Knickers older than Canada on display

What were once considered "unmentionables" are now on display for all to see at the Welcome Centre in Alberton, P.E.I.

Bloomers on display: Take a peek at knickers from the past

7 years ago

Duration 0:58

Bloomers on display: Take a peek at knickers from the past

The old undergarments from the 1800s and 1900s had been stored for years at the Alberton Museum, before being aired out and strung wall-to-wall for the exhibit.

"A lot of stuff that we know about undergarments are from diaries and secret writings," said Isabel Delaney, who works at the Welcome Centre in Alberton and helped set up the display in the former church.

"Now pretty much everything is mentionable so why not bring them out."

Still causes some to blush

But even still, talking about underwear has made some visitors turn red.

"A couple of men were a little embarrassed when I asked them if they'd like to see our undergarments," said Delaney.

"You have to be careful how you word that. They blushed and said, 'I'll tell my wife.'"

The drawers are also a draw. Delaney said people are popping in to see the exhibit.

"Usually family and friends because we're telling them, 'You can't believe what ladies wore back then," she said.

'Layers upon layers of clothes'

18-year-old Dena McHugh works with Delaney at the Welcome Centre. She helped research the old undergarments and helped set up the display.

"This is pretty interesting to see all of the things that they used to wear in the 1800s, all the layers upon layers of clothes they had to fit under this tiny little dress," said Dena McHugh who also works at the Welcome Centre.

"It's no wonder they would have maids and what not to help them get dressed every morning."

Most of the undergarments worn by ordinary folks were made of cotton because they were easy to clean.

"The wealthier people would wear linen or silk," said Delaney. "And the wealthier people would have colour in their clothes, so it kind of was like a status."

The unmentionables exhibit will be on public display for another few weeks. After that, they will be returned to the museum.

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