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Wearing a Vintage Girdle
Vintage Girdles – from the 1920’s-1960’s
Girdles have been around for 100’s of years although were more commonly called corsets until earlier this century. Originally they were fairly heavy and difficult to get into and a helping hand was needed to tighten the lacing at the back, but all this changed – fast forward to the 1920’s and the corset had been shortened, was made in lighter fabrics and much easier for a girl to wiggle into.
Putting on a girdle, which was the equivalent to a daily workout in the earlier part of the century, was now so much easier with zips, poppers and hook & eye fastenings. Designed to create a smooth line under the flapper dresses in fashion at the time by slimming the hips and thighs and with suspender straps to connect stockings, they were much more like the girdles we know today.
From this decade right through to the end of the 60’s, a girdle was considered to be an essential item of clothing, diminishing waist sizes, smoothing out hips, and eliminating ‘midriff bulge’.
Many women who had been bought up to wear a girdle or corset held firm beliefs that this type of foundation wear was essential for girls to achieve and maintain a good figure, give them ladylike qualities, good posture and assure graceful movement, so their daughters were taken for a fitting as soon as they developed curves.
Vintage girdles from the 1940’s/1950’s were generally made of a combination of rayon, cotton and rubber and were worn under every outfit, whether it be full circle, Dirndl or pencil dresses, cropped capri trousers, cigarette pants or pedal pushers.
Women in this era loved their girdles and wore them all day everyday, whether they were doing housework, shopping, on nights out or just watching TV. My own mum wore them daily under her pretty floral dresses with their lovely flowing skirts until the early 60’s (it may well have been longer but as I got older access to her boudoir was limited).
1940’s and 50’s women were rarely born with the pin-up figure depicted – not only from stars of the silver screen & TV, but in ‘average’ daily life of the times – the coveted hour-glass shape was made – with bullet bras and girdles.
We all have areas we are not happy with or ‘problem areas’ especially as we age or when we have had children, and a good well-fitting girdle has the power to improve your silhouette by smoothing, lifting and flattening in all the right places, helping disguise unwanted ‘lumps and bumps’.
In one of the Berlie ads their slogan was ‘the little bulge that had been my tummy was gone’ and magically they did make a person’s waist and stomach look smaller, flatter and firmer. It feels pretty good to be able to look in the mirror with your dress pulled up and admire the flat stomach where your little ‘pouch’ used to be.
How to Wear a Vintage Girdle
The girdle is once again popular as women try to attain a great figure with or without diet and/or exercise. Many use modern shape wear, but for a true hour-glass silhouette you just can’t beat a vintage girdle.
To achieve the look and the benefits that wearing a girdle gives you, it important to get the sizing right. Measure your waist and hips then purchase a girdle that is 1-2″ smaller than your actual size as it will not achieve the desired effect if it fits exactly, 
it should be tight enough to support your back and firm across the hips and belly. Once you are completely used to the feeling of confinement, you can go to a smaller size if you wish.
The easiest way to put on a vintage girdle is to lay flat on your back on a bed (in the same way we used to pull on our skin tight Levi’s), wiggle it up your legs over your hips, do up the fastenings – hooks & eyes/zip or both then roll up into standing position. There are two reasons why I recommend this as the simplest method although just find what is easier for you:
- It can be hard to keep your balance whilst stepping in and hoisting it upwards with wiggly movements
- When lying down the stomach goes flatter and its easier to fasten.
In time you get used to wearing one daily (which may take a few days or even a week or two), and begin to really feel the positives of it.
The Benefits of a Girdle
When you look good you feel good, and with a good fitting girdle offering control and support for both the stomach and back you can look instantly sleeker and more shapely – not to mention that it will improve posture and encourage you to ‘stand taller’. Standing or sitting up straight also has health benefits as your lungs are not ‘compressed’ as they become with a ‘slouching’ posture and this type of shapewear has proved to be beneficial for overall health if used correctly. A vintage style girdle is beautifully flattering and will show off your assets or hide your ‘liabilities’ accordingly.
There is something addictive about a really firm girdle and many women who have worn them for years become girdle dependent, enjoying the confinement, the tightness, support and control that they offer.
Retro lingerie is popular again as more and more people are feeling the benefits of it because it not only feels good – it looks great too!
