Visitors to the British Library’s Secret Maps
exhibition are being treated to one of the more unexpected
curiosities of the Second World War: a lingerie set created for
Lady Mountbatten from genuine wartime escape maps printed on
silk.
During the conflict, Allied airmen were issued with silk maps
because the fabric was quiet, durable, and water-resistant – ideal
for evading capture behind enemy lines. When peace arrived,
rationing lingered long after the fighting stopped, and such
materials often found a second life.
In Lady Mountbatten’s case, the result was both practical and
playfully luxurious: a bespoke bra and French-style knickers
fashioned from a silk map of Italy.
The display has garnered attention on Twitter following on from
a post by historian and archaeologist Dr Elizabeth Norton.
The bra features a delicate single strap on each side, made from
the same cartographic fabric, and a front fastening of two lengths
of white elastic secured beneath each cup. The printed map depicts
northern Italy, with the cities of Trieste and Milan clearly
visible on the front panels. The matching knickers, fastened with
three small buttons along one side, continue the Italian landscape
across central and northern regions.
According to the accompanying history note, the set was made for
the Countess from a silk escape map given to her by her RAF
boyfriend during the war – a romantic gesture transformed into an
intimate keepsake.
During the war, maps of enemy territory were often printed on
silk or rayon, as these materials were lightweight, durable, and
could be compactly stored or concealed. The fabrics were quieter
than paper, resistant to moisture, and could even serve in
emergencies as makeshift filters or bandages. Airmen relied on
these maps to navigate safely if shot down, and prisoners of war
could use them to aid escapes.
Now showcased among the hidden histories of wartime cartography,
the lingerie offers a rare glimpse into the resourcefulness,
romance and quietly subversive creativity that flourished behind
the front lines.
The Secret Maps exhibition is taking place at the British
Library in London until January 18 2026.
