coco blanca’s most bare necessity
A camisole is one of the most important staple items a woman can own. It can provide variety to the closet you’ve grown too comfortable with or modesty to a top that cuts a little deeper than you would like. Basically, camisoles turn your “that shirt is a little too sheer” into “this is my favorite outfit.” For such a critical basic, it is actually surprisingly difficult to find a quality camisole that suits your needs without taking a trip to the mall. Luckily, Coco Blanca believes in the importance of a good camisole and stays stocked in a variety of them in different lengths, styles, colors, and fits. You can even choose from the classic spaghetti strap or a slightly wider strap that covers your bra strap.
Just like any good basic, the camisole is as rich in history as it is in versatility. The development of the modern day camisole actually began with the chemise, though the first usage of the word camisole dates back to around 1810 when it referred to jackets and coats. During the early 18th century chemises were worn underneath a woman’s corset to protect the corset from body oils and sweat as well as to protect the body from the sharp edges of a corset. The early chemise was basically a longer, looser version of what we call a camisole today, which sometimes had sleeves and typically fell to the knees. Chemises were also typically made of linen because it was the cheapest available fabric at the time.
At the start of the 19th century there was a shift from the chemise to the chemisette which was a shorter, but still sleeved, version of the chemise. This removed some of the weight in women’s clothing at the time. As the corset became more and more intricate, though, the chemise fell into obsolescence and the chemisette was traded in for the sleeveless camisole. They were shorter, like the chemisette, but had thinner straps and were made of a lighter fabric. With ruffles at the top and bottom though, this was still not our modern day camisole.
During the 1920s women began leaving their corsets behind and opting for more comfortable garments. This is when the fashion industry introduced us to teddies. This was a one piece garment, usually made of a softer fabric, worn as underwear. Eventually, designers began separating the teddies into two pieces and thus, our modern day camisole was born. Over the last century the camisole has further evolved and is not commonly worn as an undergarment as well as a shirt in its own right.
Whether you are looking for a long, tight fitting camisole to wear under a sheer dress or tunic, or a looser fitting one to pair underneath a cardigan, Coco Blanca has plenty of options in a variety of neutral shades!
1 Comment
Glad to know about Camis – so difficult to find nice ones!!