisible underneath less than full coverage garments whereas
push up and plunge focus on shaping the bust and cleavage. The
degree of shaping and coverage of the breasts varies between styles,
as do functionality and fashion, fabric, and colour. Styles range
from the purely utilitarian to the sensual. Others include various
accessory structures such as padding and underwiring.
Many bras will fall into more than one category, such as a maternity
bra designed for facilitating access to the nipple, but that is also
designed to provide support to heavier lactating breasts.
Definitions are not always very accurate or exclusive (e.g. shelf
bra). Sports bras have more recently been developed with the primary
purpose of restricting breast movement to aid comfort.
Therapeutic role of the bra
Countering the aging process
Anatomically, the breasts are non-rigid areas of glandular tissue,
with few support structures, such as connective tissue. Breasts are
composed of the mammary glands, which remain relatively constant
throughout life, as well as the adipose tissue or fat tissue that
surrounds the mammary glands. It is the amount and distribution of
adipose tissue that leads to variations in breast size. In addition,
the breasts contain internal ligaments, although their exact
function as related to breast support is controversial. These
ligaments, and the overlying skin (referred to as the dermal
brassiere) help determine the resulting breast shape.
As the breasts mature, they fold over the lower attachment to the
chest wall (infra-mammary fold), and their lower (inferior) surface
lies against the chest wall when vertical. In popular culture, this
maturation is referred to as "sagging" or "drooping", although
plastic surgeons refer to it as ptosis, and recommend mastopexy
(breast lift) for correction.
Although the exact mechanisms that determine breast shape and size
remain largely unknown, it has long been claimed that this occurs
because the normal anatomical support is inadequate, especially in
older women and those with larger breasts. Hence the bra is often
proposed as a means of providing artificial support, based on the
presumption that the breasts cannot support themselves. Health
professionals have, however, found no evidence to suggest that the
bra changes the natural process of aging of the breasts. Bra
manufacturers have also stated that bras only affect the shape of
breasts while they are being worn.
Indeed, there are indications that wearing a bra may have an effect
opposite to that which was intended. In a Japanese study, 11 women
were measured wearing a standardised fitted bra for three months.
They found that breasts became larger and lower, with the underbust
measurement decreasing and the overbust increasing, while the lowest
point of the breast moved downwards and outwards. The effect was
more pronounced in larger-breasted women. This may be related to the
particular bra chosen for the experiment. There was some improvement
after changing to a different model. These findings were confirmed
in a much larger French study of 250 women who exercised regularly
and were followed by questionnaires and biometric measurements for a
year after agreeing not to wear a bra. While there was some initial
discomfort at the first evaluation, this gradually disappeared and
by the end of the year nearly all the women had improved comfort
compared to before the study. The measurements showed firmer, and
more elevated and youthful breasts. One example of a woman who had
breasts that were uncomfortably large, and who had improvement after
two years of being without a bra is given.
While some may dispute the reasons why breasts change in shape with
age and argue over whether or not the process can be delayed or
reversed by wearing a bra, it is a natural process of bodily change.
Health ethicists are concerned that plastic surgery and implants
have altered our concept of what is "normal" and medicalised women's
bodies by making a normal process a "disease. |
A G-string (alternatively gee-string or gee string) is a type of
thong, a narrow piece of cloth, leather, or plastic that covers or
holds the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to
a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by both men
and women.
The two terms G-string and thong are often used interchangeably;
however, they can refer to distinct pieces of clothing: The primary
difference between the two garments is that a g-string has less
material between the legs and buttocks, hence a string-like
appearance. Variants of the G-string include the V-string, a thong
with a triangle "V" of cloth at the top of the rear, and the
T-string, where a single string passes around the waist and between
the legs, forming a T between the buttocks. See also the general
article on thongs.
