All-in-one camiknickers with button-up ‘trapdoors' at the rear and a set of split-crotch bloomers called ‘free traders' will be among a range of vintage undergarments on show at Pongakawa Hall this weekend.

The Te Puke Kiwicoast Lions Club is hosting ‘Grandma's Secrets' on Saturday as a fundraiser for Kiwican. The event is sold out, with more than 200 tickets snapped up for the ladies' afternoon tea which will include a gentle meander through the eras of feminine undergarments.

Organiser Michelle Cliff says the event was inspired by a similar event in Levin, attended by a family member of one of the club members.

'We thought we could take that idea and do something with it and it's just blossomed,” says Michelle. 'We started gathering old garments that we had or knew of, and we contacted the lady with the collection in Palmerston North and she's very kindly loaned us a beautiful box of 20 vintage garments.”

Gaye Fell's collection comes from her aunt, who was born in the 1890s. It was given to her by a maiden friend and much of it had come from her sister who was a prison warder and probably never married. Other pieces have been provided by friends who have had it languishing in their linen cupboards.

'We've also found some incredible stuff that people had tucked away in their drawers and there's some incredible stories behind them,” adds Michelle.

'We have some Rita Hayworth-style hand-sewn silk gowns that were found crumpled up in a trunk at the local rep theatre. They are just exquisite and have been lovingly laundered and restored by one of our members, Robyn Slater.”

Six models, ranging in age from teenagers to senior citizens, will be parading some of the undergarments and there will be static displays of some of the more delicate pieces and items that grandma would have had on her dresser, including jewellery boxes, gloves and hats.

More than 40 undergarments will be on show, including some Bri-Nylon garments from the 1960s and some modern garments from Temptations Lingerie in Mount Maunganui.

'We've got coral pompom frothy negligees, honeymoon sets and full body black easies, which look stunning on the girls,” says Michelle.

'It's just wonderful for all of these items to have an outing and to be appreciated and enjoyed.

'The reminiscence this will evoke, the music that will be playing (from local soloist Genevieve Denize) and the 1928 Oldsmobile we will have parked at the front door will create an atmosphere of wonderful memories. It's going to be a delightful afternoon.”