Marks and Spencer

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
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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.

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.

Inspirational Editorials: Pin-up Parade

19 magazine, 1970s, biba, british boutique movement, Inspirational Images, james wedge, Marks and Spencer, miss mouse, swimwear, Wiki
Swimsuit by Miss Mouse

Swimsuit with cigarette packet print by Miss Mouse. Hat from a selection at Nostalgia. Black suede stilettos from Biba.

I have waxed lyrical on the wonders of James Wedge many times before. I’ve even waxed lyrical specifically on the subject of his version of pin-up photography and how it is vastly superior to the current swathe of poorly executed pin-up and burlesque photography. So I need not repeat myself too much. Suffice it to say, this man was looking backwards to a mere twenty/thirty years beforehand, at a time when this was still all generally considered to be rather naff and – also – an affront to the cause of feminism. He was creating images like this, in his darkroom. By hand. By trial and error. No going back if you cock it all up. No ‘vintage’ movement to motivate him. I certainly consider him to be more artist than mere fashion photographer.

Photographed (and hand-painted) by James Wedge. Scanned by Miss Peelpants from 19 Magazine, May 1974.

Swimsuit by

Swimsuit by Wiki. Swansdown powder-puff from Biba.

Swimsuit by

Swimsuit by Wiki. Red flower from Biba.

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Red and white top with matching shorts by Miss Mouse. Towelling beach tobe from Marks and Spencer.

Vintage Adverts: Twiggy Bank

1960s, Herbert Johnson, Honey Magazine, Marks and Spencer, ossie clark, Slimma, twiggy, Vintage Adverts
Trouser suit by Slimma Group One, hat by Herbert Johnson, gloves by Marks and Spencer, 'Compact' bicycle by Raleigh, cheque book by District Bank

Trouser suit by Slimma Group One, beret by Herbert Johnson, bag by Medway Bagagerie, gloves by Marks and Spencer, ‘Compact’ bicycle by Raleigh, cheque book by District Bank.

I simply could not resist that pun. No apologies. I feel almost nostalgic about cheques these days, even though they are [comparatively] a pain in the bum.

Scanned by Miss Peelpants from Honey, September 1966

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.