French Knickers
Encyclopedia
French knickers are a type of lingerie
and are sometimes called "tap pants", i.e. tap-dancing pants. The term is predominantly used in the UK to describe a type of underwear worn from the hip. They cover the hip, most of the upper thigh and all of the buttocks, and are denominated by the 'open leg' style, or loose fitting leg. They do not have elastic leg cuffs, but allow a pleated, more comfortable fit. The style may have straight cut leg cuffs with or without trimming, or the leg cuffs may be bias cut to a degree.
They are not to be confused with "hipsters' or "briefs", or "bikini bottoms" and "boyshorts
", all of which feature elasticated leg openings and much snugger fit to the body.
The french knickers should only be worn with A-Line type skirts and free-flowing dresses, which require freedom of movement without the visible panty line (VPL), because the french knickers would give a smooth appearance underneath the fabric of the clothing aforementioned, therefore suitable for day wear or evening outfits for this reason.
. The French themselves do not use this term for this style. The English began to associate the term with naughty or risque activity due to the connection to Montmartre and Pigalle, but in reality these knickers evolved into their final form from bloomers, the baggy, shapeless long-legged underwear of the Victorian era
. By the 1950s French knickers were almost the standard for British women and by the sixties this style was mass-produced in the 'new' nylon and other synthetic fabrics. A more practical design of French knickers had arrived, and proved very popular.
In the mid to late 1970s French knickers, designed by Janet Reger and others, brought erotic and exotic style to lingerie. Of course major manufacturers through the 1980s to present day latched on to the trends.
Since the nineties, this style of lingerie has given ground in the marketplace to more aggressive styles for younger consumers. It becomes harder for major manufacturers to justify annual production, so they do not appear in shops at all often. They continue to hold the affection and attention of the generation who grew up with them, and as a result have transitioned back into the 'naughty' side of lingerie.
Lingerie
Lingerie are fashionable and possibly alluring undergarments.Lingerie usually incorporates one or more flexible, stretchy materials like Lycra, nylon , polyester, satin, lace, silk and sheer fabric which are not typically used in more functional, basic cotton undergarments.The term in the French...
and are sometimes called "tap pants", i.e. tap-dancing pants. The term is predominantly used in the UK to describe a type of underwear worn from the hip. They cover the hip, most of the upper thigh and all of the buttocks, and are denominated by the 'open leg' style, or loose fitting leg. They do not have elastic leg cuffs, but allow a pleated, more comfortable fit. The style may have straight cut leg cuffs with or without trimming, or the leg cuffs may be bias cut to a degree.
They are not to be confused with "hipsters' or "briefs", or "bikini bottoms" and "boyshorts
Boyshorts
Boy shorts, also known as boy short panties, boys' cut, booty shorts, shorties, tap panties or boyleg briefs are a kind of women's underwear that goes all the way down the hips, named for their similarity in looks to men's knit boxer shorts, which themselves are a variation on traditional boxer...
", all of which feature elasticated leg openings and much snugger fit to the body.
The french knickers should only be worn with A-Line type skirts and free-flowing dresses, which require freedom of movement without the visible panty line (VPL), because the french knickers would give a smooth appearance underneath the fabric of the clothing aforementioned, therefore suitable for day wear or evening outfits for this reason.
History
French knickers may have been so called since they were mimicry of the 'visible' underwear associated with Parisienne dancing, notably the Can-CanCan-Can
The Can-can is a dance. It may also refer to:* Popularly, the Galop Infernal movement of Jacques Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld, commonly associated with the dance* Can Can , a 2007 fragrance by Paris Hilton...
. The French themselves do not use this term for this style. The English began to associate the term with naughty or risque activity due to the connection to Montmartre and Pigalle, but in reality these knickers evolved into their final form from bloomers, the baggy, shapeless long-legged underwear of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
. By the 1950s French knickers were almost the standard for British women and by the sixties this style was mass-produced in the 'new' nylon and other synthetic fabrics. A more practical design of French knickers had arrived, and proved very popular.
In the mid to late 1970s French knickers, designed by Janet Reger and others, brought erotic and exotic style to lingerie. Of course major manufacturers through the 1980s to present day latched on to the trends.
Since the nineties, this style of lingerie has given ground in the marketplace to more aggressive styles for younger consumers. It becomes harder for major manufacturers to justify annual production, so they do not appear in shops at all often. They continue to hold the affection and attention of the generation who grew up with them, and as a result have transitioned back into the 'naughty' side of lingerie.