The History of the Brief

The History of the Brief

From 'nothing underneath' to the sloggi® brief!

Whatever they are called, briefs, knickers, pants or drawers, this intimate item of clothing has become an essential. Now readily available in every size, shape, colour, fabric and fit, the brief has come along way in it's short 200 year history. Developments in fabric technology and changes in fashion trends have shaped the brief into the garments worn and loved today. Here are some historical underwear landmarks: 16th Century First records of long silk and velvet under garments being worn in Italy. 18th Century Two centuries later, it was still considered unseemly and 'manly' for women to wear knickers. Respectable women continued to wear nothing underneath - only the ill or those sensitive to the cold were allowed to adorn such items. Maids were also permitted to wear under garments - but only when cleaning windows! 1st half of the 19th Century Thanks to the French Philosopher Jean-Jaques Rousseau and his educational textbook 'Emile,' young girls were dressed in pants to allow them to play modestly. However by the age of 12 freedom was swapped for full length skirts with no knickers. 2nd half of the 19th Century Real change in attitudes occurred in the late 19th Century when the masses were urged into newfangled under garments thanks to the fashion of Crinoline cages under skirts. In order to 'keep covered' when bending over or sitting down, long cases of cotton tied at the waist were introduced. These were fondly referred to as 'unmentionables' in England, 'indispensables' in France and 'breeches' in German. 20th Century Sleeker, shorter and more functional outer clothing influenced the design of briefs as we know them today. With the neccesity for practical clothes during World War 1, the introduction of synthetic fabrics (nylon, polyester) and better manufacturing and dyeing processes, knickers were becoming a natural everyday garment for all occasions. Glamour was added thanks to Hollywood and in 1949 the American tennis player Gussie Moran really put pants on the map. 'Glamorous Gussie' played Wimbledon in a short skirt and a pair of frilly lace panties. The Launch Of sloggi® In 1978, sloggi® was launched under the slogan 'the cotton revolution.' With briefs no longer 'unmentionable' sloggi® designed and manufactured soft, smooth, easy care briefs in an innovative new fabric 'core spun cotton Lycra®' sloggi® is now a household name and the best selling branded brief in the world - in just 25 years over 750 million sloggi®'s have been sold in more than 30 countries. The Basic sloggi® Brief The secret of sloggi® is the fabric - core spun cotton Lycra®. This means that fine combed cotton is wrapped around every single Lycra® thread. This has many wearer benefits: * Superb two way stretch for a fantastic fit * The comfort and kindness of cotton next to the skin * Easy to care for - the Lycra® is protected by the cotton so maintains the shape of the brief even after constant washing, ensuring a long sloggi® life! In 1986, sloggi® extended it's range to include men launching 'sloggi® For Men.' More recently new innovative fabrics have been introduced in exciting new modern ranges such as sloggi® Shine and Sensual.

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