Underwear help

[colleency]

Hi! I haven't posted here yet, but I'm wondering where you get your underwear. I'm making a '30s gown, Vintage Vogue 2609, (http://store.sewingtoday.com/cgi-bin/voguepatterns/shop.cgi?s.item.V2609=x&TI=20006&page=2) and I want to make sure that I have a smooth line under my dress.

Do you wear a girdle or other shape improver? If so, where do you shop? I'm in L.A., so I should be able to find something.

If this is a subject that has been discussed to death, I'd love a pointer to the link.

Thank you!

[jitterbugdoll]

For a reproduction girdle, I highly recommend shopping at www.girdlebound.com. The Rago collection is very nice and I have worn them under a variety of materials. Whether or not you choose to wear a girdle is up to you. If you plan on wearing stockings, I would choose a girdle over a garter belt, as you end up with a 'firmer' overall line ;)

[Lauren]

GREAT topic, colleency! The thing that makes a gal look even better who's got the period dress going on is to have the proper foundation garments. Thanks so much for the link, Jitterbugdoll!

And I know the boys aren't allowed to come in here, but Boys, stay away from that link, or you're going to find purses and other objects hurled in your direction!

[zeus36]

And I know the boys aren't allowed to come in here, but Boys, stay away from that link, or you're going to find purses and other objects hurled in your direction!

You know, of course, that by telling us to stay away from something, we are gonna have to take a peek..... ;)

[Lauren]

What are you doing in the Powder Room, anyways? Especially under the "Underwear help?" Looking for trouble...

Remember the sign on the door? "No Peeking, Boys!" :p

[Angelicious]

Get going Zeus! I don't want to talk about unmentionables in front of you boys!

...

Anyway, can anyone point me in the direction of a foundation-maker that stocks girdles bigger than a D-cup? I've googled and googled, and there's plenty of good corsetieres out there, but they only stock common sizes. I can't find anyone locally with the experience to custom-make girdles, etc. & patterns I have the same problem as with websites. (One or two sites have larger sizes, but they're larger all over, not just in the bust.)

I've looked at all those lovely patterns, like the Vintage Vogue ones in the other thread, but I'm reluctant to go to the expense and effort of making something without the proper foundation garment to go with it - I'd have the wrong silhouette, and I'd just have to refit it again when/if I got a girdle!

Sorry if I've brought this up before, but it's really nagging at me... :(

[colleency]

For a reproduction girdle, I highly recommend shopping at www.girdlebound.com.

Thanks! That site is great.

[colleency]

Anyway, can anyone point me in the direction of a foundation-maker that stocks girdles bigger than a D-cup?

The Rago Shapette Body briefer from the site above says, "Please add 2 dollars for sizes 40 to 46 and an additional dollar for all DD cups. Inquire for availability of sizes up to 46 and DD cups."

[colleency]

If anyone else is interested in this subject, in my searches, I found a great page about girdles. (http://www.girdlezone.org/contents.htm)

[Angelicious]

Inquire for availability of sizes up to 46 and DD cups."
Ah, thanks for the thought, but I'm looking for an F. :o

[Angelicious]

If anyone else is interested in this subject, in my searches, I found a great page about girdles. (http://www.girdlezone.org/contents.htm)
One of the sites linked (http://www.double-d.com/index2.html#) from this page offers larger sizes, but not in vintage styles that I could see. It's a lovely site anyway. Thanks for posting the link! :)

[MJCalloway]

I have a question regarding girdles. It seems that when purchasing one they go by your cup size. I'm a lot smaller up top than I am on the bottom and I'm concerned that the girdle might be too small. How does girdle sizing work exactly?

[Snookie]

I have one more question to add to the pile. I'm planning to wear a 30's bias style for my wedding, and I definately want to wear a shape improver. However, I'm concerned that any boning, garters, etc. will be lumpy under the dress (especially since it's white -- highly reflective!). Is that a common problem? How can I avoid it? Should I just try on a bunch and test them, or are there features to look for?
Thanks!

[colleency]

Actually, wearing a foundation garment with boning will help your dress look smoother. You can get a tighter form fit, and the boning shouldn't really be a problem at all. If you were to wear a slip that started at the waist with no foundation garment, you'd be more likely to have lumps and bumps, even if you are slender.

Also wearing a foundation garment will cause you to carry yourself a little differently. You'll look slightly more elegant in your carriage.

[Snookie]

Elegance is great! I'm all for it. I have my eye on a couple from girdlebound.com, and I'll probably get one soon and give it a shot.

You mentioned a slip, and that made me wonder -- should I wear a half-slip between the dress and the girdle, or is that redundant? What is more period/effective?

Thanks for your help. I've been looking forward to wearing this dress but very intimidated about achieving the right "line".

[Lauren]

I know it's not period, but if you have a David's Bridal by you they carry a special girdle like open bottom all in one that is by Felina. It has no bones that show on the outside and hooks and eyes up the back. Makes me think of The Women... when the girl was running around in the girdle at the fashion show from room to room saying repeatedly "Our new one piece lace foundation garment. Zips up the back with no bones." Except it's not lace, it doesn't have boning, and it hooks and eyes. So basically it's not like it at all. Who let me in here? jk

[rubyredlocks]

The Women...my favorite movie. So many great lines,such as the one lauren mentioned. "Jungle red"or"Any ladle that dishes gravy is sweet to me".

Okay folks,sorry for the disruption...now back to our regularly scheduled topic.

[colleency]

It seems to me that you would want to wear a slip, but I don't have any empirical evidence. :P

[AllaboutEve]

Ah, thanks for the thought, but I'm looking for an F. :o
I'm glad it's not just me, I finally gave up looking for an all in one girdle as they all seem to be about 34" up and I'm a 30E which is a challenge to find in modern day sizings too!!. What I have gone for recently is a high-waisted girdle so that you can still pull your waist in but then you can fit the top half separate without having to worry about being too big/too small for an all in one. Some of the high waisted ones really do go up high enough to hold you in almost as good. I do dream of finding a shell pink satin all in one that fits with circle stitching around the bust though!!!!!!!!

PS.....Lauren, I loved your post about hurling purses at male intruders!! LOL!!

[carpecaligo]

The Women...my favorite movie. So many great lines,such as the one lauren mentioned. "Jungle red"or"Any ladle that dishes gravy is sweet to me".

Okay folks,sorry for the disruption...now back to our regularly scheduled topic.


My school put on that play last year, I was the ASM - It was the production from hell (you try putting 23 women on stage with double the props and triple the costumes!) But the play itself was fantastic!

That's our cast - But I was too busy running around to jump in the photo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/carpecaligo/Thewomen.jpg

[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?

:p

[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.