Underwear help

[MissQueenie]

I've had the worst luck finding foundation garments small enough -- I have a 26 in waist, and most girdle vendors seem to start at 28 or 30 Any suggestions? I, too, am loathe to start a project without the right foundations.

 

[magneto]

I've had the worst luck finding foundation garments small enough -- I have a 26 in waist, and most girdle vendors seem to start at 28 or 30 Any suggestions?

Hi MissQueenie, I have about the same waist size (25) and have only found things small enough by getting vintage girdles off ebay (you can look for "new old stock"--i.e. unworn--if you're hesitant at buying a pre-worn unmentionable). My best-fitting one has a waistband of 18-19 inches unstretched, to give you an idea of measurements to look for--and the (early 1950s?) size tag says "Medium"!! Good luck!

 

[Lauren]

I got a waist cincher in the garment district (LA) that fits. I'm a 25-26 also. I have found that buying them that are made in asia helps out, since I think they are generally more petite than American women. The waist cincher I have I think has chinese on the label. As far as all-in-ones, I'm still on the mad search.

 

[MissQueenie]

Thanks for the tips -- and howdy! Great to see some new faces. Is that you in your avatar?

I'm hard on my clothes, so I hesitate to buy vintage for something I'd wear so regularly. Lauren, where-abouts downtown did you find your girdle? Santee Alley?

 

[Lauren]

Gosh, I think it was up more on Maple, but I don't remember exactly. We'll have to organize a shopping expedition.

And bless you for your regard for the wear of clothes! I'm right there with you on that one, which is why I make most of mine. I've but too many holes in vintage clothing.

 

[AllaboutEve]

I've had the worst luck finding foundation garments small enough -- I have a 26 in waist, and most girdle vendors seem to start at 28 or 30 Any suggestions? I, too, am loathe to start a project without the right foundations.

Hi there Miss Queenie, I have just bought a vintage Berlei girdle off Ebay that was listed for a 27" waist and it fits perfectly! I'm a bit bigger than you by about half an inch. I was also worried about wear and tear on vintage items but this little baby is a tough one!!!!
Why not have a look at Dollhouse Vintage on Ebay, it's an Ebay store and they have a really great selection of dead stock. Its all in categories according to size so you don't waste loads of time checking the measurements.
What's really helpful is that they state the UNSTRETCHED waist measurements some of these are really tiny like 22" they would certainly fit you.
I don't know what any of you ladies think but don't you think it's a bit strange that there is so little petite vintage underwear about? I read a newspaper article recently that said that the average waist in 1950 England was 26.5".
What did the ladies of yesteryear wear? and where has it all gone? It seems so hard to find.
I mean Ms Monroe was allegedly 37-22-36 or something like that wasn't she so where did she go shopping?

 

[Annalai]

Hi,

This is something I wrote about this with clothes sizes and how the women has changed lately. Scroll down to Annalai writes.
(Link edited by moderator-Please review Powder Room Guidlelines.)

Here is the direct link to the article mentioned in the text.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1027942004

Annalai

 

[AllaboutEve]

Hi,

This is something I wrote about this with clothes sizes and how the women has changed lately. Scroll down to Annalai writes.


Here is the direct link to the article mentioned in the text.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1027942004

Annalai

That's a great link, the pic of Bardot is awesome. It's really started me thinking. Maybe I'll start a new thread as I think this may be veering off the underwear thread a bit too much.

 

[colleency]

I just wanted to thank you for your help. I bought the Rago open bottom corselette, and it arrived yesterday. I tried it on, and it fits. Yay! It's definitely giving me the smooth line I'm looking for.

I *really* wanted black, but I went with tan for practical reasons.

 

[Snookie]

I was looking through a copy of Vogue magazine from 1939 yesterday, and the first 20-30 pages were devoted to ads solely for girdles and stockings -- it made me realize how important these things were to women back then (and the anxiety that went it!).

Thanks for all the tips on finding a good foundation. I definately feel prepared to achieve a fine figure now.

 

[imoldfashioned]

http://www.girdlebound.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=GVG&Category_Code=FFS

What a wonderful find! I'm ordering a few items when the pay check comes thru!

 

[cakesandcakes]

I have to second the recommendations for Rago. I have both one of their garter belts, which offers a bit of cinching in the waist area and smooths my hips a bit, and their 1294 girdle. That one doesn't cinch in my waist as much as I would like, but it takes a good inch or two off of my hips, which is great under some of my tighter pencil skirts. You can find them a little cheaper on Amazon, although I'd recommend checking your measurements on their site.