Bare Essentials

19 magazine, 1970s, Abecita, barbara hulanicki, Barbara Hulanicki, che guevara, Derber, Fenwick, Harri Peccinotti, Inspirational Images, janet reger, lingerie, mary quant, platforms, Sacha, shoes, universal witness, Vintage Editorials
Orange and white spotted bra and pants by Mary Quant. Blue leather shoes with sequin encrusted heels and platforms from Derber. / Blue and white spotted bra and pants set by Mary Quant. Black and white spotted peeptoe shoes from Biba. Black patent leather shoes covered with fake diamonds and silver leather shoes with silver sequins on heels and platforms, both by Derber. Blue felt hat with embroidered flower from Universal Witness.

Your poor old great grandma used to wear corsets with lots of complicated lacing and back-piercing whale bones! Fortunately for you, such constricting garments are history, and the accent is now on complete and utter freedom. In fact, you could say underwear has become a second skin – and we prove our point with the following…

It’s nice to know that Harri Peccinotti still has the capacity to blow me away with a new-old photoshoot. Of course, insanely high and sparkly platform shoes and silky underwear plays a large part in that, but the mood he captures is second to none. I wonder if I will ever not believe that this aesthetic is the ultimate?

Photographed by Peccinotti.

Scanned from 19 Magazine, April 1973.

Green silk shorts with leaf print by Janet Reger (matching bra not shown). Blue metallic platform peep toe shoes with silver spot trim by Sacha. / Cream crepe de chine bra and pants, with pink and green cloud print pattern, by Janet Reger. Suede ‘Forties’ platform shoes with beaded sides by Terry de Havilland.
Green, yellow and pale orange striped bra and pants set by Abecita of Sweden. / Gold halter neck bra and shorts set by Abecita of Sweden. Blue felt hat from Universal Witness. Knee socks from Che Guevara.
Both sets by Abecita of Sweden.
Both sets from Fenwick.

They’re a knock-out

1970s, Abecita, bill klein, City Lights, Inspirational Images, janet reger, lingerie, petticoat magazine, platforms, Tommy Roberts, underwear, Vintage Editorials

How does a really cool lady knock spots off the opposition? Sneakily. She discards her vibrant purples and blacks, climbs sweetly into pure white undies and, as innocently as a schoolgirl, demolishes all resistance.

While this editorial can’t quite work out how regressive or feminist it wants to be, I cannot fault the pom-pom platform shoes which are all by City Lights Studio (aka post-Mr Freedom Tommy Roberts and far too short-lived). I would definitely karate chop for those babies.

Photographed by Bill Klein.

Photographed at Pickett’s Lock Recreation Centre.

Scanned from Petticoat, December 1973

Left: Lacy bra and pants by Abecita. Right: Boxer pants and nylon and lycra bra from Marks & Spencer.
Left: Vest and knickers from Marks & Spencer Right: Cami-knickers and bra by Janet Reger.
Left: Boxer pants and vest by Marks & Spencer Right: Bra and pants by Abecita.

Sweethearts

19 magazine, 1970s, Abecita, bus stop, Fenwick, Illustrations, janet reger, michael roberts, Titfers, Uncategorized, underwear

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Never had any nice undies? Then we’ve picked out a few, Of the best that are new, To do you from Mondays to Sundays.

Illustrations by Michael Roberts.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, April 1971.

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Next time you take off your clothes

1970s, Abecita, Adrian Mann, Berlei, Etam, Inspirational Images, janet reger, Jean Claude Volpeliere, lingerie, Madeleine Foundations, Marks and Spencer, She Magazine, underwear, Vintage Editorials

next-time-you-take-off-your-clothes-jean-claude-volpeliere-she-november-1970-2

The Black Arts: To keep you cool, at least, ,the newest version of the trad sexy look and black is still a winner – with see-through ‘n’ stripes. The set, less than a handful when taken off, is by Madeleine Foundations.Cobweb shawl by Bellino. Golden chain by Adrien Mann

…will your undies do you proud? Here are some sweet nothings to take his fancy.

There is nothing quite like Seventies underwear, especially Janet Reger, and this shoot is one of the best I’ve ever seen. From the model to the hair to the make-up to the styling…

Photographed by Jean-Claude Volpeliere.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from She magazine, November 1970.

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A little curve goes a long way: Purists’ purple silken set for a luxury touch. Push up bra is pre-formed and underwired. Hold you tightly waspie, laced and lightly boned, swing out rustling midi half-slip. All by Janet Reger. Tights by Quant. Plastic snake armband by Adrien Mann.

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Booby trap Flowers are the only sure cover in this hardly-there veil of white. Nestle in this uncrushable bra-slip that’s looped with elastic at the top by Madeleine Foundations. Bare necessity briefs of stretch lace from Etam.

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Build your love on a fine foundation: Soft and gentle set – new nude see-you-through shimmer bra and panties with stretchable lace cuffs by Abecita. Butterfly brooch by Adrien Mann.

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News in brief: Don’t take any chances… Win his heart in these tiniest of compliments: brightly flowered pants of slightly stretch fabric, Marks and Spencer. Push up bra to have and to hold, Berlei.

Can-Can

19 magazine, 1970s, Abecita, lingerie, Vintage Adverts

abecita-may-75

Can-Can is a real shocking discovery.

Advert for Abecita. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, May 1975.