What you put on first makes all the difference to how your clothing hangs, and this magical device that will help you appear to shed pounds without any effort, not to mention a quick confidence boost. Any woman of any size can benefit from wearing a girdle in any of its forms – high waisted, full body or a simple panty-girdle. You may be a size 8 but not perfectly toned, you may not naturally possess a pin-up figure, or you may have a few unwanted lumps and bumps – wearing a girdle can change all that in a second!
Its not so much about looking smaller, but enhancing the curves you already have and a good girdle will give you uplift, support, flatten out tummy bulges and help with sagging of the abdominal muscles.
Body image was totally different back then to how it is now, in the 1950’s it was considered that the most desirable women had curvy ‘womanly’ shapes and skinny women were considered unattractive, in fact many adverts of the times were for products encouraging ‘skinny’ women to gain weight. (see our article ‘Shape up, Back to the Fifties’ )
Wearing a vintage girdle is not torture as it may have been in the past; it can be beautiful, sexy and with today’s modern fabrics, comfortable to wear. It is a fabulous blending of function and fashion – designed to give you a true ‘hour-glass’ shape like the stunning figure of Marilyn Monroe, who was not skinny by any means.
Vintage Girdles for Men
Men have worn girdles since Victorian times, although for much of the past century it has not been seen as ‘socially acceptable’ so men who wear girdles had been ‘closeted’. Now times have changed and many males admit to wearing them for control, comfort or just because they like the feel of them. Judging by the calls we get, vintage style lingerie seems to be very popular with cross-dressers as they ‘hug’ the waist to thigh area tightly so can keep a pair of hip pads and / or padded briefs worn to enhance feminine shape firmly in place.
When buying panty or full length girdles for men, to get the correct size measure the waist and deduct 1-2″ for a good firm fit. The waistband should be tight enough not to allow slip-down and the fabric itself should not have too much stretch so there is no bagginess on the hips. For men wearing padding the fabric is not so important as their hips will be more ‘womanly’.
Crossdressing in vintage lingerie is the perfect solution as styles are usually made to sit high on the waist and deep over the hips offering excellent support for stockings.
Posture and grace are ageless and your girdle can be an absolute godsend when trying to achieve this. Modern shapewear is fine – it does the job, but it is nowhere near as glamorous as the good old vintage girdle.
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43 comments on “Wearing a Vintage Girdle”
Tom Sleifer
I am from the Golden Age of Girdles 40s 50s 60s. I grew up in a home with my mom grandmother and aunt. There were always in either a vintage girdle or a corset everyday without question and they loved being girdled. I use to over hear them talk about being Girdle Dependent. As a man I had always wondered could I get to the point of becoming Girdle Dependent and find I love being girdled and discover the benefits that a girdle offers you.
I decided to find out – I located a Spencer Trained Professional Corsetiere. I called her up and talked with her. She told me that becoming Girdle Dependent and getting to the point of experiencing the benefits a vintage girdle does give you doesn’t matter what sex you are male or female.
I decided to find out I set up an appointment with the Corsetiere. She first sat me down and asked me pointed question about my life style. I am very active, but for work like most of us I sit working on computers which is really terrible for our posture. She then measured my hips and waist and recommended that I should be in a high waist boned and zippered panty girdle like Rago 6210.
Then came Girdle Training which you will find here: https://toms0321.wordpress.com/
What I found is that wearing a girdle everyday my posture is 100% improved, my clothes fit so much better, but what I was really surprised once I fould keep my stomach muscles relaxed and let the girdle give my stomach and back needed control and support I had much much more energy, I was amazed.
Yes to do get to the point where it does take a few weeks to around 3 months of daily wearing a girdle and going through girdle training, but it really is well worth it, you do get to the point like women back during the Godlen Age of Girdles you will find you really love being girdled everyday and the benefits are real.
Come and visit us as voy.com/224381/ and tell us about your girdle and corset experiences.
gray stockings
Would love to text with other men and women who have my girdle fetish. Anyone out there willing to talk?
Jeff.
I have had a fascination with corsets since a child. My mother and grandmother always wore pink back lacing corsets which I thought were wonderful and always wondered what it was like to wear them. When I was 17 I had a serious back injury which meant I have had to wear Corsets for most of my adult life. I am most interested in other men who wear corsets.
kathern
i ware girdles every day. corsets weekly, have loved both for over 45 years. yes mine fit well feel good and i wear hose every day. just like woman did in the 40’s-50-60. my wife has lived with it 40 plus years . if i am not dressed she thinks i am sick. they will put me in the ground in a girdle……
Phil
Yes definitely
Jack
Yes I love wearing open bottom girdles and nylons I’m a man wear them all the times .
