• Lace & ruffle silk ribbon boudoir headband, c. 1920s, GB. The Underpinnings Museum. Photo by Tigz Rice

    Lace & Ruffle Silk Ribbon Boudoir Headband

    Lace & ruffle silk ribbon boudoir headband Date: c. 1920s Origin: Great Britain Fabric: Lace and silk ribbon Brand: Custom made   This circa 1920s boudoir headband is unbranded, handmade, and composed of lace and ruffled silk. A boudoir cap is a style of lingerie headwear, commonly worn from the nineteenth into the early twentieth century.…
    February 7, 2026
  • Forest Green 'Longs' Tights By Eva Farve, c. 1960s, Norway. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Forest Green Tights By Eva Farve

    Forest Green Tights By Eva Farve Date: c. 1960s Origin: Norway Fabric: Nylon blend Brand: Eva Farve   These 1960s forest green tights, size 36/44, are from Norway, from the brand Eva Farve. They are a nylon blend, and (translated into English) the packaging advertises them as being “smooth knitted in 100% high-elastic crepe. Re-enforced…
    May 8, 2024
  • Bra-Girdle Hooks By Gemco, c. 1950s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Bra-Girdle Hooks By Gemco

    Bra-Girdle Hooks By Gemco Date: c. 1950s Origin: USA Fabric: Elastic, metal Brand: Gemco   These c. 1950s bra girdle hooks would have been worn to connect the wearer’s bra to their girdle, keeping the lower band of the bra in place and also probably preventing the top edge of the girdle from rolling down…
    March 15, 2024
  • 'The Foster' Hose Supporter, c. 1900s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘The Foster’ Hose Supporter

    'The Foster' Hose Supporter Date: c. 1900s Origin: Great Britain Fabric: Cotton sateen, elastic Brand: The Foster Hose Supporter Co.   This is a hose supporter, made from cotton sateen, elastic, and metal clasps. These were a separate accessory, worn over the corset or shirtwaist and used to keep stockings or hose up, similar to…
    February 4, 2024
  • Cream Silk Georgette Trousseau Set With Embroidery, Insertion Lace & Ribbonwork, c. 1920s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Cream Silk Georgette Trousseau Set With Embroidery, Insertion Lace & Ribbonwork

    Cream Silk Georgette Trousseau Set With Embroidery, Insertion Lace & Ribbonwork Date: c. 1920s Origin: USA Fabric: Silk Georgette, Machine Lace Brand: Unknown   A bridal trousseau ensemble incoroprating a step-in teddy, nightgown, bra, garter and boudoir cap. The bra, step-in teddy and nightgown are all made with the same silk georgette. The bra is…
    March 14, 2023
  • Tapered Corset Busk, c. 1900s. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    Tapered Corset Busk

    Tapered Corset Busk Date: c. 1900s Origin: Unknown Fabric: Steel Brand: Unknown   An unusual corset busk fastening. It has a tapered shape, and in place of the traditional loop/pin shape in the second loop down, it has a solid metal tab that tucks behind the busk when closed. Theories for this unusual fabrication include…
    June 27, 2022
  • Tapered Carved Wooden Busk With Floral Relief, late 18th century. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Tapered Carved Wooden Busk With Floral Relief

    Tapered Carved Wooden Busk With Floral Relief Date: c. late 18th century Origin: Unknown Fabric: Wood Brand: Custom made   A wooden busk with a tapered shape, intricately carved in relief with floral motifs and the initials 'FR'. Early busks were often made of wood, bone or baleen and would be inserted into the centre…
    June 27, 2022
  • Carved Wooden Sweetheart Busk With Lovebirds, c. late 18th century to early 19th century. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Carved Wooden Sweetheart Busk With Lovebirds

    Carved Wooden Sweetheart Busk With Lovebirds Date: c. late 18th century to early 19th century Origin: Great Britain Fabric: Wood Brand: Custom made   A carved wooden busk, with engraved motifs of lovebirds, crosses, flowers, hearts and the initials N & E. Early busks were often made of wood, bone or baleen and would be…
    June 24, 2022
  • 'Promise' Silk Bridal Garter By Cristina Aielli, 2018, Italy. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    ‘Promise’ Silk Bridal Garter By Cristina Aielli

    'Promise' Silk Bridal Garter By Cristina Aielli Date: 2018 Origin: Italy Fabric: Silk satin, elastic, embroidered tulle, chantilly lace Brand: Cristina Aielli   An intricate bridal garter. A silk satin channel encases elastic, and is profusely embellished with layers of embroidered tulle and chantilly lace, layered for a textural 3D effect. Delicate sequins and glass…
    May 9, 2022
  • Black Ribbon Garters With Ribbonwork Roses By Piper Ewan, c. late 2010s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice.

    Black Ribbon Garters With Ribbonwork Roses By Piper Ewan

    Black Ribbon Garters With Ribbonwork Roses By Piper Ewan Date: c. late 2010s Origin: United States Fabric: Silk ribbon, elastic Brand: Piper Ewan   Garters crafted from silk ribbon and elastic. The silk ribbon is stitched together to create a channel, and ruched with elastic threaded through the interior. They are embellished with hand stitched…
    May 9, 2022
  • 'Knee Muffs' By Reliable, c. 1920s, USA. The Underpinnings Museum. Photography by Tigz Rice

    ‘Knee Muffs’ By Reliable

    'Knee Muffs' By Reliable Date: c. 1920s Origin: United States Fabric: Wool Brand: Reliable   A pair of knee muffs made of peach knitted wool.  The 1920s saw a dramatic shift in women's fashions, with dramatically higher hemlines than in previous decades. Consequently, there was a need for heavier weight hosiery and accessories. Knee muffs…
    January 6, 2022