Intimate Style: The Lingerie of the Duchess of Windsor
© Kerry Taylor Auctions
Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, was known for her meticulously curated style, and that sophistication extended beyond her public wardrobe into her intimate apparel.
he intimate garments of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor, carry rich historical and cultural significance, both as part of her personal story and within the broader context of fashion history. Firstly, these pieces offer a glimpse into the private life of one of the 20th century’s most intriguing women. Wallis’s lingerie – seldom seen in her lifetime – became artifacts that confirm the legends of her fastidiousness and charm.
As Kerry Taylor Auctions remarked when several of the Duchess’ lingerie items were sold in 2011, they provide an intimation of the Duchess’ “sensuousness and secret allure”. The fact that collectors eagerly bid on her silk nightdresses and accessories decades later speaks to the enduring fascination with Wallis and how she curated her image. These garments are imbued with the narrative of a woman for whom a king gave up his throne – a narrative where seduction, style, and status all intertwine.
Three surviving lingerie pieces—a 1930s silk nightdress from around her wedding, a 1940s-50s red chiffon ensemble, and a pink silk chiffon nightgown lined with black Chantilly lace—offer a rare glimpse into the private world of a woman who saw fashion as an extension of self.
© Kerry Taylor Auctions
1930s: Bias-Cut Silk & Bridal Elegance
The pale silk nightdress, believed to be from the late 1930s, embodies the era’s preference for luxurious, fluid silhouettes. Cut on the bias for an effortlessly draped fit, it is delicately embroidered with a subtle lattice design and trimmed with fine lace. This style, synonymous with Old Hollywood glamour, was favored by high-society women who saw lingerie as just as important as their outerwear. Wallis, whose trousseau was designed by Mainbocher, likely sourced pieces of this quality from couture ateliers or luxury lingerie houses. The choice of soft hues—tea rose, ivory, or champagne—aligned with the romantic aesthetic of bridal nightwear, reinforcing the idea that elegance started from the inside out.
Late 1930s: Pink Silk Chiffon & the Exile Years
Wallis wore a pink silk chiffon nightgown lined with black Chantilly lace while in exile in France with Edward after he abdicated the throne in 1936. The striking contrast of delicate pink silk against jet-black lace embodied both her refined sensuality and the tension of her newfound status. The gown’s bias cut, low-cut back, and lace-edged hem reflect the craftsmanship of leading Parisian lingerie makers like Cadolle or Carine Gilson, specialists in intimate couture. This piece represents a time of transition—Wallis was no longer merely a stylish socialite but the woman for whom a king gave up his throne, making even her most private garments part of a historic love story.
© Kerry Taylor Auctions
1940s-50s: Scarlet Chiffon & Boudoir Drama
In contrast to the delicate pastels of the 1930s, Wallis’s red chiffon nightgown with a matching cape from the late 1940s or early 1950s exudes confidence and theatricality. Lingerie in this era moved from wartime austerity to glamour, favoring dramatic layers, embellishments, and sensual silhouettes. The Honiton lace appliqué and sheer fabric point to high-end craftsmanship, likely from Parisian couture lingerie houses such as Cadolle. Red was an unusual but deliberate choice—often associated with seduction, it could be seen as Wallis reclaiming the "scarlet woman" label that had long followed her.
The Duchess was meticulous about her appearance, ensuring that even her most intimate garments reflected her impeccable taste. Her nightdresses trace the evolution of lingerie from the ethereal silk slips of the 1930s to the coordinated, statement-making peignoirs of the post-war years, reinforcing the idea that style is not just about what the world sees—it is also about how one feels.
Her lingerie collection reveals more than just fabric and lace; it tells a story of transformation, love, and reinvention. Whether in bridal silks, dramatic chiffons, or Parisian lace, Wallis Simpson understood that fashion was more than adornment—it was identity.
