Although archaeologists found 140 loincloths in Tutankhamun’s tomb, the wearing of undergarments as we know them is relatively new, a meeting heard.

In a first for the group, Elsenham WI joined Werrington WI in Peterborough for Liza Jones' online talk about the history of underwear.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Liza Jones spoke about the history of underwear at a joint meeting of Elsenham WI and Werrington WILiza Jones spoke about the history of underwear at a joint meeting of Elsenham WI and Werrington WI (Image: Elsenham WI)

The meeting heard that corsets, bustles and hooped petticoats were worn by the wealthy as fashion items.

In some cases the poor wore them for practical reasons - a leather corset served as a bra for servants and farm workers.

But underwear as we know it dates from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Liza said Victorian ladies had two separate pantaloons with a gap for calls of nature. This is why we refer to ‘a pair’ of knickers.

The meeting also had breakout groups and a fun scavenger hunt at the end.

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