KB
Hi Gray Stockings – I’d love to chat about girdles
JennaCD
I adore girdle. Love to chat anytime
JanetM
Hello Jenna…I started wearing girdles at a young age, the obg style. I still wear them almost daily, I’m in my 70s. Maybe talk sometime….
Rebecca
Love to chat also darling,,I love my girdles
Philip Bourdon
Gray Stockings. Would love to discuss the girdle fetish with you.
George
Take it your wife wears them sometimes? She looks attractive bet she will look good in a girdle take it she wears stockings .Would love to chat.
JanetM
Hello Philip…I’d like to talk about girdles because I became fascinated with them at a young age. I’m in my 70s now. I still wear girdles often. Maybe we can talk sometime…
klaus
Nice Idea to chat about girdles. I have been wearing girdles, mostly obg, for almost 40 years. Nothing comes close to the feeling of a good fitting girdle with stockings.
JanetM
Hello Klaus… I became a girdle fan at a young age, mostly because my mother wore the obg style. I saw one in her room and tried it on and couldn’t stop after that. I wear almost daily, I’m in my 70s now…Maybe we can talk sometime….
John Payne
I love wearing my new panty girdles
JanetM
Hi…I am a true girdle fan since I was about 12, I saw what they were in my mothers room and became very fascinated after touching it. I’ve wanted to talk to mostly men who had this secret feeling about a girdle, which years ago was a bit taboo. I’m in my 70s now..
ken dase
I love vintage girls with the stripes hooked to nylons oh I think they’re so sexy I love him since I was little and wear some now
Gilliane Manning
I would find it hard to miss the support, and especially the assurance, of the girdle on me today. And I think that suspenders were the best thing ever invented to hold up stockings, quick and simple
I need my belly held flat, doesn’t everybody? And I need my buttocks held in together to create a lovely “monobutt. I need my thighs pulled into shape under my skirt – or pants! Above all I get an inch off the waist with the waistbands of my girdles that are always high-waisted these days for a lovely figure under a dress.
I breathe and move as well as ever in a girdle. The only small disadvantages are that I can’t bend as well to pick something off the floor – but when you’re obviously in a girdle and nylons it’s amazing how fast people jump to do it for you!
The truth is that women in girdles were always held in a special type of awe, it seemed to be a posh, a swanky way to dress and it looked awesome too, for those few permitted to see it!
And despite some discomfort as a beginner in girdles, when you get to my stage you actually look forward to the support after you climb out of bed in then morning, wash and then get your girdle up around you – what a relief, what a blessed relief, and instant transformation too.
I’m always in one of my girdles today -even when I wear trousers I have a panty roll-on girdle on underneath for essential shaping and support.
Oh and ilove the shiny satin panels too, who doesn’t?
ANDREW EDMUND JONES
exactly, why do you need to bend to pick something up, your man should do it for you , i would
George Crooks
Iam my mother wore them for years along with her silk stockings when I used to watch her clip the gorgeous metal clips to them thus showing her silk petticoat and silk nylon knickers . Then ask if her seams were straight. This only happened when my Dad or anyone else was not around. I love seeing all those undergarments. Don’t understand why the women of today want to dress in jeans and trousers, instead of all the lovely sensuous undergarments stockings and comfortable girdles you can still get today and another reason a lot more guys wear women’s silky panties which feels soft and silky against the skin and private parts. Hope you agree with my findings . Carry with communication on email with one another. Await for reply with anticipation.
JanetM
Hi George… I became fascinated with girdles and panties when I was about 12, after seeing them in my mothers room, I’m in my 70s now. I was very fascinated from day one. After trying it on, I guess I never could stop. Maybe we can talk sometime….
Michael McGrath
I’d love to talk, Janet, I’m in Ireland.
Tom Sleifer
I found after I went through girdle training now my stomach needs to be everyday firmly well support. I now know for a fact once you experience these really benefits of being everyday well support you can never be without a girdle.
Gilliane Manning
However I find a tight panty girdle very comfortable to hold me up in trousers. I love the Playtex 18 hour panty girdle with waistband and legs. It’s tough pulling it up but becomes very supportive and comfortable once in satisfactorily. nI actually enjoy the really tight control now.
