Lingerie: Where Did it Come From? And The Black Brands That Are Redefining It

Let’s talk about lingerie: Where Did it Come From? and The Black Brands That Are Redefining It

From corsets and bustles to push-up bras and modern shapewear, each decade has brought new styles that reflected the beauty standards of that era. What we know about lingerie has changed significantly since it first appeared in the 1800s. As styles shifted, representation didn’t always keep pace, particularly for Black women, whose bodies, skin tones, and needs were often overlooked in mainstream intimate apparel. In this breakdown, we’ll explore key lingerie moments by decade, observe how styles shifted with culture, and finish by highlighting Black-owned brands that are redefining what lingerie looks like today.

It’s only right to start with corsets since their inception set the stage for how lingerie was used for centuries after. 1They were the foundation of women’s fashion, made with whalebone, metal, or heavy fabric. They shaped the figure of whoever wore them into an hourglass silhouette, lifted the bust, and fixed the posture. While the look is iconic, it was also extremely uncomfortable and restrictive. 

1900-1920s The First Bra and The Roaring 20s

In 1914, Mary Phelps Jacob patented the first modern bra, which she made by sewing two handkerchiefs and a ribbon together. By the 1920s, this design fit in perfectly with the rise of the flapper look. Many women embraced looser silhouettes, shorter hemlines, and lighter undergarments. During this period, slip dresses began to replace the once popular bulky bloomers.

1930s-1940s Shortages and The First Push Up Bra

The 30s and 40s ushered in a new wave for Lingerie. In 1933, the ‘double-support bra’ was introduced, offering better options for women with fuller chests. Cup sizes soon followed, making bras more personalized. But World War II changed everything. Materials like silk, nylon, and rubber were at an all time low, leading to shortages in stockings and shaping garments. Despite this, innovation continued. In 1947, Frederick Mellinger debuted the first push-up bra.

1950s-1960s Glamour and The Cinched Waist

Christian Dior revamped the 1950s fashion when he introduced his lingerie called “New Look,” which revived the hourglass silhouette. By the 1960s, cultural changes were happening and the women’s liberation movement pushed lingerie toward softer silhouettes, natural shapes, and lighter fabrics. Women were burning their bras, which became a symbol of defying societal pressures and control. 

1970s-1980s New Kids in Town

The 1970s ushered in a more mature vibe in lingerie. Gone were the overly floral prints and youthful aesthetics, replaced by sleeker, more polished styles that reflected the decade’s shift toward modern, grown-woman femininity. 4By the 1980s, everything had amped up again. Fitness culture took over, thanks in part to the invention of the sports bra in 1977, and lingerie followed suit with bolder colors, sharper lines, and designs meant to be seen. Underwear as outerwear exploded, becoming iconic by legends like Grace Jones and Janet Jackson. Together, the ’70s and ’80s demonstrate how lingerie evolved alongside culture, shifting from effortless ease to unapologetically bold.

1990s and Beyond

The 1990s and 2000s took lingerie into full pop-culture territory. Even though Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977, it dominated mainstream media in the 90s. With the immense popularity of the angels as well as their ultra fantasy aestethic led runway show, Victoria Secret changed the way we as consumers thought about lingerie. The 2000s on the other hand leaned even harder into “bombshell” energy with the plunge bras, rhinestones, and low-rise everything.

But as fun and iconic as that era was, it also pushed a very narrow, particular beauty standard. One that left many women, especially Black women, unseen in the lingerie conversation. And that’s exactly why the birth of brands like Nubian Skin, Anya Lust and Azaria Intimates matters.

Nubian Skin

Nubian Skin redefined nude by adding black and brown skin at the forefront. Founder Ade Hassan filled a gap that so many Black women had been forced to work around for years. Instead of the usual beige “nude” that never matched our skin, Nubian Skin introduced a full spectrum of warm, rich, melanin-centered shades across bras, panties, and essentials. Their pieces are simple, minimal, and made to blend seamlessly with our skin.