Date: c. 1950s
Origin: France
Fabric: Nylon, machine lace
Brand: Cadolle
A suspender belt in woven nylon with a lace overlay, cut with an unusual scallop shaped waistline. The hem of the garment is trimmed with a delicate nylon lace, and each of the four suspender straps is encased in ruched ribbon. The metal suspender grips are covered with satin ribbon flashes. The belt fastens at the rear with metal hooks and eyes, with a strip of elastic offering some fit flexibility.
Suspender belts grew in popularity from the 1920s as an alternative to heavier corsetry. They fulfilled the all important job of keeping stockings from rolling down, without the constriction of standard shapewear. Suspender belts offered a previously unparalleled freedom of movement and such were particularly popular with the young and active. The style began to fall out of fashion in the 1960s, once textile technological advancements led to the creation of affordable pantyhose.
The Cadolle design house was founded by Herminie Cadolle in 1878, originally a shop that specialised in made-to-measure undergarments. Herminie is often credited with designing the first modern bra in 1889, although this is often contested. The brand continues to this day, and is now headed by Poupie Cadolle, the fifth generation of the family to run the eponymous brand.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
