Girdles, Corsets, and Underpinnings

[Josephine]

This is incorrect. Both the 1294 and the 821 are firm control.

Thanks. I think I've been looking at too many sites trying to find the best deals and the best control.

 

[retrogirl1941]

Does anyone have the 1294? I ordered it last week from my lingirie store but, wanted personal reviews of it. I wanted something that was very controlled. Any reviews on it?

Samantha

 

[V-Sweetheart]

I'm so confused! I have a dress that I need a very firm girdle to smooth me out under, and I thought I would get either Rago 1294 or 821 (I like the garters on 21, but I read 821 has more control).

But then I read that these two are in the Special Attention line which is lightweight control. So now I'm thinking the 6209, which is in the Shapette line with extra firm body shaping.

Has anyone dealt with the 6209?

My head hurts.

Ok, I noticed we probably live in the same state or close. Since I don't have contact rights yet, feel free to contact me directly. But this is what I know about corsets and girdles. (I have given vintage fashion lectures on foundation garments, so I have had to pay attention!) Anyway, the way to pick the foundation garment is by the era you are trying to acheive. The first girdle you showed was a 30s open bottom girdle. They are my favorite. They give you the right vintage line. The others are more contemporary, which is fine if your clothes or goals are more contemporary. (i.e you just want to look smoother). Think about how dead on the fashion looks in Mad men. They actually wear foundation garments styled from the period. I have bought girdles from a place on line called "Girdlebound." For open bottom 30s style and 50s style. They have a wonderful selection and have selections by the smoothing effects required (I.e extra binding etc.). I also have a friend who makes wonderful period custom corsets. She is amazing. Her business is called Dark Garden. They specialize in period corsets (Victorian, edwardian, regency) and fetish and bridal. Corsets are actually comfortable and supportive of your back if made right. (I don't get a cut, I really think these people do a good job.) I have also bought a girdle from old lady catalogs. While Girdlebound is for hipsters, they buy them from the same companies as the little old lady catalogs. Happy girdling.

 

[Josephine]

Ok, I noticed we probably live in the same state or close. Since I don't have contact rights yet, feel free to contact me directly. But this is what I know about corsets and girdles. ...

Thanks very much for all the info. Right now I just need it to smooth my hips and waist in (the dress is a bit snug ), but the era that I like the best is the 50's hourglass. I am as far from the 20's columnar silhouette as you can get (43-34-43) and I like big skirts (with an occasion foray into pencil skirts when I can flatten my stomach out enough). So for my vintage wear would I get the (8)21? Girdlebound was actually one of the sites I looked at.

 

[V-Sweetheart]

Thanks very much for all the info. Right now I just need it to smooth my hips and waist in (the dress is a bit snug ), but the era that I like the best is the 50's hourglass. I am as far from the 20's columnar silhouette as you can get (43-34-43) and I like big skirts (with an occasion foray into pencil skirts when I can flatten my stomach out enough). So for my vintage wear would I get the (8)21? Girdlebound was actually one of the sites I looked at.

Ok if that one is the the girdle on the right, the girdle without the garters, then that might be the one you want. If you are basically smoothing hips and waist. It works best if you are doing a lose skirt. If you are doing clingy 30s you need the open bottom one. If you have my particular figure problem -chubby thighs then the 30s one or the one with the legs is more my ticket (although the one with the legs has its open particular challenge at times with 30s evening gown). I could not wear the one on the right because those healthy peasant thighs of mine would ruin the line in 30s and 40s.

A girdle makes you stand up straight and feel awfully girly with just the right amount of sashay that says "follow me boys."

 

[Josephine]

Ok if that one is the the girdle on the right, the girdle without the garters, then that might be the one you want. ...

I realized I should have labeled both of the ones that didn't come with their number. Sorry! Here they are:

There is a version of 821 (called 21) that has garters.

Whew! Thanks again for your (and everyone else's) thoughts.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Has anyone dealt with the 6209?

I wear the 6209 regularly -- it is firm control as advertised, holds everything in like it's supposed to, and the boning in the waist ensures there won't be any rollover or slipdown. The only complaint I have with it is that the elastic around the leg openings isn't as durable as it ought to be -- after a couple years of wear it tends to get stretched out. But as far as figure-shaping goes, I like what it does for me very much -- my hips aren't a problem so much as my waist is, and the 6209 makes short work of that. Well worth the investment, I think.

