Date: c. late 1950s, early 1960s
Origin: France
Fabric: Nylon
Brand: Rose Marie
A nylon sling-style bra, that offered a subtle lift and exposed the nipple underneath clothing to achieve the fashionable pointed bust silhouette of the 1950s. The bottom half of the cups is quilted for strength and support, with narrow nylon strapping making up the rest of the bra. The shoulder straps feature small strips of elastic for comfort. The bra fastens with buttonhole elastic and a plastic button at the centre back, with the elastic allowing a level of adjustability and flexibility.
The swing tag for this bra was sewn onto the garment, making it impossible to reattach should it be removed for wear. It lists the style number as 4700 and the size as 85, likely referring to an overbust measurement of 85cm.
The tag lists the price as 6.95 NF (nouveau franc/new franc), a currency symbol used briefly during the 1960s upon the revalution of the French currency in 1960. This bra was best suited to the fashionable silhouette associated with the 1950s, indicating the fluidity of fashion history and the difficulties in segregating it purely by decade.
From the collection of The Underpinnings Museum
