On Jun 6, 2005, at 11:23, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote (in response to
Jacquie Tinch):
Without seeing the actual corset, I would guess it was made to be worn
under
garments inspired by Dior's "New Look" -- they had a tiny waist, and
very very
full skirts with crinolines. Dior was widely copied by other
designers and
manufacturers. This style was very popular when I was in High School
in the
early 1950's. Most schoolgirls would not have needed such a garment,
but if you
look at what full-grown women were wearing in this time frame, you will
realize they had to wear something to keep from popping seams in
fitted suits,
dresses and gowns.
1950ties would have been my guess, also :) And not necessarily for
Dior's creations, either. I actually *remember* those things; both my
Mother and our "help" wore them until about 1960 or thereabouts. Theirs
didn't have any lace, but the boning in front, the elasticised gussets,
the hook-and-eye closure in front, the pink satin (I've always believed
"underwear pink" as a *colour name* originated from those things <g>) -
it all rings very loud bells :)
Those corsets never had labels, because they were not factory-produced.
They were sold in small private shops and, usually, were "finished to
measure". Ie you went in, and tried a model you liked, and they then
adjusted the length of the boning and the elastic to fit you personally
(none of your 34 C then <g>)
Granted, Poland had always been a bit behind the times in its fashions
(and the availability of "stuff"), so, perhaps, in England, it would
have been a bit earlier than that, but, probably, not much.
I also agree with Jeri that the condition (and even just the existence)
of the hook-and-eye closure goes some way towards dating the item. But
so does the elastic, I think.
Jeri, do you know when the elastic as we know it - nicely wrapped in
cotton *before* being put together into widths - has come into being?
Because I also remember some elastic (which "went out" at about the
same time as corsets <g>) which was just pure rubber. You threaded it
into the waist hem in your knickers and tied a knot, and, after a
while, it disintegrated, and you replaced it...
--
Tamara P Duvall http://t-n-lace.net/
Lexington, Virginia, USA (Formerly of Warsaw, Poland)
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