Description: In what ways are women forced to conform to a "feminine ideal; " is this ideal purely arbitrary, and what purpose does it serve? By paying particular attention to that area of fashion which is most closely connected with female sexuality -- underwear -- Marianne Thesander examines the significance of the female body, beauty and culture. She shows how the female body is constantly being changed, and by various, sometimes punishing, "tricks" made to fit current feminine physical ideals. This abundantly illustrated book looks at the fashion history of underwear from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present day, and explores the significances of changing "models" of the feminine.

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