Love Me, Love My Visible Panty Line ~ Trend de la Creme - Trends in fashion, style, beauty, design, and popular culture.

After reading an article in the Daily Mail last week which proclaimed, "It's been the curse of women throughout the ages - the dreaded VPL (Visible Panty Line)!" I decided to do some investigating into the ongoing VPL 'epidemic.' It was around 1976 that the visible panty line 'curse' became public knowledge with the advent of Underalls (easily recognizable by the large outline of a woman's ass on the package). And, while Underalls may have fizzled out in the 90's, the 'curse' of the VPL lived on.

"Underalls" ad, 1980

In recent years, brands like Barely There, Cosabella, Commando, Jockey, and Spanx have perfected the "invisible panty line" using everything from flat elastic and mesh blends to microfiber and seamless finishes. (Jockey has even trademarked the "No Panty Line Promise" Bikini. And sales of Debenhams' Invisible Knickers -- which are reported to fit like a "second skin" -- have increased 1,800% in the last 12 months.)

Photo by sarflondondunc

So, how then does one explain the emerging trend of designers creating looks in which people can see right through to a woman's panty lines? Take VPL (which actually does stand for Visible Panty Line) who begged the question "what mystery really lies beneath?" by bringing underwear out to become a visible, stylish part of our everyday uniform. Or those hilarious skirts in which Japanese women spoofed the visible panty line trend by giving passersby temporary x-ray vision? Or the myriad of designers that put outerwear creations (like dresses and skirts) on 2008/2009 runways that scream, "The visible panty line is back!"

Does this mean we're actually ready for a granny panty VPL comeback? Or has anti-VPL sentiment been etched too deeply into our collective DNA to warrant it's return?