The Memories of Fortiesman
In her essay on Girdle Flirting, Suzanne has observed that in an era when young ladies were hesitant to discuss intimate subjects with young gentlemen, it seemed acceptable, under the right circumstances, to make reference to the girdles they wore:
"One of the reasons, I think, that girdles have come to have such power over men who grew up in the period in which they were widely worn is that they were the most mentionable unmentionable.
"Because of their practical purpose, their association with decency (and therefore not with seduction), and their somewhat comic image, it was not considered salacious to mention them. No one in mixed company would ever say, "I've got to get out of this bra, it's killing me," but, if memory serves, it was not at all uncommon for women to say in mixed company, to the expected amusement of the group, that a "girdle was killing her," or that it was “great to get out of that girdle,” etc.
"Girdles were not publicly considered erotic garments, so they could be referred to. Men and women could, and as I remember did, flirt by talking about girdles."
The memories of the author who calls himself Fortiesman illustrate this principle clearly. In the right circumstances, the girls that young Fortiesman was friendly with did not mind mentioning their girdles. Later, some even allowed him to accompany them when they shopped for girdles!
Hard to believe? Not for one who has been through similar experiences. In the 1950s and 60s, such activities served more than once as a symbolic surrogate for sexual involvement.
While some observers might marvel at the author's memory for detail, most girdle fanciers will readily recognize the phenomenon: the casual comments and whimsical gestures of young ladies, savored for years afterward as treasured memories. Thank you, Fortiesman, for remembering so well.
-Virginian
Enjoy Fortiesman's memories of
The Most Mentionable Unmentionable:
"Sticky-Out Petticoat and Pushy-In Girdle"
More to come before very long...
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Posted January 2003