History of Lingerie - Resources

Lingerie: noun [län-jə-ˈrā], originally from the Latin lineus made from linen, from Middle French linge linen. First Known Use: 1835. Dollhouse Bettie presents a work in progress, a survey of the history of lingerie - its most prominent innovators, designers, and muses, the classic styles of intimate apparel that have captured our imaginations, and the brands that won our hearts.

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In addition to the resources below, previously sold vintage items will remain published in our Archives section for viewing and research purposes.

• Dating Lingerie
  
  Dating vintage clothing is a process that considers a variety of factors and one which is perfected with years of practice and familiarity. There are several main components used to determine a particular item's age including styling, fabric content, and methods of construction.
• Deshabille
  
  The word deshabille is more than just a sexy sounding French word we use to feel sophisticated. It also represents a mood in fashion and beckons towards a lifestyle that we hope to emulate with our merchandise.
• Lace
  
  Few things are as lovely and romantic as lace. Its minute intricacy and luxuriously ornamental quality have captivated society's fashion sense for hundreds of years and its delicate beauty makes it a natural complement to lingerie.
• New Old Stock
  
  New Old Stock (NOS), sometimes called Dead Stock, refers to items that are genuinely vintage but have never been worn. Things produced years ago that for some reason or another were never bought, sold or worn.
• Nylon & Stockings
  
  In 1935, while working at the Du Pont laboratories, American scientists Julian Hill and William Carothers invented a synthetic fiber which was called Polymer 6.6. This filament was supple and sheer, proving to be a remarkable alternative to silk.
• Rayon
  
  You may think synthetic fibers are a post-modern creation having little to do with vintage fashion. Think again retro lovers, because generations of people have been wearing man-made materials for longer than you'd think. One synthetic in particular that plays an important role in the history of lingerie is rayon.
• Silk
  
  Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from cocoons made by the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity (sericulture).