Origin
G-string or thong is probably the earliest form of clothing known to
mankind; having originated in the warmer climates of sub-Saharan
Africa where clothing was first worn nearly 75,000 years ago. Many
tribal peoples, such as some of the Khoisan people of southern
Africa, wore thongs for many centuries. Much like the
2000-plus-year-old Japanese fundoshi, these early garments were made
with the male genitalia in mind.
Although developed for the male anatomy by primitive peoples, in the
modern West thongs are more often worn by females. They first gained
mainstream popularity as swimwear in South America, particularly in
Brazil in the 1970s. In Brazil, where the buttocks ("bunda" in
Brazilian Portuguese slang) are especially admired and emphasized;
it was originally a style of thong swimsuit whose rear area became
so narrow that it would disappear between the wearer's buttocks.
Female strippers and erotic dancers in the west have been wearing
G-strings and thongs during their routines since the mid-1920s.
Etymology
The origin of the term "G-string" is obscure. The term is first
attested in writings by Americans in the late 1800s describing the
loincloth of Philippines natives. In the "Philippines Islands" entry
in the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, the term "geestring"
is used. Others say the term is derived from the G-string on a
musical instrument, but it may just be an abbreviation of
"groin-string". The origin of the word "thong" is from the Old
English thwong, a flexible leather cord.
There are a number of intermediate styles between full rear coverage
and a string rear. Like the tanga, the G-string is essentially a
bottom covering that covers the pubis and leaves the buttocks bared;
The term G-string is generally used when the vertical strap in the
rear of a thong is no wider than a string. Other similar styles
include the brazilian, rio, and T-back (T-string). The naming of the
intermediate cuts is debatable, and different vendors use the words
somewhat interchangeably.
Commercialization
Popularization in the Western culture
Attitudes to wearing G-strings vary, as is usual with highly
revealing clothing. By the late 1980s, the design (for females) had
made its way into most of the Western world, thong and G-string
underwear became more and more popular through the 1990s. As of
2002, thong underwear was one of the fastest-selling styles among
women. One advantage attributed to the wearing of thong underwear is
that no visible panty line can be seen even under a thin,
light-colored or skin-tight garment. Although the popularity of
wearing thong underwear in America has taken off only in the last
decade, in Europe it has been commonplace for many more years.
C-string
There are several variations on the G-string. An example of one
variation is the C-string; as narrow as a thong but without the band
around the waist, leaving just a "c-shaped" piece between the legs
held in place firmly by a flexible internal frame. Since there is no
material around the waist, the C-string completely eliminates the
panty lines which thongs and other underwear create. C-strings are
also designed for use as beachwear, which reduces the tan lines that
would have been left by the side straps of even a G-string. Removing
the side straps also eases donning and removal.
Male wear
In the USA and Europe, the wear of G-strings or thongs by men, was
once mainly limited to the dance belt, the posing pouch and the
realm of male strippers. 4% of men polled prefer thongs. They are
also used by men who don't want visible brief lines, the popular
male wrestlers like Hulk Hogan and Kurt Angle don't want visible
brief lines under their wrestling suits.
Attitudes
G-string underwear is not without its own controversies. In 2002, an
American clothing retailer known for their racy catalogues launched
a line of thong underwear marketed specifically at girls aged 13 to
16 years. Several consumer advocacy groups objected to marketing of
the thong, claiming they are too sexually suggestive.
Some people in the State of Virginia attempted to pass a law
forbidding the exposure of underwear. But it did not become law.
Some county and municipal governments in the United States have
passed legislation forbidding G-string swimsuits in public, but most
others do not have a problem with sunbathers in thongs, so long as
they don't engage in unsavory activities.
The United States Supreme Court held in Erie v. Pap's A. M. that a
city ordinance requiring erotic dancers to wear g-strings was
constitutional.
