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Lingerie has never been just about what’s worn underneath. It's always been a silent language of empowerment, fashion and self-expression. And through the centuries, from corsets to curve-hugging shapewear, lingerie has evolved alongside women’s lifestyles and identities.
At Style Gallery, we understand that buying lingerie today, in a world where you have more choice than ever, isn’t just a matter of meeting your basic needs. You’re looking for pieces that feel as beautiful as they look, and styles that support not just your figure, but your life. Our curated collection of premium lingerie brands reflects this evolution - such as the Naturana brand, founded in 1917, where each piece is inspired by a long legacy of transformation.
As you prepare to make your next lingerie purchase, let's take a moment to honour where it all began. Here’s how lingerie transformed through the ages—and why what you wear today is the product of centuries of innovation, femininity and freedom.
The Ancient World: Function Before Fashion
Long before lace and lift, lingerie had a simple job: support and modesty. In Ancient Greece and Rome, women wore “strophiums” or “mamillare”, simple bands of cloth that flattened the chest or provided light support under loose, flowing garments.
There was little concept of shaping or enhancement. These early iterations were about containing the body. Yet, even then, the idea of certain undergarments as something uniquely feminine had begun. Modesty, status and comfort were all stitched into their simplest forms.
The Middle Ages: Concealment and Practicality
In medieval Europe, modesty was paramount. Lingerie became about concealment rather than support. Not to be seen, and certainly not to be sensual.
And in a time when laundering clothing was a full-day task, underwear also became about keeping outer clothing clean for as long as possible. Women wore long linen chemises beneath heavy dresses to protect those outer garments from body oils and sweat.
Corsetry began to take shape during this era, though not in the tightly laced form we often imagine. Early corsets, known as stays, were stiffened with stitching rather than boning and were designed more for holding up heavy skirts than sculpting the waistline.
The Renaissance to 18th Century: The Rise of the Corset
As European fashion evolved, so did the structure beneath it. The corset became a defining garment, with the goal of creating an idealised shape—lifting the bust, and cinching the waist.
These rigid, whalebone-fortified structures, laced at the back, became symbols of femininity and status, but they were worn by women of all classes. For the wealthy, corsets were custom-made, crafted from fine cottons and silks. For the working classes, they were a lot more functional, providing posture and bust support but laced loosely enough to allow for easy movement as they carried out their tasks.
Still, corsetry marked a shift: lingerie was no longer just about modesty—it became a tool to shape beauty standards.
The Victorian Era: Restriction Meets Romance
By the 19th century, lingerie became more complex, layered and symbolic. Well-to-do women wore chemises, drawers, corsets, bustles and petticoats—all in a single ensemble. The corset was more cinched than ever before, and the “ideal waist” was as little as 18 inches.
But alongside this intense shaping came a new wave of feminine elegance. Lace, ribbon and corsetry flossing (decorative stitching) began to appear, introducing the idea that lingerie could be romantic. While these garments were very restrictive compared to modern standards, they sparked the beginning of lingerie as an intimate form of self-expression.
The Early 20th Century: The Birth of the Bra
The 1910s marked a turning point in lingerie history. As women gained more social freedom—including the right to vote and work—corsets began to loosen, both literally and figuratively.
In 1914, Mary Phelps Jacob patented what we now consider the modern bra (more like a bralette, really), a design she prototyped using two handkerchiefs sewn together with ribbon straps. It was the start of a new movement: freedom from the corset.
These early bras provided next to no support (the silhouette was similar to a modern bralette, but without modern stretch fabrics and elastics) but during the 1920s, flapper fashion favoured the flat, boyish silhouette they created. Shorter tap pants also replaced long bloomers as hemlines rose. Lingerie lost many of its complicated layers from the previous century, becoming simpler and more comfortable, and echoing a newfound social liberation.
