Gertie's post about long line bras and girdles today reminded me of a subject I have been meaning to blog about for ages: the matter of delicates; OR what to wear under vintage garments. I've been asked how 1930s women got that more streamlined silhouette needed for many 30s dresses and gowns and what I wear under my fitted dresses. I can assure that I am by no means one of those enviably bump and squidge free beings seen in the pages of vintage magazines. My secret? Corselettes! Instead of wearing a brassiere and girdle, I wear this all-in-one foundation garment that I find prevents any bra-line bumps or waist level muffin tops like nothing else;) I've seen ads encouraging the wear of corselettes under everything from bathing suits to sportswear to eveningwear, so I guarantee this was the undergarment of choice of many a svelte starlet. I have a vintage corselette from the later 30s-40s that I wear, but it lately just doesn't have the same holding power it used to, so I've got my order in to Santa Baby to get me one (or two) of the
vintage-inspired corselettes from What Kate Did (anyone tried these? Thoughts?).
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| Image of corselette from 1930 by George Hoynignen-Huene |
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Bon Ton Corselette ad from 1932 issue of The Home Annual Magazine
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| 1930 Gossard Corselette ad from Red Book magazine |
10 comments:
Yes, I bought something similar at WalMart -- it has a hook-crotch and I sewed garters onto it. Very comfortable and works great. Under $20.
I think it's so important to wear the right under garments with vintage clothes. It makes a huge difference to the fit. I have been eyeing off those What Katie Did corselettes for a while. I think I shall give one to myself for christmas!
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I'm right there with you! I'm lucky we sell pretty awesome corselettes and girdles at my work, so I get the nice ones for cheap :)
What Katie Did sizes sometimes come up on the small side.
I've never tried anything like this - am pondering a bullet bra from WKD so let us know about the corselette!
That is a really lovely all in one. I've wanted one like that for a long time but can never find one in my size :(
WKD corselettes are fantastic, I have a couple of them and they are great and squeezing in and smoothing out any lumps and bumps, and they're really comfy too.
what a fabulous idea!
I admit, I pretty much go foundation garment-free ('cept for the requisite bra and such ;), and just choose vintage around hiding the lumps 'n bumps. hehe! But I have been pondering very much the idea of making a girdle for myself this year... I have a pattern for something similar and am curious to try wearing something a bit more substantial than control-top pantyhose! lol.
♥ Casey | blog
So good to hear from people who have bought this garment (or other WKD items). Will try it out and let you know how it goes!
It's always lucky when you can get a bargain on such things, Miss Tami Lee, Mary R.
Sounds like WKD might need to address their sizing issues, hey, Miss Rayne and Wearing History?
Casey: wow, making a girdle? Brilliant! That would be incredible to observe! I often go with control tops under a slip if I am going some where or doing something requiring a freer range of motion (garters can sometimes feel a bit restrictive for me). Inevitably, though, I find myself very conscious of lumps and bumps between where the bra ends and the hosiery waist band begins, eeks!
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