To fully achieve the proper look and for the clothes to sit on the body just right, you need to consider wearing the proper foundation garments, otherwise called undies/ underwear. Although these are garments that are not actually visible, the results they give most certainly are. Bras give the bust the correct lift and shape. Girdles offer shape and smoother curves. Garter belts hold up the seamed stockings. Slips and tap panties help the clothes glide over the body and offer added modesty. Combined, all of these items create a 1940s look that can really help achieve the ultimate goal: authenticity. Today is what I am calling a crash course in the basic pieces, a 101 course if you will. If you are not familiar with any of these items, this is a nice introduction and if you are more familiar with these items then this will probably be an incredibly boring post. Over time I will go into more detail and depth on each item like what it is like to wear these items, where to find them, etc. but for today, here you are. This post is not going to cover everything (he he he , why am I giggling at that comment?) but like I said, this is a crash course for those who know nothing about period underwear and just need a quick and dirty crash course.
So why is it important to wear a 1940s bra under 1940s clothes? What can a 1940s bra do that a modern one cannot? It's important to wear a 1940s shaped bra because it shapes the bust in a way that a modern one cannot based on how it is made. A 1940s bust shape, ideally, lifted and separated the bust and in doing so actually made the bust look bigger. 1940s bras were not like the padded bras of today not the unlined ones either. 1940s bras get their shape from how they are made with the shape of the pieces and the position of the stitching. Because of how they are made, that is how they lift and separate the bust. Unless you sew and want to make your own, that's really all you need to know.
Girdles. The purpose of a girdle was twofold - hold up the seamed stockings and define the shape of the waist and hips by the use of strong material and carefully placed elastic. Think of a girdle as a cousin of the corset and that is a really bland and generic idea of what a girdle is. A girdle is also considered a piece of shapewear. A girdle can really help improve the appearance of ones bottom by making it more defined, firm, and remove the jiggle - this is from experience. If you want a nicely shaped bottom but do not have one, invest in a girdle!
Garter belts are meant to hold up the seamed stockings and do not offer much as a piece of shape wear. A garter belt is much more wearer friendly than a girdle is and offers more breathing room. A garter belt sits at the waistline and can have 4 to 6 straps meant for holding up the seamed nylons.
Slips are like little dresses with skinny straps. They are worn underneath actual dresses and clothes to both protect the clothes from the body and to help the clothes wear on the body better. Slips are also an added layer of modesty if you happen to have a wardrobe malfunction. Slips are great for those dresses that happen to be just a little bit too sheer to wear on their own as well. As a side note, if you think a dress isn't a little bit sheer, just assume that it is and wear the slip already.
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| From Der Goldene Schnitt, a slip, bra, and tap panty. |
Does wearing the proper set of undergarments really make a difference? Yes, it really does! Wearing the correct underwear adjusts your posture and not only will you look more period correct, but you will also carry yourself a bit differently as well. It's kind of hard to explain but believe me, nothing will connect you better to the fashion of the past better than a snug girdle!
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