August 5 is National Underwear Day! I certainly couldn't let that pass by without doing something!

Underwear, by Helen Whitty, was the first find. It was a nice collection of items, with great pictures and even a fun challenge or two, but it seemed to be limited to clothing for women.

A better balance was found in How Underwear Got Under There: a Brief History, by Kathy Kinshasa, and illustrated by Regan Nicky. Underwear has been worn for many reasons including protection, modesty, support, and even exaggeration to name just a few. These are explained along with some nice illustrations and photographs. The oddest one (to me, anyway) is the bra made from wire-mesh (1885). It's claim to fame is that not only would it give a nice shape under a dress, but the air circulation it provided would allow for more growth!

Underwear: What We Wear Under There, by Ruth Freeman Swain and illustrated by John O'Brien asks the question "What is so funny about underwear?" It then goes on to give a clever, humorous history. (Including what astronauts wear). Take some time with the illustrations, too, there are some delightful details.

If you are in the mood for a more detailed history, try Fashion in Underwear: From Babylon to Bikini Briefs, by Elizabeth Ewing. This is a serious history! The emphasis is more on what women wore than men ... I had no idea of the variety the corset took over the ages. What was rather fun to see was how the "ideal" female shape changed as various body parts were emphasized, or flattened.

The History of Underclothes, by C. Willett and Phillis Cunnington was also a more detailed history. It's a reprint from Dover, and ends in 1939. It'd probably be a bit dry to read all by itself, but coupled with the others listed here, made for an excellent addition.

Many years ago there was an ad on TV that ran for all too short a time. It started with a clothes line .... a fig leaf, loin cloth, etc. passed by, as did boxers, bikinis with hearts and so on. The picture cuts to Michael Jordan, in a nice suit who says "I'm Michael Jordan, and you've been briefed." It was for Haines and certainly one of the cleverest ads I've ever seen.

Reading Hermit With Dog