Turn the heat on

1970s, Abecita, caroline smith, flair magazine, Illustrations, margit brandt, Marks and Spencer, mary quant, Simpson of Piccadilly, underwear

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Clockwise from top left: Wolsey, Brettles, Margit Brant, Wolsey, Abecita, Mary Quant.

It’s an accomplished fact that the warmest way to hibernate starts right next to your skin. Here, then, are some of the hottest bare body coverings – Short-johns, mid-johns, long-johns, vests, bodytops and a petticoat to wear under everything else, plus the cosiest nightie on the market.

Fabrics vary from wool to cotton jersey, man-mades and mixtures, all good old favourites that have proved their insulation properties over past winters. These hibernation undies are all warm investments and most of them glamorous enough to want to show off. Long-johns and mid-johns are staging a comeback as circulation increases: wear them rolled up, if you like, over tights, under socks. Pile them on to beat the winter.

Illustrations by Caroline Smith.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Flair, December 1971.

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Left to right: Medico at Simpsons, Mary Quant, Marks & Spencer, Brettle, Mary Quant and Wolsey.

Haven’t got a thing to wear…

1970s, Abecita, barbara hulanicki, Barbara Hulanicki, biba, chelsea cobbler, cosmopolitan, Fenwick, Gossard, hand tinting, Inspirational Images, james wedge, janet reger, let it rock, Liz Smith, Malcolm McLaren, manolo blahnik, terry de havilland, Vintage Editorials, vivienne westwood, zapata

havent-got-a-thing-to-wear-cosmo-january-1975-james-wedge-1

The leopard cannot change his spots, And that’s the fix I’m in, So come an sit by me, my love, For some highly original skin. <<<<<<>>>>>> Fake-fur bikini and bangles from Biba. Boots by The Chelsea Cobbler.

Don’t give up – this could be the year when what goes on underneath could be your major investment.

Another extraordinary example of James Wedge’s wonderful work in the art of hand-tinting and further adventures in the world of Seventies-does-Fifties-pin up. Notable for including shoes and a petticoat from ‘Let It Rock’ which was Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s first shop in the Kings Road. The influence of rock and roll on and crossover between both glam rock and punk is perfectly encapsulated in this editorial, right slap bang in the middle of the Seventies.

Fashion by Liz Smith. Photographs by James Wedge.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Cosmopolitan, January 1975.

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When I’m awakened from my slumber It does seem rather mean – It’s always the wrong number and never Steve McQueen. <<<<<<>>>>>> Satin bra and panties from Biba.

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Watch out for life’s banana skins, And wear your prettiest slip, So you can say to passing men “I did enjoy my trip”. <<<<<<>>>>>> Bra by Gossard. Petticoat and stilettos from Let It Rock.

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When I went in for Crufts with my doggy, I didn’t know how it would go, But it proves the importance of grooming – We’ve been voted the best in the show! <<<<<<>>>>>> Corselette by Janet Reger. Scarf from Femina Furs. Gloves and hat by Biba.

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A girl can’t have too many furs, They give her an inner glow. But when it omes to trapping them How fur should a nice girl go? <<<<<<>>>>>> Bra, panties and suspender belt from Fenwick. Cape by Femina Furs. Mules from The Chelsea Cobbler.

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If you watch the girls men watch, You’ll see, The girls they watch watch their weight like me. // Look me over closely, Tell me what you see. But if you kiss and tell, you rat, I’ll swear it wasn’t me. <<<<<<>>>>>> Essences camisole. Shoes by Terry de Havilland. Nightgown by Finewear. Shoes by Zapata.

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A birthday gift for me, my dear? Come in and close the door. I do like them sending my presents, With a man from Securicor. <<<<<<>>>>>> Nightie and pantie set from Dorothy Perkins.

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Men used to say I was forward, But I’ll tell you this, for a fact: Since I chose to look pure, and a little demure, I simply haven’t looked back. <<<<<<>>>>>> Abecita body stocking. Negligee by Martin Emprex. Glove and bag from Biba. Shoes by Let It Rock.

Vintage Adverts: Meet your Swedish Playmate

1970s, Abecita, Inspirational Images, mild sauce, vanity fair, Vintage Adverts

abecita advert vanity fair april 72

Abecita advert scanned by Miss Peelpants from Vanity Fair, April 1972

Inspirational Images: Ironing in your undies

1970s, Abecita, Dorothy Perkins, Gossard, Inspirational Images, margit brandt, Marks and Spencer, steven hiett, underwear, Vintage Editorials, Warners

Left by Gossard. Right by Marks and Spencer.

A Little More Than Nothing

I must confess that I often find myself ironing in my underwear. Likewise cooking and cleaning. Seems a shame to get things dirty and creased, or myself all hot and bothered, whilst doing household chores. I fear this ‘outs’ me as rather anally retentive as far as clothes are concerned but, I don’t imagine it comes as much of a surprise to anyone.

The other thing with ironing is that I am often ironing a particular outfit at the last minute (having changed my mind fifteen times already…) and it needs to be instantly yanked on while I fly out of the door (having checked twenty times that the iron is turned off. Yes, I am also OCD). So I smiled a smile of familiarity when I saw these gorgeous photographs by Steve Hiett for Flair Magazine.

As always, Seventies undies completely trump all modern underwear as far as I am concerned…

Photographed by Steve Hiett. Scanned from Flair, August 1972

Left by Margit Brandt for Femilet. Right by Warners.

Left by Abecita. Right by Dorothy Perkins.