Pain relief and comfort
Wearing a bra can offer relief of breast pain (mastodynia, mastalgia),
particularly when women are performing strenuous physical activity
or exercise. Indeed, the sports bra is an example of a bra which has
been specifically designed for this purpose. An underwire bra can
also help support breasts and keep them from bouncing (for example,
during running), which is painful whether the breasts are large or
small. Recently the requirement for a bra during exercise at all has
been questioned following extensive studies on athletes and
sportswomen.
In the specific case of larger breasts, the bra lifts the breasts
away from the chest and can prevent two skin surfaces from rubbing
together. Without the bra, maceration (loss of skin), intertrigo
(rash) and fungal infections are possible. This does, however,
depend upon a correctly fitted bra that performs as intended.
Cultural significance
Feminist comment
Many feminist writers have interpreted the bra as an example of how
women's clothing has shaped and even deformed women's bodies to
historically aesthetic ideals, or shaped them to conform to male
expectations of what is desirable. Germaine Greer, for example, has
often depicted bras as symbols of oppression, and it was views like
these, considered radical by some, which perhaps gave rise to the
urban legend of bra-burning ceremonies.
The bra as a fashion item
Breasts which have not undergone sagging, and which present a "pert"
or "perky" appearance, are widely considered to be a marker of
youth. Bras are therefore used, particularly within Western cultures
which place great value upon youth, to promote what is considered a
more desirable youthful appearance by lifting the breasts from their
natural position. Furthermore, the modern bra is often more
decorative than its predecessors, and therefore has become both a
fashion statement and an adornment, and even an icon of sensuality.
The design of bras which aim to be fashionable, rather than
functional, has been driven by changing fashions in outerwear, which
has often dictated what could be worn underneath. Hence its shape
has evolved through flat, round, pointed, conical, to "natural".
Although in popular culture the invention of the bra is frequently
attributed to men, in fact women have played a large part in bra
design and manufacture, accounting for half of the patents filed.
Social pressures and trends
The average American woman today owns six bras, one of which is a
strapless bra, and one in a colour other than white. While reliable
data are hard to obtain, it is thought that in the Western world
about 90% of women wear bras. Some women wear bras based on modesty;
others because they believe that it is part of their cultural norm
and that not wearing a bra would lead to ostracism.
Bras are a relatively recent invention and are by no means
universally worn around the world. In a cross-cultural study of bra
size and cancer in 9,000 in the 1960s, a Harvard group found 93% of
women wore bras (from 88% in the UK to 99% in Greece), but could not
find enough women in Japan with bras to complete their study. In a
number of cultures, women are quite comfortable to sunbathe or swim
without any external support.
The prevalence of the bra, and perceived social expectation to wear
one, does not imply that openly displaying it is encouraged. On the
contrary, it is often not considered suitable to expose one's
brassiere in public in western cultures, even partially, despite the
fact that it is similar in appearance to the upper part of a bikini;
to do so may be considered sexually provocative. However more young
people are doing so, and bra straps are a common sight. Occasionally
they may wear a bra as outerwear. An attractive bra can be
considered partly as an accessory, just as a camisole might; more
women, particularly in Eastern Europe, are now wearing translucent
tops which reveal the underlying bra.
Even considering this relative cultural taboo, being seen in one's
bra is still more socially acceptable than exposing the bare
breasts, except at the beach. Indeed, women may choose to be seen in
just a bra to make a specific point. For instance, bras have
recently been used by organisations like breast cancer charities to
raise money, either by sponsored walks or to sell bras owned or
decorated by celebrities.
An increasing number of women and health professionals are
challenging the traditional values that suggest that that bras are
either medically necessary or required socially and are adopting
bralessness (also known as brafreedom, or breast freedom). One
survey found that 20% of women over 50 were not wearing bras (Farell-Beck
and Gau p.171).
Some men also choose to wear bras. This may because they have large
breasts due to a condition known as gynecomastia or simply obesity.
