Classic Lingerie & Foundations
1 / 15From girdles to pantyhose, test your knowledge of the undergarments that shaped mid-century fashion!
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
What restrictive undergarment, worn by nearly every woman in the 1950s, was designed to flatten the stomach and smooth the hips?
About Classic Lingerie & Foundations
From girdles to pantyhose, test your knowledge of the undergarments that shaped mid-century fashion! Classic Lingerie & Foundations packs 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 12 easy, 3 medium questions into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.
A few sample questions
1. What restrictive undergarment, worn by nearly every woman in the 1950s, was designed to flatten the stomach and smooth the hips?
Answer: Girdle
The girdle was considered an essential undergarment in the 1950s. Nearly every woman wore one, and going without was considered improper.
2. What type of bra, designed to create a dramatic pointed shape, was the standard style in the 1950s?
Answer: Bullet bra
The bullet bra (or torpedo bra) created the distinctive pointed bust silhouette of the 1950s, as seen on stars like Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell.
3. What revolutionary hosiery product, introduced by Glen Raven Mills in 1959, combined panties and stockings into one garment?
Answer: Pantyhose
Pantyhose were introduced in 1959 and became widely popular in the 1960s, gradually replacing stockings and garter belts as the standard leg covering.
4. What accessory was used to hold up women's stockings before pantyhose became popular?
Answer: Garter belt
Garter belts, worn around the waist with attached clips to hold up stockings, were the standard method of keeping stockings up before pantyhose.
5. What full-length undergarment, essentially a dress worn under clothing, was standard in women's wardrobes through the 1960s?
Answer: Full slip
The full slip, a silky garment worn under dresses and skirts, was an essential part of every woman's wardrobe through the 1960s, preventing see-through clothing.
Things you'll learn along the way
- Nylon stockings, introduced by DuPont in 1939, were a sensation. When they first went on sale in 1940, four million pairs sold in just four days.
- During WWII, nylon production was diverted to making parachutes and other military supplies, creating severe shortages and even 'nylon riots' when stockings became available.
- Victoria's Secret, founded by Roy Raymond in 1977, transformed lingerie shopping from embarrassing to glamorous and became a 1980s cultural phenomenon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Classic Lingerie & Foundations free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Classic Lingerie & Foundations — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Classic Lingerie & Foundations take?
Most players finish Classic Lingerie & Foundations in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Classic Lingerie & Foundations?
If you enjoyed this nostalgia trivia quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Classic Lingerie & Foundations?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
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