Clothing was developed as a basic requirement for reasons such as health, hygiene and protection of the body from external factors, depending on the earth and living conditions. However, today, clothing has become a means by which people express themselves socially and psychologically. Production purpose of underwear products; in the first years, as in outerwear, it was warming and hygiene and took place between the female body and the clothes. Underwear was not only limited to a protective role, but also became an elegant part of clothing.
Underwear is defined as clothing that protects the physical health of the body, gives a good appearance to outerwear, provides the desired form to the body by hiding body defects, and is worn directly against the skin. Another definition is the form of clothing that prevents sweat from passing to outerwear, protects the body from the effects of weather events, and is used to take the desired form of outerwear. Underwear It has been developed and started to be used to meet physiological needs such as warming, protection from external influences, hygiene and covering.
Properly chosen underwear also makes the body look much more attractive by giving form to the clothes worn on top. The type, color, model and fabric of the top garment play an important role in the choice of underwear. The wrong choice in underwear negatively affects the appearance of the upper clothing and is a factor that lowers the self-confidence of the person.
Global Trends in Underwear: A Look at Foreign Trade
Underwear and bed clothing is one of the highly developed subsectors of the ready-to-wear and apparel industry. The Turkish underwear industry continues to increase its share in world exports every year with its quality production and product variety. Almost one-fifth of Turkey’s exports are carried out by the textile and ready- made clothing industry. Turkey, the world’s 7th largest apparel exporter, is also Europe’s 3rd largest apparel supplier. The development of the ready-made clothing industry in Turkey also brings the development of the underwear industry. The underwear and bed clothing sector are an important and dynamic sector for the ready-made clothing sector and has gained significant momentum in exports in recent years.
In January-December period of 2021, 878.6-million-dollar worth of woven and knitted, men’s and women’s panties, briefs, bras, pajamas, nightgowns, dressing gowns, bathrobes, dressing gowns, and bedclothes were exported from Turkey. Exports increased by 29.4% compared to the same period of 2024. Considering the 18.9% increase in total woven and knitted apparel exports compared to the same period last year, a higher performance is displayed in the export of underwear and bed wear.
The countries that exported the most underwear and nightwear from Turkey are Germany, England, Iraq, the USA and France. In this period, 129- million-dollar worth of underwear and bedwear were exported to Germany, which ranked first, and Germany’s share in Turkey’s total underwear and nightwear, the exports record was 14%. Eighteen of the top twenty exporting underwear and bedwear countries experienced an increase of 5.4% to 114.2% compared to the previous year. There were decreases of 4.9% and 6.2% in the exports of underwear and bed clothing to the two countries. In this period, the highest rate of increase was seen in Poland.
The Evolution of Underwear: A Journey Through History
Underwear is a piece of fabric that we call loincloth in Turkish, which is used to mean “loincloth” in English, which is tied to the waist in ancient times. These diaper-like loincloths are the simplest form of underwear. It has been seen that it is used as both underwear and outerwear in hot climates. It is thought to be the only underwear of the Egyptian civilization, as seen in the ancient Egyptian paintings, especially in ancient civilizations.
The type of Pesh Tamal used among Indians is called “kowpeenam”. These loincloths still have a rectangular pattern, but their front and back views are in the form of thong panties. Peshtemals were diversified in Ancient Rome and were called subligaculum. It is seen that piece resembling shorts wrapped around the lower part of the body is worn by both men and women. Fragments of skin subligaculum were found during excavations of the Roman period.
Underwear has been used to reshape different parts of the human body in certain periods of the historical process. Additionally, because of the use of aesthetic appearance in these periods, extremely useless and unhealthy underwear emerged; In the upper body, corsets were used to slim the waist, and petticoats were used to shape the lower body. Even though underwear has changed depending on traditional features and fashion trends in general from the past to the present, supporting and changing the shape of outerwear, and erotic symbol element.
