Date: c. 1910s
Origin: Unknown
Fabric: Grosgrain ribbon
Brand: Unknown
A 4 strap suspender belt constructed from interwoven panels of varying width grosgrain silk ribbon. The centre back panels and bottom half of the suspender straps contain elastic encased in tubes of ribbon. The body of the suspender belt is sewn by machine stitching, but there are some hand sewn alterations to take in the garment at the side waist. Due to the small size of this garment it is likely that it was intended to be worn over a corset. The suspender fastens at the centre front with grosgrain ribbon loops and two shell buttons.
Suspender belts were unusual but not unheard of during the 1900-1910s, and were intended to be worn over corsets without built in suspenders. Stockings were typically worn to just above the knees, so the suspender straps appear particularly long by modern standards.
From the collection of The Underpinnings Museum
