The modern term lingerie comes from the French "linge" which means linen and was used as a euphemism for indecent underclothing. That said, women's sexy lingerie has a long and interesting history. Throughout hundreds of years it has evolved from simple fabrics to intricate and elaborate designs meant for both practical and aesthetic purposes. As with all fashion, trends came and went and often returned with vengeance. The sexual undertones of undergarments have always been acknowledged as a powerful tool for women. The first depiction of underwear first appeared in ancient Egyptian history and paintings. Women of higher class would wear tunics underneath their clothing to hide and accentuate their various body parts. The lower class women typically wore nothing underneath what clothing they had and servants and slaves could even be found in the nude.
Grecian statues often showed the women with bands of fabric across this busts and around their hips to accentuate their curves. Following this fashion, the Romans invented several types of undergarments that supported the breasts in place. During this time, underwear was meant for purely functional reasons. Additional models are at
Fatal Woman.
