Was Black Lingerie Popular in the 1950s?

In everyday fashion, black lingerie wasn’t common during the 1950s. Most women favoured soft pastels, tea rose florals, and nude tones for their foundation garments and nightwear. However, black lingerie was embraced by the bolder, more daring icons of the time—most famously fetish and burlesque stars like Bettie Page and Tempest Storm. Today, black is by far the most popular lingerie colour, with our Maitresse range leading the way for vintage-inspired glamour.

Why Is Black 1950s Lingerie So Popular Today?

While black wasn’t the go-to colour for everyday lingerie in the 1950s, it has become the most loved shade for modern vintage-inspired styles. It’s timeless, versatile, and effortlessly elegant, pairing beautifully with both retro and contemporary wardrobes. Our black 1950s lingerie designs in the Maitresse collection capture mid-century silhouettes while offering a sophisticated colour that feels just as relevant today.

Did 1950s Icons Wear Black Lingerie?

Yes—while black lingerie wasn’t typically worn as everyday foundation wear, it was popular with fashion-forward women, actresses, models, and movie stars. Many mid-century icons favoured dramatic black pieces for photoshoots, films, and special occasions, helping cement black lingerie as a symbol of glamour and allure. Even Marilyn Monroe’s black bullet bra recently sold for nearly $3,000, proving the enduring appeal of these show-stopping styles. Our 1950s black satin lingerie draws inspiration from those starlet looks, reimagined for effortless wear today.

Maitresse Black 1950s Lingerie

Our Maitresse collection brings together the distinctive shapes of 1950s lingerie in classic black satin and powermesh. From our original Maitresse Bullet Bra, a What Katie Did favourite since 2004, to six-strap suspender belts, girdles and matching knickers, the range is designed for those who appreciate authentic vintage styling without sacrificing everyday practicality.

More than twenty years after its introduction, Maitresse remains one of our signature collections, with coordinating pieces designed to work together or mix effortlessly with the rest of your lingerie wardrobe.

Maitresse: The Details Behind Our Black 1950s Lingerie

First introduced in 2004, Maitresse is one of What Katie Did's longest-running lingerie collections. Inspired by original 1950s designs, the range combines glossy black satin with sheer powermesh, recreating the distinctive shapes and construction details of mid-century lingerie. More than twenty years later, these designs remain firm favourites with vintage enthusiasts, burlesque performers and anyone who appreciates beautifully constructed lingerie.

The Original Maitresse Bullet Bra

At the heart of the collection is our Maitresse Bullet Bra. Its non-wired, soft-cup construction creates the unmistakable pointed silhouette associated with 1950s fashion, using carefully shaped cups rather than moulded padding. It's a particularly good choice for wearing beneath original vintage clothing or modern garments cut to accommodate a more pronounced bustline.

Suspender Belts, Girdles and Knickers

Our Maitresse Suspender Belts come in two styles, both featuring six adjustable straps with sturdy metal clips. The wider belt offers more coverage around the waist and hips, while the narrow version is ideal if you prefer a less substantial style. Both are designed to hold stockings securely throughout the day, rather than simply looking decorative.

For those who prefer a little shaping, the Maitresse Girdlette combines stretchy powermesh with satin detailing to gently smooth the hips and tummy. Its pull-on construction avoids bulky hook-and-eye fastenings.

The coordinating knickers offer three quite different silhouettes: high-waisted knickers for vintage coverage and light control, 1960s Little Knickers for a lower rise, and a satin thong for a more contemporary finish. Our team can help if you are between sizes or unsure which shape will suit you.

Designed to Last

Maitresse is made by our long-established manufacturing partners, with skilled machinists who have worked on What Katie Did lingerie for more than two decades. The collection's enduring popularity is a lovely reminder that good design doesn't need reinventing every season.

Complete your look with our Seamed Stockings, or mix your Maitresse pieces with other What Katie Did favourites.

For everyday practicality, wearing your knickers over the suspender straps allows you to remove them without unfastening your stockings.

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