Lingerie | Hidden from View

The 1920s women’s fashions exhibited an unprecedented transformation from the heavily corseted figure of the Victorian era into an almost boyish silhouette. Dresses were shapeless and loose-fitting, with skirt lengths rotating from ankle length to knee length and back again. Shapely curves were concealed with undefined box-shape fashions; and flat-chested was in! Young women took to bandaging their breasts flat to achieve the desired manly outline or wore undergarments just as the Symington Side Lacer that flattened the bust when tightened. Underpinnings reflected the absence of a silhouette the same as dress fashions by mimicking the box shape in slips, chemises and negligees.

Flowing lace trimmed chiffon negligees were loose-fitting and cut similarly to the fashionable dresses of the day. The lovely cream silk crêpe negligee on the right has wide lace inserts and silk ribbon trim. The label reads: B. Altman & Co., New York - Paris.

This "Hostess Gown" was offered in a 1925 Franklin & Simon catalog, an elegant New York Fifth Avenue establishment. It was made of filmy chiffon with a tunic of Margot pattern lace and available in tea rose, turquoise or orchid over pink or peach color silk crêpe. The price was $29.50

By the 1920s, the traditional cotton and lace cap of the 19th century had been transformed into a confection of colorful silk and lace-- ornamented with silk ribbons, bows, and flowers. These boudoir caps were worn in the lady's bedroom to protect her coiffure while dressing.

This elegant matching boudoir set would be purchased for a young lady's trousseau. Included were pink satin slippers, garters and a boudoir cap—each decorated with lace and tiny silk ribbon roses.

A "step-in" chemise was a popular undergarment for the young flapper of the mid-1920s. The garment on the right is lavishly ornamented with wide lace inserts and a pretty "boutonnière" of silk ribbon flowers.

The Step-in Chemise on the left is of silk crêpe de Chine with creamy laces and an embroidered appliqué. It was available in peach, flesh pink, coral or yellow. On the right, is a Vest-Chemise of silk crêpe de Chine with matching Step-in Pantaloons.

Women had several options in undergarments to help them achieve that "boyish" figure of a flat-chest and a straight silhouette. On the left is a "semi-laced step-in corset" of elastic with sections of pink broché at both the back and front. It is softly boned at the back and is 14 inches long.



The Miracle Reducing Rubber Brassiere gave the "desirable flat lines" sought after by young women in the 20s. It was paired with the Miracle Reducing Rubber Reducer, which molded the lines of the figure while reducing it. The garment was "scientifically designed without bones or lacings."	The Bramley corsele was a combination brassiere and corset of self striped flesh colored satin batiste, invisible under a "flapper" dress. It cost $5.00.