The history of men’s underwear goes way back, with some surprising origins. According to the Bible, the first “undergarment” was actually just a simple fig leaf worn by Adam in the Garden of Eden. After he became aware of being different from Eve, Adam felt shy and covered himself with a leaf. This moment marked the beginning of the idea of underwear, which then developed over time into different styles to suit men’s needs.
Ancient Loincloths: The Earliest Form of Men’s Underwear
The earliest men’s underwear appeared around 3000 BC and was called a loincloth. These simple pieces of clothing were made from rough fabric or animal skin and were designed mainly for covering and protection.
One of the oldest known people to wear a loincloth is Otzi the Iceman, whose mummified body was found in a glacier in the Alps between Austria and Italy. Otzi lived around 3300 BC during the Bronze Age, and his clothing was made from woven grass and animal skin. This shows that even in ancient European societies, people used basic forms of underwear to cover themselves.
The Symbolic Loincloths of Ancient Egypt
By 1352 BC, loincloths were commonly worn in ancient Egypt, especially during the time of the Pharaohs. When archaeologists explored King Tutankhamun’s tomb, they found 145 loincloths among his burial items, showing how important these garments were for royalty and nobles. Egyptian loincloths were made from high-quality linen and represented authority and strength.
In 1979, archaeologists found more evidence of loincloths: pieces of triangular cloth with belts that also appeared to be ancient underwear. For Egyptian men, especially the upper class, loincloths weren’t just practical clothing. They had cultural meaning and showed power and status.
From Function to Symbolism: The Role of Loincloths
The history of men’s underwear, starting from simple fig leaves to practical loincloths, shows more than just changes in clothing. Loincloths were designed to be useful and meet men’s needs, but they also carried special meanings in different cultures. In ancient Egypt, wearing a loincloth wasn’t just for cover; it showed social status and authority. Underwear was about more than just comfort—it was also about power and respect.
Over time, men’s underwear kept changing, using new materials and styles as societies developed. Even though today’s underwear might seem simple, its long history shows how important clothing has been culturally and symbolically throughout time.
