Date: c. 1900s
Origin: Great Britain
Brand: Velvet Grip
This advert is for stocking and hose supporters by H. W. Velvet Grip.
H. W. Velvet Grip Manufacturers were established in Great Britain in or around the year 1895. When the company participated in the 1900 “Woman’s Exhibition” at Earl’s Court, they were described as selling “stocking supporters, corset supporters, ladies’ small wares” and “ladies’ measures.” The company eventually also produced gentleman’s sock suspenders, called the “Boston Garter,” and a child hose supporter called “Jack & Jill.”
Several pieces in the Underpinnings Museum’s collection feature metal suspender grips stamped with ‘velvet grip.’ This includes a pair of circa 1890-1900s hose supporters with fleur-de-lis adjusters by velvet grip, a circa 1900s cream silk hose supporter suspender belt, and a circa 1910s floral silk wedding corset by Lafayette. There is also record of Velvet Grip supporters being used in the patented Manchester-based “Novo Belt” in 1904, and in corsets advertised by William Whiteley Ltd. in London in 1905 and 1911.
A 1920 feature on The ‘Velvet Grip’ Garter Manufacture praised the company’s factories, employees, and successful products, concluding with the following:
“In these days of the prevalent short skirt there is an added reason why the ‘Velvet Grip’ suspenders should be as popular as they are: since Fashion decrees that stockings should be shown, it is desirable that they should be properly, tidily shown: and this is accomplished only by using a perfectly acting supporter, such as the ‘Velvet Grip’ suspender, made in London from the best English elastic, and the finest materials procurable for their purpose.”
Many thanks to Summer Anne Lee for the object description and research.
From the collection of The Underpinnings Museum
