Date: c. 1950s
Origin: United States
Fabric: Nylon
Brand: ‘Cheers’ By Hariette Ross
A bra in a sheer nylon tulle, machine embroidered with small pink bow motifs. The cups are constructed with a single vertical dart and two horizontal darts to give a pointed bustline, with metal ‘half overwire’ structures at the neckline for support. The cups are joined with crossed pink satin ribbon loops, and the underband is comprised of a black satin binding. The rigid shoulder straps can be adjusted with enamelled metal loops at the cup apex. The centre front is embellished with a pale pink satin bow, and the centre back fastens with hooks and eyes. A small strip of elastic at the centre back gives some fit flexibility, with the rest of the garment fabric offering no stretch.
This style of bra was advertised by the ”Cheers’ By Harriette Ross’ brand as ‘The bra smart women prefer’ and originally retailed for $5, which would be approximately $47 in today’s currency. The bra was sold in a similar size system to the modern bra band/cup sizing that is used in Britain and North America today, with this example being a C36 (as opposed to the 36C format that would be used now).
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
