Recently I received a request from one of my favourite fashion bloggers: Claire aka Harbourmaster: did we have any fan-laced corsets that she could look at? It took a little while, but eventually we found this one, hidden amongst my corset collection.

We’re currently setting up an online shop for Circa, and this had been photographed for listing, but alas, between me emailing Claire to invite her to see it, and that information being relayed to the shop, one of my glamourous assistants had already sold it – so the good news is that it’s found a good home and the bad news is that Claire could no longer view it. We have photos, however, and I have lots more corsets so when I find some more fan-laced ones, I shall let her know.

As you can tell from the images, this corset was made by Jenyns, an Australian company based in Brisbane that made corsets from 1891 to 1999. Most of the vintage corsets from the 20th century were designed primarily for back support, although reducing the size of the waist is a nice bonus. Usually they’re quite formidable, strong and practical: not really the sexy creations we tend to think of these days. I get a lot of requests at the shop for black vintage corsets but the fact is that most are white, peach or beige, designed to hide easily under every day clothing.

Most of them are larger sizes: the one above is actually a size 10 (28 inch waist), but a 12 or 14 would be able to reduce her waist several inches by wearing it. It’s made of a nice cotton jacquard and would be quite comfortable to wear because the fabric breathes and it was probably custom-made to fit a particular customer. Like many vintage corsets, it’s in excellent condition and looks as if it’s hardly been worn.

Looking at the back view, the four wide elastic straps don’t seem to connect to anything so it’s likely that there were buckles or something to attach them to, perhaps like the ones on the side. You can see how wide and long the boning is at the back too. Jenyns were unusual with their fan-lacing in that they were the only company to use fan-lacing over the stomach: usually it was around the back, where it is easier to hide under clothing.

Like many orthopaedic corsets, this one is an under-bust. The wearer would have worn a separate bra and perhaps a slip underneath. Corsets can be tricky to date: this style is reminiscent of the 1930s but they’re not as subject to fashion as much as other types of underwear. The mention of lycra on the label makes me think it’s fairly modern: no earlier than the 1970s (lycra was available overseas earlier but that’s when it started to appear in Australia).

More on Jenyns.
More on fan-laced corsets, especially Camp corset brand.

Gayle (aka sewing machine girl) is a Brisbane costumier and fellow Vintage Fashion Guild member who trades on Etsy. She specialises in brand new vintage, complete with tags attached, and over the years I’ve gone to her for lingerie, as it’s hard to find in pristine condition.

She’s currently offering a nice 10% discount to Circa readers, off her already very reasonably priced vintage. All you have to do is mention Circa and the code words “Rose Seidler House” when you buy the item. Do not proceed to checkout as Gayle will send you an invoice with the discount!

Here are some cute things she has currently listed:

1960S POLKADOT DRESS SHORTS SET NWT SIZE MEDIUM

1950′S BLUE SATIN BULLET BRA NEW WITH TAG SIZE 40 BUST

1960′S HOT PANTS AND DRESS SET NEVER WORN SIZE X-SMALL

Shop at Sewing machine girl’s etsy store. Remember the code words and wait for the invoice before paying! This offer will run until midnight this Sunday, eastern Australian time.

A new product line has arrived – pure nylon black seamed stockings from UK company Kiss Me Deadly.

These are similar to original vintage stockings, and have little stretch – so are available in five sizes, three of which are currently in stock (sizes 1, 3 and 4).

Stocking-loving ladies, if you’d like to pop in and tell us what you think of them, it will encourage me to order more and (when they’re available) stock the full range of sizes.

The stockings go particularly well with the Van Doren suspender belt, available at Circa in black or white – and yes, that is an excuse for another lovely shot of Morgana, my favourite lingerie model, in her vintage peignoir (looks ’40s to me, very nice).

All photographs reproduced with the kind permission of Kiss Me Deadly.

We’re slowly expanding our Kiss Me Deadly range of beautiful vintage-inspired lingerie.

Just in – more of the gorgeous and popular black six strap garter belt. Six straps to hold your seams nice and straight – you’ll find them strong and comfortable and wonder how you ever got by without one. Available in small, medium, large and extra large for $68.

New to Circa we now have black Alouette waist cinchers in small, medium and large ($120) and a small number of Vargas Girdle dresses ($145). Catherine from KMD tells me that we’re currently the only retailer in Australia stocking these lines and you best be fast – the first girdle dress was snapped up before they were even ticketed. I’ll be ordering more, but the full range of sizes won’t be in until October.

Here are some lovely images courtesy Kiss Me Deadly.

The way we wear clothes has changed a lot in the last few decades, in particular with regards to underwear and accessories – the overall casualisation of clothing isn’t always a good thing, I think.

Vintage clothes were designed to look their best with vintage foundation garments – these days, you don’t have to strap yourself into corsetry, suspender belts or girdles unless you want to, but we can all benefit from the goodness that is a decent petticoat.

Our grandmothers understood it well: a nice petticoat will make your clothing fit and look better as well as add to your comfort. It also makes dressing more of an occasion – walking around whilst you get ready of a morning (or any time you change outfits) is easier and more glamourous whilst wearing the equivalent of a sexy, sultry slip of slightly sheer fabric that covers and enhances your assets. After all, has Liz Taylor ever looked better than she did in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof or Butterfield 8?

Circa is currently closed so I can’t show you any of our beauties, instead here are some lovely examples from other vintage shops: far too nice to be limited to your boudoir, many will happily double as evening frocks, especially for the hot summer nights ahead.

Clicking on each image will take you to the full size version (and believe me, they look much better in full size) and there is a link below each that will take you to each shop for more information. All photos remain the property of their respective websites.

Stockings and suspenders are an essential part of creating a vintage look for a modern gal, but even Dita can’t duplicate the saucy elegance of old photos and the irreverent look of an immoral woman.

Beneath the cut are some of my favourite pics, collected over the years from assorted Livejournal communities. Dating from the Edwardian era to the early 1960s, all are work-safe: containing luscious thighs and scanties but no actual nudity….many were exceedingly racy back in the day and many are fetishistic: then as now. I’ve displayed them roughly in era order, so you can observe the different approaches (and increased raunchiness) as we go.

A good friend mentioned that her husband enjoyed a post I once wrote about vintage stockings…so Chris, this one is for you and also for the rest of us who hanker for a bit of vintage sexy-style glamour – the best sort.

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