Knickers, Love A Bit of Comfort

In the 1800’s underwear was not something that was considered to be comfortable; nor was comfort deemed necessary. It was there to hold ‘everything’ in place and keep skin away from clothes. The corsetier Johann Gottfried Spiesshofer and the merchant Michael Braun founded a corset factory in 1886, with six employees and six sewing machines. Every product was handcrafted out of a barn in Heubach, in the German Kingdom of Württemberg. Inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, they named their brand “Triumph” in 1902. The post-war era marked a revolution in the corsetry industry: The end of the conventional corsets and the start of the bra’s incredible success, with its first bra launched in 1922. From then on, underwear, ladies’ underthings, knickers, panties or whatever words you feel comfortable with, have become a lot more pleasant to wear. Find out more in Knickers, Love A Bit of Comfort

We probably don’t think too much about our underwear when we get dressed of a morning. There are usually far more pressing things on our minds. However, we do notice quite quickly into the day when the chosen items under our clothes are uncomfortable. Let’s be honest, it is the most annoying feeling. Yet bras have gone through many iterations to be what they are today.

 Hourglass corset from 1878

From the choice of fabrics to the styles on offer, the revolution in comfort has taken quite a while, but it is here. One of the most historically used fabrics is, of course, cotton. Used from ancient times (the Egyptians used it a lot) cotton became a popular fabric for underwear because of its comfort and breathability, especially as garments became lighter and more fitted. Then, in the late 1970’s along came Lycra and changed underwear for the better ever since.

From the invention of this rubbery type of elastic that could be melded with cotton, clothing of all sorts would stretch and stay in place. And more than any other clothing, undergarments were real winners.

In 1979, the company Sloggi was born from The Triumph Group by introducing a cotton revolution. They introduced comfortable underwear made from a blend of cotton and Lycra. This meant linergie could be boil-washed forever, without losing shape and colour.

The brand continues to innovate, focusing on comfortable, lasting, and increasingly sustainable products with their latest collection, named Free Evolve.

The collection has a 2-sizes-fits-most (XS-M/ L-XXL) approach to get everybody moving comfortably. This made-to-mix and match collection comes in solid or lace across a mix of silhouettes, including bralettes, briefs, shorts, bodysuits and tees, so that it can be remixed and reinvented, with some pieces even reversible. It features moisture-wicking, ultra-breathable and lightweight micro modal characteristics. There are four colourways on offer from Black, a Dusty Rose, Cream and Petrol Blue.

Katharina Mayer, Global Head of Design at Sloggi tells .Cent, advise on the choice of fabrics used and why

I believe clothing should simplify life, not complicate it. Our modern world is already busy enough — so we set out to create pieces that are easy to buy, easy to wear, and easy to care for. 

That vision led us directly to the materials: fabrics that feel soft against the skin, move effortlessly with the body and stand up to the rhythm of everyday life. High stretch, ultra-soft handfeel and durability were non-negotiable. Micro modal and lace made from recycled PA became the perfect choice, embodying that balance of comfort, functionality and modern simplicity in design.

The brand worked with manufacturers to develop these specific fabrications.

Fabrics like this aren’t found off the shelf. To bring our vision to life, we worked hand-in-hand with long-term supplier partners we deeply trust. Together, we co-created the material to deliver exactly what we envisioned. We pushed boundaries, balancing technical performance with distinctive aesthetic and the result speaks for itself. It’s not just fabric development; it’s design innovation through collaboration.

The fabric is so important in Free Evolve

Free Evolve was created to make life easier. With simplified sizing (just two sizes: XS–M and L–XXL), the material has to do the work, combining powerful flexibility with strong recovery so it adapts to the individual, not the other way around. That adaptability is what turns a good product into a great one: from the ease of choosing your size to the effortless comfort of wearing it every day. These values go beyond technical performance; they make the product inclusive, empowering and seamlessly aligned with modern life.

To find out all you need to know about UKSloggi.com please visit here and meet the Free Evolve collection, please visit here.

If you enjoyed reading Knickers, Love A Bit of Comfort, then why not read Infinite Bodies here

.Cent Magazine London; Luxury Mindset