I often see snaps inside the shoulders of vintage dresses - both parts, often hooked together with a little string. Is this some earlier way of allowing you to secure the dress on a hanger? ...or is it a sign that there used to be some undergarment that would have been snapped in? Thought I'd finally ask since I've been curious about it for so long.
Generally, they were used for sleeveless garments; however, better garments with sleeves often have them. They are called lingerie guards and they hold the undergarment straps--bras and slips in place. In addition to thread, the lingerie guards can be made of ribbon, seam binding, or lining.
Thank you! I thought it might be for some reason like that. I can't say I've seen them on any modern dress, but definitely some from the 30s to the 80s.
I used to have a Nine West dress - purchased 2009 - that had them too. At haberdasheries here you can still buy ready-made ones to sew in to garments. Very handy. I have a few vintage dresses that have them, and some where I added them because I hated my bra straps to show. It also helps to keep the dress in the right place on the shoulders and dress straps from slipping. Works both ways!
