Medieval “Lingerie” From 15th Century Castle Stuns Fashion Historians

• Tweet
• Share on Tumblr
• Email

Archaeologists have unearthed several 600-year-old bras that experts say could rewrite fashion history. While they’ll hardly send pulses racing by today’s standards, the lace-and-linen underpinnings predate the invention of the modern brassiere by hundreds of years. Found hidden under the floorboards of Lengberg Castle in Austria’s East Tyrol, along with some 2,700 textile remains and one completely preserved pair of (presumably male) linen underpants, the four intact and two fragmented specimens are believed to date to the 15th century, a hypothesis scientists later confirmed through carbon-dating.

Unlike female undergarments, male underpants are frequently depicted in medieval imagery.

FOUNDATION HISTORY

Several schools of thought abound over who developed the first bra. Among the leading contenders are Herminie Cadolle, a corset-maker in late 18th century France, and Mary Phelps Jacob, a New York socialite who was awarded the U.S. patent in 1914.

History has shown little indication that bras with clearly visible cups existed before the 19th century.

While medieval-written sources sometimes mentioned “bags of the breasts,” “shirts with bags,” or “breast bands,” history has shown little indication that bras with clearly visible cups existed before the 19th century, according to Beatrix Nutz, an archaeologist with the University of Innsbruck who made the find. “My first thought was what probably anybody would have thought, ‘That´s impossible, there aren´t such things as bras in the 15th century,’” Nutz tells Ecouterre.

Skeptical, Nutz and her team combed the grounds for evidence that the bras were dumped at the castle at a later time. They came up empty, however. “Besides, all the applied techniques used to fashion the garments were more or less common—or at least known—in the 15th century,” she adds. “Only when we got the results of the radiocarbon-dating from the ETH in Zurich did we believe that they were indeed from the late Middle Ages.”

Hilary Davidson, fashion curator at the Museum of London, told the Daily Mail that the discovery “totally rewrites” fashion history, adding that “nothing like this has ever come up before.” “These finds are a very exciting insight into the way people dressed in the Middle Ages,” she added. “It’s rare that everyday garments of any kind survive from this period, let alone underwear.”

To regale you further, Nutz translated an extract from “Meister Reuauß,” a 15th century satirical poem that suggests why breasts continue to compel and confound us till this very day:

Many a woman makes two bags for the breasts with

it she roams the streets,

so that all the guys look at her,

and see what beautiful breasts she has got;

But whose breasts are too large,

makes tight pouches,

so it is not told in the city,

that she has such big breasts.

The more things change…

+ University of Innsbruck

Share and Enjoy

Brooke Burke-Charvet on Designing Luxe Lingerie for Less

Click here to view the full photogallery.

Last friday we stopped by the swank rooftop of the Petit Ermitage hotel for the launch of BeachMint‘s latest celebrity-driven vertical, IntiMINT. Designed by Dancing With the Stars host Brooke Burke-Charvet, the e-commerce site offers a variety of affordably-priced lingerie, loungewear and sleepwear that flatters both your body and your wallet. From racy lace panty sets for $20 to vintage-inspired nighties for $80, there really is something for everyone. Here, we sat down with IntiMINT creative director Burke-Charvet to learn more about her undeniably chic underthings.

There’s a strong Parisian influence in your designs. Was that intentional?
“Definitely. My husband [actor David Charvet] is French, so right after I started working with IntiMINT David and I went to Paris to do some lingerie shopping and research. I love their high-end, vintage-inspired lingerie, so I knew that I wanted my pieces wanted to have a luxurious feel while still being wearable and practical. It’s all about those hints of detail.”

Speaking of details, the clever touches on these undergarments really make you want to show them off.
“You took the words right out of mouth. I wanted to create bandeaus that are meant to be seen and bras with colorful crisscross straps because, let’s say you’re wearing a racerback top, you know the straps are going to show so they might as well be beautiful. I don’t want to see a nude bra peeking under my on-trend baggy shirt or tank top—I want to see pops of color and playful, sexy details. I encourage woman to experiment and wear pieces that are intentionally bold.”

Do you think all women should invest in quality lingerie?
“Yes. No more beige, boring, ugly panties! And finding the right-sized garments is essential; we recently did a study that revealed that nearly 80% of women are wearing the wrong-sized bra. That’s something we’ve been very thoughtful about, the fit. We want to offer something for every woman: there are padded bras, push-up bras, dresses with sleeves for the woman who doesn’t want to show off her arms and bottoms for all body types. And even if you like to wear sweatpants around the house, make sure to throw on some beautiful panties underneath.”

Who would you love to see wearing your designs?
“First of all, I want to see them out on everyone—I want girls to show them off under their sheer blouses. Have fun with it! As far as my dream girls, I love vintage black and white films with Brigitte Bardot, so I would have loved to see her in my designs. And Sophia Loren. All the iconic starlets from old movies were just so effortlessly sexy.”

What’s next for IntiMINT?
“We’re continuing to create educational videos as well as engaging in social media to get the community involved. We want to know what you love and what you don’t love. Also, I’m really excited about creating pieces with pops of neon—that’s something we’re looking at for spring. I can’t wait!”
· IntiMINT [Official Site]

Share and Enjoy