In an article recently published by Der Spiegel, the mysterious world of Syrian lingerie is revealed in no small detail. It turns out that Syria has become a hub of all things exotic, lacy, feathered, musical (yes, musical) and otherwise. Here are a few scintillating samples:
Lingerie is made from everything imaginable, including wire and vinyl,
feathers and cell phones,
and birds and leaves.
Salon.com also gives some insight into the relatively new phenomenon of edible underwear in Syria, which is nothing like the cheap candy stuff made in the States. These panties are made from pure fruit and sugar, cooked and rolled out into a wafer-thin fabric. Now that's a test drive I can get behind.
The styles and concepts behind Syrian lingerie are truly endless: they include everything from musical knickers to remote control undergarments that fall open at the push of a button, and they cost anywhere from $3 to $20 per piece. Talk about bang for your buck!
So why, you might ask, is Syria the new lingerie paradise? According to a lingerie seller at the Hamidiyeh souk in Damascus, "In a culture where there is always the danger that the man may find a second or third wife for himself, wives want to make sure their husband stays loyal to them... mothers believe their son-in-law will be less interested in other women if his wife surprises him with more and more new gimmicks at home."
While the world of Syrian lingerie may be out of reach beyond marketplaces such as Hamidiyeh, you can get your hands on a book devoted to the topic:
[$25, Chronicle Books]
The Secret Life of Syrian Lingerie intersperses vivid photographs and interviews with women who, I have no doubt, possess a far more varied unmentionables collection than I ever will.
Related: I'll Wear the Tuxedo, You Bring the Champagne, Have Sex with the Lights On... Kind of, Maison Close's NSFW Collection