The other side of the picture

 

The Myth: Perfect beauty & comfort

(1968 Susa corselette)

(All images from websites)

The corselette on the right exemplifies the myth peddled by the corsetieres of the past. If you were to believe the ads, you had only to buy XXX garment to be painlessly transformed into the perfect shape, so that your clothes would have a perfectly smooth line, without the slightest trace of wrinkles, bumps or bulges. And, furthermore, as the model’s blissful smile demonstrated, this miracle would be wrought without the slightest discomfort.

But, as anyone who has had any acquaintance with girdles will have realised, the reality was very different. Worn by a real person, the girdle would quickly develop creases and wrinkles, and either the garment would gape, or the wearer would bulge out above and below in a decidedly inelegant way. And, our self appointed experts notwithstanding, no matter how carefully it was fitted, or how much it cost, for most women, much of the time, it would not really be comfortable.

This image presents the ideal, as shown in 95% of corsetry advertisements. Note that the line is perfectly smooth, and both the bra and the girdle fit perfectly around the bust, waist and hips, with not the slightest trace of a bulge anywhere.

As is customary in advertising, the model is at least 10 years younger, and one stone lighter, than the type of customer the garment she is modelling was designed for.

It is just possible that these pictures of perfect elegance are not always quite what they seem -- for an example of the trickery that could go on in the photographic studio (even before the days of Photoshop!) see: The other side of the picture

 

The Reality: 1

The 2nd picture, on the left, is a modern advertisement, probably prepared hurriedly for a cheapie catalogue. Note that there are creases around the waist, the hooks on the front fastening are lumpy, the bust cups are too small - despite which one cup is not filled properly, the wearer bulges out top and bottom, and the garters and stocking tops press into the flesh on her legs.

If you are very lucky you might see something like this in the bedroom -- if your partner is prepared to wear any shapewear at all. And be warned that this type of garment soon loses its new look.


The Reality: 2

The 3rd picture (on the right) is typical of those found on amateur girdle websites. The girdle is about two sizes too small, and does a fair job of turning the wearer into the Michelin Lady. I find this type of photo repulsive, but I gather that many men love them, so to each his own.

At any rate, I suspect that this mismatch between dream and reality may be at the heart of much of the resentment that women felt about having to wear girdles. Despite the advertisements, they remained ugly ducklings, and despite the fitters bland assurances, their girdles were far from comfortable, so - at considerable expense - they were putting up with the discomfort, but not being transformed into the Princess of their dreams.

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