Evelinda: Come Valentine's Day, men's thoughts naturally turn to "unmentionables," the Victorian age's term for underwear.

Judie: We went to see "Victorian Unmentionables: The Art of Underwear" at the Molly Brown House, 1340 Pennsylvania St. (The exhibit runs until April 21; tickets are $4-$8.) This museum takes Valentine's Day seriously. Dining-room linens are red, and the table is festooned with chocolates and crepe-paper Valentine cards, the way the Victorians celebrated.

Evelinda: However, we don't think the women ate much of that candy - the embodiment of beauty at that time was an 18-inch waist. To achieve this, women wore corsets with inserts of wood, whalebone and even steel, starting at age 10. An unfortunate side effect: Corsets weakened stomach muscles so much that women could not sit up without support.

Judie: Victorian women must have risen early to don the seven to 10 pounds of undergarments, which consisted of 13 layers including drawers, chemise or camisole, corset, corset cover, petticoats and a bustle.

Evelinda: This was worn with the hope of obtaining the "S" shape silhouette.

Judie: The Victorian Age required more underwear than any other period in history. Ours, probably the least! So what unmentionables are popular today for Valentine's Day gifts?

* Sharon Nelson, co-owner of Le Soutien (246 Milwaukee St., 303-377-0515) recommends bedroom lingerie such as a red mesh nightgown and thong ($90) with matching black lace robe ($138).

* At Chelsea's of London (1203 Washington Ave., Golden, 303-271-9565), saleswoman Mary Kali says the store is carrying a variety of elegant and sexy "yum yums," chemise slips in lace and sheer for the more mature women ($59-$130).

Join Style Matters at the Denver Library's fashion show/ benefit featuring local fashion designers, Feb. 23, stylematters.us.