In the Victorian and Edwardian eras, women’s underwear formed the hidden architecture of fashion. Layers began with a chemise and open-crotch drawers, followed by tightly laced corsets that shaped the waist and supported the bust. Petticoats, crinolines, or bustles added volume beneath skirts, while camisoles and corset covers softened the silhouette. Edwardian lingerie became lighter and more decorative, often trimmed with lace and embroidery. Though unseen, these garments were essential to achieving the era’s ideal of elegance and propriety.