The 1950s: The Hourglass Returns
Post-WWII, women’s fashion took another turn. Inspired by Christian Dior’s ‘New Look’ with its cinched waistline, the 1950s celebrated ultra-feminine silhouettes, with lingerie playing a central role in achieving that iconic hourglass shape.
Bullet bras and girdles dominated this era, giving women high, pointed bustlines and narrow waists. Foundations became far more focused on sensuality and figure-sculpting. This era also marked the boom of lingerie advertising and branding; lingerie was no longer just practical, it was aspirational.
This golden age gave birth to some of today’s most celebrated lingerie aesthetics, ones you’ll still find echoed in brands such as Naturana and Exquisite Form, which blend vintage-inspired structure with modern comfort.
The 1970s–1990s: Feminism, Freedom and Fashion
The feminist movements of the 1970s brought forth new conversations about lingerie. The heavily-structured, figure-transforming bras of the previous two decades came to be seen as tools of control. The reaction was a rise of braless fashion and more natural silhouettes, reflecting a shift toward liberation.
In the 1990s however, lingerie once again became bolder, sexier and more commercial. Brands began blending fashion with function, turning bras and panties into statement pieces. Lace, mesh and satin were in high demand. The push-up bra - popularised in an iconic marketing campaign by Wonderbra - became the most coveted item in lingerie drawers.
The idea of the “everyday bra” changed yet again, from purely practical to confidently stylish.
The 2000s–Today: Comfort, Inclusivity and Innovation
Lingerie in the 21st century reflects everything women want from their wardrobe: comfort, style, inclusivity and self-expression.
The push-up bra still has its place, but the rise of wire-free bras and bralettes proves that modern women value how lingerie feels as much as how it looks. Shapewear has also replaced old-style corsetry and girdles, offering a more flexible, comfortable way to sculpt your figure.
At Style Gallery, we see all of this new, highly-varied lingerie landscape in demand for Miraclesuit’s shapewear, adidas’ sporty bralettes, and Natori’s romantic lace collections alike—each offering a different take on what it means to feel good in your own skin.
The evolution has also extended to size, inclusivity and gender neutrality. Brands now cater to a broader spectrum of body types and personal identities. Function meets emotion. Structure meets softness.
Today, lingerie is not just about seduction, or just about support—it’s about personal power.
What History Has Taught Us About Today’s Lingerie Choices
Now that you're here, ready to invest in pieces that feel truly ‘you’, it’s worth recognising that your purchase today is part of an ongoing legacy.
The evolution of lingerie, including the invention of modern fabric technologies from stretch materials to machine-produced lace, has empowered us to choose:
- Comfort without compromise
- Beauty that fits your body, not the other way around
- Support that adapts to your lifestyle
- Luxury that can be worn every day
Whether you prefer the shaping mastery of Miraclesuit, the stylish embroidery of Passionata, the breathable cotton comfort of adidas Underwear, or the confidence-boosting full-bust silhouettes of Parfait, your lingerie should reflect your story - your strength, softness, and sense of style.
Why Shop Your Lingerie at Style Gallery
Ready to upgrade or reinvent your lingerie drawer with intention? Here’s why Style Gallery is the trusted destination for lingerie lovers in Australia:
- Curated brands from all over the globe that combine fashion, comfort and functionality
- Size-inclusive collections that celebrate diverse body shapes
- Fast domestic shipping, secure checkout and easy returns
- Detailed product descriptions and style guides to help you find your perfect fit
- Everyday essentials and statement pieces, all in one place
Step Into the Future of Lingerie, Rooted in History
The story of lingerie isn’t just sewn into museum exhibits. It’s alive in the fabrics, cuts and styles we wear today. From ancient bandeaus to breathable bralettes, lingerie has always evolved to meet the needs of real women living real lives.
And now it’s your turn to choose what’s next.
Are you ready to step into modern lingerie that honours your past and empowers your present?
Shop Style Gallery's Curated Lingerie Collection Now
Because every woman deserves lingerie that feels as timeless as her feminine strength—and as modern as her style.
