This is an AMAZING vintage black satin bustier from the 1950's. It is very much like the one Bettie Page wore in the 50's on her bondage photo shoots. I have carefully examined over 50 up close photos of Bettie from that shoot and this bustier is almost an exact match! How cool is that? I wish this fit me!!
The bustier is a glossy, smooth black satin with 9 rows of flexible steel boning sewn underneath the fabric. There are four black stretchy garters attached with silver metal adjusting clips. The garter clips are functioning perfectly and show no distress or wear. The bustier angles down at the sides to a low back with a sturdy black girdle mesh. There are two rows of metal hook-eye closures in back with 5 closures, all original, all functioning perfectly.
The top of the bustier is trimmed in black lace, also in excellent condition. For some reason the black lace showed up 'reddish' in some photos, though it does not look like that in person, it's pure black.
This bustier is in absolutely prestine condition, and is a rare find! Just holding it in my hands and examining it is such a true pleasure - to see how they constructed these fine garments over 60 years ago!
Label inside reads 'Hide-away, US patent 552845, 1830, size 32B, Acetate'. I always take exact measurements though, since you can never really go by the label size with Vintage clothing.
Note that there are two adjustments in back, and also some stretch, so I will include multiple measurements to assure the best fit.
Bustier measures 12 inches long down the center front, 16 1/4 inches mid bust length to the top of the garters.
Bust is difficult to measure perfectly since it is open in the back, though the front across measures 17 inches, double to be a 34" around bust measurement.
The cup size is marked B, though a C cup could definitely fill this out even better. I would not recommend and A cup for this, unless you intend to pad the cups.
Waist measured unstretched at smallest hook-eye setting is 25 1/2" around, will stretch to 27 1/2" around.
Waist measured unstretched at largest hook-eye setting is 26 1/2" around, will stretch to 28 1/2" around.
Bottom hem (hipline) measured unstretched at smallest hook-eye setting is 34" around, will stretch to 36" around.
Bottom hem (hipline) measured unstretched at largest hook-eye setting is 35" around, will stretch to 37" around.