Many entertainers, actresses and members of the fashion industry
have chosen not to wear bras. Susan Stranks who presented the Thames
TV children's programme, Magpie between 1968 and 1974 chose not to
wear a bra, even on camera. Another well known woman who regularly
appears braless on TV is the presenter of BBC Gardening's Ground
Force, Charlie Dimmock.
Health problems
Many of the statements about the benefits of bras are actually
situations where they can make things worse, because the vast
majority of women wear bras that are ill-fitting. For instance,
rather than keeping the breasts away from the chest wall, bras that
are too tight can actually compress them against the chest even
further. This also pulls the upper thoracic and cervical vertebrae
(spine) forward and down, interfering with back, shoulder and chest
movement.
As they did with corsets, health professionals have also had
concerns about the constricting effects of brassieres, although this
varies considerably with design and the relative size of the bra and
the breast. While at least sports bras do not usually cause any
significant impairment in respiration, some bras may put pressure on
nerves. Others believe that wearing a bra can actually increase the
downward movement of the breasts with age, because the chest muscles
(pectoralis) that support breasts are used less and atrophy from
lack of use.
Myalgia
Use of a properly fitting bra is regularly recommended for reduction
of mastalgia (breast pain) from exercise or other activities which
cause the breasts to bounce, or for pain related to fibrocystic
breast disease. A trial comparing the effectiveness of danazole
versus use of a sports bra for treatment of mastalgia found the
sports bra to be much more effective, and avoided the side effects
experienced by 42% of those taking danazole. Sports bras were also
found most effective at reducing mastalgia caused by exercise.
When the shoulder straps transfer most of the weight of the breast,
a deep groove can be seen over the shoulder. Use of thin straps,
such as spaghetti straps, can exert pressure on the trapezius
muscle, resulting in temporary symptoms such as neck and shoulder
pain; numbness and tingling in the arm; and headaches.
This seems more common in women whose activities require them to
lift their arms above the shoulders. In a study of 100 women with
painful shoulders, they were asked to not wear their bras for two
weeks, by which time their symptoms had improved but returned within
an hour of replacing the bra. 84% did not elevate their arms, and in
these symptom relief was complete. Three years later, 79% of the
women were still bra free; the remainder preferred pain to not
wearing a bra. 16% worked in occupations requiring elevating their
arms, and only achieved partial improvement. 13 of the 16 decided to
become bra-free, and by six months all were cured.
Back pain is particularly common among large-breasted women who wear
bras offering insufficient support. In extreme cases, such
discomfort can lead to a woman seeking breast reduction surgery. In
a study of 103 women seeking breast-reduction surgery (reduction
mammaplasty) for pain, one woman never wore a bra, but of the
remaining 102 all were wearing an incorrect bra size. The underband
was too tight and the cup size too large. The larger the woman, the
worse the fit. The result was a bra that compresses the breast and
distorts it by compressing the breast against the skin of the chest
wall.
Based on their research, many physicians believe that bra size is
meaningless, when breast volumes are calculated accurately. "The
current popular system of determining bra size is inaccurate so
often as to be useless. Add to this the many different styles of
bras and the lack of standardization between brands, and one can see
why finding a comfortable, well-fitting bra is more a matter of
educated guesswork, trial, and error than of precise measurements."
Typology:
* glamour lingerie is the kind of underwear, sleepwear, and other items of intimate apparel worn by women
* glamour costume is a style of dress, including accessories and hairdos, esp. that peculiar to a nation, region, group, or historical period.
* glamour underwear is a kind of clothing worn next to the skin under outer clothes.
* glamour pajama is a loose-fitting garment consisting of trousers and a jacket, worn for sleeping or lounging. Often used in the plural.
* glamour boxer or boxer shorts, men's loose-fitting undershorts with an elastic waistband.
* glamour babydoll, often, baby dolls. Also called baby doll nightgown, baby doll pajamas. a garment for women or girls consisting of a hip-length top of delicate fabric often decorated with ruffles, ribbons, or lace, with a matching panty, worn for sleeping.
