Exotic lingerie originated in the tradition of burlesque. Burlesque is not just a reference to female stripping. It also takes into account many different theatrical and musical forms.

The burlesque style has always gone against society’s idea of modesty by sporting exotic lingerie mixed with some very off-the-wall costumes. During the Victorian era, when it was considered scandalous to show even a little bit of the female body, stage productions were being put on in New York with women appearing in exotic lingerie. While financially successful, the performances were questioned by many as morally unacceptable.

In its early years, burlesque shows were an acceptable alternative to the boring sex life of the average man. While he would never ask his wife to wear the exotic lingerie or do a strip tease for him, a man could go to a burlesque show and see his sexual fantasies right there on the stage. As morals gradually became looser, the burlesque show became a thing of the past. The exotic lingerie worn in the burlesque show lost its appeal. This is about the time that exotic lingerie began appearing in other places.

This is about the time that exotic lingerie began to show up in the bedrooms of average men and women across America. Retailers realized that women wanted to look attractive for their husbands and began to capitalize on this new retail market. Garter belts, lacy bras, bustiers, and corsets began to be seen in stores in every city.

Burlesque is once again becoming a popular trend. There are revues popping up in cities around the world. Burlesque, while actually a comic form of art, is also a celebration of the female shape, no matter what shape or size. The traditional burlesque dancer is actually much curvier than the ultra-thin supermodels we see everyday. When burlesque theater was at its peak, most of the dancers were what we now consider to be full-figured women.

These burlesque dancers all wore exotic lingerie including gloves, garter belts, corsets, bustiers, sheer undergarments, and slippers. In fact, in a day when morals were very strict, the exotic lingerie worn by these women was specifically designed to rebel against the norms.

While the managers of the theater companies would always try to sneak the audience a peak at as much of the dancer as they could, they would never cross the line into distastefulness. It was not uncommon, however, for a lucky man in the audience to leave with the dancers garter belt in his hands. The dancers would tease the audience by showing them just a little big of skin right before exiting the stage for the night.

The burlesque traditions are mostly extinct today, but the exotic lingerie styles are becoming more and more reminiscent of the burlesque style, making it very easy for you to capture just a little of the intrigue and daring for yourself. Look online and you will find many websites that specialize in exotic lingerie to fit any size and shape woman.