Girdles, Corsets, and Underpinnings

[retrogirl1941]

Tap pants are definitely a good and period-appropriate choice for wearing over open bottom girdles -- they can be hard to find in a true vintage style, i. e. not low-rise, but once you've got them they're extremely practical for everyday wear. The Nancy King lingerie line had, up until recently, a very traditional style of high-waisted, elastic-banded nylon tap pants, and a bit of hunting around online might find them still in stock from some dealers.

Low-rise tap pants aren't as good for wearing over girdles -- you need the extra length for a proper fit.

As Kitty says, it's also easy enough to pull down a step-in style girdle for necessary functions and then pull it up again. If your girdle closes with zippers or hooks, it can be a bit more complicated.

For myself I make my own repro tap panties. I need cotton ones for tacticals and such. Satin is not appropriate(or net for that matter). But my grannie style walmart, kohls, basically whereever I find them on sale!

Samantha

 

[CassD]

Hi all. I have a question and I really hope that it hasn't been answered five hundred times and I just missed it or something. I have a medical condition that does not allow me to wear anything that squeezes my waist, abdomen or stomach area too much. I can wear bathing suits that have a bit of body shaping material, but girdles, corsettes and waist cinchers are sort of out. Do any of you have a recomendation of something that would give a little bit of shape without squeezing too much??

 

[PS]

Have you try a shaping cami? Rago makes one you can find on Herroom.com. But I also see them at places like Walmart and Target and they are much more forgiving than traditional shapers and are meant to just smooth and not really constrict.......
http://www.onehanesplace.com/product/19986.html?cgnbr=4041000000
http://www.onehanesplace.com/product/19022.html?cgnbr=4041000000
There are a few others at this site.....

Hope I helped a little

 

[kamikat]

Hi all. I have a question and I really hope that it hasn't been answered five hundred times and I just missed it or something. I have a medical condition that does not allow me to wear anything that squeezes my waist, abdomen or stomach area too much. I can wear bathing suits that have a bit of body shaping material, but girdles, corsettes and waist cinchers are sort of out. Do any of you have a recomendation of something that would give a little bit of shape without squeezing too much??

Can you wear support pantyhose? I don't remember who makes them, but last summer I bought a support garment in the drugstore, next to the pantyhose, that was cut like bicycle shorts, but out of the same material as the top part of support pantyhose. They were made by one of the big name brand pantyhose companies, firms up without being too tight, has been through the machine-wash several times and still does it's job.

 

[Real Swell Gal]

Can you wear support pantyhose? I don't remember who makes them, but last summer I bought a support garment in the drugstore, next to the pantyhose, that was cut like bicycle shorts, but out of the same material as the top part of support pantyhose. They were made by one of the big name brand pantyhose companies, firms up without being too tight, has been through the machine-wash several times and still does it's job.

I know No Nonsense makes some and they are great. The main reason I buy them is to keep my bare legs from chaffing in the summer.
They give some smoothness too and are very reasonalbly priced around $7 a pair.
http://www.nononsense.com/shaping.aspx
They come in black and nude.

 

[dollydaydream]

I don't know where to put this, I've spent ages searching the threads but can't find anything recent that is helpful. Crinolines? Nowhere sells them, can't find a pattern. Bleh!

There was a comment in another thread about an online pattern link in another thread but I can't find where the link is!!

I want a pouffy skirt for my birthday bowling do. This weekend. So a pattern would be ideal. If anyone can help it will be very very very muchly appreciated!!!!

 

[CassD]

Thanks so much for all your help and great ideas, ladies. I think I need to take a shopping trip now

Dolly: I think a lot of bridal shops sell crinolines because they are often worn under wedding dresses, and I know that someone on here (I believe it was Lady Day) made a couple without a pattern.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

CassD, you might find you get on with Marks and Sparks shapewear - it's much gentler than say Rago, but gives a nice smooth line under clothes!