 

[LelaViavonie]

Some great tips ladies!

 

[roots66]

Think about how dead on the fashion looks in Mad men. They actually wear foundation garments styled from the period.

Betty appeared to be wearing a Rago Shapette of some kind in the opening scene of episode 6--couldn't tell if it was 1359 or 679, but I did make out the "contour bands." Too bad they didn't show much of Joan's underpinnings before she put on that slip--now there's a marvel of engineering I'd love to see in greater detail.

 

[RetroModelSari]

Anyone tried those? So beautifull but not exactly cheap... http://madebyniki.co.uk

 

[PS]

Herroom was having a sale and I noticed quite a few Rago pieces. I was wondering if they were being discontinued, does anyone know?

Josephine, I have the 821 and its very firm control. I have a very pliable waist and can get a reduction of nearly 3-4 inches with it.

 

[Josephine]

Josephine, I have the 821 and its very firm control. I have a very pliable waist and can get a reduction of nearly 3-4 inches with it.

Thank you, that's encouraging.

 

[PS]

Little Spanx Haul

The Hide and Seek Slip Suit I thought this would go really well under wiggle dresses.
and the All The Way Up High Waisted Panty Hose

There is a code: spanxanniversaryz for 30% off. Not sure how long it lasts found a few different dates, but it worked tonight.

 

[KittyT]

The Hide and Seek Slip Suit I thought this would go really well under wiggle dresses.
and the All The Way Up High Waisted Panty Hose

There is a code: spanxanniversaryz for 30% off. Not sure how long it lasts found a few different dates, but it worked tonight.

In theory I like the idea of Spanx, but they're expensive and ugly and I just can't bring myself to wear them. Also, any time that I would want to be wearing shapewear, I would also want to be wearing stockings. There is a distinct lack of shapewear products on the market that give you the option of garters :-/

 

[LelaViavonie]

I have tried Spanx and Body shapers.. but no luck.,.. they all just dont look right under my clothes...

I am still on the search for the perfect body holder as my mother calls them.. LOL

 

[kamikat]

In theory I like the idea of Spanx, but they're expensive and ugly and I just can't bring myself to wear them. Also, any time that I would want to be wearing shapewear, I would also want to be wearing stockings. There is a distinct lack of shapewear products on the market that give you the option of garters :-/

Assets work just as well as Spanx and are less expensive. In my view, Spanx are for the times when you need a little help, but don't need a girdle. I wear my Spanx with jeans and a t shirt and really does the trick. They eliminate the dreaded muffin top.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

Assets work just as well as Spanx and are less expensive. In my view, Spanx are for the times when you need a little help, but don't need a girdle. I wear my Spanx with jeans and a t shirt and really does the trick. They eliminate the dreaded muffin top.

Agreed....modern shapers in general are not going to do a lot for vintage clothes in terms of the proper lines.

BUT.....some of us like some smoothing with modern stuff or even loosely fitting things...and shapewear does a good job at that..

 

[PS]

These are two new Spanx products I hadn't tried.I tried Assets and didn't get the same fit as from the Spanx and they tore much sooner. These two items are supposed to be silkier and have more slip. I bought the all the way up panty hose because I anticipate wearing more trousers this fall/winter with sweaters and I hate the thigh bulge I get from other shapers even the original spanx, guess my thighs are just fleshier and that tiny pudge that happens over top. [huh] Now the Assets tights are pretty great! I love them.

Kitty, you are right there are very limited options when it comes to modern shape wear and garters.

Miss Neecerie, what you said reminds me a lot of a thread over in the observation bar, building your vintage wardrobe...I get really impatient with wanting a complete wardrobe right now but it will likely take me years and years. So for the time being I have my more traditional undergarments for those special times when my few vintage peices come out to play and these spanx when I am just accentuate what I am making do with.

 

[PS]

Dita has a new line

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1060279/Swinging-Dita-Von-Teese-launches-lingerie-range--help-giant-sequinned-bra.html

 

[Lady Day]

She looks sad in those photos.

LD