Corselette thumbnail 1
Corselette thumbnail 2
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This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Corselette

1942-1949 (made)
Artist/Maker
Twilfit (maker)
Utility (made for)
Place of origin
England (made)

Pink satin and elastic full corselette (bra and girdle combined), with elastic suspenders and gussets.

Object details

Categories
Underwear
Fashion
Womenswear
Europeana Fashion Project
Object type
Corselette
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Corselette
  • Bag
Materials and techniques
Synthetic satin, coutil, boning, metal and elastic
Coutil
Metal
Elastic
Synthetic Fabric
Satin Weave
Boned
Brief description
Satin and elastic full corselette with elastic suspenders and gussets, made by Twilfit for Utility, England, 1942-1949
Physical description
Pink satin and elastic full corselette (bra and girdle combined), with elastic suspenders and gussets.
Dimensions
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 65.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Bust measured inside garment circumference: 84cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Hip measured inside garment circumference: 85cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Production typeReady to wear
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Twilfit Utility 04417/48 Made in England By Leethems (Twilfit) Limited, (No.20), Portsmouth, from the best materials and fitted with the best possible [boning supports?] 2. CC41 Type 2/9071' (Stamped on interior bone)
  • '537 34' (Stamped inside girdle on fabric panel)
  • '34' (Size tag)
  • '92' (Written in pencil inside corset)
Gallery label
(16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
Wartime wear

The manufacture and supply of corsets was controlled during the Second World War from 1941, when rationing and the Utility controls were introduced, until 1952. Many materials used for corsets, like rubber and steel, had to be imported and were needed for the war effort. The resulting shortages caused deep resentment among women, who considered corsets a necessity.

Utility corselette
Leethams (Twilfit) Ltd.
Britain, Portsmouth, 1940s
Rayon satin and elastic, coutille, steel boning
V&A: T.175-1998
Given by Mr Ian Chipperfield
(2013-2015)
During the Second World War materials were scarce, and rationing was introduced to help control supply. The Government slowed the production of foundationwear, as many of the materials used for corsets were required for the war effort. However, an article in The Times of 23 November 1940 stated that 95% of women did not consider corsets a luxury good and that working women especially depended on them for 'support and comfort'.

Utility corselette
Leethams (Twilfit) Ltd.
Britain (Portsmouth), 1940s
Rayon satin and elastic, coutille, and steel boning
Given by Mr. Ian Chipperfield
V&A: T.175-1998
Credit line
Given by Mr Ian Chipperfield
Object history
Old store stock donated to the Museum in 1998 by Mr Ian Chipperfield.
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Collection
Textiles and Fashion Collection
Accession number
T.175-1998

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Record createdMarch 30, 2007
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O133557/corselette-twilfit/
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