Underwear

Nina-Fay Foundations, Inc.

1942 · cotton, plastic, synthetic · Costume Institute

After the United States entered World War II in 1941, companies began to experiment with various materials in anticipation of rationing and shortages. This example is a prototype from Nina-Fay Foundations, which uses plastic for closures and stays instead of the usual metal. Although metal was not ultimately rationed, the company was experimenting with alternatives to metal zippers and hooks in the event that it was needed for the war effort.

Artist

Nina-Fay Foundations, Inc.

Date

1942

Medium

cotton, plastic, synthetic

Culture

American

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Nina-Fay Foundations, Inc., 1942