Hi Louise As I remember , swami was a type of lightly ribbed shiny rayon, generally in a light salmon pink. I think the type of nickers you are referring to were called 'scanties' and had short loose legs, generally with lace appliqué etc. My mother used to wear these, but hers were of crepe de chine - quite the thing. Hope this helps. Cheers Noel (a female) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Louise Reynolds" <louise@planetlighting.com> To: <aus-nsw-sydney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 10:25 PM Subject: [ANS] Sorry gentlemen - ladies underwear topic > Hello all, > > Could anyone please tell me about a garment called Swammi, or Swami, > knickers? > > My grandmother, born 1903 would only wear these pink (silk?) knickers, and > my mother had a great deal of trouble finding them as the years went by > (ie, into the 70's and 80's). > > All I can recall is that they were kind of a shiny pink fabric, and loose > legged, a bit like french knickers. > > I would appreciate any feedback. > > Louise > > > Please consider you emails subject line . Is it meaningful ? > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > AUS-NSW-SYDNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Thanks Noel, That sounds exactly like them. Louise ----- Original Message ----- From: "Noel Wilkinson" <jacwil@westnet.com.au> To: <aus-nsw-sydney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 10:54 PM Subject: Re: [ANS] Sorry gentlemen - ladies underwear topic Hi Louise As I remember , swami was a type of lightly ribbed shiny rayon, generally in a light salmon pink. I think the type of nickers you are referring to were called 'scanties' and had short loose legs, generally with lace appliqué etc. My mother used to wear these, but hers were of crepe de chine - quite the thing. Hope this helps. Cheers Noel (a female) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Louise Reynolds" <louise@planetlighting.com> To: <aus-nsw-sydney@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 10:25 PM Subject: [ANS] Sorry gentlemen - ladies underwear topic > Hello all, > > Could anyone please tell me about a garment called Swammi, or Swami, > knickers? > > My grandmother, born 1903 would only wear these pink (silk?) knickers, and > my mother had a great deal of trouble finding them as the years went by > (ie, into the 70's and 80's). > > All I can recall is that they were kind of a shiny pink fabric, and loose > legged, a bit like french knickers. > > I would appreciate any feedback. > > Louise > > > Please consider you emails subject line . Is it meaningful ? > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > AUS-NSW-SYDNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > Please consider you emails subject line . Is it meaningful ? ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AUS-NSW-SYDNEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Why not contact the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/home.php They have a wonderful collection of knickers (but couldn't find the use of the Swami word) and someone in their textile/design section may be able to help. I remember my grandmother having them too....know the word but not the spelling. Cheers Lorraine