Hi All!
Today I have something really cool for Throwback Thursday! Instead of a throwback to a project that I’ve sewn, I want to show you a throwback WAY further in time!
I’ve been sitting in on a couple classes at Bra-Maker’s Supply and in one of the classes we did a little lesson on Bra History, so I thought I would bring in a couple vintage pieces from my collection!
The first thing was an old brassiere (before they were called bras), I’m not really sure how old this is, but I’m thinking early 1900’s –
You can see how it goes around your arms and fastens in the back, and has a little strap that would attach to your girdle in the front!
The whole front of the bodice is boned inside, and has these little straps with sliders and rings for shaping! SO cool! but definitely give a bit of a uni-boob effect.
The next vintage piece I had was a children’s corset- which I would say was cute if the idea of a child wearing a corset wasn’t completely against the comfort level I feel children should have in their clothing!
So itty-bitty, with only four hooks on the busk!
With the proper lace-up in the back and some pretty lace trim top and bottom
The next two things I brought in are probably my favourite! Two Eaton’s Catalogues, one from 1928, and one from 1966. – It’s amazing how much changed between the catalogues, and again to today!
and the prices lol!
$3.95 for the FlexOsteel Corset with Abdominal Belt!!
They had such cherub faces- and straight figures!
‘Health-Style Corsets’
Things really changed when it came to 1966!
All about the hourglass figures, new stretch fabrics, and pointy boobs!
Look at the point on those cups!
It so interesting how the styles change, and even how the ‘ideal woman’ changes- there were definitely no straight-figured, cherub-faced ladies in Spring/Summer 1966!
I also got quite a chuckle at the Men’s underwear section.
‘I say chap, your onsie is the bee’s knees!’
‘Golly gee! these boxers are quite swell!’
Anyways, I thought these were so cool, I was thinking that I might do a series of posts focusing on different parts of the catalogues, – it’s just too much for one post, and I really wanted to focus on the bra history!
Hope you enjoyed this little blast from the past! What was your favourite style?
I would love to make myself a bullet bra out of the 60’s!
Hope you’re having a great Thursday!
xo erin
Hi Erin! I think the 'mini corset' might have been a salesman's sample. They did make them in 1/2 scale to save room when hauling around loads of them.
Oh wow! I didn't know that- I'd be much happier to think it was a 1/2 scale sample than a children's corset! Thanks 🙂
How cool are these!
They are some of my favourite sources of inspiration! I'll have to do some other posts to show the other sections of the catalogues!