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The Girdle: Classic Shapewear

Girdles and garters may look burdensome to lingerie wearers today but in the mid-twentieth century, they gave women a new confidence in their bodies and a very new freedom of movement. Not only did girdles give the entire body a slimmer look, but also, with some that featured exaggerated waistlines, the so-called sexy hourglass look was also created too.

The dual purpose of a girdle as a control garment and as means of holding up stockings with suspenders or garters became unnecessary with the innovation of tights and pantyhose in the sixties. - The suspender belt or garter belt became the mainstay for those who remained loyal to stockings.

Many girdles today use a blend of Lycra Spandex and Nylon. Girdles made from this interweaving of materials are light and comfortable with a snug fit, and virtually offer as much control as its predecessors had, before Lycra came into the market in the early sixties.

Throughout the later decades of the twentieth century the word girdle took on a bad reputation with health concerns and changes in attitude and lifestyle. As a result, many manufacturers found new names to describe their products such as long-line slimmer, control panty, shaper or sports brief to name but a few in order to avoid any negative association.

Girdles today, are generally classified as light control, medium control, or firm control and commonly are an indication of the thickness of material used.

The four main types of girdle are:

The panty girdle; popular in the sixties, and an exceptional choice for all-around smoothing.

The open-bottom girdle; popular in the forties and fifties, generally worn with gartered stockings, it is the classic girdle.

The control brief; perhaps the most popular control garment worn today. They typically provide lightweight smoothing, although firm control items are available. Stomach panels are a common feature of this type of girdle.

The all-in-one or 'corsolette'; An amalgamation of the girdle and bra. They may be a brief-style, have long legs, or an open bottom as in the classic girdle. Light-control versions are also available.

Girdles can come with cuff tops for control above the waistline, garters or suspenders, zippers, and/or reinforced panels to provide extra control.

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