Crotchless panties, yup.  I don't know about you, but I would not like to
have to "miss" my drawers.  I am glad for the modern era, elastic, and t.p.
:)
Nancy

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Elizabeth Walton
Sent: Monday, May 20, 2002 3:54 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: 19th century drawers


Drawers were open at the crotch for convenience for the toilet. Long skirts
and petticoats provided ample modesty. Until the straight Empire styles
(ca.1790) came about women wore no drawers. They were necessary then for
modesty under more clingy clothes and remained popular until they evolved
into panties in the early 20th century when they gradually stopped being
open in the middle.

Elizabeth Walton
http://www.clotheslinejournal.com (I swear, is is up now after Earthlink's
snaffoo!)


At 04:08 PM 5/20/02 -0400, you wrote:
>Well, since the corsetry and footbinding discussion has died down, here's a
>question...what was the reasoning behind 19th century "open drawers" for
>women?  (I apologize if that isn't the correct term). I've read that women
>did not want to wear "closed" drawers because they were considered
>masculine.  Or is there a more practical reason? Small historical societies
>are lousy with examples of these garments, as well as other underwear.  My
>director was asking about them today, and I thought I'd ask around. I
>welcome onlist or offlist replies!
>Candace Perry
>Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center
>
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