The history of underwear is filled with a pageant of garments that are unhygienic, erotic, uncomfortable, mind-bogglingly impractical and frequently just plain funny. Among them are heavy-duty corsets, liberty bodices, voluminous knickers and knitted bathing costumes which sagged alarmingly when wet. The wonderful photographs and illustrations in this book include a pair of Queen Victoria's vast drawers, with full Royal monogram. She was given to passing them on to her ladies-in-waiting who had given special service. The book is both outrageous and beautifully readable.