Fashion’s journey through the ages has never been a straight line—it’s been a wild, quirky ride. Among the many oddities, the world of undergarments stands out, offering a parade of bizarre styles that would make today’s briefs look tame. Buckle up and discover 10 crazy pieces of historical underwear that you’ll be grateful you never have to sport.
10 Crazy Pieces Of Historical Underwear
10 Subligaculum And Strophium
Anyone who ever survived a Latin class might recall the cheeky phrase Semper ubi sub ubi, which literally translates to “always where under where.” It’s a playful reminder that even ancient Romans were preoccupied with what lay beneath.
The Roman ladies sported a garment called the strophium—a tight leather band that compressed the bust. In a time when a petite chest paired with wide hips was the height of fashion, the strophium helped women achieve that coveted silhouette, acting as a distant ancestor of today’s bikini top.
Men and laborers, on the other hand, wore the subligaculum, a simple loincloth fashioned from wool or leather. It resembled a diaper in shape and was the go‑to garment for athletes and slaves alike. Interestingly, many Romans would simply forgo any underlayer beneath a toga, as long as the toga itself was on.
9 Pantalets
It wasn’t until roughly 1830 that women began to slip on pantalets and drawers. During the Middle Ages, most women went au naturel below the waist, and when pantalets did appear in the 19th century they were a privilege of the upper‑class.
These early underpieces were essentially crotch‑less, made from two separate panels that were tied together over the hips. They weren’t meant to conceal every inch; rather, they showcased the lavish embroidery on a lady’s legs when a skirt lifted. Owning a pair signaled wealth, while those without had to keep their skirts firmly in place.
8 Silk Stockings
Silk stockings weren’t technically underwear, but they were vital when nothing else covered a woman’s legs. In the 16th century, most stockings were made of wool or linen, serving a purely functional role.
Everything changed on New Year’s Day 1560, when Queen Elizabeth I received a pair of silk stockings as a gift. She adored them so much that she ordered seven pairs in a kaleidoscope of colours. Soon, any fashionable lady who could afford them wanted to mimic the queen’s luxurious legwear.
The allure of silk persisted into World War II. With stockings scarce, anyone who managed to find a pair was instantly admired. Creative women even painted a single dark seam onto their calves to imitate the look of real stockings—a trend dubbed “glamor hose.”
Thus, silk stockings evolved from a practical underlayer to a status symbol, and their legacy still influences modern hosiery.
7 Chemise
The chemise was a simple, loose‑falling shift worn beneath everyday clothing throughout the Middle Ages. Both men and women used it, and it was the only garment that was regularly laundered.
In the 1780s, Marie Antoinette introduced the “chemise à la reine” as a casual alternative to the restrictive court dress. The style quickly fell out of favour after the queen’s head rolled in the Revolution.
Surprisingly, the idea resurfaced during the Empire period. A nearly transparent, flowing chemise became fashionable, so thin that wearers often slipped on flesh‑coloured underwear to avoid looking completely naked.
6 Teddy Or Camiknickers
The teddy first appeared in the 1910s but truly took off a decade later during the Roaring Twenties. It covered the torso and crotch in a single piece, and could be cut close to the body or left looser depending on the dress worn over it.
In the 1920s, women craved the illusion of wearing nothing beneath their flapper dresses, and the teddy’s snug fit acted like modern shapewear. Designers even began embellishing the garment with lace, ribbons, and other decorative touches.
The teddy survived both World Wars, proving comfortable enough for women who switched to trousers. Today’s one‑piece swimsuits are a direct descendant of that early 20th‑century undergarment.
5 Early Bra
Women worldwide owe a huge thank‑you to Mary Phelps Jacob, the inventor of the modern bra. While preparing for a debutante ball in Manhattan at age 19, Jacob found herself frustrated by the restrictive fashions of the day.
At the time, dresses featured plunging necklines, and a well‑endowed woman like Jacob constantly saw parts of her corset peek out. Determined, she and her maid stitched together two handkerchiefs, creating the first makeshift bra.
Jacob patented her invention in 1914, when it was still just two pieces of fabric sewn together. The timing was perfect—World War I demanded the metal used for corsets, freeing women from the stiff undergarment and ushering in the more comfortable bra.
Thus, a simple sewing project sparked a revolution in women’s lingerie that still endures today.
4 Corset
Corsets dominated both women’s and men’s wardrobes for over three centuries, outlasting any other undergarment. They first entered fashion in the 16th century, originally crafted from iron.
During the Elizabethan era, iron gave way to whalebone—actually the teeth of whales used to filter krill. The demand for whalebone contributed to the over‑hunting of whales, a practice that would later raise conservation concerns.
Throughout the centuries, corset silhouettes shifted: from a low, cone‑shaped waist in Elizabethan times to the dramatic hourglass figure of the Victorian era, when waistlines were laced to extreme tightness.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria famously boasted a 41‑centimetre (16‑inch) waist. It wasn’t until after World War I, when doctors linked corsets to health problems, that the garment finally fell out of favour.
3 Menstrual Belts
The menstrual belt emerged around 1900 as a way to make women’s monthly cycles a bit easier. It consisted of a hip‑encircling belt with a removable pad attached—initially made of wool and requiring frequent washing.
In 1913, “sanitary napkins” appeared, offering a disposable alternative. The belt eventually gave way to menstrual panties in the 1950s, and by the 1980s, modern pads—still based on that early concept—became the norm.
Earlier eras saw women improvise with whatever absorbent material they could find: grass, hay, sponges, rabbit skins, and even softened papyrus in ancient Egypt.
2 Radioactive Underwear
Before the dangers of radiation were fully understood, the new element was hailed as a cure‑all. From the 1920s to the 1950s, radium found its way into cosmetics, food, and even underwear.
Advertisements promised that “Radiendocrinator” or “radium underwear” could solve bedroom woes. The novelty of radioactivity made such claims sound plausible, as the glowing material was considered a natural wonder.
Radium also bubbled up in hot springs, which were marketed as health retreats. Men and women alike purchased “glowing underwear” or slipped radioactive pads into their underpants, hoping for a boost in vitality.
1 Chastity Belt
The chastity belt, popular in the 16th century, was designed to prevent sexual intercourse or masturbation. Originally crafted for women, the iron contraption sometimes featured spikes and was meant to keep the wearer “pure.”
After the Renaissance, the belts fell out of use, only to be revived in the late 18th century when masturbation was deemed unhealthy. Both men and women were prescribed these devices as medical treatment.
In the 1920s, some women adopted chastity belts as “anti‑rape” devices. Contemporary scholars argue that medieval depictions of chastity belts were likely satirical or outright fabrications.
Marielle, a Scottish student fascinated by history, fashion, and the macabre, provides a modern perspective on these odd artifacts.