* glamour corset, sometimes, corsets, a close-fitting undergarment, stiffened with whalebone or similar material and often capable of being tightened by lacing, enclosing the trunk: worn, esp. by women, to shape and support the body.
* glamour catsuit is a tight-fitting one-piece garment for women usually made of leather or a synthetic fabric such as spandex and covering the torso, legs, and sometimes the arms.
* glamour bodysuit, or body, is a leotard-like garment that may or may not have snaps at the crotch. It is usually skintight or formfitting and can have sleeves of any length or be made like a tank top. There are bodysuits for both females and males,
* glamour bodystocking is an article of lingerie, similar to a leotard or a catsuit. It is much the same thing as a unitard, but the term bodystocking is likely to be preferred when the garment is worn as an underlayer in cold weather. It usually has long legs, but it may have long, short, or no sleeves. It is usually made from a sheer fabric similar to those used for stockings and tights, or from fishnet material. Some people consider bodystockings to be an erotic garment.
* glamour funwear is a kind of wear, clothing, or costume for fun or games
* glamour hosiery describes tight-fitting garments worn directly on the feet and legs. Most are made by knitting methods. Modern hosiery is usually tight-fitting by virtue of stretchy fabrics and meshes. Older forms include binding to achieve a tight fit. Due to its close fit, most hosiery can be worn as an undergarment, but it is more commonly worn as a combined under/outer garment.
* glamour bra ( brassiere) is an article of clothing that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. The bra is considered a foundation garment, as well as an undergarment, because of its role in shaping the wearer's figure. It was originally developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to replace the corset, and has now become, in many parts of the world, the most popular form of undergarment for the upper body, although camisoles and chemises are becoming more popular.
* glamour panty is a kind of short underpants for women or children (usually used in the plural)
* glamour clubwear is a kind of fashion design, primarily in ready-to-wear lines, boyfriend is any style for women's clothing that was modified from a corresponding men's garment. Examples include boyfriend jackets and boyfriend jeans, which are more unisex in appearance than most women's jackets or pants while they are still designed for the female form.
* glamour bustier (alternately bustier re) is an article of clothing for women, which is form-fitting and is traditionally worn as lingerie. It looks somewhat like a Basque, but a bustier is shorter. It reaches down only to the ribs or the waist and has a different function: its primary purpose is to push up the bustier by tightening against the upper midriff and forcing the breasts to move up, while gently shaping the waist. These days, it is often made with mesh panels rather than boning. The bustier is a multi-purpose garment and doubles up as a push-up bra for inner wear and as a camisole for outer wear. The bustier can also be worn as a half-slip under diaphanous upper garments if a bold display of the midriff is not desired. In modern days, women wear a bustier as an undergarment/push up bra in the occasion that their dress or outer-wear has a low-back.
* glamour robe is a loose-fitting outer garment. A robe is distinguished from a cape or cloak by the fact that it usually has sleeves. The English word robe is borrowed from French, although in French it typically refers to a woman's dress. There are various types of robes, including:
* glamour gown (medieval Latin gunna) is a (usually) loose outer garment from knee- to full-length worn by men and women in Europe from the early Middle Ages to the seventeenth century (and continuing today in certain professions); later, gown was applied to any woman's garment consisting of a bodice and attached skirt.
* glamour teddy is a form of bodysuit-like lingerie, often worn in the boudoir. By definition, a teddy is an undergarment which combines a camisole and panty in one piece. Unlike a bodysuit, it is typically looser and more sheer, and may be designed to slip off from the shoulders, rather than to open at the crotch. The teddy is normally worn for the seductive look, rather than practical reasons.
* glamour teddiettes is a loose-fitting teddy designed as sleepwear. Sleep teddies tend to use simpler materials and styles than teddies designed for visual appeal.
