Date: c. 1920s
Origin: United States
Fabric: Silk ribbon, wax flowers, elastic
Brand: Unknown
A pair of garters with a base of elastic topped with an ivory silk ribbon and embellished with silk ribbonwork flowers and wax floral stamens. These were likely intended as bridalwear for a single use, as the use of wax embellishment would not have held up to long term wear or washing.
Garters were commonly worn to keep stockings up just above the knee until the popularisation of suspenders, whether attached to corsets or a belt. Until the invention of elastic, garters were tied onto the body with ribbon. Elastication allowed for a more comfortable and flexible fit.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska