Historia Secret: Historic Secrets of Women’s wear

Western underwear varied in types. For hundreds of years, corsets have been granted as the tools to model ideal female images ever since the Renaissance until the 19th century. Viewed as part of the overall color matching of the clothing, corsets have always been best remembered for their occasional exposure and exquisite workmanship. Though corsets account for the main part, other types of underwear are also collected and displayed in this exhibition, like the petticoat that fits well with the outline shape, adorned with layered lace and falbala; the modern undergarments and leisure wear in the 20th century, adopting the advanced techniques and developed fabric, from the pursuit of styling to comfort and health; the stockings that have played an important fashion role from the period between the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century; men’s undergarments and children’s wear that have been influenced by styling at that time. 
 
More than 100 pieces shown in this exhibition, from the Rococo period in the 18th century to the reform of modern underwear till their formalization in the 20th century, are the carefully selected ones from the whole collection of more than 2,000 pieces of underwear in China National Silk Museum.

Co-organizer: Zhejiang Sci-tech University.