I ALWAYS wear nice glossy 15 denier pantyhose (tights) under my girdle when I’m in tr It’s trousers. It’s easy to pull it all down around thighs for toilet, but it’s as hard as ever to get it back up again afterwards, that’s the only disadvantage that I find.
I can tell you, there’s nobody will ever be able to pinch your bottom in this fab Playtex panty girdle. The tightness, the flattening of my belly, the hug around my bottom , the serious waistband and the cuff legs all serve to transform the figure and I must admit it’s really another way of life with an absolutely deadly figure walking around – you’ll never sit down for long in it!
It’s magnificent the way it does the job!
Carsten
“There is something addictive about a really firm girdle and many women who have worn them for years become girdle dependent, enjoying the confinement, the tightness, support and control that they offer.”
One can only agree with this statement. But it does not only apply to women. Men can also wear girdles and become just as dependent on them. I know what I’m talking about.
Having grown up in the sixties, often referred to as the golden age of girdles, I could not resist the attraction of trying on a girdle myself. Until today, many years later, the girdle has lost nothing of its magic for me. For many years, I have enjoyed wearing the girdle and stockings under my suit almost every day. It just makes you feel good.
Jack H.
I’ve enjoyed pantygirdles since I borrowed my moms. Nothing holds stocking up better. I ve dressed in lingerie with others but not girdles.
Love to try it some day. The idea of using a girdle as a chastity device is cool
John Z.
I have several herniated disks on my lumbar spine. I was told if I have surgery on them I stand a good chance of having my back fused which would restrict my movements to becoming a paraplegic at the worst. I could opt not having surgery and learn to live with the pain.
The doctor gave me a belt to wear and when it was tightened it helped with the pain but was very uncomfortable to wear. The edges of it dug into my sides and I had to take it off after an hour.
My wife told me about a guy at her job that wore an open bottom girdle (OBG) over his clothes for he had back issues. A few people ragged on him but for the most part no one gave him a second look.
Taking his lead I bought a vintage style firm support OBG from a national company (I don’t know if I’m allowed to say who here). Let’s just say they are very well known. I put the girdle on and fastened the hook and eyes and zipped it up. Instant relief. There were 2 steel stays on either side of the zipper that I had to remove for they dug into me. Other than that when my back is in crisis the girdle is a life saver. I wear it to work, but under my clothes.
I recommend that if you have a bad back a vintage style OBG can be your best friend.
Maria CD
I luv wearing multiple layers of girdles. The more I wear, the tighter I get. It’s so stimulating. Of course each girdle gets a pair of RHT seamed stockings attached. As a Crossdresser I couldn’t be happier wearing my girdles. Oh, and 4 or 5 long line bras are added on as well. I’m a really tight package then. If anyone else finds this of interest, perhaps we can get together for a dress up session. Email me.
Rebecca
I also love wereing girdles my first time was my mothers playtex 18hr ,love to chat about some experiences I’ve had
JOHN
Love wearing my panty girdle and panty corseletts
Christine Plalytex
Hi Maria. Ive been living with the love of playtex and other girdles since I was four. Now am 77.. Enjoy wearing usually three girdles at a time with a long leg playtex 18 hour panty corset. Under it I wear a long leg panty girdle, a pair of panties, a rubber urinal so I dont have to take anything off, then over the first panty girdle my playtex 18 hour, then a long line bra, and an open girdle. Thus two pair of nylons and the best feelings ever. Wear under my regular clothes all the time, and under a slip and bathrobe with bra pads at nite. Also wear three hip pands on each hip, one pad on each cheek, for roundness and that femenin look. I feel good all the time about this, and now it is an every day regular think.
Peter
I got used to wearing girdle in all day. I love to filing that the girdle supporting my stomach. My stomach muscles are constantly relaxed for many year. Without girdle my stomach falls forward, I can hardly hold it. I like that I can’t hold my belly. I think wearing a girdle is a good thing.
Joe
Quite interesting….
I am a male 70 years old, I have a degenerative spine and sciatica. After months of chiropractors, doctor visits, massage, rehab therapy, injections and a group of overly eager surgeons my 97 year old mother-in-law told me I need a support girdle. She gave me a girdle she wore when she was working back in the 60’s then she measured me and picked out several to try and ordered them for me. After trying several types, finding one that worked was a miracle, I wear them regularly.
