A 20\'s....what? Hello everyone! thought I'd share something I found a while ago, before you scroll down try and guess what it is! When i first found it I wasn't sure... couldn't be a chocker, as it didnt have a fastening and was too small to fit over the head, ditto on being a hairband... I couldn't fingure it out. I went back to it a couple of weeks later and discovred something.... The decrative beaded main section turned out to be a pouch, and inside the pouch was a... Powder puff! A squashed one, but a powder puff all the same. I'd found a garter! Why i didn't think of a garter first I'm not sure! I just wondered how unusual it was, and if anyone had discovered similar surprises in any garters they'd found. I'm assuming 20's, on the date. Can't you just imagine a 20's girl provocativly reaching for her garter to powder her nose? :spin:
The powder puff is not to powder her nose -- its to powder her knees - or to rouge them actually. You could buy rouge as a powder or as a grease base, like lipstick, at the time.
Oh my gosh, I knew of the practice, but I have never before seen one of these. Rosine, thank you for posting the photos of the garter!
Ohhh, that is just delightful! I am happy that Jonathan mentioned the function, as I never would have guessed that it was used for that--and why did they DO that? I, too, have a 1920s item that I have enjoyed for a couple of years and that has a tiny puff, too. The opposite side is a hinged vial, presumably for a fragrance. What fun that era must have been...
I suspect the reaons they rouged their knees was to bring attention to them when sitting or dancing, when the knee would be exposed. Stockings would be rolled to under the knee and the dress would cover the tops of the stockings (the dresses were never above the knee in the 20s) However, when dancing or sitting, the dress would ride up, exposing the knees, so the rouge would bring attention to that bareness the same way a belly button ring would bring attention to the navel in a top that rode up when the wearer moved about or lifted her arms. Peek-a-boo is ALWAYS more sexy than blatant.
Hmmmm...yes...and now that I think about that, redness usually indicates a flush, or heightened state of (sexual) excitement, doesn't it...
Fascinating thread! (I'll do just about anything to keep my knees under wraps--good thing I wasn't a flapper... ;) ) Thanks for posting your garter pic, Rosine--I've never seen one like it! And Lynne, your "walnut" pendant is just about the coolest 20s vanity item ever...
What an adorable garter! I too have seen these in films and such, but never have found one! Etsy gals - this is a great marketing opportunity for a wedding garter - beaded wedding garters!
That garter is adorable, Rosine! And what an informative thread this is. I always thought I should have been an adult in the 50s--now I think I should have been a flapper girl....
wow! I'd never even thought to ask if the powder puff wasn't for the face, thats fascinating! Makes sense. I never knew there was such a practice, I'm glad i posted the pictures as I would never have thought to look into it. Lynne that trinket is just gorgeous! I love it! thanks for the information marty, it makes for great reading. I shy away from using the word 'flapper' as i think it's over used, and doesn't apply to all it's used to describe, but i think i might allow myself to call it a flappers garter!
Seriously seriously seriously one of the coolest things I've ever seen and one of the coolest threads I've ever read - sweeeet.
My aunt once told me she rouged her knees before she got on the bus for work (and AFTER she was out of the house). Then she slid her skirt up just over the knee to show them off. It was a fad, like any other fad who knows why? Melody
