An Adele Simpson high-waisted skirt/bolero jacket suit, "good for the short-waisted young figure." This is from a 1956 article in Women's Home Companion about the correct foundation garments to wear with certain silhouettes. I have to admit that the extent of my foundation garment experience has been limited to buying Wacoal bras and unhappy flirtations with supposedly stomach-flattening undergarments. The upper right photo shows a Flexees "all-in-one," which is touted as "especially useful to the woman whose flesh is beginning to soften." Okay, distasteful comparison of a woman to a piece of rotting fruit aside, I think I'd like to own one of these Flexees.
Here's an ad (from the same issue) for the Flexees "Bouffante" 3-in-one foundation garment. "Bouffante" is probably the best name ever for a girdle.
Corselettes, petticoats, bras, and stretch panties--to perfect your foundation for wearing the Luis Estevez for Grenelle sheath dress and silk geranium print dress by Anne Klein shown here.
A closer look at that gorgeous Anne Klein dress.
And if even foundation garments can't help you look good, make a dress that flatters your figure. Shown here are dresses with patterns ideal for: the narrow-shouldered, the slim and short-waisted, those with large hips, and those with a "young figure." But don't worry, you gals who are just plain fat! WHC has you covered with ads in back from two companies that sell larger size dresses.
I think both these dresses are really cute--and budget-friendly! I will be dreaming from now on of finding that plaid Hayes dress in my size. There must be one out there somewhere, right?
xo
K
Posts
Beautiful! They make foundation garments almost look dreamy.
ReplyDeleteDon't they though? My slight girdle obsession probably has to do with being born into a post-bra burning generation. I'm sure they were often horribly uncomfortable. Yet I still want one!
DeleteThey aren't uncomfortable if they fit right and you've worn them a few times. They give you a feeling of being more put together...I kind of relate it to when you aren't wearing them, after you do, you feel like jello that has been let out of the mold and ploops all over. Even just a longline bra automatically makes me pay more attention to posture. I just wish they still made them like this nowadays!!!
ReplyDeleteCee, I had a feeling that was the case! I'm going to be on the lookout for good vintage support garments, I think.
DeleteYou might like What Katie Did for new ones. It's hard looking for a vintage one because elastic wears out. I've been meaning to get one of their bullet bras. http://www.whatkatiedid.us.com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Slu! You are my personal shopper. :) Unfortunately, I wear a US 16, and they only go up to 14.
DeleteYou should let them know to expand their sizing!
DeleteLove this post!
ReplyDeleteI've always toyed with the idea of finding and wearing some vintage foundation garments but I haven't quite got there yet. I do need better posture though so perhaps I should!
ReplyDeleteThat Anne Klein dress is so pretty.
I barely missed the days of these "firm" foundations; by the time I was old enough to wear stockings we had soft elastic "pantie girdles" and soon thereafter the pantyhose replaced all that. What I do remember from my childhood of the late 50s and early 60s is that the clothing of all the women I knew fit perfectly due to their undergarments. With our 60s A-lone dresses it no longer mattered!
ReplyDeleteThose are large sizes?! That makes me almost feel the need to wear foundation garments. Almost.
ReplyDeletethis is something i've been looking into a LOT lately, and ive read nothing but good things about Rago. they've been around since the 40s and are still in business. apparently it's what they use on the set of mad men. looking at joan, it makes a lot of sense that there's some pretty sturdy shape wear going on under her garments - especially at the waist to really create an exaggerated hourglass look on her. i'm probably going to order one soon....hoping for some tummy flattening and waist cinching. :/
ReplyDelete