Thinking Allowed Underwear
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Feb 18, 2025 Nina Edwards, a freelance writer and author of "The Virtues of Underwear," explores the complex social and cultural significance of our most intimate garments. She discusses how underwear shapes identity and reflects societal norms. Shaun Cole, an Associate Professor in Fashion, dives into the history of men's underwear, examining trends like boxers versus briefs. Together, they highlight how changing attitudes towards masculinity influence these choices and how the market for men's undergarments has evolved, revealing unexpected connections to economic trends.
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Early Underwear
- Material evidence of underwear is scarce due to wear and tear.
- However, Egyptian pharaohs' tombs reveal shenti, a simple form of underpants, and similar garments made of reindeer pelts were found in Greenland.
Underwear's Complexity
- Underwear serves a complex purpose beyond simple functionality.
- It represents modesty while also attracting notice, offering comfort and symbolizing childhood care, yet also carrying sexual connotations.
Underwear and Humiliation
- The image of El Salvadoran prisoners in white boxer shorts illustrates underwear's power in humiliation.
- Forcing cleanliness through pristine underwear created a stark contrast with their captivity, heightening the sense of shame.