Panties : A Brief History

by Rachel Pask

Panties is an irresistible combination of lush, stylish images and provocative text that delights as well as stimulates questions such as: What do frescoes found in Pompeii reveal about the ancient Greeks? Which were the most expensive undies ever made, and is there such a thing as "power panties"? How exactly did the thong evolve - and what is the only draw back to the wünder-string? Find out in this revealing and entertaining journey into the undiscovered world of underwear.

Author Biography: Sarah Tomczak was, until recently, Fashion and Entertainment editor at YM magazine and is now senior editor at US magazine. She is also the author of How to be a Sex Goddess.

Genres: History, Fashion

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Aurélien Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It surely was a romp, but I loved it so much I read it all in one sitting! Here's like opening a lady's drawer, to riffle through one of women's sexiest attire. Bloomers, frilly pants, cotton briefs, thongs and G-strings... Plus quick snippets on the most famous brand designers (Sloggi, CosaBella, Agent Provocateur...) here's a little book packed with sexy pictures and great titbits on the history of panties. It's juicy, funny (just read the chapter on 'power pants', the 'pair of knickers that can kick ass'…lol!), cheeky, a bit naughty, it is, above all, a quirky celebration of one of women's most seductive asset:

'Girls should see their favourite pair of pulling pants like a lucky charm; whenever they have them on, they become a vamp - sexy, seductive, empowered.'

You bet! Gorgeous.

[Davina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting romp through the underwear drawer, but they committed the greatest sin of printing black text on dark backgrounds, more than once. It's a fluffy little book which seems to have a UK focus, but there are lots of interesting tidbits. I enjoyed reading, and it's a very, very quick read, but they went for cute instead of practical a little too often.