Knickers made from satin trimmed with machine-embroidered net, possibly made in England or France, ca. 1927

Knickers made from pink satin trimmed with a pleated frill of machine-embroidered net and diamanté buttons. Straight cut and above knee length. They are flat in the front but elasticated at the back. They are trimmed at the knee with the net, which extends a few inches up the leg where it is trimmed with four diamanté buttons. Lined with silk. Machine-stitched.

This was worn by Miss Emilie Grigsby (1876-1964) who was a wealthy independent American who came to England from New York. She established a salon which was frequented by writers and the military. She was considered to be one of the great international beauties, with extremely pale, almost transparent skin and golden hair. She was frequently the subject of articles in the New York Times during the early 20th century. Her clothes were purchased from couturiers in London, Paris, and New York, and demonstrated an elegantly avant-garde approach to style.

T.182-1967