A survey of American women's underwear and foundation garments from 1875 to 1950

This survey is, in part, a review of the series of styles and the philosophies which led to the evolution of women's contemporary undergarments. Glimpses are presented of the factors which influenced the thinking and subsequently the style of dress or the fashion expression of the period. An attempt has been made to show some aspects of fashion which affect the amount and the style of underclothing worn. The relationship of underwear to the various influences—the reasons for wearing clothes, the ever-omnipotent power of fashion, and the effect of world affairs—is also presented. It is hoped that this survey may contribute a deeper insight into the relationship of the fashion silhouette to the underwear of that fashion cycle. The integral part that underwear plays in producing the desired fashion silhouette is indicated through the functions it serves as presented in this survey. Another aim is to record the major fashion changes in women's underwear and foundation garments during the period from 1875 to 1950