Pongee Silk Robe
1930s Japanese Robes
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1920s Robes
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1920s Japanese Robes
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Finding the Right Lingerie for You
As the most intimate layer of clothing, lingerie has evolved over time from an object of modesty to one of sensuality. Some vintage and designer lingerie includes garments and accessories that are hard, such as corsets and structured bras, while other items are soft to the touch, including nightgowns and slips.
In the 18th century, European women commonly wore whalebone corsets to create the look of an hourglass figure. Corsets were a standard part of women’s fashion into the 19th century. In 1914, Caresse Crosby filed a patent for the first modern bra, made by sewing two handkerchiefs together with ribbon ties. By the 1920s, the corset fell out of fashion in North America and Europe, and loose silhouettes and silky slips became mainstream.
As fashion returned to feminine forms in the 1930s, so did lingerie, with girdles and minimal bras. During World War II, bras were adapted to the rationing of materials like nylon and metal. In the postwar era, women had more lingerie choices than ever before, with inventions including the strapless bra.
In the 1950s, lingerie became more glamorous, matching the trends led by legendary French couturier Christian Dior and his “New Look,” a collection that introduced a new feminine silhouette of extravagant elegance upon its postwar debut. Just as the evolution of women’s swimwear over time reflected changing aesthetic taste as well as social upheaval, shifts in the design of lingerie owed to changing perspectives toward sex and style trends. Mid-century pinup models like Bettie Page transformed the undergarments market forever with a new desire for sexy lingerie. It would lead to the founding of Victoria’s Secret by Roy and Gaye Raymond in 1977.
In the late 1980s, performers like Madonna and Selena wore bustiers as outerwear, a trend that continued through the 1990s and early 2000s. With the broadcasting of the Victoria's Secret fashion show beginning in 1995, everyday style also changed. Lingerie was no longer expected to be hidden away.
On 1stDibs, find a range of alluring vintage and designer lingerie, including black bodysuits, black bralettes, corsets and more by designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Azzedine Alaïa and Versace.
- What are silk robes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Silk robes are robes made from silk, a natural fiber that comes from the cocoons of silkworms. Silk robes have been used for centuries and fashion designers continue to reimagine this timeless garment. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of vintage and contemporary silk robes from brands like Christian Dior and Casablanca along with antique one-of-a-kind pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A Japanese silk robe is also known as a kimono, sometimes also called a wafuku or a gofuku. Traditionally these brilliantly colored robes are actually layered dresses that fold across the front and are held together with a cloth belt called an obi. On 1stDibs, find vintage and contemporary kimonos from top sellers around the world.
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