Author: Edwards, Nina
Fashion & textiles: design
Published on 1 August 2024 by REAKTION BOOKS in the United Kingdom.
Hardback | 224 pages, 90 illustrations, 24 in colour
241 x 165 x 27 | 616g
This book unravels the intimate narratives woven into the fabric of our most personal garments. From the first loincloths to the intricate layers of shapewear, the narrative explores the concealed world of underwear as a silent communicator of individual desire and societal affiliation. As an indicator of the pulse of fashion, underwear evolves from minimalism to intricate designs with new materials. Beyond its role in denying our corporeal nature, underwear safeguards and exposes, reflecting our innermost desires and past experiences. From clean underclothing resisting carnal urges to the protective embrace of fabric, this book illuminates the profound, often hidden stories told by the garments beneath our outer layers. It rewards the reader with historical insights into both women’s and men’s underwear, and global cultures of dress.