by Joanne
Haug
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| 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. |
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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. |
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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
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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