* glamour chemise can refer to the classic smock or shift, or else can refer to certain modern types of women's undergarments and dresses. In the classical usage it is a simple garment worn next to the skin to protect clothing from sweat and body oils, the precursor to the modern shirts commonly worn in Western nations.
* glamour pantyhose (also called tights) are sheer, close fitting coverings of the body from the waist to the feet, most frequently worn by women. Like stockings they are usually made of nylon. The one-piece pantyhose garment appeared in the 1960s and provided a convenient alternative to stockings (nylons).
* glamour garters are items of clothing, used to keep stockings up. Normally just a few inches in width, they are usually made of leather or heavy cloth, and adorned with small bells and/or ribbons. In the 18th to 20th centuries, they were tied just below the knee, where the leg was skinniest, to keep the stocking from slipping. The advent of elastic has made them unnecessary from this functional standpoint, although they are still often worn for fashion.
* glamour girdle originally meant a belt (or metaphorically speaking, something which confines or encloses, as in Tolkien's Girdle of Melian). In modern English the term "girdle" is most commonly used for a form of women's foundation wear that replaced the corset in popularity.
* glamour halter top is a kind of woman's top, secured behind the neck and across the back, leaving the arms, shoulders, upperback, and often the midriff bare.
* glamour knickers is a word for women's undergarments and there are now many names for the undergarments that previously have been called knickers, such as panties, thongs, g-strings, briefs, shorts, tangas, etc. Note that while the term 'knickers' refers almost exclusively to women's underwear, 'knicks', knick-knacks' and similar more masculine variations are acceptable monikers for men's underwear, particularly for young boys.
* glamour g-string (alternatively gee-string or gee string) is a type of thong, a narrow piece of cloth, leather, or plastic that covers or holds the genitals, passes between the buttocks, and is attached to a band around the hips, worn as swimwear or underwear by both men and women.
* glamour nightwear, also called "sleepwear", "nightclothes", or "nightdress", is clothing designed to be worn while sleeping. Nightwear usage is seasonal, i.e. different weights for different seasons or it is only worn in winter.
* glamour basque is an item of women's historical apparel. The term, of French origin, can mean either a long corset or jacket characterised by a close, contoured fit and extending past the waistline over the hips. In Victorian outerwear, basque refers to a closely fitted jacket extending at the back past the waistline over the hips, to be worn over a bustle. In 20th century and contemporary attire, the term is used to refer to an article of lingerie, particularly a torso-hugging camisole that resembles a basque or corset (typically featuring decorative front or back lace-up detail), but of more delicate construction and offering little or no figure-molding compression.
* glamour corsetry is craft of making corsets and corset-like garments and accessories most of which incorporate stays. It is also a subfield of fashion that deals with those garments and accessories and it is common term used for those garments and accessories. Term derives from the word corset. A special type of tailor who is an expert in corsetry is called corsetmaker.
* glamour sleepwear is a kind of clothes, such as pajamas or a nightgown, worn in bed. Also called nightdress, nightwear, sleepwear
* glamour briefs are a type of short, tight Y-shaped underwear and swimwear, as opposed to styles where the material extends down the legs. In the case of men's underwear, briefs, unlike boxer shorts, hold the wearer's genitals in a relatively fixed position, which makes briefs a popular underwear choice for men who are participating in athletic activities or who feel they need more support than loose-fitting underwear can provide. In addition, boxers often ride up the body when the wearer is running.
* glamour bikini a very brief, close-fitting, two-piece bathing suit for women or girls. Often, bikinis. underwear briefs that are fitted low on the hip or below it.
* glamour thong is a strip of material, esp. of leather or hide, used to fasten or secure something. Thong is also refered a shoe or slipper fastened to the foot chiefly by a strip of leather or other material passing between the first and second toes and often attaching to another strip of material, as a strap across the instep or around the ankle. The thong is a brief garment for the lower body that exposes the buttocks, consisting of a strip of fabric passing between the thighs and attached to a band around the waist.
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