Brassiere thumbnail 1
Brassiere thumbnail 2
Not on display

Brassiere

1950s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Foundation garments of the 1950s incorporated new light and highly tensile elastic panels, which reduced boning. Other innovations included high-line zipped and step-in girdles and corselettes (combined bras and girdles).

New supportive bras included plunge, half-cup and underwired designs. Some also offered the choice of detachable straps as shown here. It was made by elite corsetiere Rigby & Peller (established in London in 1939).

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Brassiere
  • Label
Materials and techniques
Nylon and elastic; fully wired around the cup
Brief description
White nylon brassiere, fully wired cups, Rigby & Peller, London, England, 1950s.
Physical description
Bra of white nylon, elastic and net with detachable straps. The cups are fully wired. Shoulder straps are detachable; there is also a front fastening strap under the bust.
Marks and inscriptions
(The brassiere came with an original sales tag)
Gallery label
(22/09/2007)
Brassiere
Rigby & Peller
London
1950s

Nylon and elastic with detachable straps; fully wired around the cup

Given by Rigby & Peller
V&A: T.610-1995
Credit line
Given by Mrs J. Kenton of Rigby & Peller
Summary
Foundation garments of the 1950s incorporated new light and highly tensile elastic panels, which reduced boning. Other innovations included high-line zipped and step-in girdles and corselettes (combined bras and girdles).

New supportive bras included plunge, half-cup and underwired designs. Some also offered the choice of detachable straps as shown here. It was made by elite corsetiere Rigby & Peller (established in London in 1939).
Collection
Accession number
T.610:1, 2-1995

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Record createdJanuary 29, 2008
Record URL
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