In a follow up to the BBC news a few weeks ago that several pieces of Queen Victoria’s undergarments were being offered at auction, there was some speculation that her bloomers might fetch £500.  So it comes as a surprise that they sold for £4500 ($9,000. !)….  Her chemise, with a 66″ bust, sold for $8,000. and her nightgown sold for $11,000.  See the full article from the Guardian where it is revealed that the bloomers had a 50″ waist: Queen Victoria’s bloomers, and here at Yahoo News with a picture…

The history of undergarments is fascinating…. I offer up a few links to start your study:

• The Foundation of Elegance                                                         
• A Short History of the Corset
• Fashion History of Undergarments
• The Fashion Page, History of Undergarments (part 1) and part 2
• Bras and Underwear, a history
• Costume.org on 19th century undergarments, including many links to other sites.
• The Lingerie Collection at the Kent State University Museum [ and see also the homepage Bissonnette on Costume, A Visual Dictionary ]
• Jessamyns’ Regency Costume Companion on underthings
• At Jane Austen’s World, see Ms. Place’s post on A Regency Lady gets Dressed