Talk to explore women’s undergarments

Corsets, girdles, brassieres, petticoats, chemises, bloomers, stockings, bustles and hoop skirts. That may sound like wardrobe inventory for actors in “Gone with the Wind” (and you wouldn’t be far off) but these ladies’ undergarments represent how women throughout history have outfitted themselves in accordance with the prevailing image of ideal womanhood. If what strikes you is how restrictive many of these garments were, you might be on to something.

Diane Johnston, a theatrical costume designer with 35 years of professional experience, will explore the connection between the restrictions on women’s bodies and the limitations placed by society on women themselves in a free presentation, “Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties.” The talk at the Camas Public Library on March 5 is one in a series of Clark County Historical Museum events featuring speakers from Humanities Washington.

“A couple years ago the museum hosted an event about women’s pockets,” said Sammuel Hawkins, the museum’s outreach and public programs manager. “It was extremely popular and was booked to capacity.”

Johnston, who resides in Stanwood, was also the speaker at that event in 2024, and she came back to Vancouver again in 2025 to give the same presentation for The Historic Trust. Both events, timed to coincide with Women’s History Month in March, drew scores of attendees eager to hear about how pockets related to gender equality. Hawkins said he expects this event to be similarly packed, especially considering the provocative nature of the topic. Who doesn’t want to learn more about brassieres?

It’s actually a subject that interests a range of people, Hawkins said, especially historical reenactors — many who sew their own costumes, bolstered with period-accurate underthings — and members of the vintage music community who are “really excited about anything we do about fashion,” Hawkins said. (Hawkins also noted that his own background in theatrical design makes “these sort of talks very exciting for me on a personal level.”)

“Its impact on women’s rights and progression in American history really speaks to a lot of people in the community,” Hawkins said.

In fact, the corset is enjoying something of a revival, according to recent articles in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire. Debate rages over whether that’s a harmless trend or an alarm bell for women’s rights. Johnston, who has a Master of Fine Arts in costume design, may offer insight on the corset question as well as other ways that “women’s undergarments have been symbols of both oppression and empowerment” and “how comfort, freedom and function in women’s undergarments mirrored broader social changes,” according to the Humanities Washington website.

The event’s Camas location is by design, Hawkins said, and part of the museum’s push to offer more events throughout the county. Not everyone wants to or is able to make the trek into downtown Vancouver on a weeknight, Hawkins said. Offering events in more locations is a way to serve “folks in the regions outside of downtown,” Hawkins said, like the Feb. 19 History on Tap about the Kaiser Shipyards presented at Ridgefield’s Old Liberty Theater. Hawkins said the museum is also planning to offer more daytime weekend events at the museum, beginning in April. If any event appeals to you, Hawkins offered this tip: Sign up early.

“Our events have been reaching capacity completely since the beginning of the year,” Hawkins said. “The best way to keep up with our events is to enroll in our newsletter or become a member, both of which can be done on the museum’s website.”

IF YOU GO

What: Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties
Where: Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas
When: 7 p.m. March 5, doors open at 6 p.m.
Cost: Free but registration is required at cchmuseum.org