She picked out a girdle for hip pain and tendon snapping and she picked an all-in-one for my vertebrae popping in and out when I twisted. She tells me I cute when wearing one and is proud to have a son-in-law that listens. I am thankful to have a wonderful mother-in-law. My wife understands the constant pain I have had and insists I wear the shapeware. I have no embarrassment in wearing woman’s shapeware, it’s only sad that men’s underwear does not account for aging seniors. Finally, my lady doctor told me if it works, go for it. She just cautioned me on getting the right size and not cutting off circulation. She also told me to wear them at each visit because she is really wants to know and understand the effects and how it would help her older patients. There is a lot to be said about the 50’s and 60’s generation that is totally lost today.
Tom Sleifer
I understand I have a case of scosolis. It doesn’t matter if you are a male or female the benefits of being daily well girdled are real. It has to with standing erect along with time and gravity has a very negative effect on our internal organs. Keeping you stomach muscles always relaxed and let the girdle give your stomach and internal organs needed support is important. It can take a few weeks of being everyday well girdled, but once you start to experience the benefits a vintage girdle will without question do find you never ever be without a girdle. What you find you have much more energy you feel great, your posture and figure is much improved and your clothes fit much much better.
Edward
Outstanding, but no matter the strength of a girdle or how tight it is, you will never cut off your circulation unless you wear one as a tourniquet, Having said that, every day I wear a girdle that is two sizes smaller than the size charts. Yes, I love a tight girdle. Yes, they improve my posture. Yes, I have a long line bra. Yes, I maintain my weight and am constantly reminded to control my eating. So just enjoy wearing as girdle as many of us do, nothing wrong with that.
Jack
I’m 74 love wearing open bottom latex girdles with straps and nylons love the feel and makes me feel so sexy and helps my back straps don’t brother me the men Im with love s them and they wear also love to hear from other men who wears .
Michael McGrath
My friend Anne wore an open bottom girdle with suspenders (garters) and nylons from when she was 13 until she was 28, every day. She says the only disadvantage was that the OBG was ‘restrictive’ at the sides around her thighs and she therefore welcomed the panty girdle when it came with open arms.
In fact she told me that otherwise she has never had a problem with wearing an OBG all day every day for so many years. What she didn’t like was the straps of the bra hurt her shoulders and she never liked walking in high heels for too long.
She said there’s a lot of ‘politics’ against the bra and girdle today, but she never paid any attention, especially as the girdle gave her a dream figure – and still does.
Bill B
I’ve been wearing corsets or girdles for over 40 years and don’t feel properly dressed without firm foundation wear. I’m quite active and do a lot of hill walking. A boned, laced corset is too constricting for this sort of activity but a firm girdle is fine. In winter I wear an open bottom girdle or corselette with 40 denier stockings for extra warmth. In summer a high waist panty girdle is my preferred choice. I have a couple of high waist suspender girdles from Swanky Pins and I can vouch for their quality!
Edward
I am a 65 year old male who absolutely loves wearing shapewear. I have several Va Bien, Carnival and Rago girdles, corsets and longline bras. My adventure started back in the late 1960’s when my girlfriend challenged me to wear a girdle and I tried mom’s bra, girdle and stockings for the first time. Needless to say, that adventure has never ended for me, although the girlfriend is long gone. Today, my wife does not understand the desire but allows my fetish without question. I just love the feeling of a good bra and girdle with stockings. Really guy’s you don’t know what you are missing.
Jack
I understand I wear and love the feeling and sexy feel even at my age I think it’s great love to meet more men wearing
Ed
I’m a 70+ year old male and have been wearing girdles, longline bra’s and corsets since I was in 6th grade. I’m straight as can be but simply adore shapewear. I always wore a Playtex ‘I can’t believe it a girdle’ every day to work for over 25 years and on weekends, the ’18 hour’ girdle. The rubber fragrance of the 18 hour girdle would have given away my secret. I really miss both of those. When garters went out of style I started the Lace Top thigh high stockings from Hanes. Today, I still wear the Hanes stockings but have switched to Rago and Va Bien girdles and all-in-ones. There are no words to explain why I love shapewear, I just do and for me, if I’m not wearing some type a shapewear I become an awfully grumpy person.
Jack
Love the rubber smell in the Playtex and feeling want to meet more men wearing and get together