WCCO.COM At The State Fair
Sep 1, 2009 11:43 pm US/Central
New At The Fair: The History Of Underwear Exhibit
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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From underwear with wire hoops to undergarments designed to make things easier in the restroom, all sorts of things can be seen in the Creative Activities Building at the Fair.
CBS
The
Historical Society of Hennepin County has put together a popular display of old-fashioned underwear.
"Our earliest piece is from the 1870s, the wire hoops that would fit underneath the dresses to give the dress shape," said Mick Patterson, a volunteer for the Society.
The Munsingwear Company was headquartered in Minneapolis and at one time was one of the biggest underwear manufacturers in the nation. One invention is called a pantelet. It's a crotchless piece that allowed women to use the restroom while still wearing all the other layers of clothing.
"So before those you had to take off all that gizmo if you want to go to the bathroom?" asked WCCO-TV reporter Frank Vascellaro.
"Correct," answered Patterson.
A blue art deco piece is from the 1930s. The gold and silk in another meant it was expensive. A person would wear a black piece after someone died and they were in mourning.
Times have certainly changed. Just take a walk along the fairgrounds.
"People give looks, but I mean, I'm comfortable," said Fair visitor Chelsea Edgren, wearing present-day clothing. "Whatever."
"But the top, you don't care if the bra sticks out?" asked Vascellaro.
"No," replied Edgren.
Fair worker Travis Heller said it's a bit of a fashion statement to wear baggy pants, leaving one's drawers exposed.
"The ladies like it?" asked Vascellaro.
"Yeah, yeah they like it, a little bit," answered Heller hesitantly, laughing.
"Got to make sure you always got clean underwear on, Travis," replied Vascellaro.
"Oh yeah, always," said Heller.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Sept. 7: Day 12 At The Fair
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