Pleated Silk & Lace Cut Out Teddy

Pleated Silk & Lace Cut Out Teddy, c. 1920s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

Date: c. 1920s

Origin: United States

Fabric: Silk & lace

Brand: Custom made

 

A luxurious step-in teddy, incorporating a delicate pleated pink silk crêpe body with a sheer machine embroidered net bust and trims, with the finish scalloped edge used at the neck and leg edges. Silk satin ribbons form the shoulder straps and the complex network of loops and straps that form the centre back, with a handworked button loop and shell button as a closure. The centre back fastening extends down through the lace panel and silk body, with handsewn button holes and further shell buttons. The complex arrangement of straps at the centre back would have allowed this teddy to be worn with low backed garments without the underwear being visible.

This garment has been altered to be taken in at the side seams, with an additional repair to a tear in the tulle net at the side of the bust (giving the garment a slight assymetry), evidencing that this was a well loved piece that was reworked numerous times.

 

From the collection of Karolina Laskowska

Museum number: KL-2017-122

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