The Production of Glamour: The Social History of Lingerie, 1909-1959

I am truly excited to discover that there are no less than 266 twentieth century pieces from the “Supporting and Shaping Structures,” “Night- and Dressingwear,” and “Underwear” collections [at the ROM]. Viewing these pieces will contribute to a more accurate portrayal of lingerie’s subtle changes over time. […] The uses and abuses of the 19th-century corset have been documented and analyzed extensively. On the other hand, the changes in the restrictive, erotic and functional purposes of undergarments which have occured since the corset’s decline in the first decades of the 20th century have received little scholarly attention. […] The study on which I am working will enrich the field of textile history not only by documenting the particular subject of lingerie, but also by showing how the field is shaped by, and helped shape, other areas of 20th century society.