Item HT 23639 Girdle - Leethems Twilfit Ltd, Model 400, Pink, circa 1940-1960

Summary

Alternative Name(s): Corset

Pink girdle. Two rows of fasteners, one down front, one down the back. Twilfit model 400, made in England by Leethems (Twilfit) Limited, Portsmouth, circa 1940-1960.

The girdle belonged to Freda Emma McDonald, grandmother of the donor. Freda was born around 1905, and grew up and lived all her life in the Williamstown/Newport area, including 60 years in the same house. Her family ran boats that delivered mail and doctors to ships visiting Melbourne. She married and had two children - a boy and a girl, the donor's mother. Her husband worked in the family boat business, but fell on hard times during the 1930s Depression, and left the family for two years, seeking work. Freda tended to be a hoarder and was something of a character. When she passed away in 2003, the family found much accumulated material, including corsets and a fox fur.

Physical Description

Pink girdle. Two rows of fasteners, one down front, one down the back. Front (opening) row consists of metal hooks (the upper lower hooks loop over studs; the lower four over eyes); and back row is laced, with pink-coloured cord looped through metal eyes. Four suspender hooks on fabric (perhaps was originally elastic), with plastic fittings that hook into metal loops. Boned. Some staining, particularly around waist; discoloured. Some repairs.

Significance

Twilfit girdles and corsets were made in Portsmouth, England. From 1921, they were advertised for sale in The Argus (eg. 14 May 1921). Their Australian agent was located at 233-5 Nelson House, Clarence Street, Sydney. In 1923-1924 The Argus was regularly printing display advertisements for Twilfit corsets. They were boasted to be 'British made throughout'.

The business was incorporated 05-10-1928, and made its last return in 2006. It is now dissolved.