When Was Underwear Invented?

Many early cultures had forms of underwear. The ancient Egyptians wore loincloths, while Roman men and women wore a loincloth or shorts called subligaculum. Women also wore a band of cloth or leather around their chest called a strophium. It was during the 13th century when men wore linen shorts called braies that underwear became a common and important clothing choice. Many knights adopted underwear under their clothing before they would put their armor on.