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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Fashion, Room 40

Drawers (Underpants)

1834 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This ensemble illustrates the items of underwear worn by women in the 1830s. The shift had been an essential element of underwear for centuries and remained so in the 19th century. At that time it was more politely referred to by its French name, chemise. When the sheer fabrics and rather clinging styles of Neo-classical dress became fashionable in the 1790s, drawers were introduced into the female wardrobe for the sake of modesty. They continued to be worn when 19th century dresses evolved into more substantial styles. The corset is lightly boned and reinforced with cording. There is a long narrow pocket in the front for the busk, a wide piece of wood or ivory, which kept the corset stiff and flat in front.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cotton, hand-sewn
Brief description
Drawers of hand sewn cotton, Great Britain, 1834
Physical description
Drawers of hand sewn cotton. The legs are mid-calf length, trimmed with tucks. The legs are cut separately and on the cross, and lapping over one another at the waistband which is adjusted with a draw tape.
Dimensions
  • Length: 42in
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 63cm (smallest setting) (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Outside leg length: 98.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Inside leg length: 64cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Crotch depth (front waist to back waist through crotch) measured inside garment length: 104cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Hem measured inside garment circumference: 55cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Credit line
Given by Mrs J. A. Latter Axton
Summary
This ensemble illustrates the items of underwear worn by women in the 1830s. The shift had been an essential element of underwear for centuries and remained so in the 19th century. At that time it was more politely referred to by its French name, chemise. When the sheer fabrics and rather clinging styles of Neo-classical dress became fashionable in the 1790s, drawers were introduced into the female wardrobe for the sake of modesty. They continued to be worn when 19th century dresses evolved into more substantial styles. The corset is lightly boned and reinforced with cording. There is a long narrow pocket in the front for the busk, a wide piece of wood or ivory, which kept the corset stiff and flat in front.
Collection
Accession number
T.102-1931

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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