Date: c. 1950s
Origin: Unknown
Fabric: Embroidered stretch mesh, rayon satin
Brand: Unknown
This c. 1950s quilted satin and embroidered stretch tulle girdle is typical of undergarments of that decade, providing a smooth base and a nipped-in waist to suit the fashionable hourglass silhouette. The girdle has boning in the non-stretch satin panel at the front of the stomach, to provide more structure and control in that area, in addition to the shaping effect of the stretch tulle that forms the back and sides. The girdle is designed to be pulled on, with the side seam opening with a line of hooks and eyes for the wearer to pull it up over the hips. The stretch tulle dips lower in the back to fully cover the wearer’s posterior, and has four garters built in to eliminate the need for a separate garter belt. There is some smaller, lighter boning in the stretch tulle area, but not as extensive as in the satin stomach panel.
Another girdle in the Underpinnings Museum Collection from the 1930s features slight boning as well, but relies on the elastic fabric more for shaping, resulting in a less nipped silhouette. Though the garments serve the same function, the shift in fashionable silhouette can be seen through differences in materials and cut.
Many thanks to Katherine Shark for the object description and research.
From the collection of Karolina Laskowska
