Touring exhibition: Undressed: 350 Years of Underwear in Fashion

Corset, 1885-1895. Museum no. T.738-1974

This exhibition looks at the history of private and intimate clothing - from corsets to court mantuas and boudoir wear to bustles - exploring underwear's function in decorating and manipulating the body.

Underwear is fashion's foundation. The majestic shapes of 18th century court dress, the distorted hourglass shapes of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and Dior's cinched 'New Look' were all dependent upon elaborate corsetry, technologically complex petticoats, hoops, and padded underpinnings. Featuring highlights from the V&A's extensive collection of underwear, the objects will be displayed thematically, and shown alongside contextual images from the V&A's archives.

Locations & dates

Nordiska Museet, Stockholm, 11 November 2011 - 27 March 2012

‘Colette’ corset

‘Colette’ corset, Christian Dior, 1950s. Museum no. T.140-2000

Slip petticoat

Slip petticoat, designer unknown, 1955-1964. Museum no. T.153-1998

Corset

Corset, designer unknown, early 1890s. Museum no. T.738-1974

Ensemble

Ensemble, Dolce and Gabbana, 2004. Museum no. T.2-2005

‘Thomson’s Empress A’ Cage Crinoline

‘Thomson’s Empress A’ Cage Crinoline, W.S. & E.H. Thomson, 1865-1868. Museum no. T.51-1980

Negligée

Negligée, designer unknown, 1930s. Museum no. T.308-1984

Short evening dress (robe du soir courte)

Short evening dress (robe du soir courte), Cristobal Balenciaga, 1958. Museum no. T.334-1997