Victorian Secrets

From Dayton Daily News:

We tend to think of “discomfort” to describe women’s undergarments of the Victorian period. Yet there’s evidence that two other words – romantic and elegant – also come to mind when talking about the unmentionables in ladies’ wardrobes of that time period.

Members of the Centerville-Washington Township Historical Society found that to be so in preparing for their Victorian Luncheon fashion show, “Victorian Secrets,” held Saturday, April 30, at Normandy Church.

They didn’t have to look much further than their permanent collection of beautiful vintage petticoats, bloomers, nightwear and more donated by the community throughout the years. “We were amazed at the good condition of the lingerie items – some more than 100 years old,” says Ferne Reilich, society curator. “The Victorian women really knew how to make the most of their femininity.”

Those attending the show heard interesting bits of undergarment history.