• Cotton & Overlocked Elastic Panel Underbust Corset By Thomson's Glove Fitting, c. 1921, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Cotton & Overlocked Elastic Panel Underbust Corset By Thomson’s Glove Fitting

    Cotton & Overlocked Elastic Panel Underbust Corset By Thomson's Glove Fitting Date: c. 1921 Origin: USA Fabric: Herringbone cotton coutil, elastic Brand: Thomson's Glove Fitting by Langdon & Batcheller   This cotton and overlocked elastic panel underbust corset, referred to as the “Thomson’s Glove Fitting” range by Langdon and Batcheller, dates to circa 1921. Constructed…
  • Silk Front-Lacing Corset With Lace Trim By Gossard, c. 1920s, USA. Photography by Tigz Rice. The Underpinnings Museum.

    Silk Front-Lacing Corset With Lace Trim By Gossard

    Silk Front-Lacing Corset With Lace Trim By Gossard Date: c. 1920s Origin: USA Fabric: Silk satin, woven cotton, machine-made lace, steel bones Brand: Gossard   This 1920s front-lacing corset with lace trim is made by the American undergarment brand, Gossard. The corset is made of silk satin, coutil (a durable, tightly-woven fabric made of cotton),…
  • 'Femme Panthère' Trained Bodice & Gauntlets By Erté, 1949, France. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    ‘Femme Panthère’ Trained Bodice & Gauntlets By Erté

    'Femme Panthère' Trained Bodice & Gauntlets By Erté Date: 1949 Origin: France Fabric: Silk lamé, silk velvet, cotton twill, metal sequins Brand: Erté   A trained bodice with coordinating gauntlets. Both the bodice and gauntlets are crafted from a heavy, yellow cotton twill base, which has been chain-stitch machine stitched with silk velvet appliqués and…
  • Reproduction Linen Stomacher By Royal Black Couture & Corsetry, 2025, Austria. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Reproduction Linen Stomacher By Royal Black Couture & Corsetry

    Reproduction Linen Stomacher By Royal Black Couture & Corsetry Date: 2025 Origin: Vienna, Austria Fabric: Linen, synthetic baleen Brand: Royal Black Couture & Corsetry   This stomacher was commissioned by The Underpinnings Museum for the mounting of these stays, which are missing their original stomacher. Designer Barbara Pesendorfer studied extant examples of stomachers and consulted…
  • Metal Thread Embroidered Stomacher, 18th century. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Metal Thread Embroidered Stomacher

    Metal Thread Embroidered Stomacher Date: c. 18th century Origin: Unknown Fabric: Silk velvet, linen, metal cord Brand: Unknown   An elaborate stomacher, with a luxurious outer fabric of black silk velvet. It has been profusely embellished with couched metal cord embroidery. It is lined with a fine linen. Encased between the fabric layers is baleen…
  • Silk Brocade & Leather Stays, c.1770s, Austria. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Silk Brocade & Leather Stays

    Silk Brocade & Leather Stays Date: c. 1770s Origin: Tyrol, Austria Fabric: Silk brocade, linen, leather, baleen Brand: Custom made   The stays were found hidden in a Tyrolean farm, with little known about their original history. The materials and style suggest that they were made in the 18th century. The garment is well worn…
  • Tea Rose Quilted Satin & Embroidered Stretch Tulle Girdle , c. 1950s. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Tea Rose Quilted Satin & Embroidered Stretch Tulle Girdle

    Tea Rose Quilted Satin & Embroidered Stretch Tulle Girdle 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…
  • Embroidered Tulle & Cotton 'Underbelt' Corselet By Avro, c. 1950s, England. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Embroidered Tulle & Cotton ‘Underbelt’ Corselet By Avro

    Embroidered Tulle & Cotton 'Underbelt' Corselet By Avro Date: c. 1950s Origin: England Fabric: Embroidered tulle, cotton coutil Brand: Avro   This 1950s “underbelt” corsetlet from Avro foundations is made out of pink cotton coutil with matching embroidered tulle for the upper half of the cups. The corsetlet is in size 40, and is housed…
  • Floral Print Cotton Corset With Lace Ribbon Slot Trim By R. H. Macy & Co., c. 1890s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Floral Print Cotton Corset With Lace Ribbon Slot Trim By R. H. Macy & Co.

    Floral Print Cotton Corset With Lace Ribbon Slot Trim By R. H. Macy & Co. Date: c. 1890s Origin: USA Fabric: Cotton twill Brand: R. H. Macy & Co.   This corset is made of a cotton twill exterior, with rose printed motifs and a woven cotton lining. It is bound with a cotton twill…
  • Hand Stitched Bobbinet Tulle & Silk Ribbon Girdle By Gladys Neal, c. 1920s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Hand Stitched Bobbinet Tulle & Silk Ribbon Girdle By Gladys Neal

    Hand Stitched Bobbinet Tulle & Silk Ribbon Girdle By Gladys Neal Date: c. 1920s Origin: USA Fabric: Cotton bobbinet, silk ribbon Brand: Gladys Neal   A delicate girdle crafted from a fine cotton bobbinet tulle and trimmed with silk satin ribbon. The garment is entirely hand stitched. There are keyhole cutouts at the sides of…