Enfilade

From Reaktion Books, with distribution by The University of Chicago Press:

Nina Edwards, The Virtues of Underwear: Modesty, Flamboyance and Filth (London: Reaktion Books, 2024), 224 pages, ISBN: 978-1789149562, £20 / $28.

Unravels the intimate narratives woven into the fabric of our most personal garments.

Stories are woven into the fabric of our most personal garments. From the first loincloths to the intricate layers of shapewear, the concealed world of underwear is capable of expressing individual desire and also aspects of society at large. An indicator of the vagaries of fashion, underwear can be simple or elaborate. It both safeguards and exposes, reflecting our hopes and experiences. Underwear can embarrass and excite, amuse and shame us. This book illuminates the sometimes profound significance of the garments we wear beneath our outer clothing. It discusses the history of both women’s and men’s underwear, and global cultures of dress.

Nina Edwards is a freelance writer based in London. Her books include Darkness: A Cultural History (2018) and Pazazz: The Impact and Resonance of White Clothing (2023), both published by Reaktion Books.

c o n t e n t s

Introduction
1  What Is Underwear For?
2  Codpiece and Corset
3  Modesty and the Immodest Torso
4  Outer to Under and Back Again
5  Fabric and Fit
6  Medical and Other Practical Matters
7  Economic and Religious Concerns
8  The Underwear Drawer

Glossary
References
Bibliography
Acknowledgements
Photo Acknowledgements
Index