Underwear made of pure wool is called “Sanitary Underwear”. The reason for the start of this movement is the use of dangerous dyestuffs containing “aniline” in fabric dyeing. These dyestuffs have caused health problems and poisoning on the skin which seriously harms the vagina.
The Romantic Era’s Influence on 19th-Century Underwear Fashion
With the rise of the Romantic movement in the 1890s, a greater emphasis on beauty emerged in both underwear and outerwear. During this time, the “S-Twist” silhouette became fashionable, with women wearing corsets to achieve this distinct shape. The petticoat was also a popular undergarment in the 19th century, contributing to the era’s idealized feminine image. With the awakening of the idea of sexual attraction at the beginning of the 20th century, a very different trend was entered in underwear. Wool laundry, which was fashionable in the 19th century and preferred because it was healthy, lost its popularity. Later, fabrics such as silk, crepe rosin, satin and georgette, which gave a sexy image, were started to be used.
The luxury and elegance that comes from the French word “linge”, which is called “lingerie”, has been popular for several reasons. It has been observed that these fabrics are much lighter than woolen clothes, more suitable for decoration with lace and embroidery, and are attractive.
At the end of the 1920s, Kestos Company in America developed a new model by attaching two triangular fabrics with elastic bands, crossing them on the back and tying them in the front. In addition, in the 1920s and 1930s, corset companies entered the bra business and made bras with underwire and in different cup sizes. With the discovery of synthetic fibers, as in all knitted products, it has been the beginning of a new era in terms of underwear and swimwear production. In 1935, Warner Bros. Co. introduced a sizing system for the “cup” region of the bar. In LATE 1940s, the use of extra sponges allowed the bras to be given different shapes. In 1948, frilly bras were produced by keeping the distance between the chest wide. Strapless bras were also made in the 1950s to be used with strapless dresses. In these years, bras were produced for the first time for adolescent girls and bustier was also used in these years.
Key Factors Influencing Underwear Selection
Considering these expectations, some factors affecting the selection of underwear are as follows.
- Fabric feature
- Climate and season
- Age
- Anatomic Structure and Gender
- Health
- Fashion
- Tradition
- Features of outerwear
Unveiling the Essentials: Key Features of Premium Outerwear
Outerwear production varies widely in terms of model, color and fabric properties. Today, underwear products are used together with outerwear products and as complementary parts. Underwear and outerwear products can be preferred in terms of features such as model, color and fabric, or optionally in contrasting colors. Key features of outerwear include weather resistance (waterproof or windproof materials), insulation for warmth, breathability, durability, and comfort. Additional elements like adjustable hoods, pockets, closures (zippers, buttons), and layering options are also important for functionality and style. Furthermore, underwear should be designed in accordance with the fashion trends of the period, just like top garments.
Underwear for upper body
- Athlete
- Flannel
- Bra
- Petticoat
- Underwear dress
- Corset
- Nighty
- Dressing gown
Underwear for lower body
- Panties
- Corset
- Garter
- socks
CONCLUSION
The underwear industry has also shown a constant change by being affected by technological developments. Fabrics and accessories used in underwear production play an important role. The use of fabrics with high comfort properties due to their direct contact with the skin and the flexibility properties of the fabrics according to the product type are very important.
The fabrics to be used in the production products covering the body such as bras and panties should have high flexibility. Underwear product types and models have spread over a wide range from past to present. Underwear, which has been used until today, has undergone form changes due to many reasons such as the change in women’s social roles, living conditions, ease of use, technological innovations and the effects of ready-made clothing production.
This trend is mostly seen in upper underwear. In addition, the underwear worn over the clothes in the latest trends attracts attention. Laser-cut products without seam marks, fabrics with low weight value, as well as products that cover a smaller area on the body are preferred for lower underwear. The use of bras in contrasting colors under transparent shirts, blouses and sweater-like tops has become quite common. Apart from daily use, trends in which the fabric of the clothing is transparent, and the underwear is more visible in evening dresses has become widespread