 

[lyburnum]

I don't know where to put this, I've spent ages searching the threads but can't find anything recent that is helpful. Crinolines? Nowhere sells them, can't find a pattern. Bleh!

There was a comment in another thread about an online pattern link in another thread but I can't find where the link is!!

I want a pouffy skirt for my birthday bowling do. This weekend. So a pattern would be ideal. If anyone can help it will be very very very muchly appreciated!!!!

Dolly Dagger is where I got mine from, and Vivien of Holloway sells them too

http://www.dollydagger.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=PTT3&cat=8

http://www.vivienofholloway.com//in...art&page=shop.browse&category_id=29&Itemid=29

Simplicity make a crinoline pattern though, I have it but haven't got round to using it yet. Simplicity 5006

Butterick 3737

McCalls 7253 also comes with a crinoline pattern

 

[Lil' Miss A]

CassD, you might find you get on with Marks and Sparks shapewear - it's much gentler than say Rago, but gives a nice smooth line under clothes!

I agree, i have their shapewear and its fantastic, the girdles are soo comfy

 

[KittyT]

Here is the thread called "Petticoats and Crinolines": http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=19043

 

[Goldfish]

How does everyone make sure that everything can be mix - and - matched, color - combo wise?
I don't have the money or organization system to have 2-3 pieces sets that don't work with anything else.
How did women in the past handle this?

 

[lyburnum]

I just buy almost everything in black

 

[KittyT]

How does everyone make sure that everything can be mix - and - matched, color - combo wise?
I don't have the money or organization system to have 2-3 pieces sets that don't work with anything else.
How did women in the past handle this?

The probably didn't worry too much about mixing and matching foundation garments, especially since women back then owned a lot fewer clothes. I don't worry about it. Everything is in black or white, and I only have my panty girdle in white. Who cares if I'm wearing a black bra with white undies? In the grand scheme of things, it just isn't worrying about!

 

[dollydaydream]

fftopic:​

Here is the thread called "Petticoats and Crinolines": http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=19043

I found that one yus, it had the reference to another thread with a link to patterns!

Thank you everyone, you have made me happy oh yes!! I've not been able to find those patterns! I obviously wasn't looking hard enough!!!

Pouffy skirt here I come!!

 

[MissS]

I'm loving my Rago waist cincher!

It arrived in the post the other day and I've wore it to work on Wednesday & Thursday (I wear very slim fitting, high waisted pencil skirt suits) and quite a few people asked me if I'd lost weight! How fabulous!

So, I'm thinking I want another one, but not sure if I'll get the same one, or the Rago underbust girdle. Do any of you ladies own both? Can anyone tell me the difference in how they feel and look on?

Thanks!

 

[kerry]

Hi MissS, I have both the waist cincher and the underbust girdle and love both. They do give different shapes. The underbust gives a smoother line and I find is lovely under 30s/40s style dresses. The cincher gives a curvier shape, great for that 50s shape. My hubby prefers the cincher as he says the underbust flattens out my bottom[huh] . I love both equally and find them both very comfy to wear.
Hope this helps
Kerry x

 

[dollydaydream]

CassD; I have the same problem, have you found anything that is good yet? I went out last night and was mortified by my muffin top, something must be done!! exercise probably, but if they make things especially to hide these things why bother lol

I may try the Marks & Sparks range, their undies have always been good in the past.

 

[CassD]

Dolly, I haven't had a chance to go out yet to look (just started a new job), but Marks & Spencers is going to be my first stop. I've never actually shopped at a Marks & Spencers but I've heard great things about their clothing.

 

[MissS]

Hi MissS, I have both the waist cincher and the underbust girdle and love both. They do give different shapes. The underbust gives a smoother line and I find is lovely under 30s/40s style dresses. The cincher gives a curvier shape, great for that 50s shape. My hubby prefers the cincher as he says the underbust flattens out my bottom . I love both equally and find them both very comfy to wear.

Thanks, Kerry! I think I'll give the underbust a try, as I have some form fitting dresses that I could do with some smoothing for!