The History of Red Lingerie (with Summer Anne Lee)

Disclaimer: This episode focuses on naughtier topics like sex, sexuality, and perceptions towards the female body! ❤️

When used to colour women's lingerie, red's poignant symbolism engages with societal perceptions of feminine sexuality and empowerment, and on this weeks episode I celebrating am Valentine’s Day and talking with fashion historian Summer Anne Lee all about the symbolism, fashionability and societal meaning of red lingerie and underwear in history, focusing on her work for the Underpinnings museum digital exhibition ‘A History of Red Lingerie’ ❤️💋

Incendiary: A History of Red Lingerie tells this story through thirty objects, dating from circa the 1860s to 2017’ So listen now to find out more about just what it means, and what exactly you’re communicating, when wearing wear red underneath your clothes.

‘During some parts of the nineteenth century, fashionable shades of red in women's dress included scarlet, crimson, cardinal, garnet, ruby, poppy, and even a "dull deep hue" called "antique red" (Harper's Bazaar, 1868). Yet opinions of brightly-coloured undergarments were vexed, variously considered abhorrent and improper, or stylish and inflammatory. New associations were formed by the middle of the twentieth century. Lingerie was marketed to women in countless shades of red, including flame, bright rose, spice, cherry, firecracker, and siren. These were considered fun and bold hues to enliven one's wardrobe and were often combined with black for a "dramatic look" (Women's Wear Daily, 1952). Since the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s, red lingerie has developed more romantic and seductive associations, gaining a reputation for being "sexy," "red-hot," "smoldering," and "incendiary."

Listen now to find out more! ❣️

Visit the exhibition: www.underpinningsmuseum.com

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Thanks for listening, and stay fab everyone.

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