Lingerie as Outerwear: Why We’re Totally Here for It
Celebrating Women in Lingerie: The Innovators Who Changed Fashion
Lingerie has always been more than just what we wear underneath our clothes. It’s about comfort, confidence, self-expression, and support - literally and figuratively. Over the years, women have played a major role in transforming lingerie from restrictive garments into the thoughtfully designed pieces we rely on today.
This International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting some of the women who helped shape the lingerie industry and revolutionized the way we think about fit, comfort, and confidence. We’re also highlighting some of the major advancements made in lingerie history.
Simone Pérèle
Iconic French lingerie Maison, Simone Pérèle, celebrates 75 years of passion, innovation, and excellence. When its founder, a corset maker, opened her atelier in 1948, she had a vision: to revolutionize the landscape of lingerie with new designs never seen before.
3 innovative designs shaped the Simone Pérèle era:
- 1948 - "Soleil"
- Women wanted more femininity, freedom and comfort, and Simone Pérèle responded with the "Soleil" model, a shaping bra made from nylon lace and pointed cups.
- 1970 - "Pétale"
- During the feminist revolution, Simone Pérèle captured attention with "Pétale," a wireless and seamless bra. She continues to keep pace with women's ever-evolving needs.
- 2000 - "Spacer"
- The House pioneers the creation of "Spacer" technology, developed in the 2000s. This inovative 3D space fabric served as the start of the iconic "Andora" collection.
Now, 75 years later, Simone Pérèle is led by its third generation, the founder’s grandchildren, Stéphanie Bujard Pérèle and Mathieu Grodner.
Together they carry on the heritage of their grandmother’s vision, evolving the brand and its products with women’s ever-changing needs in a fast-paced world: femininity, freedom of self-expression, creativity and confidence.
Aubade
1960:
Aubade is the first lingerie brand to make matching colored bras and underwear.
1970:
The brand is responsible for certain innovations that marked the history of lingerie: the first strapless bras, halter bras, the legendary “Agrafe-coeur” (the bra that hooks in front)
1980:
It is at this precise moment that Aubade draws inspiration from dance and creates the most mini creation of them all: the first thong! Quickly adopted and copied, it becomes the essential G-string.
1990:
A black & white photograph that embellishes the body, but also the lingerie, accentuating a well-advised feminine tip with ironic humor.
Aubade goes one step further and displays a beautified woman’s body in the streets for the first time!
Louisa Bracq
1938
Louisa and her husband opened an embroidery workshop in Caudry. Their creations quickly captivated Parisian haute couture houses. Despite the war, the workshop continued to thrive, and the 1950s marked the golden age of embroidery.
1961
Louisa's daughter Chantal, who inherited her talent, married an embroiderer in 1961. Together, they carried on the family tradition, modernized English embroidery, and resisted outsourcing by keeping the workshop in Caudry.
2007
Chantal's sons founded the brand Louisa Bracq in honor of their grandmother. They maintained the high standards of the original workshop while daring to explore new shapes and fabrics, creating a unique aesthetic that blends heritage with modernity.
2014
Matthieu Bracq took on the role of artistic director, continuing the family legacy with a vision firmly focused on the future: creating for women who are free, inventive, and discerning, while embracing contemporary values such as sustainability and respect for the body.
Today
Embroidery remains the very essence of the brand’s identity. Driven by exceptional craftsmanship cultivated in their workshops, Louisa Bracq continually pushes the boundaries of creativity. Renowned for its expertise in large cup sizes, the brand combines comfort and allure, support and aesthetics, to flatter all body types.
Innovation in Lingerie Today
Today’s lingerie designers focus on:
Inclusive sizing and better support for a wider range of bodies
Performance fabrics that are breathable, flexible, and durable
Designs that combine beauty and function
Products that help women feel confident and comfortable all day long
Lingerie is no longer just about aesthetics - it’s about how women feel in their own skin.
Continuing the Legacy of Women Supporting Women
The evolution of lingerie has always been driven by women - women who saw a problem, imagined something better, and created solutions that helped others feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies.
In many ways, that legacy continues today through the work of professional bra fitters and lingerie specialists who focus on helping women find pieces that truly work for them.
At Truly U, we believe the right fit can make a powerful difference. A thoughtfully fitted bra isn’t just about size - it’s about support, comfort, posture, and the quiet confidence that comes from feeling good in what you’re wearing.
Every fitting appointment is an opportunity to continue that tradition: women helping women feel their best.
And really, that’s what Truly U is all about.
Sources:
75th Anniversary. Simone Pérèle. (2026). https://us.simone-perele.com
Aubade’s history: Aubade® official website. Aubade Paris International. (2026). https://int.aubade.com
The House of Louisa Bracq. Louisa Bracq - Site officiel. (2026). https://louisabracq.com
