"Underwear: A Brief History" shows MN connection to the underwear industry

The history of modern underwear can be traced to none other than Minnesota's own Munsingwear. The Minnesota History Center's new exhibit "Underwear: A Brief History" (opening today) offers an in-depth look at the history of the underwear manufacturing industry via the Center's extensive collection of Munsingwear, a company that revolutionized the underwear industry as we know it. The exhibit showcases 50 pieces from more than 100 years of Munsingwear product samples (which were donated to the museum by the company).

[Munsingwear Merry Widow Corset, 1960]

The exhibition also comes just in time for the release of Susan Marks' new book, In the Mood for Munsingwear: Minnesota's Claim to Underwear Fame, which details the history of the brand and its lasting impact on textile manufacturing.

The MHC's annual RetroRama fashion show and event on May 12 will also feature an underwear theme, with burlesque dancers-as-models wearing vintage lingerie and vintage-inspired looks by Christopher Straub, Sarah White of Jagress Intimates, Samantha Rei of Blasphemina's Closet, Danielle Everine and Heather Luca of Scoundrelle's Keep.

Exhibition opens today and runs through September 11, 2011. Museum admission is $8-10. RetroRama takes place 7-10 p.m. Thursday, May 12. Tickets are $12-15. Minnesota History Center is located at 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul, 651-259-3000, www.mnhs.org

1930s Lingerie

Above: Belle Sharmeer ad, 1939

photographer: Tony Frissell for Vogue 1938

We thought it would be fun to do a series of posts featuring lingerie from various decades. We wanted to start with the 1930s. All of the images are very serene and graceful, and very different from what we see today. There's kind of a moody sultriness in these images, which is very different from the fresh sunny images of the 1940s & 50s (post to follow this week).

Because it's taking a bit longer to find some fun images from the 1900s-1920s, we will post on that later (so much for chronological posting!). In any event, below we've included an adorable sneak peek image from a 1921 lingerie ad!

1921 ad by Munsingwear via Art Deco blog

For most of these images, if the photo credit isn't listed, just click on the photo and you will be directed to its internet source. Most of these images can be purchased online, as many of the links source back to various ebay stores.