Hosiers Collection

Lysistrata and his allies defending the access of the acropolis to men by farts, 1896 (litho)
AIS5356057 Lysistrata and his allies defending the access of the acropolis to men by farts, 1896 (litho) by Beardsley, Aubrey (1872-98); 32x25 cm; (add.info)

Silk lace petticoat, given by Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) as a wedding gift to Frances Nisbet (1761-1831)
MMM5468858 Silk lace petticoat, given by Horatio Nelson (1758-1805) as a wedding gift to Frances Nisbet (1761-1831), 1787 (silk lace); National Maritime Museum, London

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637070 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girls with clasp-fastened chitons; the upper part is doubled over)

Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho)
8669797 Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Game of the Garter. Doll's alphabet. Imaging of Pont-a-Mousson by Louis Vagne, c.1900 (lithograph)
DUV4201761 Game of the Garter. Doll's alphabet. Imaging of Pont-a-Mousson by Louis Vagne, c.1900 (lithograph); 31.5x24.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Duvallon

Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Loire-Inferieure (colour litho)
8677224 Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Loire-Inferieure (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Batz-sur-Mer)

Messrs Symmons Brothers, General Drapers, Hosiers, Silk Mercers, Ladies, Gentlemen's and Children's Outfitters
8648200 Messrs Symmons Brothers, General Drapers, Hosiers, Silk Mercers, Ladies, Gentlemen's and Children's Outfitters, "The Louvre, " 11, 12 and 13a, Fitzjohn's Promenade

High tide (colour litho)
8656478 High tide (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: High tide. Woman showing her bloomers while paddling in the sea)

Come along, John! I can show you something better at home! (coloured photo)
8656437 Come along, John! I can show you something better at home! (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Come along, John)

Smiling young girl in her underwear (coloured photo)
8655868 Smiling young girl in her underwear (coloured photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Smiling young girl in her underwear)

Woman dressing (chromolitho)
8677572 Woman dressing (chromolitho) by American School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Woman dressing. Cigar box label.); Look and Learn / Barbara Loe Collection

Invoice from Henderson & Greig, hosiers and glovers, Edinburgh, 1832 (engraving)
8677425 Invoice from Henderson & Greig, hosiers and glovers, Edinburgh, 1832 (engraving) by Scottish School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Invoice from Henderson & Greig)

Women living in the East End of London, making knitted stockings and mittens, 1869
3478870 Women living in the East End of London, making knitted stockings and mittens, 1869; (add.info.: Two elderly women living in the East End of London)

Advertisement for Vedonis Underwear for Women and Children, 1937 (b/w photo)
8634425 Advertisement for Vedonis Underwear for Women and Children, 1937 (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Loire-Inferieure (colour litho)
8677220 Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Loire-Inferieure (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Men's costume of Bourg de Batz, Batz-sur-Mer)

Displacement and compression of a woman's internal organs by the wearing of a corset (coloured engraving)
8655757 Displacement and compression of a woman's internal organs by the wearing of a corset (coloured engraving) by French School

The King's Colour (colour photo)
8668588 The King's Colour (colour photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The King's Colour)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637071 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girls with clasp-fastened chitons; the upper part is doubled over)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637131 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: a. Torso of Athene)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637111 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hygeia with himation or cloak partly twisted round the body as a girdle)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637107 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Demeter (Ceres) with himation or peplos partly twisted round the body as a girdle

Half naked woman performing exercises (coloured photo)
8655958 Half naked woman performing exercises (coloured photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The physical awakening. Half naked woman performing exercises)

Blindfolded man and a woman in the bedroom (coloured photo)
8655950 Blindfolded man and a woman in the bedroom (coloured photo) by French Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Blindfolded man and a woman in the bedroom)

Page of advertisements, 1882 (engraving)
8627196 Page of advertisements, 1882 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page of advertisements, 1882)

Bedroom scene (colour litho)
8656628 Bedroom scene (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bedroom scene. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

I'm trying to make ends meet (colour litho)
8656507 I'm trying to make ends meet (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Advertisement for Southalls sanitary products, 1937 (litho)
8634868 Advertisement for Southalls sanitary products, 1937 (litho) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Advertisement for Southalls sanitary products, 1937)

Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho)
8637072 Ancient Greek Female Costume (litho) by Smith, John Moyr (1839-1912); Private Collection; (add.info.: Girls with clasp-fastened chitons; the upper part is doubled over)

"I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes" (colour litho)
8631993 "I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty minutes" (colour litho) by Appleton, Honor Charlotte (1879-1951); Private Collection; (add.info)

