Amsterdam

Amsterdam prostitute museum

start of the 19th century

prostitutes used to dress in undergarments. underneath the corset a batiste chemise is worn. the one on display here was produced around the year 1910. the garment is a one piece gown without a crotch. in those days knickers were rarely worn by women. urinating or defecating was done without undressing. you would crouch down or relieve yourself legs astride.
up untill the mid 19th century physical hygiene was not a priority. the outer clothing were change at the best once per month. only after the discovery of the plague bacterium, people gradually became aware of the necessity to regularly wash the body and garments. the corset however could not be laundered as the steel frame would rust. to protect it from dirt the chemise which would get washed - was worn.
the chemise is part of the legacy of an old family from the dutch town wassenaar. the original stockings date from 1890 and originate from a noble family from utrecht. the boots are replica
in photographs from this era, we frequently see prostitutes wearing such an under garment paired with a pair of conspicuous stocking. around the turn of the century of the last centennial these eye catching stockings carried an air of eroticism. if you wanted to look sensual and sexy you would wear these kind of stockings: they covered your legs as was expected in the times yet everything could be seen. these stocking are also often depicted in the visual arts from that era.


the 1950's

during the 50 fashion underwent a trnsformation. again prostitutes led the way
this type of underwear is characteristic fort his period. the bra and gridle were part of the former inventory of a drapery shop in the southern area of rotterdam. towards the end of the 1970's the shop owner became too old to continue running the shop and she organised a big clearance. however in the 70's no one was interested in the corsets , girdles and the oversize bras from two decades earlier. for the shop owner, throwing the undergarments away was not an option and she stored the items in two big card bored boxes. only years later after passing her children opened the boxes, by then the outdated garments had become collectors items.
these days , we probably find this sexy fashion prudish. but these designs still inspire the leading names and trendsetters of the world. for he blond ambition tour in 1990 madonna and jean paul gaultier let there designs be inspired by the prude style of the 50's and gave it a contemporary look. the underwear is not worn under but over the cloths. it no longer remains hidden but is in full view.