Unravelling the many threads of underwear fashion over the years

UNDERWEAR FASHION has reinvented itself many times over the ages.

From the original loincloth to today's range of undergarments, underwear fashion has come a long way and it continues to evolve and tickle our imagination.

The history of underwear probably began in the second half of the 18th century, following inventions such as the spinning jenny.

The machines allowed factories to mass produce goods for the first time and sell them at shops, and that started the gradual development of the undergarment industry.

By the early 20th century, the industry was booming and that forced manufacturers to create unique designs. It also led to manufacturers advertising, for the first time, to compete.

In the 1920s, durability gave way to comfort as manufacturers began to experiment with designs. After the focus on women's undergarments, men's underwear also began to emerge in the 1930s.