Donald, you should look the other way when a lady's dressin'! (colour litho)
8656535 Donald, you should look the other way when a lady's dressin'! (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "Donald)

"That's a Nice Take-off, Claude" - "Absolutely Perfect, Old Boy" (colour litho)
8656942 "That's a Nice Take-off, Claude" - "Absolutely Perfect, Old Boy" (colour litho) by English School

It's as good as being married! (colour litho)
8656617 It's as good as being married! (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: "It's as good as being married)

Maid and a flea (colour litho)
8655949 Maid and a flea (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Maid and a flea. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho)
8669656 Page from Gamage's General Catalogue (96th edition), c.1927 (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Advertising card for Reliance corsets (colour litho)
8677729 Advertising card for Reliance corsets (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

An Early Hun Raid (litho)
8661064 An Early Hun Raid (litho) by Wright, Henry Charles Seppings (1850-1937); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Early Hun Raid)

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Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen)
7316835 Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen) by European School, (18th century); Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen)
7316832 Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen) by European School, (18th century); Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen)
7316828 Corset, 1740-60 (woollen damask & linen) by European School, (18th century); Manchester Art Gallery, UK; © Manchester Art Gallery

Women Sewing, c. 1920 (b/w photo)
1738623 Women Sewing, c.1920 (b/w photo) by French Photographer (20th century); (add.info.: Lingeres around 1920 Women sewing lingerie)

Messalina coming out of the bath, 19th century (illustration)
AIS5356038 Messalina coming out of the bath, 19th century (illustration) by Beardsley, Aubrey (1872-98); (add.info.: "Messalina (25-48 A.D)

David H. Young examining Cotton Stocking, Washington DC, USA, 1941 (b/w photo)
5974361 David H. Young examining Cotton Stocking, Washington DC, USA, 1941 (b/w photo) by Harris & Ewing (1905-45); Private Collection; (add.info.: David H)

A Young Woman putting on her stockings, c. 1890 (drypoint & etching on parchment)
7332031 A Young Woman putting on her stockings, c.1890 (drypoint & etching on parchment) by Boldini, Giovanni (1842-1931); Museo Boldini, Ferrara

Advertisement for corsets and undergarments, from the Comptoir des Cache-Corsets, c. 1900 (engraving) (b/w photo)
CHT173509 Advertisement for corsets and undergarments, from the Comptoir des Cache-Corsets, c.1900 (engraving) (b/w photo) by French School, (20th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Advertisements for corsets and undergarments, from the Bon Marche catalogue, before 1914 (engraving) (b/w photo)
CHT173513 Advertisements for corsets and undergarments, from the Bon Marche catalogue, before 1914 (engraving) (b/w photo) by French School, (20th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

French whalebone corsetry, plate 24 from the first volume of the Dictionnaire du Costume, c. 1900 (colour litho)
CHT173079 French whalebone corsetry, plate 24 from the first volume of the Dictionnaire du Costume, c.1900 (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

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"Hosiers: A Journey Through Fashion and Femininity" Step back in time with us as we explore the fascinating world of hosiers, a crucial aspect of women's fashion throughout history. From Richard Hunt & Co's captivating advertisement to intricate corsets made from woollen damask and linen, these garments have left an indelible mark on our sartorial heritage. In the 18th century, corsets were not only fashionable but also served as symbols of femininity and social status. The exquisite Corset from 1740-60, crafted with meticulous detail using luxurious materials like woolen damask and linen, exemplifies the artistry behind this undergarment. Fast forward to the early 20th century when postcards featuring women in their underwear became popular. One such intriguing postcard from around 1910 captures a lying woman exuding confidence and allure. These images challenged societal norms while celebrating female sensuality. The image of women sewing in black-and-white photographs from the 1920s transports us into an era where stockings played a significant role in everyday life. As they meticulously stitched each thread together, these skilled seamstresses contributed to shaping fashion trends that endure till today. Delving deeper into history reveals surprising anecdotes surrounding hosiery. In a lithograph titled "Lysistrata, " we witness how even ancient Greek comedies used farts as comedic defense mechanisms for women protecting their access to the acropolis against men. Such unconventional methods highlight society's complex relationship with gender dynamics throughout time. Moving ahead to more recent times, David H. Young's photograph taken in Washington DC during World War II showcases his examination of cotton stockings—an essential item during rationing periods when nylon was scarce due to wartime demand. This image serves as a reminder of how clothing choices can be influenced by historical events. Finally, an enchanting drypoint etching on parchment portrays a young woman putting on her stockings in the late 19th century.